The Wannabe's Journal

for

May 2013

Happy Springtime in Ohio.  One day its raining, one day is cloudy, one day it is in the 90's and then it is in the 50's and fogy.  And what about all those flowers...they have to be totally confused.  All the more reason to attend a Wannabe's meeting and stimulate the right side of your brain. 

This months meeting of the Wannabe's was held on May 17th and we had one of our largest gatherings, other than the famous Christmas brunch as Mary Lou's.  It mus be that time of year when the snow birds have finished migrating north from their comfortable nests in Florida and points south. 

We were even blessed with two new members this month:

1. Abe B.  had recently attended my Self Publishing class this past spring at the LLI program at UD and was looking for encouragement and help in completing his memoir for family history and photos.  He found that a large number of our group has completed projects which are very simitar to his. 

2.  Bill M is a close friend of Hutch O'C and came to share his stories of his friend Sister Pat.  We have included one of his stories in this months edition of the Journal.  That is one characteristic that stands out in our ever growing group...we love the art of story telling. 

Others in attendance: 

Don H: is busy finalizing the 2nd anthology.  He is waiting for some final edits to be completed.

Mary Lou: is still working on her children's book. 

Martha: reminded everyone, including the new members that she was the official listener.  We reminded her that her story of the Christmas tree which had been installed  in the hole in the floor and "Her life on one page"  are classics. A good writer is not measured by the number of books that they have created but rather by the impact of each story.  .   

Wanda B:  is still working on her book of poems and watercolor illustrations. We can't wait.

Rosie H: has been busy with planning two classes on Paper Making. More information below

Fay D:  has published her memoir: an inspirational book "Seasons of Life" https://www.createpace.com/4035795

Don P:  Read his story of The Wedding....which is part of his new self published book.  "A Peacock Speaks"  A true classic

Butch O'C: Published another letter to the editor in the DDN of May 19th.

Don Q:  Thanked everyone for their support in electing him to the LLI Board of Governors. 

Other Developments

Dear Don, My name is Bess I... and have been in class with you at UDLLI.  Priscilla gave me your email in hopes that maybe you could post the following:

Poetry Event

          June 8th. Saturday afternoon 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

                       Kettering-Moraine Public Library - 3496 Far Hills Ave.

Bring your own poetry or one you love(poem that is).  We sit in a circle and each reads one poem.  Going around usually three times, each has a chance to read three times.

Thanks so much,    Bess Imber

Rosie H.  Also reminded us that she has a number of events coming up.  Visit her web site for more information.ROSIE

Hi Everyone,   Just a couple of things to announce.  My daughter Monica and I are having an exhibition in June at The Fine Art Center of Town & Country.  Hope you can join us at our opening.  If not, stop by during the month for a visit.     If you are thinking about taking the Japanese papermaking workshop I still need 6 more people to make it a go.  Let me know if you are considering it before I have to cancel.   A description of the workshop is below.

JAPANESE Papermaking Workshop

Saturday June 8 Sunday June 9, 2013 $150  9-4 PM Japanese Papermaking   A two day workshop working with Japanese fibers to make illustrious papers.  Rosie studied paper making and visited several of the paper villages in Japan.  She can teach you the fine art of making beautiful paper.

Beautiful stack of Japanese handmade papers

Walnut dyed, surged skirt, vest and belt Made from Japanese Kozo

Cynthia R. Wants to start a new group which will hold it meeting on Saturday and will focus on the mechanics of Self Publishing. 


Hi Don and Nita and others --

 

I am starting a self-publishing meetup group, scheduled to meet in the Meeting Room of Dayton Metro Library from 10 am till whenever on Saturday June 15. Here's the link. Please help me publicize.

 

http://www.meetup.com/Dayton- Self-Publishing-Partners/ events/119389942/

 

This is not a place for writers to discuss their writing nor is it a venue for focusing on the marketing of a book. It is a place where people - writers -- can bring the questions they have about the self-publishing process, and where they can get and give support to each other in the scary but fulfilling endeavor of publishing their own work. My plan at this point (which may change) is to meet monthly on the 3rd Saturday - late mornings (because, like me, many writers are not morning people!). Open to everyone, I hope we'll learn from each other and give each other courage, and knowledge about the mechanics of self publishing.

 

My own focus is Print on Demand (books -- not eBooks at this point) of personal histories. I want to become skilled at using Createspace first, and later possibly other POD types. Interested people may contact me through the Meetup site, where I am listed as the organizer of this group.

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I am extremely sorry that I was unable to publish the Journal prior to this event.  If anyone would like to purchase a copy of Carol's book I am sure she would make arrangements to accommodate your request.  Please send me a email and I will send it to her.

If spring is giving you the itch to garden…

May 22nd’s lunchtime DRC event may be just the ticket!

 

Carol Siyahi Hicks, a vice president with The Dayton Foundation, a former literary magazine editor and author of the book, Gifts from the Garden, will be our featured guest speaker at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 22, in the Dayton Racquet Club Library. She will read from and talk about her new book.

