A Bit of Irony?

Many moons and one child ago I was a book reviewer for the Pleasant Hill Community Focus. This was just one of the many extra-curricular activities I partook in on top of being a full-time teacher. About four months into my second child I realized that I needed to start trimming my work load. Sadly, one of the activities that I needed to cut was the monthly book review for the Pleasant Hill Community Focus.

I went back to their website a few days to see if the articles were still available and found something very surprising and ironic. To be clear, I was not surprised (or upset for that matter) to see that my reviews had been taken down. The last one I wrote was December of 2010 (I think). What I did find surprising (and ironic) was that the new book reviewer is non-other than Pleasant Hill City Councilman Micheal G. Harris!

For those new to the blog and/or don't see the irony...
http://pleasanthillbookclub.blogspot.com/search/label/Michael%20Harris

Maybe it's the healing power of time or the fact that the Pleasant Hill Library has shown some solid improvement recently, but I am actually very excited to read his work. In his first post Harris gives an introduction to his life as a reader.
http://www.ourcommunityfocus.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Read+My+Mind%20&id=19176610#comments_19176610

It seems like he'll bring a lot of enthusiasm to his work and I am looking forward to reading his first review which I presume will be published in the August issue. You can find a link to the Pleasant Hill Community Focus book reviews on the right of this page just under the PHBC Book-Montage along with the book reviews of other publications. To see some of my old book reviews, you can travel even further down the right of the page and find them located under the interviews with local authors.

Interview With Local Author: Nannette Rundle Carroll

How long have you lived in the Bay Area? Which parts? 

I’ve lived in the Bay Area all my adult life. I first moved from NY to San Francisco (Ashbury Heights then the Marina then across from Golden Gate Park). From San Francisco I moved to Sausalito to an artist studio overlooking the bay. Then I moved to Oakland to a neighborhood near Piedmont Avenue. Finally I moved to Contra Costa County and have lived in this home longer than I ever lived anywhere! We are so lucky with our beautiful scenery, climate, and people! 

 
When did you get your first book published?

November 2009. The Communication Problem Solver, Simple Tools and Techniques for Busy Managers (AMACOM Books)

What type of books do you write?  

I write books that help people communicate and get along better at work so that they can concentrate on the work they are there to do. People generally pick jobs that interest them and develop their skills. When miscommunications and poor communications interfere, people can get upset and sidetracked. This is a communication book targeted to managers and helpful to anyone who wants to transform relationships. And the book discusses the concept of “managing up” which is proactively interacting with your boss instead of waiting for her or him to call you. So for that reason everyone needs this book to manage the relationship with his or her boss. This book ties together the concept of work relationships, step-by-step process skills, and collaborative conversations in delegating, feedback, and coaching.  
My next book will be an expanded communication book for everyone. I write books that give people specific how-to tools, pepper them with real life stories, and inspire them to do their best work and be the best they can be. 

Why do you write? 

I love the process of “being lost” in words and ideas. I go to places I cannot anticipate. I’ve always been a conceptual thinker with a mission to help people communicate better. Writing pulls all that together for a worldwide audience. When I was six, I had a goal to meet everyone in the world. The book makes that dream rub elbows with reality. 

I teach management and communication seminars to professionals who need to communicate 360º at work. Whether they manage people directly, or need to influence people who do not report to them, all people in the 21st century need to communicate well. Everyone needs to take the initiative to manage up and initiate a good relationship up with his or her boss and manage relationships sideways with coworkers. The response to my communication tips has been so overwhelming that it became apparent I could reach a larger audience through writing a book than on the speaking platform. My work is all about helping people be the best they can be and create happy work environments where people can be authentic and highly productive. In fact, many seminar participants have applied the communication principles at home and with friends and enjoyed stunning results. 
 

How involved are you with the community?  

I serve on the board of the California Writers Club and am a member of National Speakers Association. I’m also active in church activities. 


What challenges have you faced as an author?

 
Peeling away the excuses of “no time” because I travel for business speaking engagements. Making writing a priority. Other challenges I face are outlining (I prefer to freeform it but that didn’t work for me) and project planning. There is so much to do in the whole process from pitching an idea to a New York editor to marketing the book. Project planning is needed to manage that. I’ve had a lot of corporate experience with planning so I know how to do it. It’s just carving out the planning time, disciplining myself to create a plan, and then following the plan and meeting my self-imposed schedules. 
 

