BEANERY WRITERS NEWSLETTER (BWN)
VOL. 2 ISSUE 8 OCTOBER 1, 2009
Edited by Carolyn C. Holland and BWG members.
(Forward this newsletter to the writers you know!)
ABOUT THE BEANERY WRITERS NEWSLETTER
The BWN shares information on our members—their writing, their activities/interests/accomplishments, their concerns, their thoughts, as well as news on conferences, perhaps a joke or two, book reviews etc. There was a two month hiatus in publication—July and August—this year.
BEANERY ONLINE LITERARY MAGAZINE CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
The BOLM (www.beanerywriters.wordpress.com ) accepts submissions (in any genre) from guest writers. Items may be edited, but if there are any significant changes your work will be returned to you for your approval.. Submit your post to beanerywriters@yahoo.com with the word “Submission” in the subject line. Seeking submissions for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve/Day.
BEANERY WRITERS GROUP MEETINGS
The BWG meets the second and fourth Fridays each month, 1:00-3:00 p.m, in the back room at the Coffee Bean Café in Latrobe (they opened a second Coffee Bean Café on Rt. 30 in Greensburg by Office Max—wrong site!). Some members come early to socialize over coffee or lunch. New members—or visitors (including writers who are visiting the area from out of town)—are welcome to join us. Our members are eclectic: they write in all genres! NOTE: Coming meeting dates: Sept. 11 & Sept. 25; Oct. 9 & 23
PROFILE: DMITRI BELJAN
Dmitri expresses himself artistically in his drawings and improvisations on the keyboard. He likes and has tried the Shakespearian sonnet form, but presently is not writing. He is drawn to the Beanery Writers Group to be with other artists, those whose art is their use of language. I spoke with Dmitri, 62, on my patio, under trees in my park —Laurel Mountain Boro, to be specific. (to see photos, click on his Flickr site: http://flickr.com/photos/dmitri1946 Like the Boro, with its independent bent that resulted in its secession from Ligonier Township in 1982, Dmitri is a renegade who doesn’t like to be confined in borders. His piano and keyboard playing symbolizes his life: he didn’t learn the structure taught in formal lessons. He “follows where my fingers lead. I play the piano as thou I was petting a cat—when you pet a cat, it responds in a particular way. When I touch the keys, they might say ‘Do this again.’ I think of caressing the keys, rather than striking them.” Dmitri worries less about his music being “musical” than he does about it being soothing, mellow, and sometimes even dissonant. “Beethoven said something to the effect that music takes you into the mental state of the artist: when you listen, you have no choice.” He hopes his music draws listeners into the meditative, and perhaps, at times, agitated, or sometimes harmonious or dissonant mental state that he experiences at the keyboard. His drawing follows the same pattern. “When I start drawing, I don’t know how it will end,” he said. “If I make a mistake in the drawing, I use it as a random input to direct my lines in a way which perhaps I hadn’t imagined.” He doesn’t do (to continue reading Dmitri’s story, click on Dmitri Beljan)
BEANIE BABY FUNDRAISER
Our fundraiser to support printing our annual booklet continues. We have a number of collectible and less collectible Beanies, which are still available to be adopted out for a donation. See Punxsutawney Phil: http://www.flickr.com/photos/beaneryonlineliterarymagazine/2493962362 /
BOOK & WHITE ELEPHANT FUNDRAISER
The Beanery Writers have a second fundraiser. Members bring their used books or other small items to the meetings for “adoption by donation.” Again, this raises funds to publish our print booklets and to underwrite poetry and prose readings.
MEMBER ACTIVITIES
Kathleen Clark won second place in the Works in Progress Writers’ Workshop Writing Contest for her short story, “Manula’s Mission” (to read, click on Manuela’s Mission Part I
BOOKS, PUBLICATIONS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS BY MEMBERS (Publications in past month, and all books) For information on purchasing books, E-mail beanerywriters@yahoo.com with the words “BOOK INFO REQUEST” in the subject line. Items available at Second Chapter Book Store on East Main Street, Ligonier, will be noted.
SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA STORIES The Beanery Writers, Volume 3, 2009, Writings on Southwestern Pennsylvania, includes 14 articles by Beanery Writers Group members and one written by a guest writer. It is available in large print. Look for our table with limited hours at the Second Hand Bookstore during Ligonier Days. Orders for special occasions include a sheet, inserted in the booklet, for holidays, birthdays anniversaries or get well, and an envelope for mailing. Cost will be $5.00. Copies can be purchased for $4.00 through the writer’s group members, at the Second Chapter Bookstore on E. Main St. in Ligonier, through E-mail (beanerywriters@yahoo.com ) or by calling Carolyn C. Holland, 724/238-3493. To order by mail, send check or money order to Carolyn C. Holland, P. O. Box 300, Laughlintown, PA. 15655. Make check payable to Carolyn C. Holland. Please include number of copies, your mailing address. Add $1.75 (TOTAL $6.75) shipping and handling charge for each booklet ordered. Allow six weeks for delivery.Available at the Second Chapter Bookstore,
DIMITRI BELJAN: Three pen and ink drawings will be on display at the University Drive lobby of the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System in Oakland. The Coffee House/Artist Display, Creative Flow, is open 9:00-10:30 am, Thursday, October 8. The display will be accompanied by music and poetry. An untitled piece Associate Director’s Choice Award.
KATHLEEN CLARK: Articles written by Kathleen can be seen on the Geyer Performing Arts Center (Scottdale, PA) website http://www.geyerpac.com . She also continues to write the GPAC’s monthly newsletter. JOE F. STIERHEIM: Two self-published books, Americur, a fantasy, and The Finding of the Blue Feather. (Second Chapter Bookstore)
CHARLES R. and SARA MITCHELL MARTIN: Self-published books, Warpath, a saga of the Pennsylvania frontier family of John Martin, based on true events during the French and Indian War, 1755-1764. (Second Chapter Bookstore) SALLY MARTIN: Mustang Sally’s Guide to World Bicycle Touring. (Second Chapter Bookstore)
BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS BY NON-MEMBERS ELLEN SPAIN: Secrets in the Fog: the Invisibility Project released in May 2009, by eTreasures Publishing (250 pages) as an eBook and printed trade-back, ISBN: 978-1-61623-076-0. Available from the publisher eTreasures Publishing in PDF e-book Format: $5.50 and on CD-ROM: $7.95. Available in Paperback $15.00 from Amazon.com. Click here to read excerpts from Secrets in the Fog: the Invisibility Project.
JOKES/QUOTES
“All of the books in the world contain no more information than is broadcast as video in a single large American city in a single year. Not all bits have equal value.” —Carl Sagan
“This is not a novel to be tossed aside lightly. It should be thrown with great force.” —Dorothy Parker
“…If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed.”
Ben Franklin, 1731 editorial in The Pennsylvania Gazette. “…the opinions of men are almost as various as their faces…” Ben Franklin, 1731 editorial in The Pennsylvania Gazette.
BEANERY ONLINE LITERARY MAGAZINE (BOLM) www.beanerywriters.wordpress.com POST REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER:
MOST VIEWED POSTS in the last week:
DEVELOPING CHARACTERS IN NOVEL WRITING
BEAR CONFRONTATIONS: SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
SITE VISITS: Total to date: 25,532
CAROLYN C. HOLLAND’S SITE
MOST VISITED POST in the last week:
Honey went home—She’s romping in animal heaven
Honey’s Coming Home! Our cat must recuperate
WRITERS GROUPS IN SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA LIGONIER VALLEY WRITERS GROUP: a nonprofit group serving writers and readers throughout western Pennsylvania. Meets in Greensburg. Membership is open to everyone interested in writing. For more information about LVW events or publications, visit www.LVWonline.org
PENNWRITERS’ PITTSBURGH EAST WRITER’S GROUP: June 13, next meeting at Monroeville Public Library. For further information click on: www.EllenSpain.com or E-mail Ellen Spain at DuckIslandMaine@aol.com with Pennwriters Group Information typed in the subject line.
