Tag: writers

FOR LAS VEGAS AND AREA AUTHORS

Posted in Books, Write Stuff, Writer's Block
My Books at Paper Trail
A few of my titles at Paper Trail. I’m looking forward to being represented at Southwest Books in Rough Rider Antiques.

Every author I know, or know of, wants to see her or his books on bookshelves and available for purchase by readers. Southwest Books’ expansion at Rough Rider Antiques (501 Railroad Ave.) to include a local author section is an amazing opportunity. The bookstore section is set up and ready to take in new inventory.

Owners Carol and Dennis Ditmanson couldn’t be more excited.

They are looking for any book written by local authors in San Miguel and Mora counties, and open to any genre. Stocking books by local authors starts immediately. For more information, contact Carol at cid1nm@gmail.com to make an appointment.

Book signings and readings won’t be available in the immediate future, partially because of Covid, but Carol is open to the idea.

Creating this opportunity for local writers to reach new readers appeals to Carol on several levels.

“I recently retired from Western National Parks Association. I worked at and with 10 of the National Parks in New Mexico. Our book sales in the Parks were a passion for me and I tried to promote local authors as much as I was able to. The review process at the parks can be a bit challenging. Now, with this opportunity, Dennis and I can approve and carry local authors in many genres.

“I admire the arts and the heart and effort that goes into creating, that includes paintings, sculpture… well, all arts, and of course writing, which I consider an art. And finally, I am a military brat. It was instilled in me by my parents that I should give back to the community I live in.”

As a writer, I’m delighted at the prospect of getting my work before the eyes of potential buyers. Rough Rider Antiques’ proximity to the Castaneda Hotel is a benefit not to be ignored. I plan to submit my books for consideration. Carol and Dennis will buy books outright at an agreed upon discount.

Carol said Southwest Books at FrankieAnnTiques on the Plaza also continues to carry a wide array of books, including local authors, as does Nancy Colalillo at Paper Trail on Bridge Street. The new section of books at Rough Rider Antiques offers an expanding marketplace. Thanks to all Las Vegas booksellers, for your commitment to local writers.

I am an indie author of six books and two chap books of poetry. Check the BOOKS tab to find out more. Follow me at www.vandermeerbooks.com, https://www.facebook.com/vandermeerbooks, Amazon Author Central. I’m also a member of the Las Vegas Literary Salon, a group committed to sharing the work of local writers. Follow LVLS at lvnmlitsalon.org

Lit Salon celebrates writing

Posted in Books, fiction

ToolsLas Vegas Literary Salon hosted its first event Sunday, July 12, thanks to the Las Vegas Arts Council and the Las Vegas NM Community Foundation. A special thanks to Susie Tsyitee who walked us through the Zoom technology and acted as host for the event. Below is a video about the event we hope you will watch. It features Patti Romero and me talking about Las Vegas Literary Salon in a broad sense and giving our thoughts on this premier event. Please note that this is a first “video interview” either of us has done and I was at the tech wheel, which in and of itself speaks of disaster! But, all things considered it gets our message across.

And what is our message? Writing is an art. We want to encourage emerging, young, established, genre, literary, nontraditional, fiction, nonfiction, poetry – basically writers and writing across the spectrum. We will do this through workshops, events like the Zoom Writers Roundtable, book fairs, tapping into the skills of experts in areas related to getting the book, essay, memoir, novel, whatever it is, from your brain to the page.

This is not for everyone. Some writers want solitude and choose not to network with other writers. I get that. But for those who do want to be part of a learning and networking community, come on board! And we want readers as well. You are important to the process. You consume our words and make them a part of your story from the time you start reading until you reach the end, and sometimes beyond. Along the way, we hope we’ve made you laugh or cry, pissed you off or lifted you up, perhaps even broadened your horizons.

The Sunday event was a success largely because of our five readers: Joy Alesdatter, Kathleen Lujan, Ray John de Aragon, Tim Hagaman, and Beth Urech. We thank them for the time and effort they put into preparing for their readings.

What’s next? We will be scheduling an event with former Las Vegan, Vera Jo Bustos in the near future. Look for details to be released soon.

We have a lot of ideas, and now we need bodies to help implement them, and come up with more. Join us! Fill in the form below the video and let us know if you’re ready to join, or whether you need more information. Also consider donating to one or both of the organizations working through the pandemic to figure out ways to keep the arts alive and thriving!

Las Vegas Arts Council
Las Vegas NM Community Foundation

Patti and Sharon talk about LV Lit Salon #1

zoom_0 from Sharon Vander Meer on Vimeo.

Please sign up below to join Las Vegas Literary Salon or to find out more.

 

Redesign

Posted in Books, essay, Life, She said...2 Comments

Sharon VI am so psyched! For the past several months I’ve been dragging my fanny, and it isn’t funny! I’m so not the sit-on-my-bum kind of person. As a writer, I have options most people don’t have:

  • I can work where I want.
  • I can work when I want.
  • Inspiration is a window, not a door.
  • I can take on clients to write for, or I can get creative with my own writing.
  • I’ve been working from home before it was a thing.

I could easily attribute my lack of productivity to life events that sort of stopped me in my tracks, not the least of which is the mad virus that has brought the world to a stuttering halt. That’s BS, a big BULL and big load of SPIT!

My method of handling life is to write about it, in my journal (which no one will ever see), and through poetry, fiction and essays. Some get publish; most do not.

Why am I psyched? I did a website redesign, or more truthfully, erased a lot of color giving it a cleaner and crisper look. Why does that get me going? This sort of comes under the heading of what COVID-19 has taught me.

  1. Like my website, I live with unnecessary clutter, yet fill my days with procrastination and guilt. The wouda-coulda-shoulda syndrome. I’m over it. One day at a time.
  2. I tend to equate busyness with productivity. So not true! In future, I hope to have the good sense to ‘finish’ one thing rather than half-assing five.
  3. I’m a more social person than I realized. I miss seeing friends and – really, folks – ZOOM is a crappy substitute.
  4. Hugging is healing. Virtual hugs are wonderful, but there is no substitute for a hug from a friend.
  5. When it comes to the virus and the future, nobody has ‘the’ answer. There are too many variables.

My daily prayer is that my friends in small businesses can survive and thrive and that the virus dies out, never to return.

So, why am I psyched? Because there is no alternative. Living in limbo waiting for the next alarming news report is a sad waste of time. I choose to count today as the best opportunity to be… well, me. And, yes, I am ever the optimist.

What COVID-19 has taught me more than anything is to live each day as best you can. We’ve lost so many to this breath-stealing monster. Don’t let fear rob you of the best life you can live, now.

Follow Sharon at:
www.vandermeerbooks.com
https://www.facebook.com/vandermeerbooks
Amazon Author Central