Blog Archives

D6 Member, Melody Cole, publishes journey of breast cancer

9/26/2020

Note from Melody J. Cole: "This book is a personal summary of the fears and frustrations of a young female with a disability while going through treatment for breast cancer. The author is now a first-time breast cancer survivor who tells of the faith, family, friends and fun that carried her through the ordeal. The author uses her faith, humor, honesty, and vulnerability to "have the conversation" with her readers about a topic that is uncomfortable for many in a way that is comfortable and conversational. She seeks to honor the memories of those that did not win their battles with cancer while here on Earth and remind her readers that life is beautiful!"

Available at Amazon

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If you have news of writing events that would be of interest to all Kansas Authors Club members, or if you are a member (dues current) who would like to announce an achievement, please submit your news via this form.

2020 Convention Workshop: Chris McKitterick

9/24/2020

Chris McKitterick
Science Fiction Futures: Writing Transformative Change

Science fiction is the literature of the human species encountering change, whether it arrives via scientific discoveries, technological innovations, natural events, or societal shifts. In this workshop, Chris will talk about writing fiction set after the world-shaking changes we'll soon see (if civilization makes it…).

When writing in a world more than 10 years into the future – especially more than 20 years – you must account for three fundamental areas of technological change that will utterly alter what it means to be human. Chris will discuss the power of science fiction in responding to the transformative changes we will see in our lifetime, and how you can write work set in the near future that doesn't immediately feel obsolete. Afterward, he'll send everyone home with links to lots of SF-writing resources created especially for attendees.

Chris McKitterick has lived in seven states and two countries but calls Lawrence—where he teaches science fiction and writing at KU—home. His newest short fiction, “Ashes of Exploding Suns, Monuments to Dust,” won the AnLab Reader’s Award for best novelette. His debut novel was Transcendence. Current projects includeAd Astra Road Trip, Empire Ship, Stories from a Perilous Youth, and more. He’s a popular speaker, Campbell Award juror and chair, and Gunn Center for the Study of Science Fiction director. He sees surviving his youth as evidence of quantum realities.

Facebook | Instagram | Tumblr | Twitter | Christopher-McKitterick.com

updated 9/30/2020

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Welcome new member Julie Ann BAKER BRIN

9/23/2020

We are excited to introduce our newest KAC member: Julie Ann Baker Brin! She joins us from Park City, District 5.

We asked Julie a few questions so we could learn a bit about her.

Name:
Julie Ann Baker Brin (or Julie Brin … but NOT Julie Baker Brin, because my maiden name became my second middle name, just to confuse anyone with a database … or really anyone).

Town:
Wichita (technically: Park City, but USPS’s zip code lookup stubbornly insists it’s Wichita).

What kind of writing do you do?
Poetry-like substances, lyrics, and micro-stories for fun. (Meeting minutes for work … and for anyone with insomnia.)

If you would like to, please share information about writing projects you’ve completed or are currently working on.
I am honored to be amongst so many talented and experienced writers featured in Gretchen Eick and Cora Poage’s The Death Project: An Anthology for our Times, which was just published (ISBN: 978-1-7342272-6-0 paperback or 978-1-7342272-7-7 ebook) and whose net proceeds will fund frontline COVID-19 workers.

Do you have a website or a facebook page that you'd like us to share with other KAC members?
juliebrin.org (or juliebrin.com, but I’m a dot-org kinda gal).

Is there anything else you’d like other KAC members to know about you?
I just resigned from the classic rock cover band I’d fronted since 2009, in order to return to original writing and hopefully buy back my soul. (Also, I may be hopelessly addicted to parentheticals … and ellipses.)

What would you like to gain from your membership with KAC? (Networking and/or friendships with other writers; Entering the KAC writing contests; Information on the writing craft; Information on publishing; Information on promotion)
Yes, please. All of the above.

Welcome, Julie!

When Julie's name first showed up in my inbox, it sounded familiar. And that's because she placed in both the poetry and prose categories in the District 7 Writing Contest recently. Congratulations!

Please take a few minutes to visit Julie's creative and well-designed website and read some of her pieces.

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I-70 REview reading scheduled for Friday, September 25

9/22/2020

Several Kansas Authors Club members will be taking part in the I-70 Review Contributor Reading on Friday, September 25, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Details for registration can be found on their Facebook page.

Visit the I-70 Review website.

