Mesilla Valley Writers

Two new books by members

2011-05-08T13:27:00.000-07:00

Dorothy Webb has just published the murder mystery Chindii Woman, available on Amazon at http://tinyurl.com/3kyml5z.

Bob Sanchez has just published the murder mystery Little Mountain, available on Amazon at http://tinyurl.com/3ha3n5t.

Of course, both books are available directly from the authors.

The Poetry critique group

2011-03-06T10:46:00.000-08:00

Sue Miller announced that the Poetry critique group is on hiatus, partly due to her other activities and partly due to lack of participation. The group can be reinstated when there is enough interest.

From our March meeting

2011-03-06T10:29:00.000-08:00

Helen presented her research on the subject of self-publishing, with a specific focus on CreateSpace, and she led a good discussion on the process.

Should we increase the word limits on submission to Crossroads, our annual publication? Should it be a bigger book? Perhaps we should review the connection with Fathers As Readers, the prison program that receives the proceeds from our book sales through Church Women United? Questions like this came up, and we need to work out the answers away from the general monthly meetings. Bob Sanchez will coordinate this year's Crossroads project, along with Gil Krebs, Helen Polley, and Steve McLary.

Connie Alsworth will chair the April meeting.

March meeting

2011-02-07T10:00:00.000-08:00

Our March meeting takes place on Saturday the 5th at 2 p.m. at the usual place, the end of Good Sam's Building E.

Helen Polley will lead a discussion about self-publishing. It promises to be interesting and useful.

February meeting

2011-02-06T10:02:00.000-08:00

Connie Alsworth lead an enjoyable discussion on a Valentine's theme. We had a short writing exercise on what we think of when we hear the word "heart." Everyone who read had a different take.

2010 Annual Director's meeting

2011-01-03T10:28:00.001-08:00

Minutes of the 2010 annual directors’ meeting of Mesilla Valley Writers

Held on December 8, 2010 at the home of Bob Sanchez, 2560 Desert Cove Place, Las Cruces

The meeting began at 5:30. Attending were Bob Sanchez, Sally Kading, Doris Morgan, Sue Miller, and Louis Meissner. Dorothy Webb, Helen Polley, and Jack and Janice Mathews did not attend.

Sally distributed photocopies of Bylaws of Mesilla Valley Writers, Inc., which is the official document required of us as a non-profit corporation in the state of New Mexico. Bob will contact the office of the attorney who drew up the bylaws to try to obtain an electronic file that can be posted online for the benefit of the entire membership.

We are required to have an annual meeting, initially in September. (Note: Article III, Section 4 allows us to change that month.)

Officers for 2011 were selected. They are: Bob Sanchez, president; Lou Meissner, secretary/treasurer. No vice-president was selected. We need to fix that. Question: do we have to notify anyone when we change officers named in the bylaws? For example, Dorothy has signed as sec/treas.

This meeting also served as a Steering Committee meeting. The distinction is that the Directors’ meeting is required by law, while the Steering Committee deals with such normal business of MVW as is not controlled by law.

Members of the Steering Committee include the officers and all committee, critique group, or project chairs.

Action item: Schedule the 2011 Directors’ meeting.

Discussion items:

Publicity for the club may generate new members, which may in turn generate potential officers and chair people. Can we get the Sun-News to write a feature on us? Sally suggested the Bulletin; Lou suggested the Ink.

The first Saturday of January is New Year’s Day, so the directors unanimously decided to move the meeting to January 8. The theme will be writing plans and resolutions for 2011.

The February meeting will have a Valentine’s theme.

The Directors’ meeting was adjourned at 7:30.

Appendix: Duties of the officers

President

Presides over monthly meetings.

Calls and chairs meetings of the Steering Committee.

Plans agendas for monthly meetings.

Recruits project chair people.

Assists with projects as needed.

