Tag Archive | Marie Fasano
May 20, 2025  

Photos from 5/17/25 State Conference

We had an excellent turnout at our 2025 APW State Conference. The speakers were excellent and we had fun playing Communication Bingo! Lunch was delicious too. Barbara Lacy, along with three of her four daughters, was guest of honor. Barbara is Artist of the Year for Paradise Valley and a number of her paintings were on display. Paradise Valley Town Hall was an excellent venue.

Kudos! These two ladies made this year’s conference a special event. Our president, Carol Baxter planned and led the event, adding Communication Bingo – a great way to get to know our fellow attendees – and several prizes including a raffle for a fabulous Mystery Box, making it even more fun this year. Vice President Bobbie Bennett searched out venues, choosing Paradise Valley Town Hall where one of our former presidents and Central Chapter chairperson, Barbara Lacy, had many paintings on display. She also ordered an amazing lunch from Panera Bread.

Speakers – Our speakers were excellent. Michele Nelson spoke on her podcasting journey. Darlene Ziebell surprised us with the multitude of ways AI helps her market and can be used by writers and authors. “Rock,” her AI Assistant, put together her presentation based on her instructions. And, Roger Naylor entertained us with his stories of how he came to Arizona and to be a writer and the importance of location.

Recognizing and honoring past president and artist, Barbara Lacy

Other officers and chapter chairpersons in attendance

Other photos

December 9, 2024  

Time to renew your membership!

If you have renewed, Thank you. If not yet …

Now is the time to renew your membership for Arizona Professional Writers. If you join or renew now, your membership is good through December 2025!

The Board is grateful for your continued support.

The application is at the Join tab with directions on by check or by Zelle at ArizonaProfessionalwriters.

Please let me or any member of the APW board know if there is anything we can do to improve your experience with our organization. You can reach me at mafasano1@gmail.com.

Membership in APW shows you are making an investment in yourself and your career, and we are committed to providing you with valuable professional development through the following benefits:

APW Central meets via zoom every other month on the second Saturday at 10:00AM; APW Rim Country meets every month now via zoom and in person on the third Wednesday at 1:00 PM; the APW White Mountain meets once a month the fourth Tuesday at 6:PM on zoom; the APW Book Group meets on zoom the last Saturday of every month at 10:00AM.

You have many opportunities to enhance your writing and publishing knowledge.

More APW Benefits:
1. Meet and exchange ideas with local authors.
2. One or two virtual meetings a month with a local speaker on a writing or publishing topic.
3. Present your book to members and get exposure and reviews with the APW Book Group.
4. Ability to use APW Zoom for your book presentations or other writing-related meetings.
5. Enter the At-large contest for the National Federation of Press Women. First place winners go on to the national level. Many categories for these prestigious awards.
6. Post on our Facebook page more than once about your book. Share your new publications, wins and writing events.
7. Post your events on the APW website.
8. Keep up on local book writing events and contests in Arizona
9. Yearly APW conference
10. Payson Book Festival and Show Low Book Festival

Hope to see you at the meetings.

Sincerely,

Marie
Marie A Fasano, APW Membership Chair

 

January 27, 2024  

President’s Page – January 2004

I’m excited for this new year in the Arizona Professional Writers organization.

Our annual conference planning has begun. Mark your calendars. It’s going to be May 4th, which prompted us, obviously, to make the theme: May the 4th be with You. We had to. Really. We’re finalizing the location which allows us to set the price per ticket. We’ll keep you posted on that.

The conference also means it’s election time for the APW. We have some tentative candidates. For President – Carol Baxter, Nancy Marshall is volunteering for VP. We’re still looking for a candidate for Secretary. Our treasurer, Ruthann Hogue is staying on. Marie Fasano likes being our Membership Director but if you love reaching out to people, you can talk to Marie and see if the position might be a fit for you. Bobbie Bennett has graciously volunteered to stay on as our Conference planner.