Gifts from the Garden has been described as a kind of philosophy of gardening. It is filled with the rich detail that gardens engender and a passion for gardens and nature. Her prose is filled with the music of poetry and personal experience and observations that are honest, uplifting and ultimately provocative. She will make you smile…and cause you to remember your mother’s garden…or a friend’s…or your own. Gifts from the Garden will provide a “walk” through gardens and surrounding fields and the mysteries of nature and life.

So for something a little different during the gardening season, come hear this prize-winning writer and spend your lunch “traveling” through a southwestern Ohio garden and countryside.

Carol will have copies of her book available if you would like one signed by the author for that special gardener or nature lover in your life.

Call the Club at 937.224.4381 for reservations--$15 for this soup and salad lunch and program that runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Readings

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 Rosie H loving story about her brother:

Heaven’s Whistle

Rosie Huart

 

There are many sounds that seem to call my name.  Some of them are the ringing of chimes, howling winds, rain on rooftops, water trickling, waves of the ocean, birds chirping, thunder storms and music, but it is the sound of trains that captures my awareness the most.  It is one of the most nostalgic memories I cherish.  Later in my life I would realize why I love trains with such a passion.

 

I recall when my father returned home for visits from the army.  We went to the train depot in downtown Dayton to pick him up.  Descending the steep stairs to the underground where the tracks were seemed like a daunting task for a young child.  The sound of the train, as it approached the landing where we stood, was louder than life itself.  I had to cover my ears.  Sometimes, I remember placing pennies on the track and seeing the copper round image flatten right before my eyes.  It was like seeing a magic show.

 

Then there were the trains a few blocks from my favorite aunt Rose’s house.  While she was cooking dinner I would hear the roaring of the train approaching and run to the front porch to watch it speed by.  Sometimes we would be sitting on the front porch in our rocking chairs when, all of a sudden, the train’s shrieking sound was demanding our attention. We would wave at the engineer as the engine pulled its cars, knowing the caboose would soon be near.  The symphony lingered with its melodic notes.  I would wait for another celestial time when I could hear it all over again.

 

There were times as a child I traveled alone by train to visit my cousins in Grafton, Ohio.  It was one of my favorite places to go in the summer when school was out.  I loved the ride.  One particular day, when I was around 7 or 8 years old, I befriended an old lady seated next to me.  For some reason, I taught her how to say the rosary and gave her mine. She accepted.   She invited me to the dining car for a meal.  I remember being very perplexed at this young age because it was Friday.   In the religion I was baptized one of the church laws was the abstinence of meat on Friday and this particular day just happened to be Friday.  The outcome of my dining experience is unclear, but knowing what a scrupulous child I was, I cannot imagine even smelling meat on Fridays and not feeling guilty.  I realized at a later time I was quite a young evangelist and this was my first attempt to convert a non-Catholic to Catholicism.

 

While visiting in Grafton I recall the nights lying in bed at my cousin’s house and hearing the distant rumble of trains.  I remember feelings of sadness and being alone and didn’t know why.  Patrick, my brother, age 5, fell down a neighbor’s basement steps where we were playing and fractured his skull.  I don’t remember, but was told that I walked him home.  He was taken to the hospital and died in the early morning hours.  I was only six at the time. A number of years would go by before I made the connections of sadness and trains with Patrick and why they are so meaningful to me.  Today, on a shelf in my living room I have a small picture of my brother seated on a hardwood floor with a little train in front of him.  The picture reminds me of a happy time in my brother’s life.

 

It was in my adult years that I clearly understood my love for trains.  My most memorable experience was when I lived in a downtown building and the train tracks were outside my window.  The train traveled their tracks day and night.  One particular day while visiting a friend, I met a train engineer who navigated his train right outside my window.  I asked if he could blow the whistle sometime when he passed by.  Sure enough every time he went by he would blow the whistle. There were times I would just run to the window and give a big wave.  Sometimes he would stop and motion for me to come out for a ride.   He would wait until I scurried down two flights of steps and climb the steep hill, but he never seemed to mind.  A big smile was there to greet me.  One time he invited me to get in the seat behind the wheel and navigate the train down the track.  Pulling the cord to make the whistle blow was a once in a lifetime thrill.  But the best part of my connection with the train engineer was calling him by name.  His name was Patrick.

 

Many years have gone by since my brother’s death.  Hearing the sound of trains is different for me today.  The nostalgic memory uplifts my spirit because I know Patrick is not too far away.  He always seems to get my attention when he whistles.

 

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Don P shared some of his poems:

Concerning “To The Lighthouse”

By Donald Peacock

 

One day Virginia Woolf was out of her head

She went to the store to buy bread

When she got to the store

She found it was all such a bore

So she wrote “To the lighthouse” instead.

 

 

Concerning “A Room of One’s Own”

By Donald Peacock

 

Virginia Woolf, the great writer

Penned a novel a bit lighter

Than a trip “To the Lighthouse”

In which she assumed a man is a louse

 

            The fact that beast and best

            Are only one letter apart

            Doesn’t mean it’s a good test

            But could give one a start.