Treasurer/Secretary

Monthly:

Meeting minutes

Make deposits and pay bills

Quarterly:

New Mexico Taxation & Revenue Department report

(office on El Paseo – back of lot)

Annually:

Due in January/Feb. NM Non-profit annual report to Beasley & Mitchell …CPA (Chris Harse) This is the end of the year Income & Expenses Report.

CPA charges:

Jan-May to Beasley & Mitchell

June-Dec to Beasley & Mitchell

Income Tax report. Beasley & Mitchell will do it with information supplied to them.

Steering Committee

The Steering Committee is comprised of all elected officers and all project chairs. Committee members conduct business in person or by email, with decisions to be made by consensus or majority vote.

The Committee must approve all discretionary spending by Mesilla Valley Writers.

The Committee works with the president to plan monthly meetings and new projects.

Noreen Lehman is a finalist

2010-08-19T15:22:00.000-07:00

Great news! Our own Noreen Lehman's "DeGarza's Coffin" is a finalist in Desert Exposure's writing contest and will be published in September's issue!

May meeting: Robin Romm

2010-04-26T10:40:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, May 1, we'll welcome author Robin Romm, who will discuss her works and the writing process. Robin is on the faculty of the Master of Fine Arts program at NMSU and is the author of The Mercy Papers and The Mother Garden, which have been acclaimed by Entertainment Weekly and The New York Times.

Learn more about Robin at her website, and then come and meet her on Saturday!

Change in Poetry critique schedule

2010-04-18T18:33:00.000-07:00

The Poetry critique group has changed its schedule to meet on the fourth Monday of each month. Meetings are still held at International Delights on El Paseo.

April 2010 Newsletter

2010-04-01T13:39:00.000-07:00

April

A gush of bird-song, a patter of dew,

A cloud, and a rainbow's warning,
Suddenly sunshine and perfect blue --
An April day in the morning.

—Harriet Prescott Spofford

Vivid Images Can Sell Your Story!

This month’s speaker will be prize-winning writer Shirley Fouts of El Paso. She will lead a discussion about the effective use of description. Attendees will be offered brief exercises for practice.

We’ll meet this Saturday, April 3rd, 2:00 pm, at the Good Samaritan complex—at the east end of Building E, first floor lounge. From Telshor, go north on Buena Vida. At the end of the blue fence, turn right and go around the end of the building to the parking lot.

Roster and Publishing Opportunities

Our treasurer, Sally Kading will have the 2010 membership rosters and a current list of publishing opportunities available at our Saturday meeting.

June Get-Together

Join us for a low-key social writer’s get-together at The Boulders Clubhouse on Saturday, June 5th at 2:00. One of our members, Steve McLary is a resident of this residential community and will be our host (Thank you, Steve!). Bring some finger food for sharing. The Mesilla Valley Writers organization will provide the drinks, utensils, cups, and napkins. If you like, bring something to read, a fun writing exercise, or a subject for discussion. The writers group in Deming will be invited so this promises to be a fun occasion.

To get to this clubhouse, take Golf Club Road east off Roadrunner. Go past the Sonoma Ranch Golf Club House and The Boulders is on the first right. There’s a big sign and a fountain.

This is primarily an activity for members of the Mesilla Valley Writers but feel free to bring a guest. So that we know the amount of supplies to buy, please rsvp to Bob Sanchez, 571-6797 or desertwriter1@gmail.com.

Our blog

Check out our blog at mesillavalleywriters.blogspot.com. There, you will find information on our coming events as well as archives on our past activities.

2010 Chapbook

For the 2010 Chapbook, Bob Sanchez and new member Gil Krebs are seeking essays of fiction, nonfiction, poetry or memoir from current, paid-up members of our organization. This year’s theme is I Believe, which may include short stories, poems, essays—whatever your imagination can come up with. Submissions should relate to the theme, but be as creative as you like.

All submissions are limited to 1,000 words. Poetry is limited to two pages. Include a short biography (maximum 50 words) with your submission. We suggest you discuss your work with a critique group before submitting.

