I’ve been taking a break from marketing. However, “Family at Booknook” continues to be available at Nicolas Books and the local Meijer stores. I’ve been working on a second novel about an abused woman with three children who at great risk finds the courage to leave a sadistic husband.
I’ve discovered Dan Minock’s creative writing class at Washtenaw Community College. Many have taken the class before. And why not? Dan is a talented gentle soul who recognizes the best in all of us. As a man of humor and nature he has published a book, “Thistle and Other Essays.” The students are diverse; some write daily, others are new converts. A lovely Japanese woman is exploring poetry in English. Four or five writers read each evening and we critic them, focusing on what the piece means to each of us. An added perk: senior citizens can take one course at WCC tuition free.
A reading recommendation: “The Help” by Katheryn Stockett. Set in the 1960s, a naïve young woman in Mississippi interviews Negro maids about their experiences working for white families, riveting.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
NETWORKING AT THE DEXTER LIBRARY
December 1st was a frigid, windy evening. Peggy Singer, my writing colleague, and I drove to Dexter and had dinner at Northpoint, a local destination restaurant—good food.
Lisa Ryan and Brenda
Adult Library Director Lisa Ryan greeted us at the Dexter library, where I was to speak. Including myself there were a total of six people in a large room with forty chairs: Lisa, my writing partners—Susan and Peggy, Peggy’s friend Mary and a very late comer. Why so few? Lisa thought it may relate to the fact that it was the week after Thanksgiving and people had Christmas on their minds. And it was COLD! In addition I am an unknown writer and did not contact the media to get an interview about the novel and event.
Peggy, Brenda and Susan
Still, Peggy, Susan and I had the opportunity to visit about the process of writing, about our group and about our books. Margaret Fuchs Singer published a touching yet riveting memoir, “Legacy of a False Promise, A Daughters Reckoning.” Susan Morales recently published a novel “A Bar Room View of Love.” In it a young woman attempts to expose an ashram and finds redemption. Check out their websites under relevant links on this blog.
Mary Higgins
Lisa, a savvy librarian and historian, has her own stories to write and Mary Higgins has written and produced a play. We stressed that writing groups provide structure, support and motivation. Lisa is in the process of establishing such a group at the library. Go Lisa!
What we learned: Many unknown authors, often self-published, send only a description of their books to the library. However, a book cannot be put into the library system without knowing the quality of the prose. This means that a librarian must read the book. A wise tactic for a little known author is to donate a book to the library. Lisa stated that, if a book earns a place on the shelf, her library will purchase another copy.
Intuitively I knew to do this when “Family at Booknook” was published. I donated novels to all the surrounding libraries. Since then, I’ve been invited to speak at Adrian, Saline and now Dexter libraries. All have assured me that they purchased extra copies. As with all writers, I want my novel read, and getting it in libraries is great exposure.
Lisa Ryan and Brenda
Adult Library Director Lisa Ryan greeted us at the Dexter library, where I was to speak. Including myself there were a total of six people in a large room with forty chairs: Lisa, my writing partners—Susan and Peggy, Peggy’s friend Mary and a very late comer. Why so few? Lisa thought it may relate to the fact that it was the week after Thanksgiving and people had Christmas on their minds. And it was COLD! In addition I am an unknown writer and did not contact the media to get an interview about the novel and event.
Peggy, Brenda and Susan
Still, Peggy, Susan and I had the opportunity to visit about the process of writing, about our group and about our books. Margaret Fuchs Singer published a touching yet riveting memoir, “Legacy of a False Promise, A Daughters Reckoning.” Susan Morales recently published a novel “A Bar Room View of Love.” In it a young woman attempts to expose an ashram and finds redemption. Check out their websites under relevant links on this blog.
Mary Higgins
Lisa, a savvy librarian and historian, has her own stories to write and Mary Higgins has written and produced a play. We stressed that writing groups provide structure, support and motivation. Lisa is in the process of establishing such a group at the library. Go Lisa!
What we learned: Many unknown authors, often self-published, send only a description of their books to the library. However, a book cannot be put into the library system without knowing the quality of the prose. This means that a librarian must read the book. A wise tactic for a little known author is to donate a book to the library. Lisa stated that, if a book earns a place on the shelf, her library will purchase another copy.
Intuitively I knew to do this when “Family at Booknook” was published. I donated novels to all the surrounding libraries. Since then, I’ve been invited to speak at Adrian, Saline and now Dexter libraries. All have assured me that they purchased extra copies. As with all writers, I want my novel read, and getting it in libraries is great exposure.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Talented Pittsfield Senior Writers
A few weeks ago I was a guest of the Pittsfield Senior Writers, a group of learned people with vast and varied experiences, including: coming of age in Boys Town, living under Japanese occupation and immigrating to the United States.