Who were some your influences as a writer? 

My first influences were my parents. My dad was a storyteller of the oral tradition. My mom recorded everything in notebooks, journals, letters to her family, and writing her trip experiences. They introduced us to our Irish culture of storytelling. Dad also took us to the library on Saturdays and I read voraciously. High school and college professors influenced me because in every subject, we were also graded on our writing ability, vocabulary, and grammar. As an adult, creative writing teachers such as Camille Minichino, Elizabeth Koehler-Pentacoff, Charlotte Cook, James Dalessandro, Robert McKee influenced me. Also members of various critique groups to which I have belonged. The California Writers Club (celebrating its centennial) has been an invaluable resource for making author friends and learning more from speakers. 
 
What types of books would you recommend for young readers? 

A First Dictionary of Cultural Literacy by E.D. Hirsch, Jr. and his other books on what educated children need to know will lead to great conversations and choices of literature. Read poetry, mystery, plays, adventure, King Arthur and classical mythology, value-based books such as The Value of Believing in Yourself: The Story of Louis Pasteur by Spencer Johnson, M.D. (part of a series by Value Communications, Inc.) Try books by Dr. Seuss, Roald Dahl, Elizabeth Koehler-Pentacoff, R.L. Stine, Tomie de Paola, and Shel Silberstein. Introduce them to children’s versions of Shakespeare, books published by Child’s Play, bible stories, fairy tales and Aesop’s Fables. Wonderful books are: Uncle Wiggily’s Picture Book by Howard R. Garis, The Raggedy Ann & Andy series by Johnny Gruelle, A Little Princess and The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans, C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia,  Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz, Louis Sachar’s Wayside School books, The Boxcar Children--build on whatever interests them—biographies, science, the arts, history, technology, humor, etc. and build on it. Inspire them to a sense of awe that hooks them into reading. 
 

What do you think is the best way to get young people excited to read? 

Start newborns with picture books and read often every day. Have lots of books available. If your budget is tight, you can get them at thrift stores, charity and garage sales. Follow your toddler’s lead about what she or he likes. When they say, “Again!”  always reread what they ask for. Then introduce books of similar topics or characters to expand the repertoire. Emphasize reading instead of TV or video games. Read together. Our family used to buy three copies of plays or books and read them out loud together—even on vacations. Go to the library for story time and browsing and hang out there and read. Be a reader yourself. Have bookshelves filled with books and let the little ones touch, play with, make piles with and eventually read the books. Ask them dictate their own stories so you can write them down for them. And draw exactly what they tell you to draw where on the page they tell you—be a good listener and don’t interject your own opinion. When they can write and draw, encourage them to record and illustrate their own stories. Take them to plays, act out your own family plays, and watch opera together on PBS. Watch PBS shows together like “The Importance of Being Ernest”—my 9 year old watched it repeatedly! Expose them to great literature and stories well told—you never know what the hook will be for them. 
 

Who are some of your favorite authors?  

Shakespeare, John Irving, Richard Russo, Camille Minichino, Carl Hiaasen, T. S. Eliot, James Joyce, Agatha Christie, John Grisham, Annie Prouxl, Nuala O’Faolain, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Richard Carlson, Michael Soon Lee, and Daniel Pink. Other great authors are Tony Alessandra, Sam Horn, and Jim Cathcart. 

What are some of your favorite books?

Empire Falls by Richard Russo; Fr. Joe: The Man Who Saved My Soul by Tony Hendra; A Widow for One Year by John Irving; Jesus, CEO by Laurie Beth Jones; Both Ways is the Only Way I Want It by Maile Meloy. I’m currently reading Twilight --Los Angeles, 1992 by Anna Deavere Smith. Books about relationships, lighthouses, architecture, art, Ireland, trains, mystery, suspense, history, and conceptual ideas intrigue me. 

In reading your book and reading your response to the questions I was surprised to not see Malcolm Gladwell's name anywhere. Besides the obvious structural differences of the book, Communication Problem solver reads a lot like The Tipping Point or Blink. The way you write and the way you explain things I find to be very similar. Have you ever read any of his books? If so, what are your thoughts?

Wow--what a compliment to compare my book to those of Malcolm Gladwell's. No, I have not read any of his books. But now I'll have to check them out! Thanks for the comparison.

Do you have a website we can visit?

Yes.

http://nannetterundlecarroll.com
 

Where can we find your book?

