Creating Opportunities for all W

It’s almost SPRING! Time to SPRING into action! Actually Janie Bess our Fearless Leader, has been

springing around doing all sorts of things.

This time, she’s reconnected with Jacalyn Evon who she met seven years ago before she finished her book, VISIONS.

JACALYN produces a television program on channel 28 called “Talkabout TV.” She hosts guest

appearances of people in the entertainment and arts industries. Although she lives in Vallejo, the television

studio is in Berkeley. How does JANIE fit in? She was JACALYN’S guest at the taping on March 7, which will

be aired sometime in the near future. Apparently JACALYN ran into Janie’s old business card and gave

her a call and the rest, as they say, is history. Janie spilled the beans about WRC: how, when, and

why it was formed, the meetings and events, future plans, and its officers. From there, she discussed

her book and it success. I guess JACALYN was duly impressed and announced her intention to join WRC.

Welcome JACALYN * WRC member, Lisa Bryant, author of Clown in the Prayer Closet,

invited Janie to the Solano College Open House sponsored by the Student Body, on Wednesday

March 11. Art, sculpture, music and writing were highlighted. LISA’s CD was played and she received

great reviews from listeners. Some attendees read poetry and shared stories. Others like

Janie networked and exchanged information. JANIE talked up WRC and gave away

30 brochures—all she brought! We were also invited to use the facility for any upcoming

events we might have.

JANIE and the board are considering having the upcoming Author’s Luncheon there

* SHEILA KELLER attended the Northern California Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators

conference in Asilomar, Monterey Feb. 27- Mar 1 where she had the opportunity to talk with two editors,

Kaylan Adair of Candlewick Press (Massachusetts) and Stephen Barber of Foundry (New York).

Both invited her to send her young adult manuscript of Desperado Moon. By the way, while there,

SHEILA met Jacqueline Woodson, a wonderful children’s writer of color that you absolutely MUST read.

See her site at www.jacuelinewoodson.com SHEILA heartly recommends the

picture book Show Way but she also recommends Behind,

about a boy’s spirit after he is shot by a police officer. * If you don’t subscribe to the Daily Republic

newspaper, you may have missed KATHY L’ECLUSE’s column about WRC, The Evolution of Race-and Friends.

It’s about her growing up in “white bread Newport Beach” and not seeing and African-American person

until she was 11 years old. She goes on to talk about the serendipity of meeting JANIE at just the right time,

and the impact that JANIE (and WRC) has had on her life. You might be able to read it online. Just go

to www.dailrepublic.com and click on columnists. Yay, KATHY, we love you, too.! * The Author’s Luncheon

has been moved to JUNE 13 so that DENISE SPILLER of Universal Press& Productions, can attend and

sit on the panel. She will bring with her two new authors, Vincent Alexandria, author of Black Rain, and several

other novels. Flying in from New Orleans for the Authors luncheon, is Rhonda Lawson, the up-and –coming best-selling

author of Dead Rose. (On a side note, Denise asked WRC member REUBEN HUGHES to submit his comic book

to UP&P! Congratulations, REUBEN! * If you published a book between 2005 and 2008, you will be honored

at the luncheon, complete with individual awards and your name, title of your work, and the date published

added to the Author’s Hall of Fame, a perpetual plaque to commemorate your perseverance and talent as an author.

You must, however, be a member of WRC in good standing, so please get your yearly dues in no later than May 9

(this is our “drop-dead” date because we need to have time for engraving!) If you publish this year (2009) you will

be recognized next time, but only if you meet the eligibility requirements. The published authors currently on out list are:

TRISH DOYLE, LULA MATHIS, JANICE REAVES, VERONICA CUPID, LENA HILL, LISA BRYANT, VAN WALLER,

EVELYN POLK, and SANDRA PHILLIPS. If you published your work between 2005 and 2008 and you do not see

your name please contact JANIE BESS at 707-399-9169

Quick Tip Ideas & resources for writers of all genres

At our last meeting on Feb 14, some software was mentioned to help writers organize, focus and utilize appropriate

words and variations of words. That is Word Brothers, Inc. (34.95 for download). www.write-bros.com. Also for those

of you wishing t pursue traditional publication. www.wordhustler.com is the place you want to go to submit your

works (poetry, screenplays, articles, etc.) without getting involved in the process of printing, stuffing envelopes

and going to the post office. It’s a wonderful site that will save you time, ink paper, and money! You can also

find contests to submit your work to and agents who are looking for authors.