No matter what level of writing, the journey is always exciting when a new pinnacle is reached. Often encouragement and inspiration can be found through the achievements of others on the same path.
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Award! Chinh (Jim) Hoang's first novel, Once Upon A Mulberry Field, a Vietnam War love story, was selected in June 2012 as one of three finalists in the "Unpublished Novels" category by the San Diego Book Awards Association.
Award! Brenda Hill's latest novel, With Full Malice, is a contender for the Edgar award, Mystery Writers of America's award for Best Novel. The five finalists will be announced on or around Edgar Allan Poe's birthday (January 19th) in 2013, and winners announced at the Edgar® Banquet on Thursday, May 2, 2013. Past winners include Elmore Leonard, Tony Hillerman, and Ken Follet.
Book signing! Kathryn Jordan had a book signing and discussion featuring her books,
Hot Water and
Gladys and Capone at a Red Hat meeting and luncheon on July 25th @ 1:00pm at the Beach House in Palm Desert. Kathryn also discussed her literary odyssey "birthing" her latest novel,
In The Time of Apricots, now with her agent, B.J. Robbins.
Books now available! Diane Myerson has her five star review novel "A Moment to Love" available on Amazon and Kindle. Additionally, Diane also has a table top style book of Carousel Clover Ponies featuring beautiful art pictures of carousel ponies with additional writings titled "Robert Wilson's Carousel Clover Ponies".
Promoting new book! Frank James is working with legendary 1970's/'80's bodybuilder Robby Robinson on promoting his new book "The Black Prince, Muscle vs. Hustle". Additional work includes scheduling and promoting a book signing for Mr.Robinson in Palm Springs (early Fall Season).
New Novel! Lynne Spreen just released her novel Dakota Blues. The story of a woman's midlife journey, and finding one's power in the second half of life. The book is available in paperback (soon to be on Kindle) at this location on Amazon.com. For more information, see Lynne's blog, Any Shiny Thing, or her Amazon Author Page.
New ebook! Richard H. Perez has his first ebook, entitled Harvest of Memories: A Migrant Worker's Collection of Short Stories. A romp through life early life of the author, touching on family, love, infidelity, death, music and folklore. The Hispanic culture is prominent throughout but stories are common to all lives
. Currently available on Amazon.com .
New Book! Astrid Bender's PUEBLO SURVIVORS is set in the prehistoric Southwest. Danger and adventure are at the heart of this book. This book is available from Xlibris at (888) 795-4274 or on the web at www.Xlibris.com . Also at Barnes & Nobel or Amazon.com
New novel! Lina Simoni's new novel, The House of Serenades, is earning 5-star reviews everywhere! It portrays the Italian upper-class of early 1900 with a family saga filled with mystery, intrigue, wit, and the enchanting melodies of a mandolin. For sale at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and wherever books are sold. Watch the trailer on Youtube!
Award!Jenny Gumpertz has recently been awarded a runner-up Glass Woman Prize, given by Glass Woman website honoring women writers. The prize was for Jenny's story "Peeling Onions," which was originally published in New Millennium Writings.
Movie Premiere! Jacqueline Bachar is Script Advisor on the short film To Love Again produced by Smart Dog Films. The premiere was Tuesday, May 1st, 7:30 pm, at the Camelot Theatre, 2300 East Baristo Road, Palm Springs, CA.
Book Signing! Brenda Hill signed her latest release, With Full Malice, at Barnes & Noble, Redlands, June 3 from 1pm - 3pm. Set in Yucaipa, the mystery/thriller has received several excellent reviews from Kirkus, The Big Thrill of the International Thriller Writers, The Mystery Gazette, and Gumshoe. A reception in Yucaipa will followed the signing. For details, keep checking the Events section of her website. www.brendahill.com
New Blog! Carol Mann has joined the blogging world. Her blog (website) is about writing, creativity, reading, and other phenomena. New posts on the 1st and 15th of the month.
Visit www.CarolSMann.com .
Book Signing! Patty Farmer will be signing her new book "The Persian Room Presents" at Barnes and Noble/The Grove in Los Angeles on Wednesday, May 9th from 7pm - 9pm. Joining her will be Lainie Kazan, Barbara Van Orden and Michele Lee. Patty's book is featured in our Member Book page.
Robena Grant's third book in her desert heat series, "Exposure", is a finalist in the Romantic Suspense category of the 2012 Romance Writers of America Golden Heart contest. Winners will be announced in the RWA National Conference Awards ceremony in Anaheim on July 28th. Very exciting Robena!
Chinh (Jim) Hoang just had his poem titled "Heart Musings" published in the current Mega Bridal Issue of "San Diego Woman", an award-winning magazine in San Diego, California. Congratulations Jim!
Recent new member Diane Myerson (still writing at 80yrs old!) is now in the running for an Ippy Independant Publisher's Award for her new romantic novel, "A Moment to Love". Best of luck Diane!
