Jan 2012

• Doug MacGregor has a new job as the Healthcare Coordinator for Lee Memorial Health Systems. He will help to bring artists, musicians, storytellers, poets, clowns, puppeteers, and other art related creatives into the healing process of patients and their families.  He will also work with the Art of the disABLEd program promoting the art of physically and emotionally challenged individuals in our community. Volunteer! Contact Doug at (239) 343-2633 or mactoons@comcast.net.
• Tim Jacobs is looking for three writers to submit an article, a short story, and very, very short non-fiction book. He is offering a free consultant service in return for filling out a detailed survey. Please email him at jacobs1776@yahoo.com or see him Saturday at the meeting.
• Jeri Magg spoke at the Ladies Sanibel Storytime and Tea on January 17, 2012.
• Tim Jacobs needs three people for his new business who have strong skills at story building - enhancing scenes, character building, etc. This will be a paid position. Please email him at jacobs1776@yahoo.com or be sure to get with him Saturday at the meeting.
• Laura Nonemaker will be at Annette's Book Nook on Fort Myers Beach from 11 am to 2 pm on Saturday, January 28 and Ornery Attitude Cafe in Fisherman's Village, Punta Gorda from 1 pm to 3 pm on Satruday, February 4.
• Steve Ruediger will be giving two talks on Self Pulishing in the Internet Age at local libraries:
  Captiva Memorial Library as part of the annual Cultural Fest, February 1, 2012, at 4:30 p.m.
  Sanibel Public Library, March 12, 2012, at 10 a.m.
• The GCWA Beginning Writers’ Workshop is scheduled for February 25, 2012. Contact Ken Feeley to sign up.
• Ken Feeley is looking for Christian books (childrens books, adult books, self-help, etc.) by local authors for the First Presbyterian Church of Bonita Springs book store, which is open to the public.
• The GCWA Twentieth Century Classics Reading Group is looking for new members for 2012. [more]
• Island Coast High School in Cape Coral is looking for writers to talk to creative writing class. [more]

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Oct 2011

• Joe Pacheco was paid tribute by Amy Bennett Williams in the News-Press Tropicalia. [click here and go to the second artist in the article]
• Little Joe Micale has a book signing for his book, Confessions of a Hollywood Haristylist at Barnes & Noble in Fort Myers on
  October 29, 2011.
• Tom Miller is looking for an agent for the book he has finished.
• Dave Wilcox has his second novel published.
• Joseph Martin talked about publishing your books on Amazon Kindle.
• Jan Neiman talked about Florida Publishers Association’s 2011 Fall Ed-U Conference “Publishing in the Digital Age,” November 4-5, at the Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel on Lido Beach in Sarasota, FL. GCWA member Doug McGregor will presenting at the conference and Jan Nieman and Kyle Miller are finalists in the President's Book Awards. Early registration through Oct. 10, 2011.
• Pat Janda reminded us to sign up with Tom Nelson for a table at the Faith Lutheran Book Fair on November 5, 2011 - 9am to 1pm author signing.
• Little Joe Micale talked about the collaborative book several members are working on.
• Mary Lou Williams participated storytelling review at All Faiths church, September 15, 2011 - a fundraiser for The Tamiami Tale Tellers and All Faiths Church.
• Pat Washington reminded us the new Poetry Group will meet Thursday October 27  from 6:30-8:30 pm @ the Fairfield Inn in the Breakfast Room. [see Flyer for more information]
• Joe Pacheco announced there would be an open mic at The Bean on Sanibel, October 28, 2011 at 4PM.
• Ken Feeley announce that the New Writers’ Workshop will be postponed until February.
• Kyle Miller was interviewed, along with Dot Lee and her blind raccoon, Trouper, on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2011 on NBC Channel 2 News at 11:00 a.m. [more] Watch the video here.

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Aug 2011

Richard Georgian's book Cossacks, Indians and Buffalo Bill is released.

Jan Nieman won the Florida Weekly Picture Challenge, week of August 10-16, 2011 with her entry Control.