New Book from D5 member, Gretchen Eick

9/22/2020

Gretchen Eick has a new book coming Oct. 30 from the University of Nevada Press. THEY MET AT WOUNDED KNEE: THE EASTMANS' STORY is a double biography and history of the era between the Civil War and World War II and that era's best known Native American, Dakota physician Charles Ohiyesa Eastman and his Anglo wife Elaine Goodale Eastman. Both were writers (11 books apiece), advocates for a humane policy toward indigenous Americans, and lobbyists. Charles is why Boy Scouts and Campfire Girls do Indian badges. He traveled the U.S. and Britain, spoke out against the Indian Bureau's policies and worked for the right to vote for Native Americans. The Eastmans' interracial marriage is a window on how racism operated in the U.S. during this time. Few physicians then had medical degrees, but Charles earned an MD yet white patients would not accept him. This history/biography has been acclaimed by Philip Deloria (Harvard's first tenured professor of Native American history and author of PLAYING INDIAN and INDIANS IN UNEXPECTED PLACES) and Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, author of AN INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.

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The Set Up 1984: Classified Until 2064, novel, by D5 Member Gretchen eick Now available

9/22/2020

Note from Gretchen: "My 4th novel is now in print as of late August. It is based on a true story of British (and one Greek) guys who bring a huge shipment of cannabis resin from Lebanon to Britain and are met by Customs Officials and police October 4, 1984 when they begin unloading it. THE SET UP 1984: CLASSIFIED UNTIL 2064 is based on this event. It imagines why the British government would do something so rare as to classify this case for 80 years. It is a novel of international intrigue with a cast of characters who simply want to make some money during a recession and are clearly out of their league. The book includes a discussion of sources and a study guide for book groups. It can be ordered at any library or bookstore or through Amazon or Blue Cedar Press (paperback and ebook formats). $18/$7

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Nancy Julien Kopp, D4 Member, published in Kaleidoscope

9/20/2020

Note from Nancy: My story, "The Perfect Grandchild," has been published in the Summer/Fall issue of Kaleidoscope magazine which features stories about disabilities.

You can read the story here by scrolling down to page 66.

This is a reprint of a story that appeared in a Guideposts anthology earlier.

Congratulations, Nancy!

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Member contributions in anthology published by blue cedar press

9/20/2020

Congratulations to D5 member, Gretchen Eick, and the following Kansas Authors Club members who were published in this anthology: Ronda Miller (D2), Jim Potter (D6), Mark McCormick (D5), Judy Keller Hatteberg (D5), Robert Dean (D5), Michael Poage (D5), Julie Baker Brinn (D7), Mike Graves (D2), Ruth Maus (D1), Julie Stielstra (D6), Mark Scheel (D2), Miriam Iwashige (D6), Najiyah Maxfield (D6), Janet Stotts (D1), and Diane Wahto (D5).

PRESS RELEASE
September 20, 2020

The Death Project: An Anthology for These Times is now in print and available to order at your favorite bookstore and Amazon.

This book is a 205 page anthology of stories, poems, mini memoirs, and factual pieces about the various ways we lose loved ones to death and how we grieve and heal. It is a collaboration by 36 writers from across the US, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Britain, Turkey, etc. who contributed their writing to help others suffering from grief or anticipation of grief. It is intended to expand readers' thinking, feeling, and imagining about this universal, often-hidden experience brought relentlessly to the world's consciousness in 2020.

The writers are Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Bah'ais, atheists, and New Age, and of different races and ethnicities. Some write of family loss including suicide, others of war or devastating illness, of COVID-19 and Black Lives Matter. Others share rituals that helped them recover.

Published by Blue Cedar Press (Wichita, KS) and edited by Dr. Gretchen Eick and Cora Poage, proceeds from the sales of The Death Project after the cost of publication and shipping will go to an assortment of international organizations fighting COVID-19. $12 paperback, $7 ebook (epub and Kindle).

For more information contact:
Gretchen Eick, 316-682-8818
[email protected]

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Remembering Diane Wahto

9/17/2020

Jan 24, 1940—Sept. 16, 2020

Diane Wahto graduated from the Wichita State University MFA program in 1985. That year, her poem, “Somebody Is Always Watching,” won the Academy of American Poets Award. Since that time she has continued to write poetry.

She taught journalism at Winfield High School, then taught English Composition and creative writing at Butler Community College.

Her book of poetry, The Sad Joy of Leaving, was published by Blue Cedar Press and came out in October 2018. The book launch was held at Watermark Books and Café, where she read with Michael Poage and Kelly Johnston.

Other recent publications include “Empty Corners” in Same, “Persistence,” in The Ekphrastic Review, and “Yellow Music,” in Heartland. She was co-editor of two issues of the 365 Days Anthology.

