The San Diego Central Library is already planning their 2024 Short Story Contest, and to give their jocund judges a bit more time to sort through your scintillating stories, we're going to open up submissions on Monday, February 5, 2024!

Save the Date! Tell your friends! And start writing!

Win $ prizes. Get your winning story performed live. Take a peek at last year. https://sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/2023-sdpl-short-story-contest-live-readings-and-awards-event

J. Dianne Dotson announces the upcoming launch of her book The Inn at the Amethyst Lantern to be held at Mysterous Galaxy Bookstore on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at 7 p.m.

Atop a seaside bluff, an ancient lighthouse named the Amethyst Lantern sweeps its violet light across the sea and around the bayside town of Glimmerbight. The citizens do not remember a time in which the Lantern was built. But tales abound of the Inn in its shadow. Long ago, the Inn played host to a wonderous twilight era of a time long passed before the sun’s harsh rays forced humanity to adapt to Night Living. Legend tells that the shuttered Inn still houses a mystic hermit who powers the Lantern, and who may have founded the town itself.

Gentian “Gen” Lightworth and her brother Jas are two teens who live at the edge of the woods beyond which the Inn and the Amethyst Lantern still stand. After their cousin, Mira Celestus, breaks the societal age code by attending the annual Glowworm Ball via magic, something awakens in the Inn. Two giant Luna moths carry an invitation from the Inn addressed to Gen alone, portending that something stirs at the base of the Amethyst Lantern after all. Gen and her friends seek to uncover the truth of the Inn and find that something strange is happening in all the land, something that could threaten the pleasant town of Glimmerbight and force Night Living into a more sinister era of darkness, or even worse, to bake in the brilliance of a savage sun.

PRODUCT INFO

Title: The Inn at the Amethyst Lantern
Author: J. Dianne Dotson
Publisher: ‎Android Press
Release Date: October 24, 2023
Language: English
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 978-1958121337

The book is currently available at the following sites:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Inn-at-Amethyst-Lantern/dp/1958121339/

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1144010400

SDWEG member Richard L. Carrico and WildBlue Press proudly launch his new book this month. MONSTERS ON THE LOOSE: The True Story of Three Unsolved Murders in Prohibition Era San Diego will be released on October 17, 2023. Richard is a professor at SDSU and the author of more than 30 articles and 5 books.

MONSTERS ON THE LOOSE is a true story examining three unsolved murders during what was a dark time in San Diego's history. Told by an award-winning author and historian, Richard L. Carrico, fans of true crime won’t be able to stop from diving right into this gripping narrative.

Carrico has dedicated time to these victim's stories, emerging as an advocate for them more than 90 years after the murders. Their relentless pursuit of justice and the unearthing of shocking revelations promise to captivate readers and keep them on the edge of their seats.

Richard will be doing several presentations/book signings in the San Diego region kicking off with a program entitled beer and books at the San Diego History Center in Balboa Park November 5th from 3 to 5. A new book and fresh craft beers, what could be better? Richard’s web site PastShadows.net has information on this and other signings.

Reviews:

OnlineBookClub.org Kendal Low August 7, 2023

San Diego in 1931 was, apparently, rife with murder. With forensic evidence not quite what it is today, many of these murders went unsolved. Richard L. Carrico details the three unsolved murders of Virginia Brooks, Louise Teuber, and Hazel Bradshaw. The author walks the audience through the girls’ last days alive, the search for their killers, and the criminal trial of one suspect.

I am so pleased to say that I highly enjoyed my time reading this book! I have always been a fan of true crime, so it came as no surprise to me that this book sounded incredibly interesting. I found that Carrico did a fantastic job of describing these girls and their lives, and the search for any suspects. I think it was helpful that these murders took place where the author grew up, so he had a connection to the places featured that was obvious in his writing.

It is obvious how much work Carrico must have put into researching these murders, as there was so much information on the deaths themselves, the lives of the girls before they were murdered, and their families’ reactions to their untimely deaths. The information is so well detailed that I even believe I know who committed Teuber’s murder.

