More great events at Sam Weller's

DANIEL DOEN SILBERBERG SIGNS WONDERLAND: THE ZEN OF ALICE AT SAM WELLER’S BOOKSTORE, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10TH, AT 6:00 PM.

Wonderland is a highly original riff on Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, using the classic story as a jumping-off point for conveying the Zen concept of "one mind". Daniel Silberberg's first book is a unique contribution to contemporary American Zen, which honors its historic roots and yet strikes out into fresh areas.

With stories from his own life as well as from the larger cultural swirl around him, Silberberg reflects on the differences between how we perceive the world around us and the way it actually is. He offers important ideas on how to live fully and happily and how to discover Wonderland in our own lives.

Daniel Doen Silberberg received transmission of the Zen lineage from his teacher Dennis Genpo Merzel Roshi, director of Kanzeon International and founder of Big Mind, in December 2003. He also trained under John Daido Loori Roshi, Abbot of Zen Mountain Monastery and founder of the Mountains and Rivers Order, and under Taizan Maezumi Roshi, who brought this Zen lineage to the West.

Besides being a teacher and lineage holder in the White Plum Sangha, which derives from Maezumi Roshi and the Rinzai and Soto Zen schools, Doen Sensei also trained under Wilhem Nyland and other teachers in the Fourth Way. At the request of Mr. Nyland, Doen began to teach his own Fourth Way Group in 1979.

Doen Sensei has been a practicing psychologist, performance coach, and jazz musician. He has also been an avid martial artist, chess student, explorer of technological innovation, and writer. His first book will be published by Parallax Press in the Fall of 2009. He was the head of administration and Executive Vice President at Zen Mountain Monastery in Mt. Tremper, New York, and was Vice Abbot of Big Mind Western Zen Center (formerly Kanzeon Zen Center in Salt Lake City, Utah) before undertaking his present role as teacher and director of Lost Coin Development.

SAM WELLER’S GALLERY ON THE MEZZANINE PRESENTS NOVEL PULP: NEW PAPER WORKS BY AMBER HEATON, LAUREN HUBER, JARED STEFFENSEN, AND DAVID WOLSKE ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20TH, 6:00-9:00 PM

Rather than works on paper this is an exhibition of paper. Four artists explore the formal and conceptual themes of the dimensionality and mass of paper. The art will emerge from the walls, floor and ceiling of the bookstore in an array of low to high relief, creating a dynamic interplay between page and sculpture.

Show runs November 20, 2009 to January 9, 2010.

80 years old and independent, we are a study in volume, contrast and diversity. Our non-traditional gallery exhibits work in all media by emerging and established artists, providing a dynamic setting for new directions in the arts. We produce six exhibitions a year, each spanning seven weeks. Join us on Gallery Stroll every other month.

CONCERT VIOLINIST GERALD ELIAS READS AND SIGNS HIS NOVEL DEVIL’S TRILL, AND PLAYS MUSICAL SELECTIONS FROM THE BOOK AT SAM WELLER’S BOOKS SATURDAY, NOV. 21, AT 5:00 PM.

Daniel Jacobus is a blind, reclusive, crotchety violin teacher living in self-imposed exile in rural New England. He spends his time chain-smoking, listening to old LPs, and occasionally taking on new students, whom he berates in the hope that they will flee.

Jacobus is drawn back into the world he left behind when he decides to attend the Grimsley Competition at Carnegie Hall. The young winner of this competition is granted the honor of playing the Piccolino Stradivarius, a uniquely dazzling three-quarter-size violin that has brought misfortune to all who possessed it over the centuries. But after the concert, the violin is found missing from its case backstage, and Jacobus is the primary suspect.

With the help of his friend and former musical partner, Nathaniel Williams, his new student, Yumi Shinagawa, and several quirky sidekicks, Jacobus sets out to prove his innocence, track down the culprit, and find the stolen Piccolino Strad. Will he be successful? Or will his search turn deadly?

Devil’s Trill gives the reader a peek into the underworld of classical music, with its backstabbing teachers and performers, venal patrons, and shady violin dealers.

A graduate of Yale, Gerald Elias has been a Boston Symphony violinist, Associate Concertmaster of the Utah Symphony since 1988, Adjunct Professor of Music at the University of Utah, first violinist of the Abramyan String Quartet, and Music Director of the Vivaldi Candlelight concert series.

This event is free and open to the public.--

John Clukey
Events Coordinator/Outreach
Sam Weller's Bookstore
254 S Main St
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
801-328-2586, phone
801-595-0051, fax
john@samwellers.com
http://www.samwellers.com/

Manage time more effectively with The Pomodoro Technique

THE BIG TOMATO EFFECT

I am a professional procrastinator. Therefore, I rarely meet my goals, then I beat myself up over it. This is especially disappointing to me when it involves my writing. I feel I should be much more prolific than I am. I always just put it off until an idea is forgotten, or the spark has gone out of a piece I've workrd on, then abandoned.

I've recently learned of a promising time management technique that I think might help.  I learned of it from a blog entitled The Corporatepreneur . Usually, anything involving the word corporate would not appeal to me, but the day I stumbled upon  Dale's blog through my Google Reader, he had posted a bit called "Hitting 4 hours a day-with the help of a tomato." That was just weird enough to catch my eye. After spotting the heading "HELP! I'm an entrepreneur trapped in the job of an employee!", I was hooked.