Connie Hope has sold 500 copies of her cook book, In Addition to the Entree. She is working on her second book.

Doug MacGregor has designed a book cover for Tom Miller's new book of Irish short stories.

Jan Nieman has a book signing at Books A Million at The Forum on Colonial at I-75, August 13, 2011, 10am to 1pm.

Carmine & Dorayne Lombardo's play, A Tree Grows in Isreal, world premiered at Cape Coral Cultural Park Theatre August 4 - 7, 2011was a tremendous success. A film is in the planning. [more]

Pat Janda's new book, Reflections, is for sale at the Mail Box, Etc. Post Office on Cypress Lake Drive along with her first book, Memories - Photographs taken by the Heart.

Jan Nieman will be on the program at The Coffee Cup's open mic, Sept. 23, 2011 and her book, Going to the Dogs: Confessions of a Mobile Pet Groomer will be their first Book Club review.

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June 2011

'Sanibel Joe' Pacheco visits The Sanibel School. Read about it on CaptivaSanibel.com.

Diane Fowler has a sailing article publised in June's Southwinds Magazine and will have another article in Latitudes and Attitudes Magazine in September.

Richard Georgian interviewed with Voice of America Radio and TV about his upcoming book, Cossacks, Indians and Buffalo Bill.

Ken Feeley (Peter Yule) has published a new book, Short Stories from Oxnard Bow.

Julia Smith is proud and excited to be in partnership with John Maxwell as a certified John Maxwell Coach. She is conducting a FREE Mastermind Class in the fall. Contact Julia at JuliaSmithFL@aol.com for more information.

Jan Nieman wants members to know that IRS mileage reimbursment for business travel has gone up to 55.5 cents per mile as of 7/1/2011.

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April 2011

Doug MacGregor has published two new books - Turtellini: The Turbo-Charged Turtle and Rad Hair Day.

Tim Jacobs has articles published in Writer's Journal, Fort Myers Magazine, and Florida Weekly. He taught a class on getting published at the Alliance for the Arts.

The Cape Coral Historical Society/Museum is looking for a person capable of writing a one hour documentary. [more]

Our own "Sanibel Joe" Pacheco was written up in the Sanibel/Captiva Islander for his visits to the Sanibel School and participation in the school's poetry contest. Read the article here.

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February 2011

We broke another record for number of attendees (83) at February's GCWA meeting.

Teri Kollath announced Shell Point is presenting Egypt Today and How We Got Here at the Shell Point Village Church Auditorium - 7:15, Friday, March 4, 2011.

May Lou Williams invited us to What's So Funny? a Florida Storytelling Association FREE workshop at Lakes Regional Library, April 2, 2011 from 9 AM to 1 PM. [see flyer]

Diane Fowler will be racing her sailboat Windy City in Charlotte Harbor, March 26-27, in the Leukemia-Lymphoma Society Regatta. They are raising $ for the cure & Diane is looking for donations. Contact Diane at dianeFLR@aol.com or 239-850-4935.

Carmine and Dorayne Lombardo's new musical The Studio will have its world premier at the Bickford Theatre, Morristown, NJ next November. March 12 Dance Innovations, Chatham, NJ is highlighting three of the songs from the musical at the Richford Theatre.

Joseph X. Martin's second novel, A Piece of the Banner, will be released in April.

Priscilla Wonkka has been asked to start a new writing workshop in the park.

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November-December 2010

Joe Pacheco's poem The Night Before Christmas 2010 has been on WGCU's website since the 24th. It was also the lead letter in the News-Press Mailbag on the 24th.

Pat Janda's Reflections on Aging played in December on Shell Point's reading aloud program Listening to the Words read by David Hauenstein. Five more of her short stories are lined up for use in January and February.

Our authors had 82 sales during the “Walk through the Arts” event Saturday, October 30. See photos.

The book fair at Faith Lutheran Church in Lehigh Acres on November 13 had five authors and 17 sales. See Photos

Three of our poets - Joe Pacheco, Carol Drummond, and Larry Stiles, and one artist - Doug MacGregor, have been invited to participate in the Sanibel Art/Poem project. It is a distinct honor for them.