 

She understands men

As well as they understand women

And there is quite a dearth

Of understanding on this earth

 

            The fact that beast and least

            Are only one letter apart

Doesn’t mean it’s a good test

            But could give one a start

 

But before you kill us men dead

Please note she was out of her head.

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Fay D read one of her stories as well::

Confession Number One

 

           The newly-wed bride couldn’t wait until she prepared her first meal for her husband.  She had watched as he did the honors several times.  Now, today she arrived home nearly half an hour before he would be there, so she quickly changed and hurried to the kitchen.   It would be pork chops, she decided, so she set out to get them ready for the oven.  There would be two items she needed to complete the meal, so once the chops were prepared, covered, and placed in the oven beside the wrapped potatoes, she hurriedly left just as her husband drove in the drive.  Pulling the car out onto the street, she waved and called to him that dinner was in the oven and she would be back in a jiffy.  

 

She was so thankful that the store was not too busy and she quickly picked up the special bread that they both enjoyed, reached into the freezer for the ice cream that would top off  her very first meal and was on her way home.  Surprisingly, she saw her husband standing at the open front door with a look of dismay.  She bounced out of the car and as she approached him he just stood there shaking his head.  “What?”  she quizzed.  “Darling” he said, what happens to plastic when it gets hot?”   “Well, it mel…..”  she began.  “Oh, noooo, she said running to the kitchen. 

 

There on top of the stove were the “Saran-Wrapped” potatoes he had removed from the oven.  There wouldn’t be time now to bake more so she thought she would just add another vegetable—a can of peas would do nicely.  “I am so sorry, honey, I don’t know what I was thinking.   You just go relax and listen to the news.  I will call you as soon as dinner is ready and again, I am so sorry.”   

 

Taking the chops from the oven and placing them on a platter, she thought to herself, “I could have sworn I only made four chops, not five. Oh, well, there will be one left for lunch tomorrow.”  She sliced the tomatoes and warmed the peas.   The salad in the refrigerator was ready in minutes and she called to her husband as she lit the candle in the center of the table.  At least he did not have to prepare the meal tonight, she smiled to herself. 

 

She passed the platter of chops and the other dishes to her husband and sat back waiting for him to compliment her that the meal was wonderful even if there were no potatoes.  The first bite brought a strange look on his face and she questioned his expression.  “What is it, dear, don’t you like them?” she asked as her lower lip began to quiver. “No, no,” he answered.  “It’s okay, honey,  it’s just that they are so dry.  Tell me how you made them.”

 

“Just like you do.  I’ve watched you many times. But, I had to add water quite often and I don’t remember that you did that.”  Continuing, she said “Well, I salted and peppered them and then rolled them in oatmeal……..” 

 

“Oatmeal!” he gasped.  “I use cornmeal.” 

 

Now the tears began.  She had tried so hard to have everything perfect and it turned into  a total disaster.  He tried to console her by scrapping away the oatmeal.  When he did, she saw that there really were only four pork chops; the fifth one was just a big glob of oatmeal. 

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Sister Pat Encounters Conifers in the City

 

Bill M:  Stories of Sister Pat

My sister, Sister Pat, sent me another email last week. I think she was too embarrassed to tell me this story on the telephone.

Here is the text:

Dear Big Brother Bill:

I feel so foolish.

Last Thursday it was my turn to take some older sisters from our mother house to West L. A. to the movies to see “Lincoln”. There were five this time, so I couldn’t take my old four-seater Escort. I borrowed the Caprice from the college. It will seat six in comfort.

We all belted in and began the trek down Chalon Way, turned on Bundy as usual, then the rest of the way down the hill to Sunset Boulevard. After I turned on Sunset, I glanced up and slightly to my right and was frightened out of my wits! I immediately began swerving left and right trying to avoid the obstacles in the busy boulevard. Breathlessly, I managed to pull over for the policeman who had flashed on his reds behind me and sounded his siren. Thank goodness the Brentwood PD is ever present and so alert!

As the officer approached the car, I immediately rolled down my window and exclaimed: "Officer, I'm so glad you are here. I saw a tree in the road; then I saw another and another. I had to keep swerving to keep from hitting them!"

The officer looked at me sort of funny, then said, "Ma'am, there are no trees on the road; that's your air freshener, hanging from the rearview mirror. Have you been drinking?” Then the whole bit with the driver’s license, registration and proof of insurance. Bill, I was so embarrassed!

Good thing I don’t have one of those things in my Escort.

Love,

 Pat

p.s. If you ever get one of those cute air fresheners in your car, get a red one, not a green.

Now I think it is truly time for my beloved sister to give up her driving duties, if not her driver’s license, and join the ranks of those who need to be transported. But I can’t imagine her giving up her lovely little apartment in Redondo Beach, much less living in community with her sisters—she much prefers her privacy and freedom—Besides, I can’t imagine anyone else putting up wither precious cats and her propensity for harboring orphan cats until someone  will adopt them.