Barnes & Noble, Borders, Clayton Books, and other bookstores as well as online at numerous sites globally including Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=sr_adv_b/?field-isbn=9780814413081 

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Communication-Problem-Solver/Nannette-Rundle-Carroll/e/9780814413081/ 
 



My book signing at Clayton Books is Sunday 11/22 @ 3:00 p.m. with an author friend of mine, Michael Soon Lee (he wrote the foreword to my book).

The next book signing is Saturday 11/28 at Barnes & Noble Pleasant Hill from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. (It's a CWC event).

Interview With Local Authors: Fran Wojnar

1. How long have you lived in the Bay Area? Which parts?

Since 1964, I lived first in Vallejo where I taught junior high music in the Unified School District. After I married in 1967, my husband and I made our home in Pleasant Hill.

2. When did you get your first book published?

Eliza, an Iowa Pioneer was first published in 1991, with reprints in 1992 and 2005.

3. What type of books do you write?

Eliza, and Iowa Pioneer portrays pre-Civil War stories starting in 1836 in Lower Saxony. (before Germany was unified) Eliza, 16 and brother Heinrich 14, were put on a ship to America. Eliza’s narrated stories describe their adventures from landing in New Orleans to her final settlement in Iowa in 1850.
Magdalena’s Conflict is a mystery that occurs when the Mother Superior’s death appears natural to everyone except Sister Camille who along with a family detective friend find the murderer.

4. Why do you write?

Putting one’s thought and words on a page for anyone to read requires honesty and guts. I felt I had the discipline to write a book, after preparing for solo piano recitals often requiring a whole year’s practice.

5. How involved are you with the community?

I’m involved in Social Justice through Christ the King Church. We provide a pizza/salad supper once a month at the N. Concord Homeless Shelter. I meet with a student in a program called, Invest in Kids. I’m also historian and board member of the California Writer’s Club, and an usher at the San Francisco Symphony.

6. What challenges have you faced as an author?

Getting visibility. I expected my second book to be as successful as my first book.

7. Describe “print on demand” some of our readers.

“Print on Demand” POD allows the author, at their own expense, to become a published author with a professional book. It gives authors control of their work as well as a finished book to offer to agents and publishers.

8. What inspired you to write Eliza an Iowa Pioneer?

After reading stories that Eliza, my great grandmother, left, I felt consumed to study the period and enlarge on these tales and make them the back bone of this book.
It is a fine line between fiction and nonfiction.

9. Who were some of the influences as a writer.

Clair Gustafson, an instructor of Creative Writing at Diablo Valley College and my critique group of writers.

10. What type of book would you recommend for young readers?

Eliza, an Iowa Pioneer has been used in schools in Iowa, California and also in an adult class in Germany. Young readers enjoy mystery and adventure in historical novels.

11. What is the best way to get young people excited to read?

Exposure to reading in the home. My parents subscribed to book clubs that brought books into our home not always suitable to youngsters, but I remember reading them anyway and declined librarians book lists for young readers as too babyish.

12. Who are your favorite authors?

I haven’t a favorite. I like to read mysteries, stories about families in other cultures, non-fiction books on current events and past historical. figures.

13. Do you have a website we can visit?

Xlibris.com
mtdiablowriters.org

14. Where can we find your books?

Amazon.com
Xlibris.com
Myself (925) 933-9248

Interview With Local Authors: Simon Wood

How long have you lived in the Bay Area? Which parts?

I’ve lived in the Bay Area for around ten years now. I’ve lived entirely in the east bay in and around Richmond and El Sobrante.

When did you get your first book published?

My first book, ACCIDENTS WAITING TO HAPPEN, was first published in 2002 by a small publisher then picked up a big publisher in 2007.

What type of books do you write?

I write about ordinary people put in extraordinary situations. Sometimes the dilemmas they face are of their own making and sometimes they're just good people in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Why do you write?

Because I have to. There are stories, ideas and themes I want to write about and I feel so passionately about them that I have to commit them to paper. It would be criminal not to…

How involved are you with the community?

I’m a Bay Area chapter board member of Mystery Writers of American and a past Bay Area president of Sisters in Crime. These two organizations work to help nurture and promote mystery writers. I’ve also spoken at a large number of county and city libraries throughout the Bay Area.

What challenges have you faced as an author?

I’m dyslexic and pretty much steered clear of the written word for most of my life. With the help of my wife, I taught myself the basics of creative writing and the rest is history. I have a pretty unorthodox way of getting my work down on paper.

