January 7, 2023

National League of American Pen Women — Denver Branch

January 7, 2023

Minutes

  1. Linda called the meeting to order at 9:35 AM.
  2. Members in attendance: Eleanor Binnings, Karen Gonzales, Karen Gladstone, Linda Volin, Ann Kleiman, Diane Chambers, Carol Ehrlich, Atlanta Sheridan, Andrea Antico, Aleta Kazadi
  3. Introduction of guests in attendance: Sara Frances and Marsha Johansen
  4. Inspirational reading: Andrea presented how JK Rowlings puts a spell on her readers. Andrea’s main focus was the spell Wingardium Leviosa.
  5. The December Minutes need a few corrections changing Middle age to Middle grade readers. Also, add Phyllis Fergus was a musical member of NLAPW who performed at FDR’s White House. Minutes were approved.
  6. The November Treasurer Report was not available since Kelly Ann was not able to attend so she could be with her friend who needs support after her granddaughter was killed riding her bike. Ann mentioned kids must wear helmets when riding bikes.
  7. Committee Reports:
    1. Membership: Diane welcomed Sara and Marsha. Sara mentioned her new coffee table 324 page book Unplugged Voices with photos and 55% of the text is her writing. It’s an anthology of 125 tales from New Mexico. Www.photomirage.com. Karen asked Sara if she knew Author Carmen Baca who wrote Bella Collector of Cuentos, tales also from New Mexico. She will send Sara the Author’s contact info.

b. Zoom Update: Atlanta set up reoccurring zoom link for meetings.

c. Website: Linda read Virginia Small’s report: I typed in all meeting dates for 2023. Until more details can be provided, all meeting details have been listed as TBD. All applications have been updated except for one. The only application not updated requires a payment. This is not a needed expense. For now the application will remain on the site. It may be deleted in the future. 90% of our January visitors were new. There are no problems. The site is working properly.

d. Critique Group: Eleanor reported the group met January 6 and will now do two critiques per meeting instead of one.

e. Outreach/Tapestry: Karen Gonzales hasn’t heard from History of Colorado regarding exhibiting the Tapestry for Peace. She will followup in January. Ray and Cindy were not present to report any outreach.

f. Historian: Aurora was not present. She has volunteered to be our Historian.

g. Programs: Karen reported:

  • January Presenter will be Mary Lewinski on Free and Paid Promotions
  • February Presenter is Chrissy Bernal on How to Write a Press Release for Authors. Chrissy will waive $50 honorarium if she can share her daughter’s jewelry website with our members. Her daughter is an adult with special needs who started a jewelry line to gain a sense of independence.
  • March isn’t booked yet. A suggestion was to let members share what they are working on. It was also suggested that we have a presentation on poetry.
  • April Presenter will be Jeff Neuman on How to Write for Theatre. Karen Gladstone recruited Jeff.
  • A suggestion was made to have a potluck in June. Sara offered her place.

8. Old Business:

  • Diane mentioned getting a few authors together to do a book launch. The Fan Expo at the Convention Center is $340 for a table. She will check with Barnes and Noble.
  • Send Linda any writing that was done at the December meeting.

9. New Business: There was not time for new business or announcements.

10. Ray Cober and Mary Walewski joined the meeting for the 10:30am Presentation.

11. The meeting was adjourned at 10:24 AM.

Respectfully Submitted,

Karen Gonzales

Co-Secretary

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