All that having been said, like the rest of us, in all her charm and generosity, humility and compassion, Pat does have some warts. But like the rest of us, God loves her passionately, and never tires of forgiving her sins, if indeed she has any current ones. I know she goes to confession regularly, but I cannot imagine what she may confess. I have on several occasions offered to give her some of mine to admit to, just so her confessor won’t become bored in the confessional as my confessor seems to get bored listening to the same old stuff about me over and over again. We could get a “twofer” if Pat would take me up on my generous offer to unload some of my stuff on her. God will know the difference, and in a sense the outcome will be the same. We are loved unconditionally and are forgiven.

Be that as it may, it isn’t going to happen that way. So I’ll have to let our warts remain between me and the Lord and Pat and hers remain between her and the Lord. And leave our confessors to deal with the boredom.

As for God, I’ll have to be content with letting God be God and dealing with me as he will. I don’t have the control anyway—never had it in the first place.

God is all good all the time.

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                                                            Technical Tip

If you are creating a eBook from a book that you have created using Createspace, understand that using the service that provides the  conversion to Kindle Direct Publishing will create a eBook for the Kindle device only.  However the eBook will not  look the same on a Kindle Fire, IPhone or IPad devices because it will not be formated correctly for those devices.  This is especially true for conversions that contain illustrations or photo's.

 

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Our meeting next month will be held on June 21st.

I will be on vacation so the meeting will be hosted by Mary Lou. 

I would be remiss if I did not take the time to compliment all the members of the Wannabe's who participate in our meeting and newsletter.  Our small group of various artists has grown in numbers over the last few years.  I recently told Julie Mitchell, our sponsor through the LLI program at the University of Dayton that we want to fill the shelves in the LLI Lounge with the fruits of creative writing/self publishing tree that was planted by Nancy Pinard five short years ago.  Nancy's class in creative writing has help new authors publish about 10 new books in the last few years.  It has also led to the formation of two independent businesses who focus on helping authors fulfill their dreams.  Very impressive. 

Have a great week and Happy Memorial Day everyone.  See you next month at our meeting. 

The Wannabe Journal

April 2013

The Academic Year at UD is finally getting close to an end.

It is spring I think.  The trees are in bloom and the allergies are making people change their contacts more frequently.  I had the pleasure to attend the Mad Anthony Writers Workshop recently. I was able to attend three presentation by distinguished speakers in the literary world.  I heard presentations by Jane Friedman, Sharon Draper and Sandra Gurvis.  I also had the pleasure to meet new people who are actively pursuing their writing passion.  My visit to this writing event which has been held for 8 years was very beneficial. I even had the opportunity to say hello to our groups inspiration...Nancy Pinard.  My weekend schedule did not allow me to take in her lecture on Sunday entitled "Your manuscript Revised"  I am sure it was well attended. 

What are our members up to: 

Bob O'Connor:  He submitted a homily from a Pastor Kennedy who is also a frequent lecturer for the LLI program.  Here is his story.

I am not without some training from a variety of low-level academic institutions, yet I feel compelled to write about the smartest people in the world.  I am not a scholar or the son of a scholar.  When I say I was born in LA, I mean Louisiana, not the city of angels.  Alas, I am just a country preacher, which means that I live in fear that one day someone will discover that I don’t know what I’m talking about, and yet I still feel compelled to speak.  There is one small caveat: I write the following words because there lives inside of me this underdeveloped sense of the comedic, the court jester, the clown, the stand-up comedian and because theology can be so demanding, I need a break and I go slumming in order to get a bit of relief.  I know that I seem irreverent to some of you, but I am a bit intense.  If you knew that writing something whimsical would keep you out of the psych ward at Miami Valley Hospital, wouldn’t you write whimsy? 

Out here in “Flyover Country,” we are considered naïve and corny.  Is it because we grow most of the nation’s corn?  If a city isn’t in a major-media market, it simply doesn’t exist.  Baseball announcers will say that a player for the Reds is the best “unknown” player in the country.  How is this possible?  Don’t they have the internet in New York?  In the age of instant news, when the “Computer” sees everything and everyone, how can there be unknown?  I suppose that since we don’t live on the coast, we are simply “toast.” 

But this antipathy toward Ohio goes deeper than market share?  I am at a loss to explain how utterly irrelevant our region seems to be except every four years when the presidential election motto becomes, “As goes Ohio, so goes the nation.”  Maybe I’ve just transferred by ancient “chip on the shoulder” from the South to the Midwest, my centuries old festering grudge against the rest of the world for considering the South as a bunch of hillbillies, and the problem is not in the national media, but in me.  If that is the case, I apologize for my psychological transference.  Perhaps you know a good therapist from Harvard who could help me get over the angst and accept my humble status in the nation.  I’m working on it.   

Since we make most of the food, and in case New York and Los Angeles hasn’t gotten the news, have most of the water, and basically invented everything that matters in America, and since we are in control of who lives in the White House, you would think that people would pay more attention to us.  But, alas, that is a naïve idea, isn’t it?   