Who were some your influences as a writer?

I’m a huge fan of pulp writers, Raymond Chandler, Lawrence Block, Reginald Hill, but I would say my major influence is Hitchcock. His eye for detail and human frailty and showing us the hero in all of us has had a massive influence on me. I think it shows up a lot in the scenarios in my books and short stories.

What types of books would you recommend for young readers?

I was always in awe of the fantastical as a child so the books I always promote are the Chronicles of Narnia, Norman Juster’s The Phantom Tollbooth and a book which isn’t very well known over here, but is in England -- Stig of the Dump.

What do you think is the best way to get young people excited to read?

Introduce them to books that fire the imagination. There always seems to be a push towards certain classics and while that’s fine, people (young or old) need to find stories they love. So let them read whatever’s popular -- graphic novels or even adult books, or whatever. It doesn’t matter as long as they're reading and discovering the power of storytelling. One of the best times with books I had was when a school teacher let us read whatever we wanted as long as we could discuss the book. It was very empowering. Also remind kids that without books we wouldn’t have TV or movies. The human race can't live without stories.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

Raymond Chandler, James M Cain, Cornell Woolrich, Reginald Hill, Lawrence Block, Jeffrey Deaver’s short fiction, Dorothy L Sayers, Barbara Vine, Ian Rankin, Patricia Highsmith, James Herbert, Stephen King, Richard Russo, Robert Crais, Harlan Coben, Richard Stark, Jim Butcher, just to name a few.

What are some of your favorite books?

If I was marooned on a desert island, I would want THE LONG GOODBYE (Raymond Chandler), LOVE ON A BRANCH LINE (John Hadfield), THE STRAIGHT MAN, (Richard Russo) and A SIMPLE PLAN (Scott Smith) with me.

Do you have a website we can visit?

www.simonwood.net

Where can we find your books?

In most bookstores or online. Some of my books and short stories are appearing electronically for the Kindle and other e-readers. My website has links to local bookstores, real and virtual.

Interview With Local Authors: Alfred J. Garrotto

How long have you lived in the Bay Area? Which parts?

I have lived in the Bay Area since 1972. I've resided in Lafayette, Pleasant Hill, Martinez, and Pittsburg.

When did you get your first book published?

My first book, Christ in Our Lives, was published by Winston Press (Minneapolis, MN) in 1980.

What type of books do you write?

I write both fiction and nonfiction. In addition to Christ in Our Lives, my nonfiction books include Christian and Prayer (1981), Christians Reconciling (1981), and The Wisdom of Les Miserables: Lessons From the Heart of Jean Valjean (2008). I am currently writing a second volume in the "Wisdom of Les Miserables" format.

Between 1996 and 2007, I published five novels: A Love Forbidden (Picasso Press, 1996), Finding Isabella (Genesis Press, 2000), Circles of Stone (Hilliard & Harris, 2004), I'll Paint a Sun (Genesis Press/Kensington, 2007), and Down a Narrow Alley (2007, Lulu Press, Inc.). I have a baseball novel on the back burner, waiting for its time.

Why do you write?

Writing allows me to release a lifetime of reflection on major issues that all humans experience. I firmly believe that there is truth in fiction. So, whether I write novels or nonfiction the goal is the same: to tell the truth as I see it and experience it.

My secondary reason for writing is to leave a legacy to my daughters and grandchild(ren). I want them to know me better and remember me through my writing.

How involved are you with the community?

I'm quite involved in the Central Contra Costa County community. As a lay minister on the pastoral team of Christ the King Parish, Pleasant Hill, I am directly involved through various programs that help people learn more about themselves and their spiritual side. I also offer support to the parish's many outreach programs that attempt to meet the needs of local community members, particularly those in need of material, psychological, and spiritual assistance.

You are a former President of the Mt. Diablo Branch of the California Writers club, can you tell us the function of the club and what types of things go on at these meetings?

In 2009, the California Writers Club is celebrating its 100th year of promoting excellence in writing. Originally founded by a group of celebrated local authors, including Jack London, the organization provides a place for professional and aspiring writers to meet, network, and improve their written communication skills. The club meets monthly for lunch from September through June, usually on the second Saturday. Our Mt. Diablo Branch has over 150 members. At our meetings, guest speakers (published authors, editors, literary agents, publishers, etc.) who have achieved success in the literary industry share tips and ideas on how we can improve our writing and achieve greater success. Visit our website at http://www.mtdiablowriters.org/.