I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Dr. George Phillips, Professor of History Emeritus, University of Colorado.

As archaeologist, historian, and now murder investigator, the intellectual curiosity of Richard Carrico has no limits. Well researched and written, his new work, as with all good mysteries, takes us into unknown territories and keeps us reading well into the dark night.

SDWI invites you to apply to be one of 16-20 authors that will sell books at their Authors and Artists event, a collaboration with Liberty Station Barracks 16 and 19, on Friday, October 27 from 4-7:30 p.m. They will be curating in order to showcase as many types of books as possible.

In order to apply you must:

• be a current Writers, Ink member (individual memberships are $45 per year; student memberships are $30 per year)
• be able to set up at 3:30pm and take down at 7:30pm
• have a way to process credit card transactions

SDWI will offer:

• half of a six foot table (or a full, slim four foot table)
• table cloths for the six foot tables
• a print out of your name
• the company of other lively authors!

Since the event is part of SDWI's Fall For Writing Fundraiser, they will be asking those selected for a $25 donation to the organization. (However, all proceeds from book sales go directly to the author.)

Please submit your interest using this form by Monday October 9 at midnight. We will email everyone our selections by Wednesday, October 11.

We look forward to hearing from you. Please reach out should you have any questions!

SDWEG's mission statement is "The Guild shall promote, support, and encourage the writing arts for adults and youth at every level of experience." Since we haven't been able to provide programs directly to address young writers, we provide information about all San Diego organizations that do. And San Diego Writers, Ink, comes through again and again.

Does your child love writing? Creating stories? Have a vivid imagination? In this Fiction Writing for Preteens workshop, award-winning author Puja Shah will teach about the key elements to writing the perfect short story with guided prompts and fun exercises that will allow each child to go home with their own mental toolbox of creative writing tips.

Puja is a mother of two kids and has years of experience teaching children yoga and meditation where she understands each child’s unique creativity. All they need to bring is a notebook and their imagination! Class size is limited, so register today. All writing levels are welcome!

Recommended for ages 10-13. The one-day workshop will be held on Saturday, 10/7 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Kids by the Sea Olivenhain in Encinitas. Cost is $30 for all. For more information and a link to register your preteens up,  click HERE!

Fall for Writing 2023

San Diego Writers, Ink is excited to announce that their annual Fall for Writing Conference will be held October 26 to October 29, 2023! More information coming soon.

If you aren't already a member of San Diego Writers, Ink, consider joining in order to get discounted prices for their courses, read-and-critique groups, and other offerings.  Single memberships are $45 per year. Other levels exist for students and households.

Additional information about the Fall For Writing Event:

Fall For Writing (FFW) is not only a fundraiser for San Diego Writers, Ink, but it is also a great way to familiarize yourself with SDWI and their programs or take a class from an instructor or in a subject you are curious about. Best perhaps is that you will be in community with other writers.

Traditionally, students have paid for the entire conference or per class or program. This year, to open up our event to as many people as possible, FFW will be pay-what-you-can. YOU will decide what you would like to pay for your participation this year! Note: The Zoom link will be the same for all classes and will be shared the day before the event.

Though there will be three in-person events Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, all TEN classes will be online and offered in shorter formats. Additionally, all but a few will be recorded for others to access later if one cannot access the “live” Zoom session.

BONUS! SDWI has a NEW course offering on Saturday, October 28 at 2:30 PM: Memoir 101 with Marni Freedman! See below for details.

Learn more & register for Fall For Writing HERE!

FFW SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26:

Thursday Writers Write, Read, Eat! (In Person)

Once again this year, the Thursday Writers team was the largest contributor to Blazing Laptops, SDWI’s annual fundraising event! To say thank you, SDWI Executive Director Kristen Fogle is honoring Thursday Writers by hosting the group as the kickoff event for Fall For Writing.

5:30 PM – 6:30 PM — Thursday Writers Write

We’ll start by gathering at Liberty Station and doing what we always do—write to a prompt for however many minutes and see what emerges. Some or all will read their work as the rest of us bear witness.