As I began to read, I realized that the method he was trying could be very helpful to writers. Let's admit it, we all have the tendency to gravitate toward anything that will tear us from the blank computer screen or empty journal. This technique breaks tasks down into time increments and regular breaks using nothing more complicated than a kitchen timer.

Of course that's a simplification. There is some palnning and prioritization involved on our part to get the ball rolling. But the concept is so simple that if you're willing to invest a few minutes at the beginning of each day to list the tasks you want to acheive, then stick to the technique, I think you'll soon be spending more time doing and less time wishing or putting off.

I've decided to try it. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

One reason I've embraced this is that I'm doing a NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) workshhop over the next four Saturdays, and I really want to put in a whole-hearted effort. The second reason is that I think it may help me with my tax school studies, which I've had a hard time concentrating on lately.

Anyhow, it's called The Pomodoro Technique. Click on the link above to read Dale's blog on it, and the link in this sentence to learn more and dowload the book for FREE.

Good luck and good writing.

MrW

KUED reading marathon begins November 4

Most of the television I watch is PBS: Nova, Nature, Dr. Who, Sherlock Holmes, Masterpiece
Contemporary. Where I'm from, kids grew up on public TV. I guess our folks figured if we were gonna watch it, it should be educational.Of course, there was more to choose from among the networks at that time, too. PBS is pretty much the last bastion of quality viewing these days. If I had kids, they would watch little else.

Of course I'd much rather read. I think children need to read more these days, too. Real book reading, not off computer screens or in slick magazines.

So I think it's great that the local public television affiliate is encouraging kids to read. You'd think that would be counter-productive for a TV station. If you're talking about the networks and cable, you'd be right. Once kids learn to love books, American Idol or any of those unrealistic "reality shows" just won't compare.

Here's the info on a great KUED program that gets kids to read, and rewards them accordingly:

KUED's 17th Annual Reading Marathon

November 4th, to November 27th, 2009

KUED in partnership with the Utah public libraries and community partners hosts the 17th Annual Reading Marathon starting November 4th, through the 27th. Our goal is to encourage children to read, track their hours, and in return they will be invited to the Super Reader Party in January 2010, at the Utah State Fairpark, Grand Building. Our theme is "KUED Kids Village." Martha, Sid, Buddy and other PBS characters will be present to join in on the excitement in January.

Kids may pick up a reading log at their public library or online at www.kued.org/reading. Children of pre-school age through sixth grade have different reading goals to meet; details are outlined on the reading log. Participants may read alone, read to someone else, or be read to by another person.

For additional information on KUED's READING MARATHON, call (801) 581-6163 or visit www.kued.org/reading.

KUED Channel 7 Press Release:

Press Contacts:

 Mary Dickson

(801) 581-3263

Eve Mary Verde

(801) 585-6015

www.kued.org

Friday, October 30th, 2009 KUED Announces 17th Annual READING MARATHON "KUED Kids Village" A Partnership with Utah's Public Libraries November 4 - 27, 2009

KUED is inviting children two through 6th grade to participate in the 17th annual KUED Reading Marathon. KUED "Kids Village" will be the theme for this year's Super Reader Party for reading which rewards children.

KUED's 17th Annual READING MARATHON, running November 4th through November 27th, 2009, encourages children and their families to spend quality time reading together. The literacy event is in partnership with Utah's public libraries and community agencies, including Salt Lake Community Action Program Head Start, Boys & Girls Clubs of Salt Lake and Utah PTA. Last year, more than 3,000 children participated in the Reading Marathon and more than 2,000 children and their parents celebrated with Curious George and The Man With the Yellow Hat® at the Utah State Fairpark.

Kids may pick up a reading log at their public library or online at www.kued.org/reading. Children of pre-school age through sixth grade have different reading goals to meet; details are outlined on the reading log. Participants may read alone, read to someone else, or be read to by another person.

"KUED's Reading Marathon is a great way for families to spend time together," says Jacqui Voland, Community Outreach Manager for KUED. "As part of our Ready To Learn education initiative, the read-a-thon is a fun way to promote literacy and the many great programs offered through PBS."

During the first week of the competition, libraries and literacy partners statewide will host kick-off parties. For a list of locations and Reading Marathon requirements, visit the KUED website www.kued.org/reading.

Once children complete the marathon, they will be able to go online at home or at their local library to enter their own reading hours. Super Readers can then print both a reading certificate and an invitation to the Super Reader party with our PBS Pals, including Martha, from "Martha Speaks," Sid from "Sid the Science Kid," Buddy from "Dinosaur Train" and more.

"Providing services online allows us to streamline the process for our community partners and viewers, allowing more time for fun," Voland explains. Mini-grant applications for libraries located100 miles or more from Salt Lake can also be submitted online this year. Deadline for mini-grants is Friday, November 27th. 

At the invitation-only Super Reader Party in January, hands-on learning activities, entertainment and free books are all part of the reward for being a KUED "Super Reader," including a high five from PBS Kids Characters for reading achievements.