Send your submission in a digital file, preferably in Microsoft Word. Include your bio at the end, or write “Use same bio” to use your bio from last year. Place your name, address, phone number and email address at the top right hand corner of the first page.

You may send your submission as an attachment to an email or you can write your entire submission in an email and send it to Bob. The deadline is August 7, 2010.

The submission fee is $20, or you may procure a $20 sponsor of a business card ad. Advertisers and contributors will receive one free copy of the chapbook. Send payments and business cards for the ads to:

Chapbook
c/o Bob Sanchez
2560 Desert Cove Place
Las Cruces, NM 88011

April Birthdays

Judy Hilbert and Doris Morgan are celebrating their birthdays this month. Have a Happy Birthday and a great year!

October meeting

2010-03-16T13:11:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Noreen Lehman, we've booked Denise Chávez for our October 2 meeting. Denise is a well-known local writer and organizer of the annual Border Book Festival. Denise will talk about her approach to writing, how she arranged to get her first book published, how she obtained an agent, and what she is working on now.

Notes on haiku from Ellen Young

2010-03-08T10:19:00.000-08:00

Haiku for Fun and (Artistic) Profit

Definitions:

From the Haiku Society of America:

(1) An unrhymed Japanese poem recording the essence of a moment keenly perceived, in which Nature is linked to human nature. It usually consists of seventeen jion (Japanese symbol sounds).

Basho called it: “simply what is happening at this place in this moment.”

I. A brief survey of Japanese haiku and translation

(one poem of each master in two translations)

Matsuo Basho, 1644-1694

The old pond:

A frog jumps in, -

The sound of water.

Old pond

and a frog-jump-in

water-sound

Yosa Buson, 1717-1783

The uguisu is singing,

Its small mouth

Open.

An uguisu

singing with its tiny

mouth wide open.

Kobayashi Issa, 1763-1828

Inch by inch –

little snail

creep up and up Mt. Fuji

O snail

climb Mount Fuji

but slowly, slowly

II. Haiku in English

Definition from the Haiku Society of America, 1960s:

(2). A foreign adaptation of (1). It is usually written in three lines of five, seven and five syllables.

Recent winners of a contest run by the Haiku Society of America:

2009

The house finch
has a song for it,
morning after snow

Stephen Gould, Denver, CO

2008

Thanksgiving—
fifteen minutes
of mince pie

John Stevenson, New York

2007

family reunion--

some of the beached kelp
in knots

Claire Gallagher

III. Some contemporary examples for comparison

Michael McClintock

glimmering morning

silence unfolds all

the yucca

Elizabeth Searle Lamb

silence –

the heart of the rose

after the wasp leaves

Diane di Prima

marks of the

jackrabbit’s teeth on every

pad of the prickly pear

More Basho versions:

An old pond –

the sound

of a diving frog.

peering out

the scarecrow’s ear -

two glittering eyes

a single shoe

in the median

rush hour

even off season

the cholla

flowers

pond

frog

plop!

tonight . . . wishing

the lightning were lightning,

the thunder, thunder

--from “VIETNAM”

spring morning

a green gate opens into

the apple orchard

bags of rice burst open

burlap flaps in the wind

even the label “USA” is fading

--from “Afghan War”

ancient is the pond –

suddenly a frog leaps – now!

the water echoes

Web sites

Haiku Society of America: www.hsa-haiku.org

There is also on online Haiku Society: www.haikusociety.org, which features entries from members. They tend more to the 5-7-5 format.

30 translations of Basho’s frog poem: www.bopsecrets.org/gateway/passages/basho-frog.htm

Sites for prompts:

http://onesingleimpression.blogspot.com/

http://www.haikubones.blogspot.com/

Prepared by Ellen Young for presentation to Mesilla Valley Writers, March 6, 2010.