There’s a lot of uncelebrated wisdom, creativity, and ingenuity in our region.  Just because we have good manners, a certain Midwestern reticence, and respect doesn’t mean we are a bunch of nincompoops.  I am aware that the virtues are no longer newsworthy.  After all, the people in the know, the people who poke such fun at us, while transforming the “Seven Cardinal Sins into the Seven Cardinal Virtues of American Excess,” are much more exciting.  

To those who are so smart, so cute, so sarcastic, so ironic, and so self-important, I can only say that we will always be here.  While they keep making the news, we will be providing beefsteaks and beer.   After all, maintaining a sense of coastal self-importance by putting down Middle Earth (The Midwest), requires a tremendous amount of energy.  This, in turn, will require a lot of food and water.    

What happens when the nation becomes entirely dependent on our food and our water?  We will share.  After all, that’s what we have always done.  We are good people.   

Besides, if the water level in the oceans continues to rise, the Midwest might become the East coast, and then who will be the object of derision for the scorners and mockers?  Whatever the future may hold, please enjoy a great steak at The Palm in Washington, D.C., and try to remember that flyover country is not only the feeding house of the nation but also the watering hole.  Have a joyful, wonderful day and may God bless those who know they are better because of where they live. 

Since you are smarter than the rest of the country realizes, I’m sure you knew that my opening rhetorical strategy is called the “Southern con.”  Southerners have pretended incompetence ever since Reconstruction in order to secure sympathy and take advantage of unsuspecting Yankees.  Those of us who speak with a drawl are aware that it is the first indicator of abysmal stupidity.  As one of my fellow Southerners puts it, however, “It is a great advantage for your enemy to assume you are not all that bright.” 

Now, please excuse me.  I am late for a bit of outpatient surgery.  The doctor has to help me get my deeply embedded tongue out of my left cheek.  RWK     

 

Jude W:   I'm in Rome with my Deep Writing group but will see you next month!  Bring home some good wine from the street fair's.

Linda:  Don,  I have been a "party pooper" recently regarding the writer's group.  When I took on the UDLLI presidency, my "free time" diminished greatly.  I do hope to return when my term ends as President.  Please grant me a "Leave of Absence".

Your request has been granted.  It is called a sabbatical.  

Martha: Don,  I really dislike missing the Wannabe's but I have an event out of town that day.  I still plan to return to the meetings soon.  Thanks for the message.  Martha W.  Our Meeting on the 19th of April included the following updates:

Don P:  Shared his books on genealogy and family history that he has created over the last few years.  He recently published a novel of short stories which he is famous for within our group.  The Peacock Speaks is available on Amazon.  He is in the middle of editing another series of short story's for next book.  He is also going to be a guest lecture on self publishing for the LLI class on the same subject. 

Don H.  Introduced the group to a new book entitled:  Wired for Story by Lisa Cron.  Here is a description of her book from Amazon.  Release date: July 10, 2012

Imagine knowing what the brain craves from every tale it encounters, what fuels the success of any great story, and what keeps readers transfixed. Wired for Story reveals these cognitive secrets--and it's a game-changer for anyone who has ever set pen to paper.
     The vast majority of writing advice focuses on "writing well" as if it were the same as telling a great story. This is exactly where many aspiring writers fail--they strive for beautiful metaphors, authentic dialogue, and interesting characters, losing sight of the one thing that every engaging story must do: ignite the brain's hardwired desire to learn what happens next. When writers tap into the evolutionary purpose of story and electrify our curiosity, it triggers a delicious dopamine rush that tells us to pay attention. Without it, even the most perfect prose won't hold anyone's interest.
     Backed by recent breakthroughs in neuroscience as well as examples from novels, screenplays, and short stories, Wired for Story offers a revolutionary look at story as the brain experiences it. Each chapter zeroes in on an aspect of the brain, its corresponding revelation about story, and the way to apply it to your storytelling right now.

Sounds like something I could use...

Rosie H:  She read a poem/short story that she wrote for a friend.  The title of the story was "Hand-me-downs".  It was a very powerful story that affected us all emotionally and intellectually.  We encouraged her to enter the story in the Dayton Daily News short story competition.  You can tell she is a good poet from her choice of powerful words. 

Rosie H is also  working on a presentation for a proposed UDLLI class on Painting & Poetry, where students will attempt to write poetry which describes an already accomplished painting.

Rosie also mentioned that this Sunday, April 21st will be the last in this season's series of an Evening of Poetic Art at the Fine Art Center at Town & Country Shopping Center. Come between 5-7 PM for another interesting event.

we discussed Wanda B's illustrations and poems for a children's book. She showed us about a dozen excellent illustrations but she only intends to use about 6, with accompanying poetry, perhaps to be self-published using Blurb.

A long discussion ensued about ekphratic efforts, which is essentially the joining of more than one art, where arts are combined to enhance and stimulate new art by virtue of the mixture of the forms. For example, poetry (song lyrics) added to music or vice versa; painting & poetry; film arts & music; story composition (writing) accompanied with music, or any other combination of arts. We talked about which form comes first, but concluded there is no particular order; it is left to the imagination of the artist. It is so interesting when one not only prompts, but augments another artform.