For additional information on KUED's READING MARATHON, call (801) 585-3523 or visit www.kued.org/reading. See what's going on in your community and what's on the KUED Kids block KUED-Channel 7 by visiting www.kued.org/kids.

Local and National Funder Credits: 

Reading Marathon is made possible in part by Nu Skin and Target.

In Kind sponsors: Utah State Fairpark, Cream O' Weber, Dairy Council of Utah, Nicholas and Company, Inc., Utah's Hogle Zoo, Clark Planetarium and Utah Family Magazine.

Ready To Learn educational events and services on KUED 7 are made possible by the Sorenson Legacy Foundation, the Emma Eccles Jones Foundation, United Way of Salt Lake, Margaret A. Cargill Foundation, Herbert I. & Elsa B. Michael Foundation, Ruth Eleanor Bamberger and John Ernst Bamberger Memorial Foundation, Qwest and U.S. Bank.

Community Partners of KUED's 2009 READING MARATHON are Salt Lake City Main Public Library, Salt Lake County Library Services, The Library Park City and Summit County libraries, Davis County libraries, Utah State Library Division, Salt Lake CAP Head Start, Utah's Hogle Zoo, Utah Museum of Natural History, Intermountain Therapy Animals, Clark Planetarium, Utah Museum of Fine Arts, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Salt Lake, Utah PTA, University Neuropsychiatric Institute (UNI), Davis Education Foundation, Mad Science of Greater Salt Lake, Utah Education Network (UEN), and the Salt Lake City Section of the American Chemical Society.

Corporate giants illegally underselling independent booksellers?

Tony Weller, proprietor of Sam Weller's Bookstore in downtown Salt Lake City, has been an avid  advocate for local independent business for years. I had the opportunity to interview him this past spring. He had a lot to say then about how big boxers prey on small business. Now he and the American Booksellers Association are fighting for his bread and butter, and the livelihood of independent book sellers around the nation.


This bit was sent to me by Tony's events and outreach co-ordinator, John Clukey.


Sam Weller’s Books

31 October 2009

Sam Weller’s Books Urges News Media to Cover American Booksellers Association’s Request for U.S. Department of Justice to Investigate Predatory Online Pricing by Amazon, Wal-Mart and Target

On October 22, the Board of Directors of the American Bookseller’s Association (ABA) sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice, requesting examination of the online pricing practices of three online retailers. Amazon.com, Wal-Mart and Target are in an apparent price war to the bottom for this season’s projected best sellers. All three retailers are currently pre-selling select fall titles for prices that fall beneath even the lowest wholesale prices. This constitutes “predatory pricing,” a practice which violates anti-trust laws and damages competition by driving smaller sellers out of the marketplace. Predatory pricing also causes of false sense of the cost and value of books, by training consumers to expect unsustainably low prices. It is detrimental to the entire publishing industry when the perception of what a book should cost is actually lower than the wholesale price. Lastly, the drive towards the lowest price for best sellers invariably damages sales and distribution of other books which are subsequently perceived by buyers to be overpriced.

The continuation of such predatory practices will hurt the supply of books by further limiting the number of channels through which they are distributed; it will harm to the diversity of our culture by the reducing sales of non-discounted books by writers who aren’t noticed by the marketing departments of the mega-retailers; it will do damage to thousands of book retailers who simply can’t afford to sell books under cost to lure buyers into their establishments.

The ABA’s letter of request follows this brief statement. We urge you to include this culturally impactful and sensitive story in your news coverage and to follow it as it progresses.

Sincerely and vehemently,

Tony Weller
Sam Weller’s Books

 

ABA Asks Department of Justice to Investigate Bestseller Price Wars

Oct 22, 2009

The Board of Directors of the American Booksellers Association today sent the following letter to the U.S. Department of Justice requesting that it investigate practices by Amazon.com, Wal-Mart, and Target that it believes constitute illegal predatory pricing that is damaging to the book industry and harmful to consumers.

VIA OVERNIGHT MAIL AND E-MAIL
October 22, 2009

The Honorable Christine Varney
Assistant Attorney General
Antitrust Division
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 3109
Washington, DC 20530

Molly Boast, Esquire
Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Civil Matters
Antitrust Division
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Room 3210
Washington, DC 20530

Dear Ms. Varney and Ms. Boast,

We are writing on behalf of the American Booksellers Association, a 109-year-old trade organization representing the nation's locally owned, independent booksellers. A core part of our mission is devoted to making books as widely available to American consumers as possible. We ask that the Department of Justice investigate practices by Amazon.com, Wal-Mart, and Target that we believe constitute illegal predatory pricing that is damaging to the book industry and harmful to consumers. We are requesting a meeting with you to discuss this urgent issue at your earliest possible opportunity.

As reported in the consumer and trade press this past week, Amazon.com, WalMart.com, and Target.com have engaged in a price war in the pre-sale of new hardcover bestsellers, including books from John Grisham, Stephen King, Barbara Kingsolver, Sarah Palin, and James Patterson. These books typically retail for between $25 and $35. As of writing of this letter, all three competitors are selling these and other titles for between $8.98 and $9.00.