Under the direction of their resident poet and facilitator, Elle Cousino, these writers are embarking on a new adventure. In fact this dynamite group has published a book, “As Time Goes By.”
One member, Walter Palesch has published several articles and is well into a second novel. To illustrate how far he has come and a bit of his wit, as a teenager learning to read English, he had a crush on his gorgeous teacher. When reading “Dick and Jane,” he deliberately made mistakes. Then the young woman would turn to him, pucker her lips and say the correct pronunciation, while he inwardly swooned.
This was a fascinating group of people who had come together to share their stories. And, it was exciting for me to speak with a group of peers who are learning a new skill and sharing their wisdom and humor.
NEXT EVENT: GETTING PUBLISHED
DEXTER PUBLIC LIBRARY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1,2010, 7:00PM
Under the direction of their resident poet and facilitator, Elle Cousino, these writers are embarking on a new adventure. In fact this dynamite group has published a book, “As Time Goes By.”
One member, Walter Palesch has published several articles and is well into a second novel. To illustrate how far he has come and a bit of his wit, as a teenager learning to read English, he had a crush on his gorgeous teacher. When reading “Dick and Jane,” he deliberately made mistakes. Then the young woman would turn to him, pucker her lips and say the correct pronunciation, while he inwardly swooned.
This was a fascinating group of people who had come together to share their stories. And, it was exciting for me to speak with a group of peers who are learning a new skill and sharing their wisdom and humor.
NEXT EVENT: GETTING PUBLISHED
DEXTER PUBLIC LIBRARY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1,2010, 7:00PM
Thursday, September 23, 2010
ART-A-LICIOUS IN ADRIAN
EVENTS: SPEAKING ON WRITING AND PUBLISHING
Pittsfield Senior Center: Wednesday, October 18th, 10:00am
Dexter Public Library: Wednesday, December 1st, 7:00pm
NOVELS for $15.00: at Events, on line, Nicolas or Meijer
On Saturday my friend Sharon Feldman and I drove to Adrian, where I spoke at the Adrian library with four other local authors; a feature of Art-a-licious: a family fair, something for everyone. Children with painted faces made projects and improvised on stage. There were arts and crafts, with demonstrations including candle making, sock knitting and monotype printmaking; music, dancing, fair food and a gourmet dinner provided by Adrian culinary students. Amazingly it was not crowded and one could take a leisurely walk and enjoy the exhibits. Mark this fair on your calendar for next year!
Authors: Charmaine Stangl, “Charlie; The Dog Who Lived the Dream;” Deborah and Carol Marsh, “The Birth of a King;” Maurleen Gillin, a cookbook, “My Mother and Me;” Cristina Trapani Scott, “A Cup of Comfort for a Better World.” Cristina wrote a touching essay, “The Power of Pebbles” about the support and inspiration her daughter’s classmates provided, when her daughter had a debilitating surgery. The essay was one of fifty-five chosen in an intense competition, and she was paid!
The music and art were fierce competition; people wandered through the library, a few purchased books. Still, we enjoyed networking, reading and comparing experiences. Other than Cristine we had all self published and all concerned about marketing.
It was interesting that the two authors who were contracted to receive royalties had no knowledge of what that royalty would be. This was my experience with Author House. Not until the price was set, the book printed and I asked, was I informed. We authors who self publish are often naive. As I’ve mentioned before Mark Levine’s“The Fine Print of Self-Publishing” is one of several good books that are a must for anyone planning to self publish.
Pittsfield Senior Center: Wednesday, October 18th, 10:00am
Dexter Public Library: Wednesday, December 1st, 7:00pm
NOVELS for $15.00: at Events, on line, Nicolas or Meijer
On Saturday my friend Sharon Feldman and I drove to Adrian, where I spoke at the Adrian library with four other local authors; a feature of Art-a-licious: a family fair, something for everyone. Children with painted faces made projects and improvised on stage. There were arts and crafts, with demonstrations including candle making, sock knitting and monotype printmaking; music, dancing, fair food and a gourmet dinner provided by Adrian culinary students. Amazingly it was not crowded and one could take a leisurely walk and enjoy the exhibits. Mark this fair on your calendar for next year!
Authors: Charmaine Stangl, “Charlie; The Dog Who Lived the Dream;” Deborah and Carol Marsh, “The Birth of a King;” Maurleen Gillin, a cookbook, “My Mother and Me;” Cristina Trapani Scott, “A Cup of Comfort for a Better World.” Cristina wrote a touching essay, “The Power of Pebbles” about the support and inspiration her daughter’s classmates provided, when her daughter had a debilitating surgery. The essay was one of fifty-five chosen in an intense competition, and she was paid!
