Season of Miracles

The December 2015 issue of Sasee magazine is aptly titled, "Season of Miracles."

I love the cover of this issue. It's eye-catching and memorable, with one woman with a broad stride who stands out from the crowd. The woman is dressed in black gloves, a red dress and matching shoes, with a tiny black-and-white bow on them. Just from looking at that cover, you can imagine that woman is going places.

I'm pleased that an essay I wrote titled "Sweet Memories" is included in this issue. The story might bring a tear to your eye, but it ends on a hopeful note. If you get some time, click on the link above and read it. Another local writer, Linda O'Connell, also has an essay in the same issue.

Here's wishing you a joyful Christmas season filled with sweet memories and maybe even a miracle or two.

Double Feature: Not Your Mother's Book Signing at STL Books

 Last week I was among two dozen local writers who participated in a a double Not Your Mother's Book signing at STL Books in Kirkwood, MO. The signing featured contributors from NYMB: On Being a Mom, which several writing friends and I have a stories in, and NYMB: On Family, which several of my writing friends have stories in.

My good friend and High Hill Press CEO Lou Turner picked me up and drove me and another good friend Marcia Gaye to the event in Lou's luxurious Lincoln, which did just about everything except drive itself.

Several of my writing friends have already blogged about the gala. I'm a bit late chiming in, but I wanted to post these photos in case you missed the report anywhere else.

The first shot is of the generous and gracious STL Books owner Robin Theiss kicking off the festivities, while NYMB editors Dianna Graveman and Linda O'Connell look on.

Contributor Jenny Beatrice reads her
sweet story about her daughter.

Sioux Roslawski reads her
hilarious tale about her son.

Dianna and Linda relax
after the event.

I snapped this photo from Lou's
SUV. After hiking a few blocks
to the parking lot, my feet were screaming.
It was a long night, but lots of fun!

Call for Submissions: Not Your Mother's Book: On Senior Moments and Last Call: On Being a Mom and On Family

The Publishing Syndicate's Not Your Mother's Book organization has announced a call out for a new anthology: "On Senior Moments." The editors are looking for submissions from writers of (ahem) a certain age or one who can write about things that happened "from age 50 and up. Baby Boomers and beyond."

Now, there's a subject near and dear to my over-50 heart.

Suggested topics to write about "as an older person" include (along with my comments):

Working on your “bucket list” (Hmm. Need to think about that one.)
Embarrassing moments (I've got lots of those.)
Memory lapses/mind not working like it used to (Yep.)
Technology challenges (Heck, yeah!)
Midlife crisis moments (Check.)
The Big 5-0, 6-0, 7-0 and beyond (I'm in the middle of this one.)
Second careers or volunteering (Let me think about that.)
Surprising body changes (I didn't know they accepted horror stories.)
School reunions (Let's not go there.)
Trying to do the things you once did, but no longer can (What was that, again? I forgot what you said.)
Traveling (Just got back from vacation, so maybe.)
Taking care of aging parents (may dedicate a chapter to this topic) (Should be interesting.)

Visit the NYMB website for complete guidelines.

While you're there, check out the NYMB other submission opportunities.

Here are two with short deadlines that are edited by two of my writing friends who are actively seeking submissions:

On Being a Mom, edited by Dianna Graveman. The deadline of August 1 is quickly approaching. Read about Dianna and what she looking for in submissions.

On Family, edited by Linda O'Connell. The deadline for On Family is also August 1. Read about Linda and what she is looking for submissions On Family here.

Several of my writing friends have been published in the NYMB anthologies and have good things to say about their experiences, so fire up those laptops, writers!

Announcing the Cupid's Quiver Anthology Release and A Healthy Heart Giveaway

February is a month for red, with love and flowers and hearts -- and giveaways.

In the love department, my romantic short story “The Promise of New Beginnings” is among the twelve stories in the just-released Cupid’s Quiver anthology. Oh, and flowers play a large part in my story.

What’s special about this anthology is that it includes stories from some of my writing friends and blogger buddies: Sioux Roslawski, Linda O’Connell, Pat Wahler, and Claudia Mundel to name a few. Cupid's Quiver is available on Amazon Kindle.

In the heart department, last week my sister Kathleen and I attended the Her Heart: Every Beat Counts seminar and luncheon, sponsored by SSM Health Care. It’s the third year we’ve attended the free event. The inspiring speakers included local cardiologists and a young mother who is a heart attack survivor. There were several vendors and lots of activities going on all morning. Lunch was tasty, and although I didn’t win a door prize, they looked fantastic.

While I was at the event, I picked up some handouts and promotional items. Rather than keeping everything for myself, I decided to have a giveaway so I could share them with one of my blog readers. The giveaways include a red-and-white bag to hold the goodies, two colorful pens for writing, a Go Red for Women pin to wear, a nail file to keep you sharp, and several pamphlets with educational information about women and heart disease.

For a chance to win the bag of heart-healthy writerly goodies, be sure to have a mailing address in the USA and leave a comment by February 22. I’ll pick one name at random and announce the winner’s name on Feb 25.  Good luck!