Publishers sell these books to retailers at 45% - 50% off the suggested list price. For example, a $35 book, such as Mr. King's Under the Dome, costs a retailer $17.50 or more. News reports suggest that publishers are not offering special terms to these big box retailers, and that the retailers are, in fact, taking orders for these books at prices far below cost. (In the case of Mr. King's book, these retailers are losing as much as $8.50 on each unit sold.) We believe that Amazon.com, Wal-Mart, and Target are using these predatory pricing practices to attempt to win control of the market for hardcover bestsellers.

It's important to note that the book industry is unlike other retail sectors. Clothing, jewelry, appliances, and other commercial goods are typically sold at a net price, leaving the seller free to determine the retail price and the margin these products will earn. Because publishers print list prices indelibly on jacket covers, and because books are sold at a discount off that retail price, there is a ceiling on the amount of margin a book retailer can earn.

The suggested list price set by the publisher reflects manufacturing costs -- acquisition, editing, marketing, printing, binding, shipping, etc. -- which vary significantly from book to book. By selling each of these titles below the cost these retailers pay to the publishers, and at the same price as each other, and at the same price as all other titles in these pricing schemes, Amazon.com, Wal-Mart, and Target are devaluing the very concept of the book. Authors and publishers, and ultimately consumers, stand to lose a great deal if this practice continues and/or grows.


What's so troubling in the current situation is that none of the companies involved are engaged primarily in the sale of books. They're using our most important products -- mega bestsellers, which, ironically, are the most expensive books for publishers to bring to market -- as a loss leader to attract customers to buy other, more profitable merchandise. The entire book industry is in danger of becoming collateral damage in this war.
It's also important to note that this episode was precipitated by below-cost pricing of digital editions of new hardcover books by Amazon.com, many of those titles retailing for $9.99, and released simultaneously with the much higher-priced print editions. We believe the loss-leader pricing of digital content also bears scrutiny.
While on the surface it may seem that these lower prices will encourage more reading and a greater sharing of ideas in the culture, the reality is quite the opposite. Consider this quote from Mr. Grisham's agent, David Gernert, that appeared in the New York Times:

"If readers come to believe that the value of a new book is $10, publishing as we know it is over. If you can buy Stephen King's new novel or John Grisham's 'Ford County' for $10, why would you buy a brilliant first novel for $25? I think we underestimate the effect to which extremely discounted best sellers take the consumer's attention away from emerging writers."

For our members -- locally owned, independent bookstores -- the effect will be devastating. There is simply no way for ABA members to compete. The net result will be the closing of many independent bookstores, and a concentration of power in the book industry in very few hands. Bill Petrocelli, owner of Book Passage in Corte Madera, California, an ABA member, was also quoted in the New York Times:

"You have a choke point where millions of writers are trying to reach millions of readers. But if it all has to go through a narrow funnel where there are only four or five buyers deciding what's going to get published, the business is in trouble."

We would find these practices questionable were they taking place in the market for widgets. That they are taking place in the market for books is catastrophic. If left unchecked, these predatory pricing policies will devastate not only the book industry, but our collective ability to maintain a society where the widest range of ideas are always made available to the public, and will allow the few remaining mega booksellers to raise prices to consumers unchecked.

We urge that the DOJ investigate and request an opportunity to come to Washington to discuss this at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,
ABA Board of Directors:
Michael Tucker, President (Books Inc.--San Francisco, CA)
Becky Anderson, Vice President (Anderson's Bookshops--Naperville, IL)
Steve Bercu (BookPeople--Austin, TX)
Betsy Burton (The King's English Bookshop--Salt Lake City, UT)
Tom Campbell (The Regulator Bookshop--Durham, NC)
Dan Chartrand (Water Street Bookstore--Exeter, NH)
Cathy Langer (Tattered Cover Book Store--Denver, CO)
Beth Puffer (Bank Street Bookstore--New York, NY)
Ken White (SFSU Bookstore--San Francisco, CA)

(C) Copyright 2009 American Booksellers Association. All Rights Reserved

I understand Tony's plight, having spoken to him at length about his business struggles, and the necessity of a move out of his current building. As a writer, I understand how difficult it can be to get major exposure. I wish him and his business associates the best of luck, as they evolve to meet the challenges of today's retail book market.

MrW.

DiverseCity Writing Series GLBTQA writing group

The next meeting of the CWC GLBTQA writing group will be Monday November 9 at 6:30 PM.

This group is part of the DiverseCity Writing Series, sponsored by Salt Lake Community College's Community Writing Center, where we believe "Everyone Can Write."

This group is free and open to the public. Whatever your level of expertise, or your writing proclivities, you can enjoy:

• The company and support of other writers
• A forum to share and workshop your writing
• A fun writing exercise
• The opportunity to publish, and participate in a public reading twice a year

Meetings take place regularly on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month. The group is rapidly growing since its resurrection this past July, but is still a small intimate setting. 


The meeting location is at the writing center on Library Square, 210 E 400 South. Our space is east of the main building, next to KCPW.


I'd like to thank Stephanie for attending last week, and Steve for continuing to share excerpts from his novel in progress.

I hope to see more of our talented writers attend in the coming weeks. 