March 2010 newsletter

2010-03-08T10:06:00.000-08:00

Mesilla Valley Writers

Newsletter
March 2010

In our hearts, those of us who know anything worth knowing, know that in March, a new year begins, and if we plan any new leaves, it will be when the rest of Nature is planning them too.

--Joseph Wood Krutch. “March,” The Twelve Seasons (1949).

Mesilla Valley Writers – Let’s plan some new leaves!

Can you Haiku?
Yes, you can!

Have you always wanted to write Haiku but didn’t know where to begin? At this month’s meeting, Ellen Young will give a brief survey of this compact poetry form, its history, and some of the disputes about which “rules” are important and which can be ignored. We’ll look at some classic and some contemporary examples, then we’ll experiment. How much can you convey in a few straight-forward words? The effort to be clear and concise is good practice for prose writers as well as poets! This promises to be an interesting program so put it on your calendar.

We’ll meet this Saturday, March 6^th, 2:00 pm, at the Good Samaritan complex -- at the east end of Building E, first floor lounge. From Telshor, go north on Buena Vida. At the end of the blue fence, turn right, and go around the end of the building to the parking lot.

Dues for 2010

Have you paid your dues for 2010? If you haven’t, send your $15 check to our treasurer, Sally Kading, P. O. Box 851, Fairacres, NM 88033.

Discoveries

An article on our Chap Book, Discoveries will be in this month’s Southwest Senior. Written by Cheryl Falstead, one of our former members and a supporter of our organization, this article is sure to generate more sales for our publication.

A check for $404, representing our chap book sales, was sent to Church Women United for the Fathers as Readers Program. In a thank you card from the Church Women United, Dorothy Raquelle stated that she will provide us a list of books and other items purchased with our donation.

The Church Women United are selling many of our chap books. Eleven books were sold at one of their recent meetings and likely more were sold at their meeting this past weekend.

Alma Barba

One of our more active members and a dedicated worker for the Fathers as Readers program, Alma Barba, is battling cancer. Send her a card to let her know that you’re thinking of her. Here’s her address: 2614 Hillrise Dr., Las Cruces, NM 88011.

Works in Progress

Ellen Young has completed a biography of her great grandfather, Up to Date in Kansas City: John Emerson Roberts, Freethought Preacher, and is looking for a publisher. Ellen has previously published two poetry chapbooks, Accidents, andThe Map of Longing.

Publishing Opportunities

“The Christmas Spirit” is a book project contracted with St. Martin’s Press for the fall of 2011, but they want the completed manuscript by the spring of 2010. They seek “true” stories that emphasize the significance of the Christmas season. We get caught up in the busyness of the season – the shopping, the family drama, and the event planning, and we lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas. Sometimes, through God’s grace or what some call a twist of fate, we’re able to step back and grasp the real meaning of Christmas and our lives are enriched. For those selected, they will pay a $50 honorarium and at least one free copy of the book. May 1, 2010 is the deadline. Visithttp://www.christmasspiritbook.com for more information and submission guidelines.

Check out http://www.winningwriters.com. This site is has information on poetry, fiction, and nonfiction contests and workshops. Ask to be put on their newsletter mailing list.

March Birthdays

These members are celebrating their birthdays this month: David Hoekenga, Sally Kading, Sue Miller, and Mary Jane Ropp, Have a Happy Birthday and a great year!

Our 2010 chapbook: I Believe

2010-02-14T21:21:00.000-08:00

It's not too soon to begin thinking about submitting to our 2010 Chapbook. This year's theme is "I Believe," and the deadline will be August 7. Very soon we'll publish the submission guidelines, but if you've entered before, you pretty much know what they are.

Last year we had contributions from 15 members. It's a great chance for members to see their work in print.