The NFPW Communications contest is close to closing. Look over your published work for 2023 and enter the contest right away. There are so many categories, I’m sure you’ll find one that’s just right for you. You can check out the contest rules and enter the contest at https://www.nfpw.org/professional-contest, You do not need to be a member to enter. However, if you win, they do encourage you to become a member.

Also speaking of NFPW, their annual conference for 2024 will be in St. Louis. I attended the 2023 event and had a great time and learned so much! Just ask Jody Sharpe. She attended the last day and took the opportunity to attend the awards dinner. What a great time. You can look at the details for 2024 at https://www.nfpw.org/2024-conference-st-louis. We’d love to have more of our Arizona people attend as well.

My calendar has February 4th, 10am, as our next APW State Officer’s meeting. The meeting is open to all members, and it’s being held via Zoom. Contact me if you’d like to attend.

Speaking of meetings, the Rim Country chapter has started holding in-person meetings again. We are back at Majestic Rim Living, 1pm on the 3rd Wednesdays of the month, in their chapel meeting space. The next meeting is February 21st and I’ll be talking about how to write a bio. This piece of writing is used in so many different applications that you really need to have a good one. We’ll talk about what that means and do some practice writing one.

I will also be the featured author at the February 24th, 10am APW Book Group. I’ll be talking about my Young Adult, Post Apocalyptic, SciFi book First Encounter. If you’d like to join the conversation, contact Karen Lateiner, kslateiner@gmail.com, to get on the Zoom link list. One more benefit of being an APW member.

Take a look at our facebook page for APW. This is a great place to announce your newest book, magazine article, or speaking engagement. This is just one of the many perks you, as an APW member have, so take advantage! https://www.facebook.com/groups/ArizonaPressWomen

Almost the best for last, we have a new chapter forming in the Show Low area. The organizer is Kathleen Osborne. She’s a small publisher and author and has several people in the White Mountains area who want to join the group. Kathleen has been a Payson Book Festival author for quite some time. Welcome to her and all of her new group.

And, it’s membership renewal time. If you have already renewed, thank you! If you’ve renewed via the National Federation of Press Women, let us know to look for your renewal there. If you still need to renew, click on the “About” tab and then “Join.” Thank you everyone for your continued support of this historic organization.

That’s it for now. Everyone stay warm and hope to see you at the next meeting!

May 29, 2023  

At-large Communication Contest 1st place winners

Congratulations to our members who won first place and, in some cases, other awards, in the 2022 “at-large” division of the NFPW Communications Contest. The at-large division is for states that do not have their own contest. This year there were entries from 20 states and Spain. APW members did very well!

Connie Cockrell

  • FIRST PLACE: Advertising Poster, Billboard or Banner: “Arizona Professional Writers Conference 2022”
    HONORABLE MENTION: Print-based newspaper: “Celebrating International Women’s Day”

Nancy Marshall

  • FIRST PLACE: Children’s Book, Fiction: A Rattler’s Tale

Jodi Decker

  • FIRST PLACE: Social Media Presence – Nonprofit, government or educational: “Seven Years Insane”

Jody Sharpe

  • FIRST PLACE: Novellas (40,000 words or fewer):
    “20 Moon Rd. An Angel’s Tale”

Marie Fasano

  • FIRST PLACE: News Story Print-based newspaper: “Complications of pregnancy and changes in the law”
  • THIRD PLACE: Photographer-writer: “New student aviation club gives teens a chance to fly”
December 4, 2022  

Membership renewal time!

Holiday Greetings to all members!

It’s time to renew your membership at Arizona Professional Writers.org. for 2023.
We have had an active year with exceptional speakers and sharing of information. If you did not attend you missed out on writing tips, marketing ideas, and learning about the writing process from our members and guests.
 
For 2023 make a commitment to attend the monthly online Zoom meetings with guests and/or the monthly APWBook Club with a discussion of our own authors’ books. The National Federation of Professional Women Communication contest is open now to all with a myriad of categories from which you can choose.
  • APW Central meets every other Saturday at 10:00 AM starting January 14.
  • APW Rim Country meets every alternate Wednesday  at 1:00 PM starting 
  • February 8.
    APW book Group meets monthly every 4th Saturday at 10:00 AM starting 
  • January 28.
Go to the Join tab for the membership application for state-only APW (still only $30.00) or click the link to renew/join for NFPW. Please complete the application even if renewing so we can make sure your information is current.
 