Dave Hauenstein spoke about Listen to the Writer’s Words, on Shell Point TV’s audio channel. He has had contributions from Chuck Wood, Chuck Highfield, Tom Nelson, Martha Jeffers, Russ Miller, and Robert Dornburg.

John Repa’s Epilogue at Elsinore, which was a winner at the new play competition at Naples Players in 2009, was produced by the Shakespeare Festival under the direction of John McKerrow.

John also announced that The Murder Mystery Dinner Train will be presenting his play “A Christmas Peril” November 26th through December 24th. Group discounts are available.

Anita Dennis will read from her book, Slaves to Racism – An Unbroken Chain From Liberia to America, at Big Arts on Sanibel December 16th.

Susan Brown will have an article on antique jewelry in the February Naples Illustrated and Palm Beach Illustrated.

Russ Miller announced Tellabration 2010, by the Tamiami Tale Tellers, November 20, at 6:30 PM. A worldwide celebration of story telling. Mary Lou Williams had flyers for the show.

Russ also said the next show by the Calusa Tale Tellers will be December 7, 2010. He invited anyone who would like to “tell a tale” to perform. (5 minute presentations)

Dick Miller announced a Christmas concert to be held at Zion Lutheran Church on Sunday, December 5, 2010 at 4 PM.

Martha Jeffers and Joe Pacheco read at Sanibel’s Big Arts Island Writers Read on December 2.

Martha was also be a guest speaker at Pine Island Writers.

Ken Feeley’s second book, Sparrow in Flight, is in print.

Carol DeFrank wrote the centerfold article published in the Fort Myers Magazine.

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September 2010

Read the article in Sept/Oct free Ft. Myers & Southwest Florida magazine about Jan Nieman and her new book, written by Carol DeFrank. Jan's book, Going to the Dogs, will be available November 1st.

Russ Miller invited participation and visitors to Calusa Harbor on October 5th at 7 pm for storytelling.

Mari Hopp is presenting poetry and dance October 10th.

John Repa has been invited by Bill Taylor with Theater of the Conspiracy to join a group for playwrights.

Dorothy Brooks notified Richard via email about her class to be held at Alliance For the Arts beginning October 28. The topic is “Exploring Contemporary Poetry.”

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July 2010

Patrick Parker's book Ben's Tale is a finalist for the Royal Palm Award of the Florida Writers Association. The winner will be announced in October.

Henry Hermann's new book, So You Want To Write and Publish A Book is available for sale.

From Carmine and Dorayne Lombardo: "Heuer Publishers LLC accepted 4 of my monologue submissions from my musical, Dobdinob, for their Audition Monologue Anthology to be released in 2010.  I signed the contracts last Friday. The monologues from 4 characters from Dobdinob: Father, Grandma, Billy and Positeva, portrayed their intrinsic traits; however, each situation was very unique and separate for the script. It was quite a challenge, and I have been honored. The Creative Process Documentary focusing yours truly, Dorayne, our composer, Rio Clementi and the writing and producing of Dobdinob is well under way.  My interview of two hours was completed three weeks ago; this past Thursday, Dorayne was interviewed. Negotiations and marketing plans are underway for the publisher.  It is very exciting, because it is a "movement" to instill more creativity in the schools of our country whereby young and old will benefit." See listing for Dobdinob under members-members' books

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May 2010

Dick Miller’s two published books, The Boxcar Kid and Glamour Boys, are doing well and his grandchildren have published two books. He is giving a free presentation, How the Lost Generation Changed America.

Tim Jacobs magazine, Patriots of the American Revolution, is in the book stores. Thomas Fleming is writing for the magazine. Tim will be interviewed on Information in a Nutshell, which will stream live at 3:30 PM, July 12, 2010.

Ruben Colon has published his third book.

Richard Georgian is back to writing. Martha Jeffers found an online site with copies of the New York Clipper, and it has caused him to go back and rewrite some of his “facts.”