CRITIQUE GROUP NORTH: The piece that you bring to the meeting can be of any length and at any stage of writing: from the first rough draft to a manuscript that is almost ready for publication. Read and critique each other’s work, and share the frustrations and successes as writers. For details contact Madhu B. Wangu at m.wangu@comcast.net .
A PITTSBURGH (SOUTH HILLS) daytime critique group is forming: Informal but focused, mixed genres, members published and unpublished. Swap critiques and also discuss markets, books, and anything literary. Meets alternate Tuesdays from 10:00 to noon at Westminster Presbyterian Church (room 231) on Route 19 in Upper St. Clair. Contact Jodi Elgin at 412-833-3957 or jselgin@comcast.net for further details or directions.
WORKS IN PROGRESS WRITERS’ WORKSHOP: Somerset, PA. For additional information, please contact Barbara at 814-443-9541, E-mail purbaugh@comcast.net or visit www.barbarapurbaugh.com
The Second Tuesday of the Month Group next meets at the Barnes and Noble at the Pointe in North Fayette (across Route 60 from Robinson Town Center, PA ). To RSVP, contact Meredith Cohen at mcohen61@hotmail.com .
The Last Thursday of the Month Luncheon Group is going through some changes. We are in the process of becoming one of the first new Chapters within Pennwriters! Also, we are moving. During this summer, we will try out several new locations before settling on a permanent new home. For June, we will meet at Café at the Barnes and Noble at South Hills Village (PA) on the 25th at 11:30AM. We will be working on query letters. If you are currently working on one, bring a copy of your query for critique. For more information or to RSVP, contact me at adashofy@yahoo.com .
ANCILLARY GROUPS
WESTMORELAND PHOTOGRAPHERS: Its mission is to promote an interest in the art and science of photography. Members are encouraged to participate in exhibits and to share their collective experience and diverse knowledge. Meets monthly the second Monday in the Prep Room 215, above the library, on the St. Vincent College Campus, Latrobe, PA. Meetings alternate between speakers and photograph critiques. Members do photo outings and photo shows.Visit www.westmorelandphotographers.ning.com
MELLO MIKE: Meets Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the first floor dining room of the LIGONIER TAVERN, located on the corner of West Main Street and Fairfield Avenue in Ligonier, PA>. Organized by Diane Cipa, founder of the Ligonier Living Blogsite. For further information http://ligonierliving.blogspot.com/
The Geyer Performing Arts Center (Scottdale, PA) is presenting “Steel Magnolias” Oct. 1-3 @ 7:30 pm ~ Oct. 4 @ 2:30 pm. Tickets are $8.00 person. For further information on the theater, visit their website, www.geyerpac.com . To make reservations,call 724-887-0887.
SONGWORKS, in Johnstown: southsidestray@hotmail.com . More information coming.
CONTESTS, COMPETITIONS, CONFERENCES
Remember, the BEANERY ONLINE LITERARY MAGAZINE seeks submissions. See above for details!
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WORKS IN PROGRESS WRITERS
An Afternoon with Edgar Allan Poe
Saturday, October 10, 2009 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Crazy Alice’s Cafe located at 101 West Main Street in Somerset, PA
Join us for this event celebrating the master of mystery and the macabre. For further information, check http://www.barbarapurbaugh.com or email Barbara Purbaugh at purbaugh@comcast.net .
