Kelly and I would like to offer a warm welcome to our newest member, Marie Hart. Please check out her bio on the Members page. We're looking forward to getting to know her when meetings resume in September. Marie is a middle school English teacher who wants to reinvigorate her own writing. I hope she'll be inspired by the writers and authors who are already members of this group.
Welcome, Marie, our newest Wordsmith!
Monday, August 20, 2018
Sunday, August 19, 2018
Welcome to new member Gerald W. McFarland
I'm excited to welcome my author friend Gerald W. McFarland as a new member of WhipCity Wordsmiths. I met Gerry at the Read Local event in June 2015 (I believe) where he had his A Scattered People book featured. I bought it and enjoyed it so began collecting his other books and now have most of them if not all of them in my library and have gifted several of them to family.
Gerry came to Blue Umbrella for my Miss Peculiar's Haunting Tales, Volume 1, author event...my first public appearance. It was reassuring to have a familiar face in the audience.
We've kept in touch over the past few years via email, so it's like welcoming a member of my extended family to the group today.
Gerry has a new book out mentioned in an earlier post this month that I am currently reading and enjoying. It's origin is from detective stories his father told his brother and him when they were boys. I love that his new venture has its roots in the tradition of oral storytelling from his childhood. It resonates with me. I avidly listened to my grandfather's stories when I was growing up, and told Kelly stories and later wrote them down when she was growing up. I still basically write for her, my family and friends.
Welcome, Gerald W. McFarland! I'm so honored and happy to accept you into the Wordsmiths group!
Gerry came to Blue Umbrella for my Miss Peculiar's Haunting Tales, Volume 1, author event...my first public appearance. It was reassuring to have a familiar face in the audience.
We've kept in touch over the past few years via email, so it's like welcoming a member of my extended family to the group today.
Gerry has a new book out mentioned in an earlier post this month that I am currently reading and enjoying. It's origin is from detective stories his father told his brother and him when they were boys. I love that his new venture has its roots in the tradition of oral storytelling from his childhood. It resonates with me. I avidly listened to my grandfather's stories when I was growing up, and told Kelly stories and later wrote them down when she was growing up. I still basically write for her, my family and friends.
Welcome, Gerald W. McFarland! I'm so honored and happy to accept you into the Wordsmiths group!
Thursday, August 9, 2018
Anyone Interested in Running a Workshop or Class for Writers/Authors in 2019?
It's grant writing time.
If anyone is interested in running a workshop or holding a class or other informational/instructional event for writers (connected with WhipCity Wordsmiths with the grant submitted under the Artworks of Westfield umbrella) in 2019 I need to know ASAP so I can get a grant written up and submitted. I need a description of the event and a ballpark budget figure (instructor fee, materials fee, ad/promotional expenses, space use/rental fee, misc.) I would need a description of the event. Also, if your event has a name/title, that would be useful. Last but not least, I need a date for this event and the location. (There are two meeting rooms available in the Westfield library, the Women's Club rents their lower level space, various churches might also rent or loan their halls, and the Italian Club or other organizational clubs also might rent their halls.)
Send me an email at sebuffum415@gmail.com if you want to run a workshop, class, or event for writers/authors. You can gear it toward young authors, teen authors, college-aged authors, or authors of all ages.
Let me know ASAP. I can help you plan an event if you need me to.
If anyone is interested in running a workshop or holding a class or other informational/instructional event for writers (connected with WhipCity Wordsmiths with the grant submitted under the Artworks of Westfield umbrella) in 2019 I need to know ASAP so I can get a grant written up and submitted. I need a description of the event and a ballpark budget figure (instructor fee, materials fee, ad/promotional expenses, space use/rental fee, misc.) I would need a description of the event. Also, if your event has a name/title, that would be useful. Last but not least, I need a date for this event and the location. (There are two meeting rooms available in the Westfield library, the Women's Club rents their lower level space, various churches might also rent or loan their halls, and the Italian Club or other organizational clubs also might rent their halls.)
Send me an email at sebuffum415@gmail.com if you want to run a workshop, class, or event for writers/authors. You can gear it toward young authors, teen authors, college-aged authors, or authors of all ages.
Let me know ASAP. I can help you plan an event if you need me to.
Saturday, August 4, 2018
Author Friend Gerald W McFarland Has A New Book Out
Levellers
Press
71
South Pleasant St.