Another big event at CWC this month is  NaNoWriMo. November is National Novel Writing Month. In a four-part workshop, writers are challenged to complete an entire novel in one month. The dates are Saturdays November 7, 14, 21, and 28 from 1-3 PM. There is a fee for this workshop of $60, and you must pre-register on-line or by calling the CWC at (801) 957-4992 .


I'd like to share couple of newsletters I receive every month. One is from a Utah story teller, the other a national self-publishing company. If you like them, feel free to sign up.

iUniverse at 10

In the span of a decade, iUniverse has helped more than 20,000 authors get their work published professionally and affordably. Since October 1999, we have developed our reputation by breaking old records and blazing new trails in the self-publishing industry. While this newsletter focuses on some of our more recent highlights, we invite you to take a look back and find out more about our own unique story.

New Packages Bring Marketing Boost to the Premier Pro Lineup

The initial launch of a book is one of the most exciting moments for an author. With the right promotional campaign to support it, a book launch can also be one of the most rewarding times in regards to generating book sales. To help you make the most of the initial momentum surrounding your book's debut, iUniverse has unveiled two publishing options that help you introduce your book to a mass audience.
Online Premier Pro

Online Premier Pro gives you an edge in getting your book in bookstores, even as it increases your Web presence through our complete line of viral marketing services. With this publishing option, you'll enjoy all of the advantages of our Bookstore Premier Pro package, along with more free books and exclusive social media and online services.


Book Launch Premier Pro

Book Launch Premier Pro offers an unprecedented combination of pre- and post-production service for the author who wants maximum book exposure. You'll enjoy all of the benefits of our Online Premier Pro package, receive more free books, plus reach a potential audience of 2 million people with an e-mail campaign once your book is launched.

Uplifting Words of Support: Editorial Services FAQs

Editorial support is about more than just correcting typos and grammatical errors. As the self-publishing industry's premier provider of editorial services, iUniverse offers a variety of editorial tools and support designed specifically to bring your book up to the same standards as those published by traditional publishing houses. Visit the iUniverse Web site to learn more about what to expect from your editorial services and to find answers to the frequently asked questions regarding general industry editorial standards.

The Magic of Reading

When Thora Gabriel sits down to write, her desire is to make something magical happen. While the magic in her book, Chessie Bligh and the Scroll of Andelthor revolves around flying horses, spells, fantasy rooms and elf wizards, the magic Gabriel hopes to create is based more in reality. "If I can get kids to read," said Gabriel, "I've accomplished what I've set out to do."
Read more >>

Serving Up Life Lessons with 'Mama Lucia'

Author of Lucia's Survival Guide and Cookbook, Lucille "Mama Lucia" Campilongo serves up a must-have survival guide for the domestically challenged. From cooking tips to cleaning tips, the guide offers valuable answers that ease the burden of learning to live on your own.

Major international, national, and regional publications and television stations have called on iUniverse authors to share their stories and expertise on a variety of topics.

"If you're going to live outside the law, you'd better be honest." This was the life principle that Sid Probstein, a gambler, bookie, and ticket scalper, taught his son, Ronald Probstein. Ronald, now an MIT academic who studied at Princeton, was recently featured along with his book Honest Sid in the New York Post, where he gives credit to his dad for teaching him about life and math.
The self-publishing revolution continues to change the face of publishing in part because of authors like L.T. Woody, whose coming-of-age story In Black In White broke barriers when it was reviewed in the Baltimore Sun. "You can almost feel a shudder when Mr. Woody describes his neighborhood changing, virtually overnight," said the reviewer.

To submit news to Authors in the News, published iUniverse authors can log in to your myUniverse account and click the My News & Events link.

An award-winning book instantly receives a third-party stamp of approval that not even media attention can give. Getting honored from a respected source can also elevate your book in the eyes of potential book buyers, from salespeople to readers.
Although iUniverse is not affiliated with the contests, we have researched them to make sure they are valuable for our authors.

View upcoming contests to enter 

Please Note: Authors are responsible for submitting all materials and entry fees for contests and awards. In the event that a contest requires submittal by a publisher, iUniverse will only perform this service for Editor's Choice authors on a case-by-case basis.

Sharpen your writing skills, network, and in some cases, sell more books to the public by attending book festivals and writing conferences.
View upcoming writer's events

October 2009

Two New Packages. Free Upgrade. Save Up to $1,050.
This October, our new packages present new reasons to publish your book with iUniverse. Purchase either the all-new Online Premier Pro or Book Launch Premier Pro packages by October 31, and you can launch your book's premiere like never before. To help you benefit the most from publishing this month, our most popular packages have been upgraded at deeply discounted prices.

iUniverse Goes to Miami Book Fair International

iUniverse representatives and authors will appear at Wolfson Campus of Miami Dade College in downtown Miami for the 2009 Miami Book Fair International. Visit our booths, from November 13-15, to browse available titles, meet fellow iUniverse authors signing complimentary copies of their books, and find out more about how we can help you get published professionally.

Using Social Media? So Are We.

