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!
APW Rim County Chapter 1/17/24 – Kent Thompson
Rim Country Chapter meeting – in person and on Zoom!
APW Rim Country Chapter meeting will be held at 1 pm on January 17th at Majestic Rim Retirement on E. Tyler Parkway in their meeting room off the lobby. The speaker is Kent Thompson. The presentation will also be on Zoom.
Connie Cockrell is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: APW Rim Country Chapter with Kent Thompson, author of historical fiction A Patriot’s Dream
Date: Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Time: 01:00 PM Arizona
Location: Majestic Rim Retirement on E. Tyler Parkway, Payson, AZ in their meeting room off the lobby OR
Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86138644415?pwd=M0dnSnJsWWFyeHFqYlc3cW9ibnRkUT09
Meeting ID: 861 3864 4415
Passcode: 372235
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,86138644415#,,,,*372235# US (Tacoma)
+13462487799,,86138644415#,,,,*372235# US (Houston)
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kb0fAtAj6O
Bio: Kent Thompson grew up in Newcastle, Wyoming. After a few years in California, he met his wife and they moved back to Wyoming so Kent could finish college at the University of Wyoming, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in history.
Though his original career goal was to teach history and coach football and basketball, he ended up with a career in the oil industry back in California. Towards the end he supervised three offshore platforms and worked with Navy SEAL TRADET to plan SEAL training on those platforms. Kent and Susan now live in a small mountain town in Arizona. They will never actually “retire.” They have three grown children and two grandsons.
Kent is a lifelong student of the U.S. Constitution and the Federalist Papers and has authored the fiction book, A Patriot’s Dream: The Restoration. He’ll be talking about his book and writing historical fiction.
APW meeting 11/15 “How to do a Book Launch” with Gale Kittleson
Connie Cockrell is inviting you to a hybrid in-person/virtual meeting! We will meet in person as well as on Zoom!
The Rim Country APW will meet on November 15th, 1pm, at the Payson Library. Our guest speaker is Gail Kittleson. She’ll be talking about “How to do a Book Launch.” She’ll have books available for sale and signing. This is an open meeting, so curious-new-to-writing authors of all kinds are invited to attend.
Topic: How to do a Book Launch with Gale Kittleson
Date: November 15, 2023
Time: 1 pm AZ time
Location: Payson Library at 328 N McLane Rd, Payson, AZ or
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85347882563?pwd=aGJzbGJzbTJTRXBNRmZkL0NjUHpCQT09
Meeting ID: 853 4788 2563
Passcode: 243400
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kchF2uSpQP
Bio: Writing has always been both a joy and a survival tool for Gail Kittleson. When she instructed college writing classes, attending a writing retreat motivated her to pen a memoir. A decade later, this debut publication paved the way for writing historical fiction. Gail’s make-do characters, usually World War II era, rise above adversities to make a difference. She loves to encourage other authors through her workshops. She and her retired Army Chaplain husband enjoy grandchildren and creating a Northern Iowa cottage garden. In winter, they retreat to the beautiful Ponderosa forest of Arizona’s Mogollon Rim. You can learn more about Gail at http://www.gailkittleson.com
President’s letter – end of 2023
Connie Cockrell
Has 2023 been as much of a whirlwind for you as it has been for me? Whew! Makes my head spin.
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.
For December, all the chapters are planning holiday luncheons instead of regular meetings. I know the time to just chat is as important as our meetings full of useful and delightful information. Enjoy!
We continue to call for volunteers. Elections are coming up in May at our annual conference. Would you like to take a more active role in the state organization? In addition, the Payson Book Festival committee needs a new Silent Auction manager and a person to head up Sponsorships. New people bring fresh, new ideas and we want to keep our organizations both active and relevant. Contact me at connie.cockrell@gmail.com to volunteer.
The NFPW Communications contest has just begun. Look over your published work for 2023 and enter the contest. 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. I’ll be going again and would love to have some of our Arizona people attend as well.
My calendar has January 6th, 10 am, as our next APW State Officer’s board 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 will begin holding in-person meetings again. I wasn’t able to find a location for October, but we do have a temporary meeting place for November. Mark your calendars for November 15th, at 1pm at the library. I’ve arranged for Gail Kittleson to come and talk about how she does a new book launch. She’ll be bringing her newest book, in the middle of her book launch, for us to look at and buy. After that, we’ll go back to Majestic Rim Living starting January 17th, 1 pm, in their chapel meeting space.