We look forward to hearing from you soon for an exciting 2023!
 
Marie Fasano,
Membership Chair
November 18, 2022  

President’s message – end of year

President’s Page: End Of 2022

Has a year gone by any faster than this one? I think not. We’re entering the U.S. Holiday Season and so much has happened.

November is what I call “gratitude” month. Every day I think about one thing I’m thankful for. It could be a rainy day, a meal out with friends, my husband, but whatever it is, I know individually and collectively, those little things are what make my life rich. So I’m wishing you all a wonderful holiday season full of gratitude for all of the things that make your life full and complete.

HOLIDAY GET TOGETHERS
In December, the Southern Region will have a no-host holiday luncheon at noon on Saturday, December 10 at the Terraza Garden Patio and Lounge at Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort. Get details and to RSVP  contact Jaimie Bruzenak. Rim Country will have their holiday luncheon in the private dining room at the Mazatal Casino’s Cedar Ridge restaurant on Monday, December 12th, from 11am – 1pm. RSPV to Connie. All APW members are invited to either luncheon!

VERY IMPORTANT!
We need volunteers. As an official non-profit we must report to the Arizona Corporate Commission. At the moment, APW does not have a treasurer. That means we’re operating illegally. If a volunteer does not step up, we may have to close our organization.

In addition, the Payson Book Festival committee needs a new Media Manager as Marie Fasano must step down for health reasons. Our Program Manager (who puts together the paper program for the book festival, has also stepped down for family issues. New people bring fresh, new ideas and we want to keep our organization both active and relevant. Contact me at connie.cockrell@gmail.com to volunteer.

My calendar has Saturday, January 21st, 10 am, as our APW State Officer’s meeting. The meeting is open to all members, and it’s being held via Zoom. Contact me if you’d like to attend.

STORYTELLERS WANTED: Marie Fasano
Join in the Movement to End Hunger and Homelessness

November 12 – 20 is Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. This is an annual program where people come together across the country to draw attention to the problems of hunger and homelessness. Find out how you can take action. Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week

Register for our 28th Annual Conference in Mesa, AZ. https://www.azhousingcoalition.org/conference.html Early bird prices available until December 16.

Calling All Artists and Storytellers: Share your housing-related art or story and earn $100. Learn more about these opportunities to contribute your talents to the annual conference and to our public awareness campaign. https://www.azhousingcoalition.org/conference.html

FACEBOOK
Take a look at our APW Facebook page. This is a great place to announce your newest book, magazine article, or speaking engagement. This is just one of the many perks you, as an APW member have, so take advantage!

HOLIDAY BAZAAR – not too late!
We are also happy to announce our Holiday Bazaar at our website: https://arizonaprofessionalwriters.org/holiday-bazaar-2022/. This is a terrific perk of being a member. It’s not too late to get your book listed. Send Jaimie Bruzenak a link to the book you want to list along with a high resolution jpeg of the front cover and your website link and she’ll post it for you. Books make great presents!

RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP!
And, it’s membership renewal time. If you have already renewed, thank you! If you’ve renewed via the National Federation of Press Women, let us know to look for your renewal there. If you still need to renew, see Join under the About tab for the form. Those renewing their membership should complete the form so we can be sure your information is up to date and complete.

Thank you everyone for your continued support for this historic organization.

That’s it for 2022. Everyone stay safe, enjoy the upcoming holidays, and hope to see you at the next meeting!

—
Connie Cockrell, Author
H (928) 951-0970
http://www.ConniesRandomThoughts.com

April 17, 2022  

Marie Fasano – another multiple award winner!

APW member Marie Fasano won three second place awards in the 2021 NFPW At-large division of the Communications Contest! Congratulations, Marie!