Diane joined Kansas Authors Club in 2014 and served in several positions, including two years as District 5 president and as the Awards Chair for the state 2015-2020. She was co-chair, along with Connie White, of the state convention in Wichita in 2019.

She is survived by three children and five grandchildren, all of whom she enjoyed seeing as often as possible. She, her husband Patrick Roche, and their dog Annie lived in Midtown in Wichita, Kansas.

Diane’s website: Poet of a Certain Age

Lyrical Literature, by Jim Potter

Diane's Obituary

Swimming to Shore
by Diane Wahto

Lake Huron, cold and clear in summer,
tempts me into its deeps, alone, secure.
The Australian crawl I learned in the pool
of my home town pushes me through
the gray water with barely a ripple. Reach
of arms, kick of legs, body stretched
full out. I think of the life beneath
me, unseen fish, waving aquatic plants.
I give one kick, turn, tread water, look
at the distant sandy shore. This
is not my element. I must go back,
stand among the birch trees,
join my husband, my children,
the day that lies ahead.

Ann Fell and Diane Wahto, 2016 Kansas Authors Club Convention

Diane Wahto and Gloria Zachgo, 2019 Kansas Authors Club Convention

Deadline Reminder for Current Members

9/16/2020

We are currently taking member literary contributions for the 2021 Kansas Authors Club yearbook. Get your entry submitted by October 15 to reserve your page.

Every Member having paid current dues is invited to submit ONE literary contribution for the yearbook. That submission can be either prose or poetry. Prose is limited to one printed page (no more than 500 words). Poetry is limited to one printed page (no more than 40 lines including spaces between verses).
All literary contributions remain the property of the individual authors. Authors may continue to use or distribute their work without requesting permission from the Kansas Authors Club. No work printed in the KAC yearbook may be copied or distributed in any form without explicit permission from the author.
Yearbook Submissions are preferred via the online site, Submittable. There is NO CHARGE to submit a yearbook entry.

Submit Today

D1 Member, Duane L. Herrmann, publication progress

9/15/2020

The summer of 2020 has been a productive one for Duane L Herrmann, District 1. He has had several print and online publications. On 9 Jun 20, Limit Experience Journal published his memoir, Until it Happens to You, in their inaugural issue.

Ten days later, "The Short of It" page of, I Write Her published three short pieces: A Fair Trade, Homeless, and Impossible Position. This blog posts short, very short, and very very short fiction (or is it all fiction?).

The next day, for Father’s Day, his poem: A Father Who…, appeared in the book, Father and I, a Father’s Day anthology of poetry published by Wingless Dreamer.

That same day, Poetic Publications released his collection of 63 poems and one short story, No Known Address. All were written in response to the Holocaust. Herrmann has a direct connection to the Holocaust through his great grandfather’s native village in Bavaria where he has visited family several times.

The month of June ended with the arrival of the anthology, Far Villages: Welcome Essays for new and beginner poets, released by Black Lawrence Press. His essay, and the others, are offered as encouragement and inspiration to anyone who wants to “be a writer.”

The Fourth of July brought a surprise when Herrmann discovered himself quoted on the website: BahaiTeachings.org, in an article titled: Who is Robert Hayden? Herrmann has written about hidden meanings in the poetry of Robert Hayden, the first African-American Poet Laureate of the U.S. (though the title was different then). Hayden was also a member of the Bahá’í Faith.

On 10 Jul 20 Tiny Seed Literary Journal
published his poem, Dancing on the Wind, in homage to butterflies for their special butterfly issue. This joins two other poems of his on the site: Tree Dance and Refuge of Trees. The site is dedicated to nature and all poems are illustrated with relevant photographs. They are looking for photographs and poems.

The next day, Just Place – chapbook posted his poem: Prairie Bones, which has since been joined by: Barn Being. These poems, also, are illustrated with photographs.

On 20 July, the Adirondack Center for Writing, in response to a weekly writing prompt, posted Herrmann’s memoir: Games my Brother Played. This has since been accompanied by other pieces in various forms (one even a recipe): Ode to James, One Boy’s Life, Dear Little Duane, Recipe for a Disastrous Family Life, and My Feet Have Taken Me. Anyone can submit responses to their weekly, and interesting, prompts: To find the responses go to: “ADKWrites,” then: - “Featured Writing.” They are organized by the weekly prompts.

Two days later, New Engagement published, in their digital issue 18, July 2020, a collection of three of Herrmann’s poems under the title: Grass Waving Under Wind: Strange Year, Lonely Land, and Old Farmer. The latter a tribute to his grandfather.