7 PM – 8 PM — Thursday Writers Read

Bring along a piece you started at a Thursday Writers session. It’s okay if you’ve done some editing since then—it’s okay if it’s exactly the way you wrote it at TW. We’ll have an open mic reading for anyone who has ever written at Thursday Writers (did you know the group has been going since 1994?). Please time your piece so that it is no longer than three minutes.

8 PM – 9 PM — Thursday Writers Eat

Kristen is throwing us a fabulous dessert party! Enjoy decadent desserts and spend some time visiting with your fellow Thursday Writers!

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27:

Artists & Authors Event (In Person)

4 PM – 7:30 PM — Join us for a local authors and artists showcase! We will have local authors and artists with their work on display (and sale) for you. The event is a collaboration between Barracks 16 and Barracks 19 in the Liberty Station Arts District.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28:

10 AM – 11:15 AM — Cut Paste Write with Kimberly Lee*

Step into a scene and let it drip through your fingertips.” — MJ Bush

Ekphrastic writing has been described as “taking the visual and transforming it to the verbal.” This form of writing, used for centuries, encourages writers to use visual art as a muse for putting words to paper. In this workshop, participants will explore the use of images as a source of inspiration for imaginative writing. The workshop will include a taste of SoulCollage®, an expressive arts method through which we’ll create and write from our own images. (A background or experience in art is not required.) Join us!

Please have the following on hand (or feel free to work with digital images):

• 3 pre-selected pages, torn from magazines, of primary images (people, animals, objects)
• 3 pre-selected pages, torn from magazines, of larger background scenes (nature, interiors, patterns)
• Glue stick
• Scissors
• 5×8 piece of paper, preferably cardstock or cardboard
• Pen and paper (or laptop!)

11:30 AM – 12:45 PM — A Crash Course in Plot with Wesley Fulkerson

Learn how to plot a story according to the tried and true fundamentals of the craft. Eliminate the guesswork, and learn how to plot the way pros do it.

1 PM – 2:15 PM — Crafting the Perfect Scene with Judy Reeves

The difference between a ho-hum story and a page-turner is the writer’s ability to create dramatic, believable scenes. Scenes are what allow the reader to experience the action at the same time as the characters and take the reader from outside the story to the interior of the conflict. In this workshop we’ll examine the elements that go into crafting successful scenes focusing on character, plot, purpose, and transitions from narrative summary to scene and back again.

2:30 PM – 3:45 PM — Memoir 101 with Marni Freedman NEW!!

Are you seeking a way to transform the stories of your life into a compelling, page turning memoir? Join Marni Freedman, licensed Marriage and Family therapist and professional writing coach, for a fun, interactive, memoir writing workshop that will inspire and ignite your memoir writing journey. Topics introduced:

• The difference between memoir, personal essay and autobiography
• Structure for memoir: the three key story points that will help you uncover the basic shape of your memoir
• Accessing memory and choosing stories
• Character arc for memoir
• Two voices In Memoir – Adult and Child
• Tackling your theme
• The secret to writer’s voice: vulnerability and risk

4:00 PM – 5:15 PM — Character 101 with Rich Farrell

Characters and characterization make or break a novel, and as a writer, you must know not only how to construct a person from the ground up, but also how to skillfully relate that character to your readers through action and thought. Join us for a quick but useful dive into crafting an effective character for your story.

6 PM – 7 PM — Writer Mixer

Come out for a casual meet up before our Saturday night reading. There will be treats and writerly conversation to be had!

7 PM – 8:30 PM — A Year In Ink Anthology Reading hosted by Jill G. Hall (In Person)

Writers from any volume of A Year In Ink are invited to read two minutes of their work. Volume 16 will be available, and all other volumes will be on sale at a discount! Sign up to read below!

