2/18/13–Woops!  I missed last Monday, but have good news.    I leave for California on Mar. 3.  This will be first to San Diego, then on north to Los Osos and friends there. Then north to Sonoma son and family and to Nevada City son and wife before trekking down the San Joaquin Valley for a book signing event in the Porterville book store on March 13.  I lived in Porterville for about 20 years, longest I've ever lived in one city  in my lifetime.  I'll see how many–if any–people there remember me.

Although I had lots of compliments for the text of my memoir, Iron Grip, the Writer's Digest  contest judge for memoirs claims that the cover is "off-putting."  this has sent me scrambling to friends here who happen to agree that the cover is not good.  It summarizes the book, but according to the experts needs some bright colors  and rather than the prosthetic hooks and woman's hand, a more engaging appeal to people never acquainted with such.   So my nest writerly mission is to get that book re-issued with  a different cover.

A great series of contest is offered–low entry fee and prizes even for already published writing.

http://writers-editors.com/Writers/Contests/Contest_Guidelines/contest_guidelines.html

Until next week, Willma

Feb. 4, 2013– Because my California Tax attorney has given up the business, I have needed to find a new one, locally.  Any suggestions from those of you in Sedona who see this will be welcome (willmagore@gmail.com) Gathering materials that any new accountant will need  has reminded me that my file drawer for personal business is a mess.  My files and records on writing and submissions is in good shape.  It's the bills and records for  taxes that tend to be "stuffed" into the "get to it later" folders.  After all these years, you'd think I'd have learned.  Can't each old dogs new tricks is probably my problem!

Back to writing. For those of you in Arizona, submission guidelines from Cairn Press, 405 E. Wetmon, Tulsa 85705, seeks book manuscripts. They want first, a one-page query and the opening 20 pages of your manuscript. (http://cairnpress.com/pages/submissions )

Those with a flash fiction manuscript (700 words max) should send to Literary Juice Flash Fiction Contest.  $5 entry fee.  (1st place winner gets $200).  Get it polished and out fast. Deadline is Feb. 15. Http://www.literaryjuice.com/#/contests/4569342988

Until next Monday, Willma

Jan. 22, 2013: Finally we are headed for warmer weather according to my Computer/weather/history/Scrabble wizard son, Alan, and we're properly launched into 2013 with the D.C. festivities come and gone in great glory and another school shooting, this time in Texas.

A wonderful tribute to me has come from writer/editor/friend, Kate Robinson, formerly of Prescott, the one who formerly sent out from there all kinds of news of members, markets and contests.  She now lives in Anaheim and after reading my Iron Grip, she wrote a glowing review AND by the time we finished e-sponding back and forth, added a profile of me that will tell you more than you ever wanted to know about me and my lifetime of writing.    Should any readers have time and inclination, you may find this at:

http://jellyfishday.blogspot.com/2013/01/iron-grip-interview-with-willma-willis.html

Arriving in today's mail is a copy of another friend's book of poetry and prose poems: Into The Meadow.  Ann Williams asked me to write a blurb that appears on the back cover, along with mention of my two latest books, Iron Grip and Braving House Calls.  Among my words  of description:". ..lyrical prose and soul-deep poetry that sing with the music of nature–animal and human. . ."   Her book represents a melding of two talents–Her writing and the writing/edition/publishing skill of a Sedona fellow writer, Virginia Lloyd.

I mentioned a week or so ago that  Working Writer  will publish an article about the "why" and "how" of my workshops.

Another happy new year to all.  Willma