On 25 Jul, Duane’s PoeTree (blog): posted five of Herrmann’s poems: Fly With Me, Little Bodies, Frozen Tan, Baby Bonding, Grieving For. Curiously, both Duanes have the middle initial L.…

Almost a full week of August went by before his next publications: a poem and a history article, both about a piece of Kansas history: Mother Bickerdyke Day and Special School Day. These appeared in the summer issue of the Topeka Genealogical Society Quarterly. How many people remember the Kansas holiday of Mother Bickerdyke Day?

On 17 Aug, the book celebrating the rebirth of an original part of Topeka, once a separate town, as an arts center: NOTO Plein Air Arts Project 2017, was released. It features paintings and writings about North Topeka. Herrmann’s poem, ‘Eugene-Nue’ was included. The original town was named Eugene.

Two days later, a publisher in India, Poets Choice, accepted three poems for one of their print anthologies. The title will be: Jumbled: Part Two. The poems are: What I Am, Remnant, and Hand Fitting.

And the September issue of Winning Writers Newsletter has a paragraph summarizing his publication record for the summer under “Subscriber News.” This is a free newsletter to anyone who requests to be on the mailing list. It publishes information on contests and publishing opportunities.

Duane wants to assure people that this is NOT a typical summer! He has NEVER had so many things published in such a short period of time and the rejections he has received in this same time out-number the acceptances.

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D2 Member publishes 3rd book in Heroes by design series.

9/11/2020

Hero's Purpose, the third book in D.A. Irsik's Heroes by Design series is now live on Amazon and at Irsik's website, dairsik.com.

About the Book: Our heroes are beginning high school and are determined to get their group TNT, (Teens for a New Tomorrow), off the ground. They didn't count on a senior girl who wants to snuff out the group or a family health crisis that tests their faith and purpose.

Visit www.dairsik.com for more information!

D.A. (Deb) Irsik is a Kansas Authors Club member, District 2. She also serves our organization as State Membership Chair.

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D4 Member, Nancy Julien Kopp, Published in New Anthology

9/11/2020

Nancy Julien Kopp, D4 member, has a story, "Writing it Out" in a new anthology titled Writing as a Path to Healing. All the stories in the book deal with writing about trauma and how it can be a step in healing.

At the end of each contribution, there is a prompt for the story, the author's answer to the question "What scares you about writing?" as well as an author bio.

The final section is a variety of resources and helps for writers.

The book, edited by Marlene Cullen, can be purchased at Amazon.

Nancy will talk about her section of the book at a zoom meeting of a group of California writers on September 23rd.

Author Nancy Julien Kopp

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WElcome New member: Melinda Briscoe

9/9/2020

It’s a joy to post these new member announcements!

Today, we welcome Melinda Briscoe of Lawrence (District 2) to the Kansas Authors Club. Melinda has been writing articles for Sunflower Publishing since 2009.

She also writes poetry and fiction. Currently, she is working on her first novel.

You can check out some of Melinda’s writing here: https://www.clippings.me/melinda

With her membership in KAC, Melinda is looking forward to developing friendships and in networking. Like most of us in KAC, she's interested in gathering more information on publishing and promotion.

Welcome, Melinda! It’s good to have you with us.

Words Save Lives - Sept. 10, 7-9pm

9/9/2020

Former state KAC President, Ronda Miller, presents at the first VIRTUAL Words Save Lives event, Thursday, September 10th, 2020, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. The yearly event is hosted by Marcia Epstein of Lawrence and is directed to those who have lost someone to suicide, have suicidal ideology or both. The event includes poets, musicians, and comics.

from Words Save Lives

~> each year on World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10, we gather in safety & love & communication
~> with performances of original poetry, story, belly dance, comedy, aerial acrobatics & music
~> the pandemic edition #WSL2020 will be provided through Zoom with hosts, performers, Zoom chat, & a chapbook with words & contact info from each performer & host

Visit the Facebook event page for more details.

Former State President, Ronda Miller, profiled in Kaw Valley Senior MOnthly

9/9/2020

Ronda Miller was the feature for the September issue of Senior Monthly Magazine, Lawrence, KS. The article can be viewed here: http://www.seniormonthly.net/

Miller is a former state President of KAC (2018 - 2019).