Long live the Muses and their wonderful mother, Mnemosyne!

Don Q:  Talked about the art of self publishing eBooks. 

We are continuing to see more and more authors jumping to self published eBooks.  They are called Hybrid Authors.  The reason is money and royalty's.  There was a recent article in the New York Times in the last week about Agents are now helping authors self publish their clients books and coordinating the services necessary...again money and survival are the motivations.  Interesting business. 

Here is what I recommended to the student who are part of my LLI class on Thursday's

1. Since Kindle and Nook have 85 % of the market publish through them at a minimum.
2. But if you wat to be more complete then publish your eBook using Kindle Direct and Smashwords.  That will cover 95% of the distribution.
3. DRM is not recommended but if you use Kindle you cannot avoid it. 
4. Watch out for hidden fee’s, such as manuscript changes when you use BookBaby.   
5. EPUB is the standard for eBooks.

Our Meeting next month is on May 17th.  Again we will meet in the LLI Lounge on the 2nd floor of the River Campus Bldg of UD's new campus on South Patterson.  We hope you can attend.  Have a great week. 



Visit our Blog at:  http://wannabecom.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-wannabes-journal-for-march-2013.html

The Wannabe's Journal
for
March 2013

                                        The Easter Bunny must be a Self Published Author......

What happened to springtime?  I heard it's out of town for the holiday.  We are getting close to the time when all the snowbirds start the pilgrimage North for the blooms of the spring flowers.  Hopefully the snow will melt and we will be able to see them.

Our small group of six writers and artists this month celebrated the birth of a new novel.  About a year ago we were blessed with a new member who heard about the reputation of our illustrious group and came to a meeting at UD's River Campus for one of our monthly Wannabe's meetings.  She describe the contents of a project that she was working on that has now turned into a self-published novel.  This will make six people who have self-published since that spark was lit back in 2008 when the Wannabe's had their first meeting to talk about stories and right brain activities.  Thank you again to our inspiration and literary leader Nancy Pinard.  I am sure that when she taught that Creative Writing Class back then that she had no idea that she would be the one to inspire some many people to create their dreams.

Nancy is one of the featured speakers at this years Mad Anthony's Writers Workshop which will be held Friday-Sunday, April 12 to 14th, 2013 at Miami University's Campus in Hamilton. Visit their website to review the agenda, register and get directions:
http://writelikemad.com/

Another one of our favorite literary spokespersons that we follow will also be participating in this event. Jane Friedman will participate both Saturday and Sunday.  

Writers News:

Earlier this week there was an article that Kindle would start a program where they would give away the Kindle so that they would be able to market their device to Schools and University's.  Looks like Barnes and Noble beat them to the punch. 

Three out of the top 12 books are self publishing authors.  The new trend is for authors who have in the past used agents and traditional publishing are now going the self-publishing route in order to make more money.  Their group is called  Hybrid Author's. 

The price of ebooks keeps dropping this year.  Average price is about 7.50 per book.  Non fiction is priced a little higher. 

New sites like Zola and Bookish are setting up to sell ebooks exclusively.  They are trying to compete with sites like Goodreads which recommends books to readers based on personal reviews. These are not to be confused with sites which allow you to submit a portion of your manuscript in order to get feedback.  Sites like Anthonomy, The Reading Room and Wattpad provide good feeback to someone needing support, encouragement and some suggestions on how to improve "on a good thing". 
Wannabe news:

Don P:  Busy as always.  Writing a new story which we hope he will share with our group.  Since he published his new collection of short stories last month he has been busy establishing a marketing plan to share his book with the friends and general public.  His book both softcover and Kindle are available on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/A-Peacock-Speaks-Short-Stories/dp/0988839903

Wanda:  Working on a book of poems.  She received a lot of feedback from us on the butterfly illustration and the poems that she was able to share with the group.

Cindy:  Recommended a new book entitled: The Vatican Diaries by John Thavis.  With the recent selection of a new Pope this is very interesting reading of the goings-on behind the scenes of power and political activities that take place in Rome.  She also recommended: The Typewriter Girl by Alison Atlee.  The romanic novel set in Victorian England of a young girl trying to survive and find true love. 

The biggest news is that Cindy published her novel about the prison fire in Columbus entitled: "Key's to the Cages."  This is a project of many years. It is scheduled to be released around the anniversary of the Ohio State Penitentiary fire on April 20, 1930. She writes under the pen name Mollie C.Cain. 

Cindy also recommended Chronicling America: Historical American Newspapers. Their web site is http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/newspapers/.  I also noticed in an email earlier this week from Ancestry.com that they were selling a service for the same collection of newspaper for $ 49 dollars.  So you could save some money by going to the Library of Congress site directly. 