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
We are also happy to announce our Holiday Bazaar at our website: https://arizonaprofessionalwriters.org/holiday-bazaar-2023/. 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 jpeg of the front cover and your website link, and she’ll post it for you. Books make great presents!
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, go to https://arizonaprofessionalwriters.org/about/join-2/ for the form. State-only membership is $30. Thank you everyone for your continued support of this historic organization.
That’s it for 2023. Everyone stay safe, enjoy the upcoming holidays, and hope to see you at the next meeting!
Connie Cockrell
APW President
APW Virtual Meeting 4/19/23 – How to do audiobooks
Connie Cockrell is inviting you to Rim Country Chapter’s Virtual Meeting on April 12. The topic will be “How to do audiobooks” with author Karen Randau. The Zoom link is posted below.
Topic: How to do Audiobooks with Karen Randau
Date: Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Time: 1 pm Arizona Time
Zoom link: Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us j/82494669743?pwd=YWFpNU9BNTVRNFpraWQ4dWN0cFd3UT09
Meeting ID: 824 9466 9743
Passcode: 965559
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdBJdsj0a
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Karen Randau is a lifelong writer—for as long as she can remember, she’s processed all of her major life events by writing about them. She earned a journalism degree from the University of Texas, but one semester on the school newspaper convinced her she didn’t want to be a journalist. Instead, she worked in marketing communications, first in the high-tech industry and then for 27 years for an international non-profit that helps people in developing countries pull themselves from poverty.
She began writing novels after she confessed a particularly strange thought to a co-worker and asked if the co-worker thought Karen was going crazy. The co-worker said, “No, I think you have a novel in you that is screaming to get out.”
Her first five books were published by Short On Time Books in Karen’s Rim Country Mystery series. She decided to go indie for the next three series and now has 13 published books. The most recent is From Chaos, book 2 in the Peach Blossom Romantic Suspense series, which reached an overall rating on Amazon of just under 2,800 and was in the top 10 in several categories. She worked with a producer through ACX to develop an audiobook for book 1 in that series, Into the Fog. That book is a current finalist for a Selah award.
For audiobooks, she’s tried everything from letting her publisher handle the whole process, to trying to narrate and produce it herself, to working with a professional narrator. She learned a lot along the way about production, distribution, and marketing audiobooks, which she’ll share with us on April 19.
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- Karen Randau
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- Kayla Walsh Mystery Suspense Trilogy
APW November Virtual Meeting 11/10/21
Connie Cockrell is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting with Randy Roberson.
Topic: APW Rim Country Meeting- Randy Roberson -Podcasts-Building a listenership
Date: Wednesday, November 10, 2021
Time: 01:00 PM Arizona
Zoom: The link has been sent to APW members. If you did not receive it or would like to attend as a guest, contact Connie for the link. Members can also access the members-only tab for the link.
Contact: Conniecockrell@gmail.com
Randy Roberson divides his time between producing Commercial Radio and On-Line Newscasts and other freelance production work (For the past 37 years), while also heading up non-profit Global Disaster Response Operations, and has also done consulting work for NATO, USTDA and others. The disaster effort that has taken him thus far to 35 countries.
In either operation he says, “building a listenership, viewership, readership following has been critical to operational success.” As commercial ON-AIR broadcasts are quickly being replaced by ON-LINE sources (right there in your pocket all the time), Randy has endeavored to stay on the cutting edge of communications. Whether it is small-town newscasts, or large-scale disasters, he has found a way to get his messages heard and by the specific audiences he targets.
Randy looks forward to sharing what has worked for him, a little bit about how to pull that all together as well as answering any questions those attending may have.
His Disaster Work: 2Emergency.com
His Media Work: GlobalTrails.media
Marketing opportunity – Payson
APW member, Chrisann Dawson, has a request to share a December marketing table in Payson. It’s a great opportunity.
Common Grounds Christmas Holiday Fair.
Vendor Fee is $60.
Chrisann would like to share a table with at least one other APW member. Vendors must provide our own table, canopy, and way to handle purchases. She has a 4 foot table but no canopy.
If you are interested contact Chrisann at dawsonchrisann@gmail.com,
APW October Virtual Meeting 10/9/21
Susan Anderson and Connie Cockrell are inviting you to the APW October Virtual Meeting on October 9 at 10 am with Sharyn Jordan, a life-long Writerly. Since we are having virtual meetings, we will have a statewide meeting once a month while this continues. Please join us!