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29:

10 AM – 11:15 AM — Jammin’ & Hope Ya Like Enjambment, too! A Poetry Workshop with Rebecca Jane

W.H. Auden mined writing material from Beatles songbooks. Major Jackson is moved every day by Fugees’ song “How Many Mics” from their impactful album The Score. Julie Carr praises the use of negative space in Cake’s “Short Skirt/Long Jacket.” Poetry and music are eternal companions. Both stir emotions, trigger impressions, and inspire ideas. What music nurtures your insightful expressions? This workshop will explore this: We will share song titles to create a unique playlist and then we will listen and write. Can you imagine the poetry you will produce listening to the favorite songs of fellow writers? Let’s get together and let the music move us! ** Plus, a secret bonus: The Enjambment Editing Method **

11:30 AM – 12:45 PM — Poetry of Today with Ron Salisbury

Are you a beginning poet or one experienced? Today’s presentation will introduce you to the poetry of today. And why it doesn’t sound or look like your mother’s poetry. Why does poetry today seldom rhyme? And why is it sometimes so hard to understand? Maybe it’s not the poet’s fault. Maybe it’s poetry’s fault. Maybe there is no fault. We will review these topics, as well as discuss the tools poet’s toolbox to write poems, which is covered in depth in SDWI’s Certificate in Poetry.

1 PM – 2:15 PM —The Poetry of Gratitude with Jim Moreno

If you not sure you have anything to be grateful for because you’ve been watching too many news programs, in this poem-making workshop, Jim will help you to be aware of great things, small things, ordinary things, and special things in your life that help you to suit up and show up for life on a daily basis.

2:30 PM – 3:45 PM — Essential Essay Elements with Joyce Hayden

Together we will focus on three to four important essentials of writing a personal essay. Topics will include setting; structure; voice; theme/conflict. Textual examples will be provided for discussion, writing prompts will be offered; and participants will also have time to write and share work written in response to the afternoon’s prompts. This will be an introductory class to a longer course offered next year.

4 PM – 5:15 PM — Query for Magazines with Rebecca Chamaa*

If you want to write for magazines (and get paid for it) this class is a good first step. Learn how to locate and pitch editors in this supportive, informative session.

*All starred will NOT be recorded.

Don't Forget: SDWEG is a Certifying Authority for Presidential Volunteer Service Awards

Did you know that SDWEG is certified to submit applications for Presidential Volunteer Service Awards on behalf of members who volunteer to support the organization? In January of 2023, we announced this achievement and advised our member volunteers to keep track of their volunteer hours in support of the Guild. Members over the age of 26 who provide at least 100 hours of volunteer service in a year (attending Board meetings, staffing booths at festivals, writing blog posts and articles, serving as a reviewer for the anthology or Manuscript Review Program, and other activities) are eligible to receive at least a Bronze level pin, coin or medallion as well as a certificate signed by the President of the United States. Volunteers who serve at least 250 hours in a year are eligible for the Silver level. And any member who has put in at least 500 hours as a volunteer is eligible for the Gold level.

If you can document the hours of service you have provided to the Guild and have accumulated at least 100 hours in 2023, send your documentation to sdweg.pvsa@gmail.com. A team made up of Board members will review the documentation to determine if it is sufficient to merit application for the award. We need more than just a total number of hours. The best documentation would be a list of the dates, times, and a description of the activities.

Number of Hours Required for Adult Volunteers (26+) 

• Bronze medal: 100-249 hours
• Silver medal: 250-499 hours
• Gold medal: 500+ hours

See also the original post introducing the Guild's participation in the Presidential Volunteer Service Awards Program at https://sdweg.org/blog/13043606

Fourth Annual Hafez Day October 12, 2023

Friends of the San Diego Central Library in partnership with the Persian Cultural Center and San Diego Poetry Annual, are pleased to host the city’s 4th annual Hafez Day, an evening of music, poetry, and cultural exchange honoring Persian poet Hafez Shirazi’s words of love, joy, and peace. Taking place on Thursday, October 12, 2023, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. in the Central Library’s Neil Morgan Auditorium, the free and open-to-the-public event will highlight Hafez’s work as one of the world’s most beloved and influential poets. The evening will also feature refreshments and readings from San Diego poets and writers of varied backgrounds and ethnicities, inspired by Hafez’s enduring legacy.