Are you still a member of the club?

I have been a member of CWC Mt. Diablo for 13 years and currently serve on the board of directors. I am Programs and Website Chair.

What challenges have you faced as an author?

The biggest challenge I face is in marketing my work. I'm not a famous author, therefore I need to take advantage of every opportunity--like this one--to get my work out before the public. I am building an online platform by maintaining a growing presence on the web. I have a website: http://www.blsinc.com/garrotto.htm. I blog at http://wisdomoflesmiserables.blogspot.com/. I'm on Facebook and Twitter. My books are available through all the major online booksellers (and some minor ones). I take every opportunity to do author events (signings) at local bookstores. I'm available to speak to writing and service groups and book clubs. For most authors, marketing is an ongoing challenge, but an essential effort.

Who were some your influences as a writer?

The greatest influence on my writing is Ron Hansen, bestselling author of Exiles, Atticus, Mariette in Ecstasy, and other great novels, and the nonfiction Faith and Fiction. Ron showed me that I could express my religious/spiritual beliefs in novels. Following his model, I have done my best to discuss important life issues in my fiction, as well as my nonfiction writing.

What types of books would you recommend for young readers?

I don't write for the youth market, but I'm quite interested in promoting reading (and writing) among our youth. I say to young people, "Read anything that interests you."

What do you think is the best way to get young people excited to read?

I wish I knew. My own children--now adults--were not devoted readers growing up, even though their dad was a writer. In their post-college adulthood, they are beginning to discover the pleasure of reading for their own enjoyment.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

Victor Hugo has to hold first place for me. Les Miserables is my all-time favorite novel. My reading tastes are pretty eclectic, from spirituality to World Wars I and II fiction. My favorite spiritual writer is Ronald Rolheiser (The Holy Longing, The Restless Heart). A favorite war novelist is Jeff Shaara (The Rising Tide, The Steel Wave). I'm leaving out a host of fine writers whose books have entertained and inspired me.

What are some of your favorite books?

I've kept a record of books read since 1999 and average over 30 books a year (not a lot by some standards, but a lot for me). Anyone interested in seeing my favorites of the last decade can search on my name on Shelfari (http://www.shelfari.com/). I also have a complete list of my best reads since 1999 on my website at http://www.blsinc.com/favoritebooks.htm.

Do you have a website we can visit?

http://www.blsinc.com/garrotto.htm

http://wisdomoflesmiserables.blogspot.com/

algarrotto@comcast.net

Where can we find your books?

My books are available for sale at Amazon.com and other online booksellers.
I offer autographed copies through my website.

Several of my novels are in the Contra Costa County Library system.

Interview With Local Authors: Roberta Alexander

This interview is a bit different from those in the past. Roberta Alexander is actually a book reviewer not an author. I think it is interesting to read about the book industry from a different perspective.

How long have you lived in the Bay Area? Which parts?

A long time … first at Stanford, later in Berkeley. My children went through school in Alameda. Then I moved to western Contra Costa County, where I’ve lived for nearly 20 years.

How did you get started reviewing books? How did you get starting reviewing mystery novels?

I’d been working at the Contra Costa Times for a number of years, and had noticed that most of its reviews were a] from the wire service and b] covered books by male authors. I wasn’t anti-male, just concerned that so many of the books I enjoyed never got any publicity.

When I discussed this with the book editor, she suggested I do something to remedy the situation. There were several boxes of unread books from publishers; I went through them and picked out a few. I tried to focus on books by women and on new authors, figuring people who had full-page ads in the New York Times touting their books didn’t need my contribution.

How long have you been with the Contra Costa Times?

I spent 17 years on the copy desk of the Times, leaving in 2001. But I’ve continued to write reviews as a freelancer.

How involved are you with the community?

You mean as a reviewer? Now, not so much. When I was on staff, I sometimes moderated mystery panels and stuff like that. I enjoyed it. But I spent six years on the library commission of the city where I live, and have remained active in library/literacy activities.

What challenges have you faced as a reviewer?

At first I wasn’t taken seriously because I reviewed paperbacks as well as hardbacks. My feeling as a reader was that I was much more likely to buy a paperback, and why shouldn’t it get some attention?

For the last year or so, I’ve been challenged by having less space in the newspaper. That means reviewing fewer books or writing shorter reviews, neither of which I like.