Amherst,
MA 01002
News Release News Release News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
Levellers Press
announces the publication of Gerald W. McFarland’s T.T. Mann, Ace Detective
August 2018, 239 pages. ISBN: 978-1-945473-67-8. Paperback price: $17.95
San Francisco, 1955: An astonishingly thin detective takes
on three tough cases.
Six feet tall and weighing only
twenty-two pounds, T.T. Mann is the perfect protagonist for this light-hearted
take on the detective genre. Unlike the hard-boiled private investigators of
noir detective fiction, T.T. is a gentle fellow who is shy with women, but he’s
not without resources, notably his excellent martial arts skills. With help
from his girlfriend Rosie and his brother Flat Mann, T.T. deals entertainingly
with three dangerous and daunting cases that arise in San Francisco ca. 1955.
In “Blondes Are Trouble,” T.T. comes
into possession of a list of policemen and politicians on the take from the
city’s crime kingpin, Biggie Fingers, a list Biggie’s henchmen are trying to
retrieve by any means necessary.
In “The Angry Heiress,” T.T. is
hired by a rich, drop-dead beauty to gather dirt on her estranged husband so
she can obtain a divorce he is contesting. As T.T. digs deeper, his
investigation uncovers a tangle of shady activities involving a circle of
wealthy businessmen who respond violently when he begins to snoop into their
affairs.
In “Mother’s Way,” Rosie is visited
by her overbearing mother, who has come to San Francisco to become a student of
a spiritualist medium, Mme. Nowicki. When the question of a financial
investment in the medium’s business arises, T.T. and Rosie suspect that the
woman may be a con artist. They investigate Mme. Nowicki’s past and fail to
find anyone who has complained that she has bilked them of money, but T.T.
remains seriously unsettled by her claim to communicate with the spirits of the
dead.
About the author: Gerald W. McFarland is the author of
award-winning books in both nonfiction and fiction. During his forty-four years
of teaching U.S. history at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, he
published four books in his field, the second of which, A Scattered People: An American Family Moves West, was named by the
Colonial Dames of America as one of the three best books in U.S. history
published in 1985. Since his retirement he has turned to writing fiction. His
Buenaventura Trilogy, set in early 18th-century New Mexico, follows
the exploits of an upper-class Spaniard who is secretly a shape-shifter. The
second and third books in the series were named Finalists in the New
Mexico-Arizona Book Awards contests for 2015 and 2016. His latest novel, T.T. Mann, Ace Detective, is a greatly
elaborated version of bedtime stories his father told him and his older brother
when they were young. Author’s website: www.geraldwmcfarland.com
Levellers Press is an independent publishing house founded in
2009 in Amherst and Florence, Massachusetts by worker-owners of Collective
Copies, a copy center established in 1983.
Thursday, August 2, 2018
It's August!
The summer is flying past at alarming speed! I hope everyone is well and enjoying the sunshine between rainstorms.
My energy has been at a new all time low this summer. I have been working on a new novel, and would like to write another anthology of stories once the new novel is finished, but there have been a lot of distractions in my life since Kelly became a homeowner on July 10th.
With rheumatoid arthritis flares come massive fatigue, brain fog, lack of ability to concentrate. I have always been a high energy person, but for the past few years the progression of RA had been kicking my butt. I am still working 36-hours a week whereas many people at this level of RA would already be on disability. I refuse to do that. I push myself and keep going, knowing that if I give up I will simply freeze up (joints will get worse) and I will go crazy with frustration. So I work all week, and try to keep busy writing or drawing when I get home from work until bedtime (or beyond). On weekends I do housework, run errands and continue writing projects and art work. I have never been a person who can just sit and do nothing. It's not in my nature. Since Kelly bought her house I have also been over there helping her with cleaning projects. Her father is helping her paint ceilings. I bought her new pruning shears, but I had to go out and trim one of the bushes in her front yard because it was driving me crazy!
Anyway- I hope that some writing is being done among fun summer activities. I sat and did a read through of the now over 120,000 word novel (that's not quite finished yet) and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I need to add some things and eliminate others to tighten it up, like I did with The Clockmaker's Son. I really can't describe what it's about but it does have a ghost in it, but it's primarily about two young people who have been damaged by family members (both have PTSD). They bear the names of their ancestors, who were once secret lovers but whose lives ended tragically less than six months apart back in the 1870's. History is sort of repeating itself in the present time, however, they're determined to bring about a happy ever after in this day and age (or as close to it as they can come.)