Don Hart:  busy with his new business of editor, publisher and consultant for Four Cats Publishing.  Here is his website: http://fourcatspublishing.com/

He has set May as the target date for the publishing of the anthology of stories from many of the Wannabe's members. The title of that book with be "Anthology of Tragedies and Triumphs"


Faye:  She read a poem that she has recently composed:

                             Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall

Today I glanced into the mirror

As I passed by on my way to tea.

“Who is that lady there?”, I thought.

I'm not the person I used to be.

The hair upon my head is gray

And, mercy, so little there is to see.

I noticed the light shown through my locks.

I'm not the person I used to be.

It made me pause and study my face

To see if I could recognize me.

I saw deep lines in my forehead...(sigh)

No, I thought, I'm not the person I used to be.

My skin is not as taut as I remembered,

My neck is sagging; it hangs free.

What happened to my rosy cheeks?

Heavens, I'm not the person I used to be.

Instead, I saw as I studied my face,

Lines that have been etched from glee,

Between my eyes are furrows from thought;

So, this is the person I've come to be.

And as I looked into my eyes,

I saw my life's memories of what used to be.

I caught a glimpse of the girl I was

And wondered what next these eyes would see.

Yet, though my face is wrinkled

And there's a pain in my knee,

Though my thoughts sometimes get jumbled,

I know I'm still the person I used to be.

                                          Faye Duncan, 201

Faye is also finalizing plans to self publish a family book entitled: "Seasons of Life" 

Don Q.  Has been busy with teaching.  He is teaching four classes this term at UD, both undergrad and MBA classes in MIS.  Accordingly... he put his unfinished manuscript that he began last fall on the shelf until this summer.  He is keeping a arms length contact with his right brain by also teaching a Self Publishing class in the LLI program this spring.  There are 30 students in that class.  Just proves that there are a lot more people who have a interest in publishing their own novels.  Most are not interested in trying to sell their work to the general public but rather are leaving a legacy for their friends and family.  There is always an audience for your words. No greater joy than getting to see that book come in the mail and opening the  package and seeing your name on the cover. 

Rosie H.  Sent this notice to our readers:               

E X P R E S S I O N S  I N  A R T

 Spring Newsletter 2013

ROSIE HUART

Upcoming Spring Events & Programs

Dear Artists, Patrons and Friends,   Spring is fast approaching and I'm sure you are all getting ready and anticipating another beautiful time of year.  All the seasons are just so alive with miracles and wonders.  I have to take time to see the beauty that surrounds me.  I love seeing the stark black trees and their spindly branches against the gray skies.  There are so many lines and shapes when you look. They remind me of calligraphy strokes and gestural marks.  Take a peek for yourself. I have some wonderful events that are coming and would like to share.  Thank you for your support and encouragement in this artistic life I am so privileged to live and love.

An Evening of Poetic Art

The Fine Art Center
of Town & Country
at
Town & Country Shopping Center

An Evening of Poetic Art

Sunday, March 17

Sunday, April 21
5-7 PM

(Please bring a snack to share).

 If you missed the great article in the Dayton Daily News about our evenings of poetic art.......click here:

Our next meeting will be April 19th.  Same place, same time...Everyone with a right brain is invited. 

The Wannabe's Journal
for
February 2013

The Wannabes meet in the LLI lounge at the River Campus on South Patterson Street on February 15th at 9 AM.  Only four members could attend this month.  Many of our faithful are in warmer weather.  Base on this week and the weather forecast for this coming weekend I cannot blame them. 

Whats new:


Don H:  Discussed a number of novels he has started to read.  The first one he commented about was entitled   Caravaggio : A Novel  written by
Christopher Peachment

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio was an Italian artist active in Rome, Naples, Malta, and Sicily between 1593 and 1610. Wikipedia

Born: September 29, 1571, Milan

Died: July 18, 1610, Grosseto

Periods: Baroque, Renaissance

Don went to a book event, actually it was a winter Ice sculpture show in Hamilton, Ohio that had a book fair at one of the tents for the event.  Accordingly he was able to meet a writer who has written a book entitled: 


The Author: Marguerite Livy-Feibelman is a Holocaust Survivor

The last book that Don recommended was Little Wolves by Thomas Maltman.  A riveting story of a wolf pack in northern Minnesota. 

Rosie H:  Recommended a novel entitled:  The Woman with the Alabaster Jar written by Margaret Starbird in 1993.  A story claiming Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene had a relationship. 

Rosie is organizing a number of events in the upcoming months for artists

Connecting Art & Spirit    

Embracing Your Beauty
with Rosie Huart 

Reserve your spot for Friday through Sunday noon, May 3-5, 2013, at Maria Stein in Maria Stein, Ohio, for an enriching experience.

I will be facilitating this 3rd annual retreat in the beautiful farmland setting of northern Ohio.   It's a time to refresh, renew and come home to yourself.  I assure you you will walk away with a gift you have given yourself.

The retreat is designed to implement creative ways of encountering the soul's inner journey through art.  In these experiential and innovative workshop/retreats painting, poetry, creative writing and collage are explored.  Other components, such as music, meditation and sharing are fashioned to enhance the creative process.  Introspective and art making play significant roles in connecting to one's essence.  Participants leave, not only with a creative project, but a renewed and deeper sense of well-being through the healing power of art. More information will follow. 