Iolanthe Woulff, author of the suspense-thriller "She's My Dad", gave an author lecture Tuesday, February 28, 2012 @ 6:00 pm at the Palm Springs Library. Lannie's book is featured in our Member Book page.
Dr. Richard Foxx presented his mystery book "Spirit Ranch" to the Yuccatan Book Club on January 17, 2012. "Spirit Ranch" will also be featured in The Desert Magazine on January 29, 2012. Look for Richard and his popular book at the Desert Writers Expo!
Jenny Gumpertz's short story "Gregory Finds His Way," which appeared in the winter edition of Big Pulp, has since been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. She's making it happen folks!
Don Hofmeister was one of the 25 semi-finalists in The Free Screenplay Contest, sponsored by Cherub Films. His entry "Conflict Resolution" examines two dramatically different approaches to the War on Terror. There were 3,246 contest entries. Way to beat the competition Don. Congratulations!
Dick Mills was the lucky winner of 2011-2012 PSWG GRAMMAR GAME! Congratulations!
Stories by PSWG members Melody Fleming, Carol Mann, and Dawn Spitz are included in the new book Hot Chocolate for Seniors. They recently participated with other authors in the debut book signing at Barnes and Noble in Redlands, CA. Also in the collection are pieces by members Cheryl McFadden, Martin Goldberg, and Phyllis Costello (deceased). This anthology of heartwarming, humorous, and inspiring stories was compiled and edited by Jan Fowler, award winning columnist, television producer/host, and national speaker on senior topics.
Gordon Gumpertz has just recently published a new novel titled "Red Hot Sky"; a fast paced thriller about the top secret discovery that planet Earth's climate is soon to undergo radical and devastating change. Available on Amazon or ebook from Kindle. Nice work Gordon!
Jenny Gumpertz's short story "Gregory Finds His Way" is appearing in the December issue of Big Pulp magazine. The December issue is available on the website, also available in bookstores, Kindle and other ebooks and ipads. This is Jenny's third story published by Big Pulp. Keep up the good work Jenny!
Stella Baker will be discussing her book "4 Gigs of Trouble" at the Rancho Mirage Library, Tuesday November 29th @ 1:30 pm. The discussion will also include the benefits of self-publishing.
Carol Mann's short story titled "Shaken, For Moment" received the 2nd Place Award-Short Story in the National League of American Pen Women's International Creative Writing and Fine Art Competitions sponsored by the Nashville and State of Tennessee Branches. Congratulations on this achievement Carol!
Jim Misko has a scheduled book signing at the Costco in Palm Desert
on Friday, November 18th from 10:00 am - 5:00pm. Jim will be signing and selling his book "For What He Could Become"
Richard Foxx had a successful book signing at Collected Books in Santa Fe, New Mexico for his book "Spirit Ranch" on September 23, 2011. Great to have our members out and about. Way to go Richard!
Dawn L. Spitz, a PSWG Past President and an important volunteer contributor to the Grammar Game, is now the published author of "Voices of Dawn in Various Verses". Dawn put all the verses (including limericks) she has written over the years together into a book and with the help of Mark Anderson of AquaZebra finalized publication this summer. It is now available on Amazon.com . Wow! Who can keep up with Dawn?
September 29, 2011 was the official book launch for
Michael Craft's mystery novel
The MacGuffin. A reading & signing was given at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Desert in Rancho Mirage.
Great accomplishment Michael!
More?! Michael Craft also had his feature premiere of
Pink Squirrels at the Camelot Theater in Palm Springs on Thursday,September 15, 2011 @7:30 p.m. . Michael both wrote and directed this film.
Wonderful Michael!
Dolores Carruthers completed her memoir A Vow Made True. It will be available for purchase in January 2012. Dolores also has wonderful a blog offering insights and encouragement to many people who have suffered the loss of loved ones. Her members can discuss their experiences, offer friendship and ways of coping through a most difficult time. Fantastic work Dolores!
Maria Woelfl now has her first e-book, The Prince & The Cadillac, published by Dandelion Books, LLC. The CEO of Dandelion Books is Carol Adler, who was a speaker at our Monthly Meeting last season. Maria's work will soon be available on Amazon, Kindle & Ipod. Great job Maria!
PSWG Member Irene Tritel's book "Rosie's Gringo Palace" was reviewed on August 12, 2011 by the Rancho Mirage Library Book Review Group. This was a great opportunity for Irene to showcase her book. This book review group is a tough crowd! Additionally, RM Library accepted 4 copies of the book for in-stock loan use by the library. Congratulations Irene!
VJ Sleight published her first e-book, "Tips to Win at Quitting", a pocket guidebook in the Stop Smoking, Stay Quit series on Kindle and Smashwords and had her first sale within 24 hours. Great work VJ!
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