Now that I have a website, I can write some longer reviews.

What was the most original mystery novel you've ever reviewed?

Maybe Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Story by Leonie Swann.

Have you ever tried to write a novel?

I wrote my first novel at age 10. I am always writing, fiction, nonfiction, something. For the last couple of years I have been working on a series of essays, some funny, some poignant, dealing with my childhood in New York, among other strange things.

What types of books would you recommend for young readers?

J.K. Rowling did a pretty good job by offering young people (and millions of adults) a story that was exciting as well as meaningful.

What do you think is the best way to get young people excited to read?

In my house, books were always important, and my children picked that up.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

I was an early fan of Janet Evanovich and Alexander McCall Smith, but Evanovich’s later books were forced and unfunny. I like Julia Spencer-Fleming, Judy Clemens, Margaret Maran and Sharan Newman. Although their subject matter varies, what they all offer is strong, believable characters you can follow from book to book.

Do you have a website we can visit?

RobertaInk.com

The Concordian

The local magazine "The Concordian" is now available at your Pleasant Hill Library. I first heard of the Concordian after our interview with local author Andre' Gensburger. Its quite possible it has always been available at the P.H. Library and it just wasn't on my radar, but either way I am excited to now be able to get a copy locally.

This month's issue has several compelling articles, some of which include a story on a local Iraq War veteran (by Gensburger), an editorial on the sportsmanship of the British Open (by Dan Ashley), a story on new surgical robots (by Tamara Steiner), and many many local interest stories. There is also an article in there remembering the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshia by another interviewed local author Willem Ridder.

For more info on The Concordian please go to www.myconcordian.com

Local Author Barbara Bentley Wins Major Award

From Barbara Bentley:

Greetings to all,

Some of you may already know about the award but this announcement includes new information.

Several chapters of my book "A Dance with the Devil" tell the story of how I changed the divorce law of California. When a board member from an Atlanta foundation read the book, she wrote me the following letter and sent it to me via my publisher.

"I was impressed and interested in learning of your achievements in the arena of improvement of our laws and justice system. Thank you for making a difference. I am a board member of the Foundation for Improvement of Justice, founded in 1984 by the Chapman family to recognize outstanding contributions to our justice system. Please refer to our web site www.justiceawards.com for further information as to history, purpose, award recipients, contact information, submissions towards our selection process and the awards.
In May and June each year, our Board receive and review approximately 80 to 100 nominations from nominators. The Board finalizes, in a blind selection process, selections down to the very best 8 to 10. These are our Paul Chapman award winners.
In September of each year the award winners, along with their nominators, are recognized at our awards banquet at The Ritz Carlton, Atlanta, Georgia, where they enjoy a wonderful banquet, a nice monetary award for the winner and well deserved recognition.
In closing, I simply wanted to inform you of our Foundation, knowing of your interest in Justice and our interest in receiving the very best nominations/achievements each year in the field of justice."

My friend Sheryl Sturges , a board member of Community Violence Solutions, was kind enough to nominate me.

This past Friday I received a phone call advising me that I am a recipient of one of the six 2009 Paul H. Chapman awards. I am still reeling from the news!

The awards package includes: the Paul H. Chapman medal (photo attached), a check for $10,000, a commendation bar pin, a certificate of appreciation, and an invitation to the awards banquet in Atlanta, Georgia, on September 26. The foundation is picking up the airfare and hotel for four: myself and Sheryl and our two guests.

I feel blessed and honored to be among the recipients. Previous winners include judges, politicians, police, and organizations. In appreciation for my selection, I am donating half of my cash award to Community Violence Solutions in honor of Sheryl Sturges' passion to help victims of sexual assault and family violence.

For more information, please visit http://www.justiceawards.com and http://www.cvsolutions.org/. I have also updated my website www.adancewiththedevil.com.


Thanks for reading!

Sincerely,
Barbara

Interview With Local Authors: Lynn Goodwin

How long have you lived in the Bay Area? Which parts?

I am a Bay Area native. I grew up in Los Gatos, went away to college, returned to get a California teaching credential, and then taught in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District and various community colleges for many years.

When did you get your first book published?

My first books, From An Author's Point of View: Tips on Writing and From An Author's Point of View: Tips on Marketing were published by the Other Side of Creativity in 2001. The organization no longer exists.