If you would like to schedule a
program/workshop/retreat
for your organization  contact me at:

 

rehuart@aol.com

Don P:  Published his book:



 A Peacock Speaks, a collection of 22 short stories which explore a wide range of subjects:  nature, boating, bird behavior and even male-female relationships.  You may get a softback/Kindle version of the book at the following website: http://www.amazon.com/A-Peacock-Speaks-Short-Stories/dp/0988839903.  Looking forward to reading his book.  He has contributed many of his stories to the Journal in the past.

Don P also recommended a book that he has been reading.  Biking to the Artic Circle By Allan Johnson       

Don Q  talked about the upcoming Mad Anthony Writers Workship which will held in April.

Welcome new and returning Mad Anthony Writers!

Mad Anthony Writers Conference offers a brilliant opportunity for you to learn from the experts,
network with a community of kindred spirits, have your manuscripts reviewed, and give your
dreams of becoming a published author a chance to come true.

Your attendance also helps spread the joy of reading and writing throughout the larger community.
In its brief existence, this non-profit conference has donated more than $35,000 to local literacy
campaigns. Make plans now to join us—but hurry! Participation is limited to the first 90 registrants
to maintain the unique camaraderie of MAWC.

When:	Friday-Sunday, April 12-14, 2013
Where:	Historic Hamilton, Ohio, “The City of Sculpture” 10 minutes west of I-75 on Route 129 (exit 24) between Cincinnati and Dayton
Overview:	DAY 1: Murder & Mayhem • Keynote speaker, Sharon M. Draper DAY 2: Write Like Mad workshops • One-on-One Appointments DAY 3: Master Classes
Get to it!:	REGISTER before February 1, 2013 for Early Bird discounts. HOTEL accommodations are available at Hamilton’s Marriott Courtyard Inn. Mention ‘Mad Anthony’ to receive our special group discount!

My Observations:  1.  Excellent list of presenter for both Sat and Sunday. 
                                2.  Excellent price performance
                                3.  A chance to take a class from our favorite authorities in the writing community:  Jane Friedman and Nancy Pinard. 

Here is the link to their web site and registration:  http://writelikemad.com/

Don also pointed out that Book Baby recently made a book available for writers entitled:  Make Money with Your eBook.  Here is a link to get a copy for yourself.  http://www.bookbaby.com/campaigns/request-ebook-guide?Source=MEMBERS&Dest=http://www.pages04.net/discmakers-cdbaby/ebookpub_howto_guide/

Free Workshop: The Art of Exposition and Dialogue Dialogue and exposition are two of the most important craft issues a fiction writer faces. Please join me on Saturday, March 2nd, from 2-4:00 p.m. at Wright Memorial Public Library in lovely Oakwood, Ohio, 1776 Far Hills Avenue, for a free workshop on The Art of Exposition and Dialogue. Advance registration is required and limited to the first 20 people. Contact the Reference Department at 294-7171 to register beginning Friday, February 15th. Visit the library’s website for more details. Please join us for a lively time! You can find out a little more about what to expect at http://www.davised.com/2013/02/got-fiction/ Poetry Reading, March 22 I'll also be doing a poetry reading on March 22 at 7:30 p.m. at Montage Cafe in Greenville, Ohio. Poetry, food, and music--I'd love to see you there! New Poems Published Three of my poems—"Aunt Hazel's Jewelry," "Communion," and "Footwashing"—have been published at the online literary magazine Blue Ridge Literary Prose and are available for viewing at blueridgeliteraryprose.wordpress.com. Friend on Facebook Forward to a Friend

friend on Facebook | forward to a friend  Copyright © 2013 Ed Davis, Author and Educator, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up to be informed about Ed Davis and writing opportunities. Our mailing address is: Ed Davis, Author and Educator 903 Talus Drive Yellow Springs, Oh 45387 Add us to your address book

Don Q  is also teaching a class in the Spring LLI program at the University of Dayton .  Here is a description of the class. 

Self-Publishing - Creating Your Own Book

We will cover the basics involved in creating your own book. There are various types of books in the marketplace: paperback, paperback with color (cover/interior), hardback (with or without dust cover), photograph or coffee table books, children’s books and eBooks for the Kindle and Nook. We will discuss the cost associated with copyright protection, cover design, formatting, publicity, printing, commissions to bookstores, establishing your platform on the Web, effective use of social networking tools such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and HootSuite, and actions necessary to market your book and distribute it effectively. We will use two tools to create a softback book using Createspace and book of photos using Blurb.

6 Thursdays, March 21 - April 25
3:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. at River Campus (Please Note:  Sessions conclude at 5:30 p.m.)

If you would like information on registration for this or any other class that will be offered in the Spring session please review the information listed in this UD LLI web site.
http://www.udayton.edu/continuing_education/senior_programs/udlli/udlli_registration_info.php.


Our next meeting will be March 22.  We all should have recovered from St Partick's Day.