Haiku Poetry

2010-02-13T22:20:00.000-08:00

Coming up at the March meeting:
Member Ellen Roberts Young will talk about Haiku poetry, and attending members can try their hand at writing Haiku. Ellen is a California native who spent 40 years in Pennsylvania, and has been part of the writing community in Las Cruces, New Mexico, for over five years. Her chapbooks, Accidents (2004) and The Map of Longing (2009) are published by Finishing Line Press. Her work has been anthologized in The Wisdom of Daughters and Orpheus and Company.

Alma Barba

2010-02-13T22:13:00.000-08:00

One of our members, Alma Barba, is ill with level three breast cancer, and is undergoing chemo-therapy. Let's keep her in our thoughts and prayers and wish her a speedy recovery. Get well cards would be appreciated. If you would like to send Alma a card, mail it to 2614 Hillrise Dr., Las Cruces, NM 88011.

February 2010 Meeting Report

2010-02-13T21:56:00.000-08:00

Our February meeting focused on romance/love. Members read great poems and short stories they had written. We also discussed possible summer activities. The critique groups reported current writing efforts inside their groups. 14 members attended and two new members joined.

February 2010 Newsletter

2010-02-01T21:11:00.000-08:00

On February 6, we’ll be gathering at our usual place – in the first floor lounge at the east end of Good Samaritan’s “E” Building.

For this meeting, we're going to "Write Love." Here are some themes you can to write to, or write something of your own choosing, as long as it pertains to Love. Then, bring what you have written to read the meeting. The possibilities are endless, so let’s have fun with this.

Suggestions:
Describe a "love struck" character.
Write a scene where the hero / heroine gives their lover a gift in a romantic way. (a ring, a treasure from days forgotten) The gift means something to each.
Saying "I Love You" in a romantic way or a romantic marriage proposal. For example, a message written on rose pedals, doves bringing a message, a scene in Paris.

Write a scene from one of these scenarios:
Rich city person goes away for a week to a dude ranch. Meets a cowboy, sparks fly
A man moves in next door to a nosy single neighbor. She tries to find out who he is or something about him and he catches her.
Old lovers meet after years of having gone their separate ways. How do they react? What do they talk about? What do they not say? How do they say goodbye?
A smart but poor woman reaches beyond her social status to gain the attention of a powerful and influential man.

A scene about:
Puppy Love
Unrequited Love
Almost Love
Love Hurts
First Love
Obsessive Love
Taking a risk for love

From this list of titles, write a scene or the inside jacket description:
Magic and Moonlight
Masquerade
Free Fall
The Hawk and the Dove
Leather and Lace
Kiss of the Rose
Indian Beads
Night Fire

Kudos!

In addition to the congratulations to our authors that were published in 2009, Pat Conway’s poem, "La Desaparecida" won second place in Eber & Wein publishers’ writers contest. She received $100, and the poem was published in their book. Way to go Pat!

Writing Opportunities

Check out these writing contests, competitions, and opportunities to publish. For more information, check out the associated website. The members of the Mesilla Valley Writers are producing some fantastic works. Let’s get our stuff out there!

Binghamtom University Milt Kessler Poetry Book Award. $1,000 award for a book of poems, 48 pages or more in length, selected by our judges as the strongest collection of poems by a poet over 40 published in 2009. www.tinyurl.com/yzgccnf

St. Martin’s Minotaur / Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Competition. Open to any writer who has never been the author of a published novel. www.mysterywriters.org

Subtropics Literary Magazine seeks to publish the best literary fiction, essays, and poetry being written today, both by established and emerging authors. www.english.ufl.edu/subtropics/submit.html

Crab Orchard Review’s Annual Literary Contests – The 2011 Richard Peterson Poetry Prize, Jack Dyer Fiction Prize and John Guyon Literary Nonfiction Prize. $1,500 prize for poetry, $1,500 prize for fiction, $1,500 prize for nonfiction. www.craborchardreview.siuc.edu

Ploughshares welcomes unsolicited submissions of fiction, poetry, and a limited amount of nonfiction. www.pshares.org