“Hafez is the only writer to have his own holiday, based on the strength of his impact and his verse that reflects the best aspirations of people,” notes Zoe Ghahremani, prominent Iranian-American author and cohost of the San Diego Hafez Day Celebration. “It is a joy to be able to share this rich history and culture with the wider San Diego community and the countless international communities that mark this day with music and art.”

Michael Klam, Executive Editor of San Diego Poetry Annual and cohost of the Hafez Day Celebration, looks forward to the evening as “an opportunity to introduce some of the best poetry ever written to San Diego audiences and to hear from the many diverse artists performing at the event.”

Performers will include San Diego Poet Laureate Jason Magabo Perez; award winning artists: Kazim Ali, Carly DeMento, Adam Greenfield, Shadab Zeest Hashmi, Ari Hornarvar, Katie Manning, Jane Muschenetz, Robt O, Margarita Pintado, Gill Sotu; and the Namaad Ensemble of Persian Classical Music

For more information on the Hafez Day celebration and registration to attend, visit: https://sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/hafez-day-san-diego.

About Hafez Day

Hafez Day, celebrated in Iran and several other countries on October 12th, honors the work and legacy of lyric poet, Hafez Shirazi (1325-1390). Considered by many to be the preeminent poet of Persian literary accomplishment, Hafez’s works continue to inspire devotion and adulation in fans across the generations. Learn more at Wikipedia/Hafez

About Zoe Ghahremani

Featured on WBEZ in Chicago, Voice of America, KPBS, Radio Iran, at the Iranian-American Women Foundation Conference, and elsewhere, Zoe founded and curates the San Diego Central Library’s Author of the Month program, is an active member of San Diego Writing Women, and sits on the Board of the Friends of the Central Library. She is a past Board member of San Diego Writers, Ink and the San Diego Writers and Editors Guild. In 2019, she was honored with a Community Leader Award from the San Diego Writers Festival. Learn more at: https://zoeghahremani.com

About Michael Klam

Michael Klam is Executive Editor and Associate Publisher of the San Diego Poetry Annual (SDPA). He coedits the bilingual edition of SDPA with Olga Garcia. Michael hosts Central Library’s Conversations with Poets series. He coedited the San Diego Writers, Ink anthology, A Year in Ink, Volume 6. His book, Emma and the Buddha Frog (Puna Press), was a San Diego Book Awards finalist. His most recent collections are The Cheapest Flight to Paradise (Puna Press, 2018) and Anything for a Dull Moment, (Garden Oak Press, 2020). Learn more at: https://poetryandartsd.com/about/

About the Friends of San Diego Central Library

The Friends of the San Diego Central Library is a member-supported nonprofit organization that advocates, fundraises, and provides critical support for The Central Library and related literary and educational programs. They provide the community with opportunities to invest in the success of the library as well as literary and education communities by donating funds or by donating time through volunteering. Learn more at https://friendsofsandiegocentrallibrary.org/about/

About Persian Cultural Center

PCC’s core activities are multifaceted and include musical concerts, lectures, art exhibitions, dance performances, as well as language, theater, traditional instrument, and art classes. The variety of PCC’s programming draws a diverse patronage extending far beyond San Diego. We seek and welcome all members of the San Diego community and visitors to the City to enjoy and participate in our events and presentations. To this end our programs/events are non-partisan and secular, with artistic and cultural value being the ultimate benchmarks. Learn more at: https://pccsd.org

About San Diego Poetry Annual

For over 15 years, SDPA has featured renowned poets and artists alongside emerging local voices. Annually, 600 print copies of our publications (including Kids! and Bilingual volumes) are distributed in libraries, public universities, and public colleges in the greater San Diego County area and beyond. Learn more at https://sandiegopoetryannual.com/about/

By Raquel Damus

In the vast landscape of literature, where countless writers strive to make their mark, book awards stand as beacons of recognition, validation, and inspiration for aspiring authors. These esteemed honors not only celebrate the art of storytelling but also play a pivotal role in shaping the careers of writers who are embarking on their literary journeys. As the literary world continues to evolve, the profound impact of book awards on emerging authors becomes increasingly evident, providing them with platforms to showcase their talents and driving them to explore the boundaries of their creativity.