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PennWriters-Pittsburgh East Writer’s Workshop
“Getting Published in the Adult Fiction Market”
Saturday: October 10, 2009
Monroeville Public Library 10:00-12:00 noon
Free and open to the public
Advance registration required via e-mail DuckIslandMaine@aol.com with “October 10th Workshop Registration” in the Subject and your name and telephone in the message. The workshop will present a current review about today’s traditional publishers and literary agents, as well as those ugly “rejection” letters first time authors continue to receive and how to handle them. A significant portion of this workshop will discuss the traditional small publishers and the ePublishers, how to submit your work to them, and signing a publisher’s contracts. Interviews will be included with about twenty successful eAuthors. Check www.EllenSpain.com for additional information about the PennWriters-Pittsburgh East Writer’s monthly programs.
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THE MARY ROBERTS RINEHART CHAPTER OF THE SISTERS IN CRIME
October 19, 2009 7:00 P.M.
The Panera Bread in North Fayette
Pennwriters and friends are invited hear Annette Dashofy speak on Creating Emotion in our Characters. We will have the meeting room beginning at 6:00, so feel free to come early and have supper or a snack. For more information or directions, contact Annette at adashofy@yahoo.com .
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CONTEST TO BE AWARE OF
The Young Voices Foundation
A 501(c)3 educational organization http://www.youngvoicesfoundation.org/writingcontests.html
For writers guidelines, click on: http://www.youngvoicesawards.com/distinguishedjudges.html
Ellen Spain, Ph.D., M. A., Coordinator, PennWriters’ Pittsburgh East Writers, will be a Judge for the Young Voices Foundation’s 2009 awards. Visit her website: DuckIslandMaine@aol.com www.ellenspain.com
AUTHOR BOOKSIGNINGS/READINGS
Broken Places by Natalina Russo: book signing will be held on October 3 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at Barnes and Noble in Southhills (Pittsburgh, PA).
WRITERS EVENTS
Ellen Spain, local author Secrets in the Fog: the Invisibility Project: Book Discussion October 6th at 7:00 PM The Monroeville Public Library: Gallery Room To read excerpts from the book or to learn more about the author, go to http://www.EllenSpain.com and click on the book’s cover. The October 6th book discussion is sponsored by the Monroeville Public Library’s Adult Programs and is free and open to the public.
WRITERS SITES ON THE INTERNET:
http://www.worldwidefreelance.com
TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE BWN
The BWN is distributed monthly by subscription. To subscribe, send your name, your regional location and your E-mail address to beanerywriters@yahoo.com . Please put the words “Subscribe Newsletter” in the E-mail subject line. To unsubscribe, E-mail beanerywriters@yahoo.com with the words “Unsubscribe Newsletter” in the subject line.
WRITING LINKS:
www.beanerywriters.wordpress.com/
www.carolyncholland.wordpress.com
ADDITIONAL READING ON WRITING:
ALL SUMMER IN A DAY: The Use of Descriptive Language
ARE WEBSITES (BLOGSITES) BENEFICIAL TO WRITERS?
THE ART OF THE INTERVIEW: Things Writers Should Know
BEANERY ONLINE LITERARY MAGAZINE
DAVID PAGE: Notes from St. David’s Writer’s Conference
DEVELOPING CHARACTERS IN NOVEL WRITING
DOES EXAGGERATING THE TRUTH CREATE GOOD STORIES?
HOW THE BEANERY ONLINE LITERARY MAGAZINE WAS CREATED
HOW TO MARKET YOUR BOOK ONLINE
INTEGRITY: A JOURNALISTIC CODE OF ETHICS REVIEW
JOURNALIST ETHICS CONCERNING THE RECEIPT OF GIFTS
THE LIGONIER 250TH ANNIVERSARY BOOKLET
REFLECTING ON MY WRITING LIFE IN 2008
SELF-PUBLISHING AS I WANDER THROUGH IT
WHAT IS THE KEY INDICATOR TO YOUR WRITING SUCCESS?
WORDS OF THE YEAR 2008 Part I: VOCABULARY TEST
WORDS OF THE YEAR 2008 Part II: VOCABULARY DEFINITIONS