Want to keep up to date with what's happening at iUniverse before it appears in our next newsletter?
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Volume 1, Issue 2    November 2009

Welcome It was beneficial and probably the best workshop I have ever attended. --K. Gordon CSUF Grad. Student, CA Thank you for loving storytelling as much as I do through these free monthly e-newsletters. Enjoy the Following Sections: From the Stage. . .or the Telephone Cap's Off to You-Ronda Woolston Random Rachel Ideas (RRIs) YouthTellerTip--3 featured Game of the Month-"The Computer" Until we tell again, Rachel Hedman Professional Storyteller Renown for Family Famine Series P. S.  Your feedback, comments, and questions are welcomed at info@rachelhedman.com.     Storytelling Adventures From the Stage. . . or the Telephone Art from Rachel's Perspective The calendar in my head declared, "In the year 2011, you will film the second volume to the Family Famine Series.  And every other year will come out another volume." Then I received a telephone call on October 1st that changed my timetable. Marjorie Shaefer, storytelling friend in Tennessee, said that my name was drawn for one of twelve fringe slots at the 2010 National Storytelling Conference in Los Angeles.  There were 101 slips, and yet my name got pulled. The cranks and cogs in my head turned and seemed to make a whirring sound. A sponsor would be needed to cover costs so that singer Holly Robison, guitarist Joshua Payne, and upright bass player Geoffrey Rayback could perform in Los Angeles with me.  I would want another three-camera shoot with American Sign Language interpretation plus other features not yet experienced on storytelling DVDs before. Why all the attention to details? This Family Famine Series would be part of my legacy due to the results to: *  Increase positive communication with family *  Discover your role and how best to magnify it *  Build sense of worth as individuals and as unit *  Cultivate positive behaviors in the home *  Appreciate your loved ones. . .and, if needed, gain courage to seek help for a stronger home Sean Buvala, another storytelling friend, mentioned that any of us tellers could have (or do have) "Oprah-worthy" material.  He felt that my Family Famine Series had that potential. By now fumes of joyous thoughts drifted from my head. What if I could partner such a program with other family organizations and foundations that shared similar philosophies? What organizations do YOU know that support these aspects? Please share these ideas with me at info@rachelhedman.com. With your support, this Family Famine Series could be a worldwide program. Cap's Off to You Audience Spotlight Featuring: Ronda Woolston Loyal Listener & Event Organizer Director/Curator of The Gale Center of History and Culture in South Jordan, UT For over two years, The Gale Center of History and Culture has been dubbed a "pro-storytelling place" thanks to Ronda Woolston, museum director and curator.  Of the twelve monthly Terrific Tuesdays provided for the community there, at least four of them are dedicated to the art to include professional storytelling, youth tall tale contests, and National Youth Storytelling Showcase auditions. Although Ronda has not seen much change in how she enjoys the art, she noted, "What has changed it that now I have the chance to help others experience storytelling for themselves and carry on that tradition in my own community." She remembered the stories her grandmother shared, though she could not recall when the first experience occurred.  She decided, "So really storytelling is one of my earliest memories." When it was time to visit grandma, Ronda said, "It was always a special time because us kids always knew we would get one of her stories." Now Ronda continues that tradition within the walls of the museum. She exclaimed, "We have had Rachel Hedman and Lori Wenerstrom tell and they have both been very popular with audiences and are known to our participants as performers who are always entertaining and fun." As for the youth telling at the Gale Center, their talents have impressed Ronda.  For the future of the art, she stated, "It could be that younger tellers will become interested in getting involved but I believe that whatever age people decide to share their stories with others, they will continue to tell about what interests them, thereby passing that excitement on to others." Thank you, Ronda. You are one of the many who spread excitement for the art. What are your loyal listener memories? Email your story to info@rachelhedman.com. Random Rachel Ideas (RRIs) Ideas for the Art to Embrace Boy Scouts of America will have a storytelling merit badge that will be so successful in its initial year that the Advancement Committee will wonder why they did not adopt it sooner. In the past 10 years, there have been three main attempts to formally approach the BSA in regards to having a storytelling merit badge.   While there have been positive reactions from Scout leaders, boys, and storytellers, the National Advancement Committee have not seen the distinctive traits of the art, especially as they confuse it with communications or theatre. Though, it is only a matter of time, as more proposals are submitted, that the badge will be created. I am receiving contacts of people associated with the National BSA Jamboree in Virginia.  Over 43,000 leaders and boys attend.  Perhaps by 2012 we will have a storytelling concert there with six youth tellers representing different regions of the United States.  Then we would have a national teller to accompany them.  There would be no denying the art then.  The audience would demand the storytelling badge. This will happen.   YouthTellerTip 3 featured from Daily YouthTellerTip from Twitter (StorytellingAdv) 1.  Play storytelling games to build skills.  Adults need to play along with the youth.  No "I'm too old for this" business. The adults who do not play in the storytelling games are in the same category as the adults who stand or sit in the back while the little ones are in front to hear the storyteller.  The choice to distance oneself from the experience is so powerful that it may influence other youth to do likewise.  The youth may question your presence or even your intentions.  This could lead to distrust and fuel negative views towards adults in general.  Besides, once you play the games, you will have fun.  Who said adults should stop having fun once they reach a certain age? 2.  Inspire tellers early through bedtime stories.  Even college students and adults love storytelling before sleep. Dreams are ultimate places to express creativity.  Intensify the imagination subconsciously by having youth hear stories before their eyes close.  By the next morning, this act could energize the story recipient to make a difference in the world.  After telling bedtime stories, jot down the outline or the entire story before going to bed yourself as these stories may be your best ones.  Generations may want to treasure and continue to tell them with their descendants. 3.  Give youth the power to choose the stories they share.  Otherwise, it could be considered "forced" storytelling.  Go for fun. Too often I have seen lifeless eyes of youth who tell stories that they do not love.  Usually, this is because a coach or a parent chose the story.  Suddenly, storytelling turns into an assignment rather than a joyous experience.  Yes, adults could still guide the teller in story types that may suit the youth's personality, but the final decision must come from the youth.  This also gives the youth the impression that the first story they read may not be the one for them.  It may take several or even hundreds of tries.  The adventure is as much the finding of the tale as it is in telling the tale. Game of the Month: The Computer Shared by Rachel Hedman, creator Audience:  youth to adults Level:  intermediate Items Needed:  1 chair, an imaginary computer/laptop Number of Players: 4-8 Roles: Typist, Story Characters, Props and Settings as the Typist describes them Ave. Playing Time:  5 min. to 1 hr. One-Liner: resembles story theatre that starts with one person directing the tale until all have control and must react to the additions Instructions: Clear a space of at least 5' by 10', though more room could allow more creativity.  Place the chair to the back and to the side of this space.  Determine who will be the Typist.  That person sits in the chair.  The rest of the people stand in a line at the back of the area to be ready to step forward as potential Story Characters or possibly some Props or Settings. The Typist pretends to type on an imaginary computer and shares story thoughts aloud so all can hear.  For example, the Typist may say something like, "Deep in the jungle, there was a girl who. . .".  Since "girl" is a story character, one of the other players--whoever steps forward first-- becomes the "girl" and could add dialogue without help from the Typist.  At this point, the Typist realizes he is not alone in his thoughts and adjusts his story depending on the personality of the Story Character. For people waiting to be Story Characters, they could intensify the action by becoming Props or Settings in the story.  If there is a storm as part of the narrative, people could wave their arms to represent the wind or rain. These same people could become Story Characters later on as shared by the Typist. Since Story Characters could add dialogue at any time, the Typist must be willing to narrate the story as well as to respond to what he hears. When the story comes to a climax and an ending, then the game could be repeated with a new Typist. History of this Game: Rachel Hedman brainstormed how to teach improvisational skills to fellow members of the Brigham Young University Storytelling Club in 1998.  Despite never using a typewriter before, she imagined someone typing on it and characters coming to life from the page. She converted this image into the game.  The game has since been called "The Computer" to keep up with technological times, though perhaps it should be called "The Laptop" or "The Blackberry" today. If you enjoyed this e-newsletter, then please spread the word with others.   People can sign-up at www.rachelhedman.com.