District 7 Announces the winners of their 2020 writing contest

9/9/2020

Kansas Authors Club hosts annual writing contests for adults featuring a wide rage of categories in prose and in poetry. Many of our districts host smaller contests throughout the year. District 7 recently shared with us the results of their contest, which was open to all members, regardless of district affiliation, and all writers residing in the state of Kansas. For more information about district activities, follow the link at left for "Districts" to find contacts for your area.
___________________________________________

POETRY:
1st Place - Ronda Miller for “Thin Blue Line”
2nd Place - Julie Ann Baker Brin for “Lousy Band at Port of Wichita”
3rd Place - Julie Ann Baker Brin for “Eisenhower National Airport”
Honorable Mention - Ronda Miller for “Dew Drop Inn”

PROSE:
1st Place - Tracy Million Simmons for “Mom’s Pink Sweater”
2nd Place - Julie Ann Baker Brin for “Cognitive”
3rd Place - Linda Ahrens-Brower for “Nicky’s Mother”
Honorable Mention - Julie Johnson for “Life With Squirrels”
Honorable Mention - Tracy Million Simmons for “A Storybook Tale”

These winners will be awarded certificates and checks at the District 7 Convention on September 19, 2020 at Sharon Springs, KS. Those unable to attend will have their certificates and checks mailed to them.

Thank you all who participated.
There were 13 Poetry entries and 19 Prose entries.

New BUSINESS MEMBER: POD PRINT

9/8/2020

The Kansas Authors Club welcomes POD Print which has recently joined KAC as a business member.

Traci Grote, John Kush and Christy Exstrum operate POD in Wichita.

We asked Christy Exstrum of POD Print to tell us a bit about the business.

What kind of services or products do you offer for authors? POD Print offers self-publishing services for books in a wide variety of binding options, of course, but also business cards, marketing collateral, and trade show signage. Either provide your own print-ready files, or work with our designers for a custom cover and layout. We do not have quantity restrictions on how many books you can purchase, nor do we limit the dimensions of your book…everything is exactly how you want it!

What else would you like Kansas authors to know about your business? POD Print provides a premium printing experience with superior quality and unmatched customer service, all right here in Kansas. We are very experienced working with self-published authors and companies and can walk you through the process. You will also receive a fully-finished proof before your full print run to ensure everything is just right.

Do you have a website that we can share with KAC members? www.podprint.com

Follow POD Print on Facebook @podprint.

Thank you, Christy, for sharing some information about POD Print. We hope that your membership with KAC will be beneficial to both your business and to Kansas writers.

D4 Member, Fred Fanning, named finalist in Non-Fiction in Readers' Favorite International Book Awards

9/7/2020

Fred Fanning, author of Essential Safety Programs won the Finalist Award in Non-Fiction - Occupational Category in Readers' Favorite International Book Awards Contest for 2020.

This contest featured thousands of contestants from over a dozen countries, ranging from new independent authors to NYT best-sellers and celebrities. More information about Readers' Favorite can be found at https://readersfavorite.com.

Essential Safety Programs, by Fred Fanning - It is essential for collateral-additional duty safety specialists to know about the basic safety programs so that they can prevent workplace injuries and illnesses. The book also serves as a reference for use over and over again as needed.

Fred Fanning retired from the Federal Government after 32 years of employment. He held a variety of position over the years and served in the Senior Executive Service. He was a safety professional for over 20 of those years. His highest safety position was as the Director of Occupational Safety and Health for the U.S. Department of Commerce. Fred is an active writer. He began writing in 1994, published his first book in 1998, and began writing full time in 2015. He has authored nearly fifty articles. His articles have appeared in Safety Professional; Perspective; PM World Journal; the International Journal, Organization, Technology and Management in Construction; PMI GovCOP Magazine; and several journals of the U.S. Army. Fred has written fiction and non-fiction books, chapters in technical books, and stories in anthologies. His works have earned him ten awards. Fred has also presented technical papers before national audiences. Fred is a member of the American Society of Safety Professionals where he is a professional emeritus member and Kansas Authors Club.

Place your own ad in the 2020 Virtual Convention Program

9/1/2020

Don't miss this opportunity!

The artwork (JPG format) must be submitted with payment via Submittable.

Deadline: September 21.

These promotions will be published in the virtual convention brochure, on our website, and displayed in a carousel of images on social media.

Prices listed below.

Prices below are for registered convention attendees and for Kansas Authors Club Members. If you do not fall into one of these two categories, contact Tracy for information about advertising in the convention program.

BUSINESS CARD SIZE—3.5” x 2” for $20

QTR PAGE—3.5” x 4.5” for $40

HALF PAGE—7” x 4.5” for $80

FULL PAGE—7” x 9” for $160

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