I'll be setting the September meeting date soon, posting it here on the blog and sending it via an email. See you soon when meetings resume!
My energy has been at a new all time low this summer. I have been working on a new novel, and would like to write another anthology of stories once the new novel is finished, but there have been a lot of distractions in my life since Kelly became a homeowner on July 10th.
With rheumatoid arthritis flares come massive fatigue, brain fog, lack of ability to concentrate. I have always been a high energy person, but for the past few years the progression of RA had been kicking my butt. I am still working 36-hours a week whereas many people at this level of RA would already be on disability. I refuse to do that. I push myself and keep going, knowing that if I give up I will simply freeze up (joints will get worse) and I will go crazy with frustration. So I work all week, and try to keep busy writing or drawing when I get home from work until bedtime (or beyond). On weekends I do housework, run errands and continue writing projects and art work. I have never been a person who can just sit and do nothing. It's not in my nature. Since Kelly bought her house I have also been over there helping her with cleaning projects. Her father is helping her paint ceilings. I bought her new pruning shears, but I had to go out and trim one of the bushes in her front yard because it was driving me crazy!
Anyway- I hope that some writing is being done among fun summer activities. I sat and did a read through of the now over 120,000 word novel (that's not quite finished yet) and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I need to add some things and eliminate others to tighten it up, like I did with The Clockmaker's Son. I really can't describe what it's about but it does have a ghost in it, but it's primarily about two young people who have been damaged by family members (both have PTSD). They bear the names of their ancestors, who were once secret lovers but whose lives ended tragically less than six months apart back in the 1870's. History is sort of repeating itself in the present time, however, they're determined to bring about a happy ever after in this day and age (or as close to it as they can come.)
I'll be setting the September meeting date soon, posting it here on the blog and sending it via an email. See you soon when meetings resume!
Friday, July 13, 2018
What's New?
I cannot believe that July is nearly half gone!
I managed to take two vacation days this week so I could accompany Kelly as she closed on the purchase of her own house. Kelly had been working with Jessica Martin (Blue Umbrella Books, Exit Realty, and beekeeper) since January 2017 searching for the house of her dreams. Her Dad and I often went to open houses and to viewings with her during those eighteen months. We saw some nice houses, and some not so nice houses, and many more houses that were close to ideal. Finally, she found a house, viewed it with Jessica, then arranged a second viewing so her father and I could see it. She put in an offer, it was countered by the sellers. She next offered the maximum amount that she was willing to pay, citing the fact that there had been very few upgrades and what had been done was not recently done, so she would have to do all the work, which she was willing to do. Although the sellers had a full price offer, they decided to accept Kelly's bid as she had a sizable down payment saved and could easily obtain a mortgage, whereas her competitor would be financing the entire amount and might not even qualify for a mortgage. Kelly was the sure thing.
I'm happy to say that Kelly and Jessica worked together via text messages, emails, and phone calls to make the purchase of the house a reality. Kelly only consulted us in regards to the three banks she had contacted for loan applications. We offered our advice and she chose the best deal for her budget and needs. I'm proud of her for flexing her grown-up muscle and self confidence and handling her own business. It wasn't easy standing back, but as a parent, you have to let your kids grow up and be adults. You have t let them test their wings. She did fine! She soared!
On Tuesday, I went along to the closing with her for moral support. She met Jessica at the house for a final walkthrough to confirm that a repair had been made. It had been. The house was spotless. The owner's children (my age) who were selling the house for her had left Kelly some lamps, a table and two chairs, garden implements, cleaning products, clothespins, light bulbs...lots of small but useful things. We next went to City Hall here in Westfield to meet the lawyer. The only available space he could find with a table and chairs was in City Council Chambers, so that's where 27-year old Kelly signed all the paperwork for the purchase of her house. Then, the lawyer met the sellers attorney, and also registered the deed in Kelly's name while he was in city hall. Jessica turned over the keys and garage door opener to Kelly- and she was officially a homeowner!
We've been measuring, doing some of our own cleaning, and bringing a few things over to give the house a little feel of home. Money is being held by the lawyer for the removal of asbestos insulation from the attic in September or October when it's cooler. She's contemplating paint colors and trying to decide what she wants and needs for furniture. The house already has a 'homey' feeling...and soon will be her full time residence. Today, she even received her first three pieces of mail at her house!