© 2009 Company Name. All rights reserved

Storytelling Adventures, Inc. PO Box 160631, Clearfield, UT 84041, USA

About

Rachel Hedman

Rachel explores family relationships in folklore and what that means for us today. Sometimes she adopts musicians, singers, dancers or tellers for collaborative efforts much like a reunion of artists. You are welcome to join the adventures.   Find at: FamilyFamine.com Storytelling Adventures Blog

Links  My Website  Facebook Fan Page  Twitter (StorytellingAdv)  My YouTube Channel  Professional Storyteller

Contact Info

Storytelling Adventures, Inc.

PO Box 160631

Clearfield, UT  84016

Telephone: (801) 870-5799

Email: info@rachelhedman.com

Reading, signing

BRANDON SANDERSON READS AND SIGNS THE GATHERING STORM IN SAM WELLER’S BOOKSTORE, MONDAY, NOV. 2ND, AT 6:30 PM.

The Wheel of Time series has sold over 14 million copies in North America and over 30 million copies worldwide with translations into 28 languages. The previous four books in the series were #1 New York Times bestsellers, and readers have been eagerly awaiting the conclusion to the epic story that first began in 1990.
The release of The Gathering Storm is especially memorable, as it honors the legacy of a great man and writer. The conclusion to the Wheel of Time series was partially written by Robert Jordan before his untimely passing in 2007. Brandon Sanderson, the New York Times bestselling author of the Mistborn books, was then chosen by Jordan’s editor—his wife, Harriet McDougal—to complete the series based on the notes and materials left behind.

With The Gathering Storm, Robert Jordan’s amazing Wheel of Time series begins its dramatic conclusion. This is the first of three novels that will complete the struggle against the Shadow, bringing to a close a journey begun almost twenty years ago.

Robert Jordan was born in 1948 in Charleston, South Carolina. He taught himself to read when he was four with the incidental aid of a twelve-years-older brother, and was tackling Mark Twain and Jules Verne by five. He graduated from The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, with a degree in physics. He served two tours in Vietnam with the U.S. Army; among his decorations are the Distinguished Flying Cross with bronze oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star with "V" and bronze oak leaf cluster, and two Vietnamese Gallantry Crosses with palm.

Robert Jordan began writing in 1977 and went on to write The Wheel of Time®, one of the most important and best selling series in the history of fantasy publishing with over 14 million copies sold in North America, and countless more sold abroad.

