Book Signing Reception
by Stephanie Abney
ANWA hosted a book signing reception on October 25, 2002, the evening before our annual writers' conference, which featured beloved speaker, author, and editor, Emily Watts. Giving published authors who are ANWA members an opportunity to display their books, the first annual ANWA Book Signing Reception was held at Sequoia School in Mesa, where authors and readers gathered to share books, refreshments, and friendship.
Fourteen women, ranging from seasoned authors to songwriters to newcomers were showcased. The evening was delightful and will be repeated in years to come.
Emily Watts signed copies of her new book, Being the Mom: 10 Coping Strategies I Learned by Accident Because I Had Children on Purpose. Sitting by her side was Janette Rallison with copies of her LDS Young Adult novels, her new middle grade novel, Playing the Field. and her sweet LDS romance novels (under pen name Sierra St. James). Emily's and Janette's books can be found in LDS bookstores and online at deseretbook.com. Check out Janette's website: jrallison.bravepages.com.
In A Nurse's World, Rachel Anderson shares 26 years of nursing experience. Each chapter takes you to a new patient as Rachel reveals her work as a home care nurse. Purchase it online by searching for the title, A Nurse's World at: iuniverse.com. Visit Rachel's website at:
www.geocities.com/musicnurse68.
debra billman Weitzell is an associate editor to "Pool & Spa Living Magazine," and a performed playwright. Her 30-page guide to self-actualization, titled God Didn't Give Me These Talents So I Could Be Miserable Not Using Them, is available at both Latter-day Resources Bookstores in Tucson, Arizona, or directly at (520) 744-8018, or email debbi@Weitzell.com.
The original founder of ANWA, Marsha Ward, offered her charming chapbook, No More Strangers: Prose and Poetry of the West, which is available through marshaward.com.
Jacqueline Montierth's tales of Christmas will warm your heart in Christmas Echoes. Her book can be purchased at online bookstores: 1stonline.com, amazon.com, and bn.com.
Terry Montague is a marvel at research. She writes a monthly feature for the online LDS-interest "Meridian Magazine" called "Extraordinary Stories." Look for them at meridianmagazine.com. Terry's research of the evacuation of LDS missionaries from Germany during WWII resulted in Mine Angels Round About www.mineangelsroundabout.com/index.html. Then she turned that research into a novel about a sixteen-year-old LDS German girl in Fireweed. Look for it in LDS bookstores.
Newcomer Amy Wadsworth is both a songwriter and an aspiring novelist with an LDS novel due out next spring. Amy wrote two songs on the CD entitled The Spirit of the Sabbath, and the Cup of Comfort Cookbookaccepted and published several of her recipes and a vignette. The CD can be purchased at deseretbook.com, and Amy can be reached by email at jawads@aros.net.
Bestselling author Kerry Blair signed copies of Closing in, The Heart Only Knows, The Heart Has Its Reasons, and The Heart Has Forever. She is busily working on her next book. LDS bookstores carry her books.
Jill Laing approaches serious topics with humor and honesty in her little publication of Serious Funnies. Those who suffer from depression of have been victms of abuse will find help and insight in her book of "funnies." To order, contact Jill at hohnvs@juno.com.
Mother-and-daughter team, Becky Rohner and Mischa Borgnaes, spun an exciting tale of entrigue to enter a contest sponsored by Audio Book Club. They created a joint pen name—Anne Marie Jenner—submitted A Heart Full of Diamonds, and won the contest! This audio book can be purchased online at audiobookclub.com (you must join to purchase), or contact Becky Rohner at rohnerbec@yahoo.com or Mischa at kkmmmb@hotmail.com.
Gayla Wise is the author of several LDS works and a children's book explaining the Church, I Am a Latter-day Saint (Mormon). See her website at members.aol.com/giswise/. She teaches writing at Mesa Community College in the Community Education Department. Gayla owns Brass Lamp Publishers: members.aol.com/giswise/brassl.htm.
MaryEllen Simmons will amaze and delight you with her stories of motherhood, in her self-published book, Life in the Fast Lane: Tales by a Woman Who Parented 135 Children. MaryEllen shares such warmth and love in taking care of Heavenly Father's choicest spirits, many of those in her care being physically and/or mentally challenged. Her marvelous sense of humor has seen her through many a trial. Send $8, postage paid, to MaryEllen Simmons, c/o 1561 S. Karen Dr., Chandler, AZ 85248.
Many of these published authors credit their membership in ANWA for helping them along the path to publication. Are you next? Hope so!!
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