It makes me wonder what stories will be written at her table or desk? Will being closer to downtown inspire her in different ways than living on the side of a mountain on the northeast side of the city has? Or will she set aside writing for awhile as she pursues new interests? I kind of hope she keeps her hand in writing, but I'll understand if she has other things she wants to do. I'll always be happy for her for living her life the way she wants to live it. That was how my Mom raised me. That's how I wanted to raise her- to be her own self, to discover independence and embrace it.
Congratulations on the purchase of your own house, Kelly Buffum! I hope your home will be the source of a thousand and one new stories!
I managed to take two vacation days this week so I could accompany Kelly as she closed on the purchase of her own house. Kelly had been working with Jessica Martin (Blue Umbrella Books, Exit Realty, and beekeeper) since January 2017 searching for the house of her dreams. Her Dad and I often went to open houses and to viewings with her during those eighteen months. We saw some nice houses, and some not so nice houses, and many more houses that were close to ideal. Finally, she found a house, viewed it with Jessica, then arranged a second viewing so her father and I could see it. She put in an offer, it was countered by the sellers. She next offered the maximum amount that she was willing to pay, citing the fact that there had been very few upgrades and what had been done was not recently done, so she would have to do all the work, which she was willing to do. Although the sellers had a full price offer, they decided to accept Kelly's bid as she had a sizable down payment saved and could easily obtain a mortgage, whereas her competitor would be financing the entire amount and might not even qualify for a mortgage. Kelly was the sure thing.
I'm happy to say that Kelly and Jessica worked together via text messages, emails, and phone calls to make the purchase of the house a reality. Kelly only consulted us in regards to the three banks she had contacted for loan applications. We offered our advice and she chose the best deal for her budget and needs. I'm proud of her for flexing her grown-up muscle and self confidence and handling her own business. It wasn't easy standing back, but as a parent, you have to let your kids grow up and be adults. You have t let them test their wings. She did fine! She soared!
On Tuesday, I went along to the closing with her for moral support. She met Jessica at the house for a final walkthrough to confirm that a repair had been made. It had been. The house was spotless. The owner's children (my age) who were selling the house for her had left Kelly some lamps, a table and two chairs, garden implements, cleaning products, clothespins, light bulbs...lots of small but useful things. We next went to City Hall here in Westfield to meet the lawyer. The only available space he could find with a table and chairs was in City Council Chambers, so that's where 27-year old Kelly signed all the paperwork for the purchase of her house. Then, the lawyer met the sellers attorney, and also registered the deed in Kelly's name while he was in city hall. Jessica turned over the keys and garage door opener to Kelly- and she was officially a homeowner!
We've been measuring, doing some of our own cleaning, and bringing a few things over to give the house a little feel of home. Money is being held by the lawyer for the removal of asbestos insulation from the attic in September or October when it's cooler. She's contemplating paint colors and trying to decide what she wants and needs for furniture. The house already has a 'homey' feeling...and soon will be her full time residence. Today, she even received her first three pieces of mail at her house!
It makes me wonder what stories will be written at her table or desk? Will being closer to downtown inspire her in different ways than living on the side of a mountain on the northeast side of the city has? Or will she set aside writing for awhile as she pursues new interests? I kind of hope she keeps her hand in writing, but I'll understand if she has other things she wants to do. I'll always be happy for her for living her life the way she wants to live it. That was how my Mom raised me. That's how I wanted to raise her- to be her own self, to discover independence and embrace it.
Congratulations on the purchase of your own house, Kelly Buffum! I hope your home will be the source of a thousand and one new stories!
Welcome to New Memeber Iris
I just want to take a moment to welcome our new Wordsmith member, Iris Alderson. Iris was at Blue Umbrella Books and obtained contact information from Russell. Kelly and I were happy to approve her membership application at the end of June. Iris is a local lady who is delighted to find a writer's group close to home. You can check out her biography on the Members page.
I stopped into Blue Umbrella to buy some of Kellie Stuck's Edward Gorey books that had been donated by her father Larry from her estate. Iris was in the shop so we had an opportunity to meet face to face. Looking forward to September when meetings resume and this wonderful woman joins us.
Welcome, Iris!!
I stopped into Blue Umbrella to buy some of Kellie Stuck's Edward Gorey books that had been donated by her father Larry from her estate. Iris was in the shop so we had an opportunity to meet face to face. Looking forward to September when meetings resume and this wonderful woman joins us.
Welcome, Iris!!
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