Tin House Magazine is seeing to invest in fiction, essays, and poetry that address the often taboo subject of Class in America. Tinhouse.com/mag/mag_submit.htm

Nashville Review Magazine publishes the best in literary fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and comics. www.vanderbilt.edu/english/nashvillereview

Works in Progress

Dorothy Webb has finished the second re-write of her mystery novel,Chindii Woman. She has submitted it to nine publishers, and has already received three rejection notices. She has also submitted to the Writers Literary Agency and Marketing Company. They promise to assist in finding a publisher and typically receive 10% of what the author receives, if they sell the work. If you’d like more information on this company, contact me (523-4196).

(Surely, I’m not the only one out there working on something. Let me know your progress so I can share it with the group.)

Birthdays

These members are celebrating their birthdays in February. Tell them Happy Birthday when you see them. Lynn Berkeley, Arnold Langstrom, Jack Mathews, Marie Reilly, and Jean Setne.

January 2010 newsletter

2010-01-01T20:48:00.000-08:00

2010

This year, some of our members will change their duties in our organization; others will remain in the same positions. Bob Sanchez will be doing our Chap Book and Dorothy Webb will write the newsletter. Sally Kading will remain our Treasurer and Doris Morgan will continue to do our Publicity. Different members of the Steering Committee will chair the monthly meetings. If anyone has suggestions for meeting topics, speakers, or exercises that would be beneficial to our group, notify Sally or Dorothy and they will try to implement them.

Our three critique groups will keep the same facilitators. Judy Hilbert (521-3711) heads the fiction group. It meets at El Comedor Restaurant in Mesilla on the second and fourth Tuesdays at 3:00. Helen Polley (525-2656) heads the non-fiction group. It meets on the first and third Tuesdays at 3:00 in the second floor lobby of “A” Building at Good Samaritan. Sue Miller (522-5320) heads the poetry group. It meets on the second and fourth Monday from 6:15 to 8:00 p.m. at the International Delights Café. Contact any of these facilitators if you have any questions. These groups are an excellent resource to help with your writing process.

Kudos!

In 2009, many of our members achieved their personal milestones by having their works published. Map of Longing, Ellen Roberts Young’s book of poetry is an emotional journey through the significant milestones in an adult life. Sue Miller’s collection of poems, titled Kaleidoscope contains her writings from 2002 to the present. Trilogy of Hard Times is a collection of short stories by Arnold Langston. Included are stories about Arnold’s early years, his war stories, and his life with the carnival. Bob Sanchez entertaining mystery, Getting Lucky is full of twists and turns as well as bizarre characters.

In December 2009, Jack Mathews’ mystery novel, Homeland Security – Cowboy Justice, published in 2008, had a favorable review by the Aggie Alumni Association newsletter, Panorama.

If any of our other members had their works published or reviewed in 2009, let Dorothy Webb know so they may also be recognized.

Jean Clark

Sadly, one of our colleagues that made a mark with her many published works passed away in 2009. Jean Clark was a freelance writer with articles appearing in many publications, including the Las Cruces Sun-News, The Las Cruces Bulletin, Western Horseman, and Driving Digest. True to her legacy as a prolific writer, she published twice during her final hospital stay – in the Sun News and in the Mesilla Valley Writers Chap Book. She will be missed.

Works in Progress

Keep the membership appraised of how your writing project is coming along. Let Dorothy know if you’ve finished your work, starting a new one, having problems with the project you’re working on or expect to be published. Also pass on your experience with a publisher or editor, if you’ve received a rejection letter, or any other news of interest. We’d like to put this news in our newsletter.

January meeting

Join us at our monthly meeting on Saturday, January 2^nd at 2:00 p.m. We’ll be gathering at our usual place – in the first floor lounge at the east end of Good Samaritan’s “E” Building. Bring a page or so of your writing to read to the group. Preface your reading with some background on your piece. This is not a critique but if you would like some help, let the group know. This exercise promises to help us get to know each other through our writing. If you haven't yet paid your dues, the amount is $15 this year. Give your money to Sally.