Carol DeFrank has an article in Fort Myers Magazine.

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March 2010

Jan Nieman has a publisher for her book, Going to the Dogs, which comes out in October.

Ken Feeley announced that on April 13, author Paul Young will discuss his self-published book The Shack in Bonita Springs. (more)

Joe Pacheco announced that members Carol Drummond and Russ Miller will appear with him at the Sanibel Poetryfest on March 31.

Carmine Lombardo’s play was produced for a Down’s Syndrome benefit show.

Russ Miller’s Calusa Harbor open mic event will feature poets and storytellers on Tues. April 6.

Jeri Magg wrote the center article in the current issue of Ft. Myers Magazine.

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January 2010

Connie Hope has had a recipe published by “Women’s Digest.” 

Dick Miller is taking advance orders for his second book, Glamour Boys. 

Charlie Diemer held a book signing in Sanibel for Pearl of Tao. 

Keith Donaldson will be at Barnes & Noble February 27 with his book Rude. 

Mari Hopp is hosting a dance and poetry event March 6. 

John Goss placed in the top third of a Children’s Writing Institute class.

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October 2009

Barie Fez-Barringten – “Metaphors and Architecture” published October 2009 on ARCHNET.ORG Digital Library

John Repa wrote a play that is being read at the Naples Players on December 4 and 5th

Jim Hughes Published his first adventure novel.

Tom Nelson published his third book in a series about his life in Wisconsin

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August 2009

Charles Diemer - I have been busy promoting my book Pearl of Tao in Minnesota. This month, August, there were three newspaper articles about myself and the book and I had 4 successful book signings. The books editor of The St. Paul based Pioneer Press is considering doing a book review. If she does, it would be terrific.

I have a book signing scheduled for Steamboat Springs, Colorado on September 19.

June 2009

Carmine Lombardo’s musical is scheduled to open in Fenton, Michigan and his new CD of songs has been released. He encourages other writers to keep working toward their goal.

David Collier, a college textbook writer, has received a contract for 3300 copies of his operations management business book from Colorado.

Dorothy Brook’s book of poetry Intersticies is published and will be available at Amazon.

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April 2009

Henry Hermann announced that his book, Beginnings, has been published.

Martha Jeffers’ Grammar Granny presentation at Lakes Public Library was informative and very entertaining reported by Roxann Dickey..

 Lowell Thomas mentioned that the web site CoolStuff 4Writers.com is helpful.

Mary Lou Williams said that she was pleased that Mary Beth Lundgren is her mentor for children’s writing.

Richard Rosenbaum offered his help as a mentor during his seasonal stay.

Susan Snow reported that Finnbarr Corr gave and excellent discussion at the April 2nd meeting of the Irish-American Club at Cape Coral.

Susan Brown announced that Artis Henderson was accepted to the Master’s program in journalism at Columbia University.

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JAN 2009

Bob Bair  - He has his second novel Peace at Lambeth Bridge published.

Dick Miller – He is available as a speaker/presenter using a power pint to discuss Teenagers Riding the Rails.  Members may contact him at www.boxcarkid.com.

Steve Rudiger – He announced the Southwest Florida Romance Writers is featuring an Author/Agent day on February 28th, from 11 am to 3 pm.  Go to www.swfrw.org/events

Mary Lou Williams announced that the Tamiami Tale Tellers are looking for members.  They meet the 3rd Thursday at the Grand Court on College Pkwy., at 7 pm.  May Lou will be presenting one of her stories at Nita’s Sweet Bean Café April 11 from 7 to 8:30 pm.

Barie & Christina Fez-Barringten are currently writing a book about their years in Saudi Arabia and are available as speakers.

Tim Jacobs that a national publisher has picked up his magazine and he is now the Editor.

Karen Freysinger reports that QBI has contacted her for permission to submit Adventures of Countess Pigula "Up, Up and Away!" for the William Allen White Children's book award. She understands that a Dean of University Libraries and Archives contacted them! See web site www.heartlandreviews.com and then reviews to see two book reviews.