Robert Jordan died on September 16, 2007, after a courageous battle with the rare blood disease amyloidosis.

Brandon Sanderson grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska. He teaches creative writing at Brigham Young University and lives in Utah with his wife and children. Brandon Sanderson is the New York Times bestselling author of the acclaimed first novel Elantris, the Mistborn trilogy, the middle grade “Alcatraz” series and Warbreaker. In December of 2007, Brandon was chosen to complete Robert Jordan's bestselling Wheel of Time series. He is now hard at work on this epic project. --

John Clukey
Events Coordinator/Outreach
Sam Weller's Bookstore
254 S Main St
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
801-328-2586, phone
801-595-0051, fax
john@samwellers.com
www.samwellers.com

October15-November 15 Salt Lake City literary events

Updated Friday October 22

The Twelfth Annual Utah Humanities Book Festival begins today and runs through Sunday October 25th at The Salt Lake City Main Library 210 E 400 South. Featured events include: Ken Sanders lecturing on "Edward Abbey: Earth First! The Monkey Wrench Gang ands Me" at 7:00pm tonight in the auditorium. The Third Annual Literary Awards Ceremony takes place tomorrow Thursday October 22 at 7:00PM. Friday October 23 7:00PM in the Vieve Gore auditorium at Westminster College, Poet Edwin Torres  appears.  [ photo of Edwin Torres: The Salt Lake Tribune].

All day Saturday October 24 bookies can enjoy a multitude of lectures, activities, workshops and the like in the Main Library. Appearances by local literary luminaries such as Robert Kirby of Salt Lake Tribune, a Rare Books Road Show with Ken, and Tony Weller of Sam Weller's Bookstore, and talks with Utah Now's Doug Fabrizio. Every couple of hours throughout the day the children can enjoy Book Arts, Whizzigle Puppets: Crazy Creature Comedies, and Spanish or Japanese bilingual Storytimes. There are activities for teens as well. Click on the link at the top of this post for more information. For a schedule of Utah Humanities Book Festival happenings in your part of the state, click HERE.

I'm always happy to plug my favorite organization, The Salt Lake Community College's Community Writing Center. Local GLBTQ newspaper Q Salt Lake recently published their annual Literary Edition. Here's a link to the article by JoSelle Vanderhooft about DiverseCity Writing Series and the recently revived queer writing group. Thanks Joselle and Michael. Speaking of the group, the next meeting is Monday October 26, 6:30 PM at the CWC. The center is located on Library Square 210 E 400, Suite 8, which is next to the radio station KCPW studio, east of the main library building. Meetings take place regularly on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month. They are free and open to the public.

I'm thinking in the interest of Halloween, writers who attend could bring something weird or scary they've written or are working on to share with the group. Not mandatory, but fun.
The center also has more workshops than ever this fall. Coming in the next few weeks are:                                                    "Laugh It Up: The Art of Humor Writing." Two-day workshop October 28 & November 4; 6PM-8PM. In partnership with the Dewey Lecture Series, featuring guest writers Joe Randazzo and Chad Nackers, Associate Editor and writer for The Onion: America's Finest News Source (November 7). Cost :FREE, but registration required.

"NaNoWriMo: Write a Novel in a Month." Four-day workshop, Saturdays November 7, 14, 21 & 28; 1PM-3PM. Cost: $60.

"Starting Out: Basic Writing Techniques." Two 2-day workshops are being offered: Columbus Library, Tuesdays November 10 &17; 6PM-8PM and Chapman Library, Thursdays November 12 & 19; 6PM-8PM. Free, but registration required. 

All workshops are limited to 12 writers, so be sure to reserve your spot. Click HERE for information on more workshops, how to register, and pay on line.

NPR's David Sedaris comes to Capitol Theater, 50 W 200 South on Saturday October 24 at 8 PM.

This author of Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim is well known for his semi-autobiographical humorous observations of everyday life and people. Read the City Weekly article by Cara Despain. Buy tickets HERE or at the theater's box office.

If you missed her at Ken Sander's Rare Books, you have another chance to catch Allison Hoover Bartlett. She will appear at Salt Lake City Public Library Saturday October 24 at 3 PM in the auditorium as part of the Book Festival. Her non-fiction book The Man Who Loved Books Too Much, is an intriguing tale of antiquarian books and credit card fraud, with a Utah connection. Read the City Weekly article by Scott Renshaw.

Also at City Weekly, "Young at Heart," by Scott Renshaw, a selective transcript  of an interview with three local young-adult authors.

Also on Saturday at 6:00 PM, painter, author, and harpist Alex Bigney will visit Westminster College to discuss his book based upon his actual  visit from Nikola Tesla, Talking to Tesla: An Artist's Dream Journal. His appearance is a fundraiser for the wilderness preservation group Entrada Institute. There will be live music by Kirkmount and other entertainment. The specific campus location  is the Gore School of Business. For more information call (801) 435-2118

A very busy week for literary events in and around our city. I'm sure there's a lot more I don't know about yet. If you have events, please leave them when you comment on this blog/post, or at mrwrite@live.com.

Then be sure to check back often for updates.

Mr.W