Happy Birthday

Lou Meissner’s birthday is on January 28^th. Wish him a Happy Birthday when you see him.

December meeting notice

2009-12-01T21:07:00.000-08:00

December Meeting

At Uno's on 2102 North Telshor

(close to Sam's Club)

Saturday, December 5 at 1:00 p.m.

Please come and enjoy a festive meeting!

We'll have lunch, either sharing pizza

or ordering on our own.

We ask you to bring something you've written

and would like to share with the group

(about 5 minutes' worth of reading, not for critique),

and

please bring a book you've read and

would like to share for a book exchange.

and

Our treasurer Sally Kading

will cheerfully accept your $15 dues for 2010.

We suggest that when you get to Uno's you tell them you're with the Mesilla Valley Writers party.

See you there!

November 2009 newsletter

2009-11-02T15:24:00.000-08:00

Please join us on Saturday, November 7 at 2 p.m. Our main activity will be an exercise using your choice from a list of five writing prompts.

Treasurer's report
Treasurer Sally Kading reports:
Helen Polley has brought in $171.00 in chapbook sales and donations this month. The Good Sam's craft fair brought in $125.00 in sales and donations. We sold $42.00 in chapbooks at the October meeting. We have received $75.00 in dues for 2010 giving us $413.00 in deposits this month. (Only the $75.00 stays in our treasury.)

We had $68.27 in expenses (postage, refreshments, refunds and reimbursements). Our bank balance is $467.89.

Fathers as Readers donation
Helen Polley reports a generous donation by Nile Harper of $105 to the Fathers as Readers program. She writes:

“This gentleman was speaking at the Roundtable Discussion group at the Unitarian Church this past Sunday. Before his talk, I happened to announce that the next Sunday I would be selling our Crossroads book in the coffee room and I explained, briefly, that it was a benefit fund raising for Fathers as Readers and I explained to all what that was. Well after his talk, he announced that he was selling his book also, and he decided that Fathers as Readers sounded so worthwhile that he would donate all the money he received that day from the sale of his books to the Fathers as readers.”

Helen sent him a thank-you letter.

2010 dues
Just a reminder that dues will increase to $15 beginning in January 2010.

Mesilla Valley Chorale Christmas Concert

2009-11-02T15:13:00.000-08:00

Mesilla Valley Chorale

Christmas Concert

benefiting the Community of Hope

December 13 at 3 p.m.

Rio Grande Theater

Admission $10

Purchase tickets in advance from Pat Conway or at the December meeting of Mesilla Valley Writers. This is an enjoyable way to celebrate the season and help a local charity at the same time!

Fathers As Readers

2009-09-15T15:33:00.000-07:00

Here is an update from Sally Kading:

Dorothy got a list from Alma of the books that were purchased with funds from Mesilla Valley Writers for the Fathers as Readers program. I have the list now which I will keep with the other (old) information we have gotten on this subject.

I can't remember how to post anything on the MVW blog but everyone (or anyone) who reads it might like to know that 41 children's books and 3 audio cassette recorders were purchased recently with the funds we have given Church Women United.

Sally

Our first meeting of the season

2009-09-04T19:15:00.000-07:00

We're gearing up for our first meeting of the 2009/2010 season on Saturday, September 5. Our agenda:

Treasurer's report (Sally)
2010 dues increase to $15
Chapbook report (Helen)
Craft Fair (Vesta)
Meeting site search (Jean)
Anne Aylor's workshop (Anne)
Brags
--Ellen Young
--Others
New blog
Anything else?
Short exercise: six-word autobiography
Featured guest: John Duncklee

Our October guest: L. C. Hayden

2009-08-18T16:07:00.000-07:00

L. C. Hayden has graciously agreed to be our presenter for our October meeting. She will talk about promoting and selling your books, something she knows a thing or two about.