 

News and Views from Nick Nixon Tribute

Sunday's tribute and fundraiser for Nick Nixon, Country-Western music legend and Coffee and Critique group member extraordinare, was a huge hit!

When I stopped by shortly after the 1 p.m. opening time on my way to Michael's soccer game, there were only a few seats left in the large banquet room. 

A few minutes later, security personnel had to turn away fans because they had already exceeded the room's capacity for fire safety. I estimate there were several hundred fans. Hundreds of fans sat at crowded tables or stood along the aisles. Dozens of musicians performed or prepared to perform on the stages. Scores of volunteers sold food, CDs, books, and raffle tickets. Sturdy security folks stood in the lobby and at the exits to help the event run smoothly. Scores of folks unable to get inside waited in the lobby or milled about outside on the sunny, but chilly afternoon.

While I was there I ran into several of my writing friends and snapped lots of photos, but unfortunately my flash was finicky and some of the photos were blurry (sorry, Doyle and Irene).  Here are some photos that did turn out:



Ligaya and David Kirkland get cozy.

Bill and Linda O'Connell pose for this pesky photographer.

 

 C and C members Nick Nixon and Claudia Shelton strike a pose.

 

C and C Members Nick Nixon and Donna Volkenannt mug for the camera.

 

 

C and C members Donna Volkenannt, Nick Nixon, and Lou Turner share a chuckle.

High Hill Publishers Lou and Bryan Turner surprized Nick by publishing a collection of some of his essays and short stories. 

 Good-hearted and generous C and C member Becky Povich donated one of Nick's autographed 45 records and a song sheet for the auction!

Roland and Alice (C and C Member) Muschany took time from their busy day to support Nick. 

Weekend Events: All Star Tribute to Nick Nixon and the Saturday Writers Workshop

Two events this weekend involve some favorite writing pals--Nick Nixon and Linda O'Connell.

On Sunday October 28 at 1 p.m., local country western entertainers, as well as a couple guest stars from the Grand Old Opry, will show their support during an all star tribute and fundraiser for Nick Nixon at the Stegton Regency Banquet Center, 1450 Wall Street in St. Charles.

Nick is a legendary local country and western star and a treasured member of our weekly Coffee and Critique group.

 

In the 1970s Nick had more than a dozen top 100 hits on the Mercury label, including "Rocking in Rosalee's Boat," which climbed to No. 28 on the U.S. Country Charts. The Nick Nixon Tribute and Fundraiser is being held to help support Nick with medical expenses in his battle with Hodgkin's lymphoma. 

Headliners include: Johnny Rodriguez, Barb Allen, Leona Williams, Curtis Lyn Cook, Doc Holiday, the Well Hungarians, and an all star house band.

General admission tickets are only $10 per person and can be purchased at the door. Other highlights include a 50/50 raffle, a silent auction, a live auction, and some special surprizes.

For more information, or to make a donation, e-mail Elmo Linton, who planned and organized the event, at elmojllinton (at) wildblue.net.

I'll be attending the first hour of the fundraiser. Hope to see you there!

***

 

The second event is the annual workshop put on by Saturday Writers.

Jennifer Hasheider and her board have done a top-notch job planning the workshop, silent auction, and lunch, which will be held Saturday October 27 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Cultural Arts Center in St. Peters City Hall.

Speakers include:

Kristina Blank Makansi, co-founder, editor and publisher of Blank Slate Press, who will discuss the dos and don’ts of pitching to agents and editors.

Former newspaper reporter and Professor, Steve Wiegenstein will lead a two-hour exercise in mainstream fiction.

Linda O'Connell will talk about the ABCs of writing authentic, brave, creative nonfiction from the basics to the ethics of sharing your life story.

A few months ago I heard Linda speak about writing at a St. Louis Writers Guild meeting, where she provided helpful information and welcome inspiration.

Due to family commitments I can't make this year's workshop, but if you live in the local metro-St. Louis area I hope you can! Click here for details.

Submission Opportunity: Not Your Mother's Series Anthology

I'm so excited to share some wonderful news from two St. Louis-area writing friends--Dianna Graveman and Linda O'Connell.

Linda and Dianna are two of the hardest working writers I know. Both ladies are award-winning, multi-published writers who deserve great success.

Their latest project sounds fascinating. Equally exciting is that they are actively seeking submissions from other writers!

Linda and Dianna are working as independent editors on two Publishing Syndicate anthologies in the Not Your Mother's series.

     * Linda is developing and seeking "sassy, snappy, sincere or humorous submissions" for, Not Your Mother's book on Family.

     * Dianna is seeking first-person "funny or downright embarrassing" submissions for Not Your Mother's book on Being a Mom.

While Dianna and Linda are collaborating on the promotion of both titles, they ask writers NOT to submit the same story to both books.

Hop on over to Linda or Dianna's blogs for their official Press Releases or to the Publishing Syndicate site for detailed submission guidelines.

I have it on good authority that submissions are already pouring in, so don't wait too long to submit--and good luck if you do!