The music and art were fierce competition; people wandered through the library, a few purchased books. Still, we enjoyed networking, reading and comparing experiences. Other than Cristine we had all self published and all concerned about marketing.
It was interesting that the two authors who were contracted to receive royalties had no knowledge of what that royalty would be. This was my experience with Author House. Not until the price was set, the book printed and I asked, was I informed. We authors who self publish are often naive. As I’ve mentioned before Mark Levine’s“The Fine Print of Self-Publishing” is one of several good books that are a must for anyone planning to self publish.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
ART-a-licious IN ADRIAN, MICHIGAN
Adrian is having a celebration of art Friday and Saturday, the 18th and 19th of September. The downtown area will host art, crafts, food and music in a festive atmosphere. It is large enough for diversity, small enough to enjoy. Demonstrations include glass blowing, sculpture and wood turning. Several local authors have been invited to speak at the public library. I will be there on Saturday the 19th from 2:00 to 4:00pm. Looking forward to seeing new and old friends.
Friday, August 20, 2010
TRAVELING TWO LANE ROADS
Last week I talked and signed at five Nebraska libraries. As a psychotherapist I am accustomed to listening, not talking. In the heart of the plains, with Nebraskans’ welcoming ways, I was able to find my voice. I’m indebted to my sister Monna who participated in every discussion and navigated us across the state. Her children, librarians and the media were helpful. My family invited friends, advertised and set up; often refreshments were served. I felt almost a celebrity rather than the struggling author that I am.
A young woman, excited about “Family at Booknoook,” explained that she had just been reunited with a daughter that she had had out of wedlock. Friend Zola said that she took the book to bed intending to read a few chapters and finished it at 3:00a.m. Karen Noonan, the assistant director of Kilgore Library in Grand Island, indicated that she could see every scene and that it felt like a movie.
Husband Murray tells me to stay on message. Repeating myself time and again helped me to clarify what that is.
My Message: In spite of abuse, or difficult life situations, people can learn to trust, love and take control of their lives. There are no fairytale endings but we can develop skills to meet life challenges.
This relates to my becoming a published author at sixty nine. I have stories to tell; you too have a story. If you hone your skills and persist, in this age of technology, you can publish a book. It can be a simple spiral bound for the family or something more ambitious. Or, you may choose not to write. You may thirst for knowledge, to travel, to cultivate exotic plants or something that others do not know about.
The message: Identify your passions and follow them.
That said, there will be set backs along the way. I stumble along this path of self actualization. Being consumed with promoting “Family at Booknook,” I have neglected my second novel. And, I often make errors.
On this trip I forgot that the time changes between Imperial and Hastings. Thus, Monna and I arrived eight minutes after Jennifer Berry’s KHAS TV show had ended. Also I did not trust my GPS getting back to the Denver airport, and was stuck between two freeways before I had the sense to use the GPS
To error is human. To learn from error is growth. I will not make these mistakes a second time. Maybe.
A young woman, excited about “Family at Booknoook,” explained that she had just been reunited with a daughter that she had had out of wedlock. Friend Zola said that she took the book to bed intending to read a few chapters and finished it at 3:00a.m. Karen Noonan, the assistant director of Kilgore Library in Grand Island, indicated that she could see every scene and that it felt like a movie.
Husband Murray tells me to stay on message. Repeating myself time and again helped me to clarify what that is.
My Message: In spite of abuse, or difficult life situations, people can learn to trust, love and take control of their lives. There are no fairytale endings but we can develop skills to meet life challenges.
This relates to my becoming a published author at sixty nine. I have stories to tell; you too have a story. If you hone your skills and persist, in this age of technology, you can publish a book. It can be a simple spiral bound for the family or something more ambitious. Or, you may choose not to write. You may thirst for knowledge, to travel, to cultivate exotic plants or something that others do not know about.
The message: Identify your passions and follow them.
That said, there will be set backs along the way. I stumble along this path of self actualization. Being consumed with promoting “Family at Booknook,” I have neglected my second novel. And, I often make errors.
On this trip I forgot that the time changes between Imperial and Hastings. Thus, Monna and I arrived eight minutes after Jennifer Berry’s KHAS TV show had ended. Also I did not trust my GPS getting back to the Denver airport, and was stuck between two freeways before I had the sense to use the GPS
To error is human. To learn from error is growth. I will not make these mistakes a second time. Maybe.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
PICTURES FROM NEBRASKA TOUR
MONNA MILNER, SISTER
HASTINGS LIBRARY
HASTINGS LIBRARY DIRECTOR AMY GREENLAND
KHAS TV FILMING AT HASTINGS LIBRARY
GRAND ISLAND LIBRARY
FRIENDS OF 40 YEARS, LIN, BRENDA, MINI, ZOLA
YORK LIBRARY
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