She is an award winning author. Her Harry Bronson series have been the finalist for the Agatha Award for Best Novel (Why Casey Had to Die) as well as finalist for Left Coast Crime's Best Mystery (What Others Know). In addition Why Casey Had to Die is a Pennsylvania Top 40 Pick. She has repeatedly captured First, Second, and Third place status for her works at the annual El Paso Writers' League, and even won the coveted Best of the Best Award. She also won a gold medal at the Senior Olympics Writing Competition and garnished a Second place for Tallahassee's Writers Association's Seven Hills Writer's Contest.

Our September guest: John Duncklee

2009-08-17T15:22:00.000-07:00

Las Cruces author John Duncklee will be our guest at our meeting on September 5. Author of 17 books, John will offer tips on self-publishing. He'll gladly answer our questions, so please think about what you'd like to know concerning self-publishing.

One of his recent novels is Disowned, set in 1854 in the Gadsden Purchase area where a Mexican rancher suddenly finds himself living in the United States.

He has published a number of novels using iUniverse. You can learn more about him at his website: http://www.johnduncklee.com/

Steering committee meeting

2009-08-17T08:54:00.000-07:00

Bob,

I look forward to using this new blog for getting information to members between meetings. It gives every member a chance to ask questions and to post upcoming events that members might be interested in.

Great idea ! Thanks
Sally

Ellen's book signing

2009-08-17T08:51:00.000-07:00

Thanks for the information on Ellen's book signing. I'll be there.
Sally

Book Signing and Sale - The Map of Longing by Ellen Roberts Young

2009-08-16T20:56:00.000-07:00

Mesilla Valley Writers' member Ellen Roberts Young has a new chapbook of poems, called The Map of Longing, published by Finishing Line Press. Her poems chronicle loss and getting lost in the ordinary comings and goings of daily life and relationships.

You are invited to come to her book signing and sale on Saturday, August 29, 2009, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m., at The Bean, 2011 Avenida de Mesilla, Mesilla, NM.

Directions: From Las Cruces, go west on Avenida de Mesilla toward Mesilla. At the first light (Calle del Norte), turn left into The Bean's parking lot.

Our maiden post: Steering committee notes

2009-08-15T15:40:00.000-07:00

The purpose of this blog is to inform members of Mesilla Valley Writers of the group's activities. Anyone on the Steering Committee can post, and any member can comment on posts.

On August 15, the Steering Committee, consisting of Sally Kading, Sue Miller, Jean Setne, Doris Morgan, Helen Polley, and Bob Sanchez, met at Bob's house. Dorothy Webb and Jack and Janet Mathews weren't in attendance. Here are key points from the meeting:

Dues will increase to $15 beginning in January 2010.
Officers will stay the same: Bob Sanchez as president, Sally Kading as secretary/treasurer.
Doris Morgan will continue to handle publicity.
Helen Polley is nearly finished with the chapbook.
Jean Setne will research possible new meeting sites and report back to the committee.
We will have a piggy bank at meetings and will request donations to pay for refreshments.
Our September presenter will be John Duncklee. The committee said they would like useful information from him--take-away nuggets on the creative writing process--not much about himself--character development--interactive Q&A--"I did it this way because..."--okay for him to bring books for sale.
No one firm yet for October and November.
December Christmas restaurant meeting (Lou Meissner).
Ideas include:
--Poetry (Helen is interested in learning about odes) with Richard Thomas or Ellen Young, for example.
--A marketing workshop presented by L.C. Hayden.
--Another self-publishing workshop.
Monthly newsletter can be posted here on the blog, but Bob will need to send out an email meeting reminder anyway. (Five members do not have email. Sally needs to mail info to them.)
October 25 (Sunday) is the Good Sam craft fair (Vesta).

Did I miss anything? If so, please speak up. If not, please speak up anyway!

Bob