Marie won 2nd place, photo/writer; 2nd place, Informational Column and 2nd place, Feature story. Her entry, “Celebrating women of Rim Country working in non-traditional roles,” appeared in the Payson Roundup. (Click on the link to read her article.) The photos accompanying the article are in the gallery below.

There was stiff competition in the At-large division with strong entrants from 18 states, the District of Columbia and Spain. Marie and all APW winners will be honored at our annual state conference on May 14. (See tab to get details and to register.)

April 10, 2022  

APW wins big in the At-large contest!

Arizona winners in the 2021 At-large NFPW communications contest

From Teri Ehresman, Contest Director: “You have an outstanding number of winners again this year in the NFPW at-large communications contest.”

Bobbi Bennett – 2nd place, Publication regularly written by entrant; 3rd place, Publication regularly written by entrant; two honorable mentions for Publication regularly written by entrant

Wynne Brown — Honorable Mention, Books, Biography or History

Jan Cleere — 1st place, Books, Biography or History

Chrisann Dawson – 2nd place, general fiction; Honorable Mention, Fiction for adult readers

Jodi Decker — Honorable Mention, Specialty Articles, History

Marie Fasano — 2nd place, photo/writer; 2nd place, Informational Column, 2nd place, Feature story

Rebecca Goodrich — 1st place, Short Stories

Brad Graber – 1st place, Fiction for adult readers

Janelle Molony – Honorable mention, specialty articles, history

Jody Sharpe — 3rd place, Novellas

We had an extremely competitive at-large contest again this year. We had strong entries from entrants from Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Spain, Washington D.C. and Washington state.

Congratulations to all! First place winners in their category move onto the national contest.

April 1, 2022  

APW April Virtual Meeting 4-9-22

To All APW Members: Susan Anderson is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

TOPIC: APW Central Meeting – Elizabeth Graham on her book –Democrazy
DATE: Saturday, April 9, 2022
TIME: 10:00 AM Arizona
ZOOM: The Zoom link has been sent to members. Nonmembers are invited to attend as well. If you did not receive the link and would like to attend, email Marie Fasano at mafasano1@gmail.com or look under the Members Only tab for the link.

Bio: Elizabeth Graham had a top secret clearance at the age of seventeen with the CIA. She spent about twenty-five years living and working abroad: Soviet Union, then Russia, Central Asia, and other former Soviet pack countries. She was a consultant in war-torn Afghanistan, Rwanda, and Bosnia. Her real-life multi-cultural experiences in totalitarian and dictatorship countries give her a great vantage point to comment on the Trump-era and how other countries view the U.S. racism, violence, and our democracy. She recently authored DEMOCRAZY, Version 2020 and is working on her second book.

October 9, 2021  

Ten benefits for joining APW

APW Benefits

  1. Meet and exchange ideas with local authors.
  2. One or two virtual meetings a month with a local speaker on a writing or publishing topic.
  3. Join the APW Book Club where read and review each other’s work (email Karen Lateiner kslateiner@gmail.com)
  4. Ability to use APW Zoom for book presentations or other writing-related meetings. (Contact Marie Fasano mafasano1@gmail.com or Jaimie Bruzenak calamityjaimie@gmail.com
  5. Enter the At-large contest for the National Federation of Press Women. First place winners go on to the national level. Many categories for these prestigious awards. See https://www.nfpw.org/professional-contest We had several winners at the At-large contest. Dianne Beaff and Wynne Brown won awards at the national level.
  6. Post on our Facebook page more than once about your book. (Nonmembers are limited to one post.) Share your new publications, wins and writing events.
  7. Keep up on local book and writing events in Arizona.
  8. Your book listed in the Holiday Bazaar before Christmas. Listed at least once on FB that it is there. (Email Jaimie Bruzenak calamityjaimie@gmail.com)

    Additional National Federation of Press Women benefits

  9. Premium professional members of NFPW have access to discounted libel insurance through its group policy.
  10. NFPW focuses on and working to support the First Amendment. https://nfpw.memberclicks.net/the-first-amendment-network
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