APW October Virtual Statewide (Meeting
Topic: “Creating a Sacred & Strategic Writing Process” with Writerly Sharyn Jordan
Date: Saturday, October 9, 2021
Time:10:00 AM Arizona
Join the Zoom Meeting. Members have been sent the link. If you did not receive it, lost it or are not a member and would like to join us, message or email Susan Anderson at Susan.APW@hotmail.com or Connie Cockrell at CCockrellAuthor@gmail.com
Sharyn Jordan
Sharyn will be speaking on Creating a Sacred & Strategic Writing Process covering topics like timeless titles; evergreen books; write, write, write; and best year to publish.
As a life-long Writerly, Sharyn published her first best selling book The Home Whisperer: Treasures of the Inner and Outer Home in 2007. Its newly expanded edition rolls out in 2022.
In late 2020, Sharyn & her business partner, Sandy Rogers, founded Triangulus 3 Publishing, LLC. They co-compiled the recent 9.21.2021 highly acclaimed book, Wisdom of the Silver Sisters, Guiding Grace which ranks on Amazon No#1 Best Sellers in seven categories.
They are delighted it is on Barnes & Noble Best Books for the Fall list. It is also a Best Selling book in seven countries and, ecstatically, the algorithms are still updating.
Beginning in 1977, Sharyn’s first biography, My Sweet Sister St. Suzanne, was written specifically for their extensive family. Since then, five other books have followed suit.
At the pandemic’s outset, Sharyn focused on refining, editing and mainstreaming these endearing stories. Now titled “The Pearl Legacy Series,” these five books include the genres of historical fiction, celestial matchmaking, spiritual inspirations, political intrigue, and dreaming true.
On December 8th, 2022, Volume I, Book of Nathaniel: The House of LaRose is launching.
Sharyn and her beloved husband Jay moved to Arizona in 1974. After 42 years of their incredible marriage, Jay passed away in 2012. In addition to being an esteemed mom of three sons Jason who is in Glory, Jeremy and Ian Wells, her daughter Olivia Suzanne, and each of their spouses, she is an avid reader, enthusiastic writerly, and adoring GRANDmother of fourteen GRANDS, ages 7 – 29..
October Business Expo
From Connie Cockrell, APW president and Rim Country Chairperson:
The Rim Country chapter of APW is a member of the Chamber and so we get notice of upcoming events. Feel free to sign up for the Chamber breakfast/lunch or other events. I am thinking of attending the Business Showcase on October 23. I’d like to have 2-3 other authors join me in sharing the booth. Drop me an email at connie.cockrell@gmail.com ASAP if you’re interested. You must be a member of APW to participate.
Here’s the description: In October we will be holding our 2nd Annual Flea Market Business Expo. Held at the Payson High School parking lot on Saturday, October 23rd from 10am to 2pm, this event is a great low-cost marketing and networking opportunity. There will be music provided by KRIM, food trucks and we encourage businesses to bring candy for any trick-or-treaters who stop by. Spaces are $100 for Chamber members and half of the proceeds will go to the DECA program at the high school. Please reserve your space by October 15th. And be sure to ask about our sponsorship opportunities for more bang for your marketing bucks!
June 9: Humor and the Author’s Platform
Connie Cockrell of Rim Country Chapter is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: APW Rim Country Meeting – Guest Brad Graber: Humor and the Author’s Platform
Date: June 9, 2021
Time: 01:00 PM Arizona
Humor and the Author’s Platform
Everyone loves to laugh. So how can an author leverage a great sense of humor to sell books? Join us on June 9th at 1:00 pm to hear Brad Graber discuss the use of humor in building and maintaining relationships with readers.
Brad Graber is an award-winning author who writes novels because he grew up in a family where no one ever listened to him – so he made up stories about them. Brad’s latest release is What’s That Growing in My Sour Cream? – a collection of over seventy essays from Brad’s monthly humor blog: There, I Said It! Brad is also the author of two novels of contemporary fiction: After the Fall and The Intersect. Brad’s third novel Boca by Moonlight is scheduled for release January 2022. Brad currently lives in Phoenix with his husband, Jeff.
Contact: connie.cockrell@gmail.com for the Zoom link.
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- What’s That Growing in My Sour Cream? Brad Graber
Arizona Professional Writers 