Across the literary spectrum, various awards offer aspiring authors the opportunity to gain recognition and credibility. One such accolade is the Royal Dragonfly Book Award, an international program that seeks to commend exceptional literature spanning diverse categories.

The award is unique in its inclusive approach, welcoming submissions from both traditionally and independently published authors. By embracing a wide array of genres, the Royal Dragonfly Book Award underscores the richness and diversity inherent in literature.

The California Book Awards, presented annually by the Commonwealth Club of California, highlight the exceptional achievements of authors within the state. This program recognizes outstanding works across fiction, nonfiction, poetry, juvenile literature, and first works of fiction. Through this award, the literary community celebrates the unique perspectives and voices emerging from the diverse landscape of California.

The submission process for the California Book Awards reflects its commitment to both traditional and self-published authors. By setting clear guidelines for submission, the award ensures that all aspiring authors have an equal opportunity to have their works considered for recognition. This inclusivity encourages a wider range of authors to participate, enriching the pool of talent that the award recognizes.

The NYC Big Book Award takes regional recognition to a global level, extending its reach to authors from around the world. This award acknowledges excellence in independent, traditionally published, and big press books. This cosmopolitan approach emphasizes the universality of literary accomplishment while encouraging authors to share their stories on an international stage.

Celebrating Literary Craftsmanship

The Pencraft Awards stand as a testament to the commitment to excellence in writing across genres. With a submission process that allows authors and readers to actively participate by submitting their own works or nominating exceptional pieces, the Pencraft Awards create a space for communal celebration of literary craftsmanship. The submission fees, while nominal, contribute to sustaining the integrity of the awards program, ensuring that it continues to champion quality writing.

The Sarton Awards, dedicated to recognizing women's memoirs and contemporary and historical fiction, not only celebrate the achievements of women authors but also shed light on important narratives often overlooked. The submission process for the Sarton Awards underscores its commitment to highlighting women's voices, ensuring that they are heard and acknowledged within the literary community.

For authors who choose to independently publish, the National Indie Book Awards (NIEA) and the National Indie Excellence Awards (NIEA) provide a platform that celebrates their entrepreneurial spirit and creative achievements. These awards acknowledge excellence in independent publishing across a broad range of genres. The submission process for both awards underscores their dedication to inclusivity, welcoming submissions from authors worldwide.

In the intricate tapestry of literature, book awards serve as transformative catalysts for aspiring authors. From the global recognition of the NYC Big Book Award to the celebration of regional talent through the California Book Awards, these honors propel authors toward greater visibility, validation, and networking opportunities. Whether through the Pencraft Awards' emphasis on craftsmanship or the dedication to amplifying marginalized voices demonstrated by the Sarton Awards, each accolade plays a vital role in shaping the future of literature. As the literary world continues to evolve, book awards will remain a beacon of hope and inspiration for aspiring authors, nurturing their dreams and driving them to achieve literary greatness.

If you have received an award for one of your books, consider adding that information to the Discussion Forum on the topic of Awards: https://sdweg.org/page-18102/13245255.

If you’d like to know more about the process of submitting your work for one of these awards, consider consulting with one of the Guild members who has already received one to get guidance on the process, the cost, and the benefit.

Careening from the 1940s to his death in 2005, this gonzo musical blasts into the life of one of America’s most influential and destructive icons. In relentless pursuit of the meaning of the American Dream during an era of political and social upheaval, Hunter S. Thompson cultivated a new form of journalism that ― for better or worse ― injected his subjective view into the heart of the story. Now, in another, even more severe moment of fake news, propaganda and polarization, Hunter’s story helps explore how we got here, and how to keep fighting.

  

Special Invitation and ticket offer: 

The La Jolla Playhouse is offering SDWEG members a 20% discount on tickets to The Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson Musical. To save, use promo code GONZO20 at LaJollaPlayhouse.org. Valid for performances September 12 – 29.