My current book, You Want Me to Do What? Journaling for Caregivers was published in December of 2008. It offers encouragement, simple instructions, and over 200 sentence starts to help anyone begin writing. Those who have tried it love it, and since I have been marketing it, I've discovered that everybody is a caregiver for someone.

What type of books do you write?

Both of these books are self-help meets how-to. So is my e-zine, Writer Advice, www.writeradvice.com. I've also drafted a YA novel and written plenty of short stories, memoirs, and articles.


Why do you write?

So many reasons; so little time. I guess the simple answer is that I write to share stories, express opinions, analyze events, find my part in things, help others, and explore.

How involved are you with the community?

I am very involved with the writing community. One of the perks of You Want Me to Do What? Journaling for Caregivers is that it has helped me connect with a number of organizations in the medical and care-giving community. I give journaling workshops and talks for any interested organization. E-mail me at Lgood67334 (AT)comcast (DOT) net or visit http://www.writeradvice.com/workshops.html for information.

What challenges have you faced as an author?

Depending on the project and the moment, I can be challenged to find the right word, phrase, subject, angle, or venue. When I remember that everyone has great stories to tell, I know that the rewards of writing outweigh the challenges.

Who were some your influences as a writer?

"I'd like to thank the Academy and..." Truthfully, I am influenced by writers, readers, and critiquers. I name some specific authors as I answer "What are some of your favorite books?" below.

What types of books would you recommend for young readers?

Read books about subjects you love. Follow your heart. Classic or contemporary; fiction or non-fiction; print, graphic, manga, or e-zine, read what you want to read. It will give you sustenance for reading what you have to read. Almost all books have something to say to you.

Who are some of your favorite authors? & What are some of your favorite books?

Jodi Picoult's Nineteen Minutes
Sybil Lockhart's Mother in the Middle
Veronica Chater's Waiting for the Apocalypse
Meg Waite Clayton's The Wednesday Sisters
Rachel Sarah's Single Mom Seeking
Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows' The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society
Jennifer McMahon's Island of the Lost Girls

Based on this list, I should try writing fiction or memoir, shouldn't I?

Do you have a website we can visit?

My website is Writer Advice, www.writeradvice.com. Please visit, click on the links and boxes, and let me know if you have any questions.

Where can we find your books?

You Want Me to Do What? Journaling for Caregivers is available at Amazon and other online bookstores. You can also order it through Writer Advice, www.writeradvice.com. Click on Journaling for Caregivers. Then click on Order Online. You can also ask any independent bookstore to order it.

Interview With Local Authors: Camille Minichino

How long have you lived in the Bay Area? Which parts?

I've been in the Bay Area for one long summer, which started in 1975. I still keep thinking I'll be going "home" soon, to Boston, where it all began, or even better, to New York, where I went to graduate school.

When did you get your first book published?

The first one was "Nuclear Waste Management" in 1982. Not a bestseller, but I got hooked on seeing my name on a spine, so I began writing short pieces, and finally my first novel, The Hydrogen Murder, in 1997. That was the first in my periodic table mysteries.

What type of books do you write?

My novels are cozy mysteries (if murder can be cozy), in the traditional "whodunnit" style. I also write short nonfiction and fiction, samples of which are on my website. I aspire to be like Isaac Asimov who wanted to "never have an unpublished thought!"

Why do you write?

It's that name on the spine. Plus, it's therapeutic, and there's the opportunity to believe you're contributing to contemporary literature.

How involved are you with the community?

I'm involved in writers groups: Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and California Writers Club, and have taken my turn as President of all of them. I'm still on the board of SinC and CWC. I also appear frequently at local libraries, bookstores, and other group events. And I visit local high schools and teach at local community colleges.

What challenges have you faced as an author?

Getting published is the biggest. Even now, with 13 mysteries and many shorter fiction and nonfiction pieces, I can't assume everything I propose will be accepted. It's all about marketing; It's the way the business is today.

Who were some your influences as a writer?

I had some terrific teachers, mainly through UC Extension, as I made the transition from physicist to "commercial" writer. And I am a voracious reader.

What types of books would you recommend for young readers?

I can't answer this, since I didn't read as a child. My parents had very little formal education (6 years for my mother, less than 1 for my father), so reading was not on the list of what I saw or did at home. I read only what was assigned in school. When I was in college, if I did take up a book, from the library, say, my mother would immediately challenge me and ask if it was homework. Otherwise, I should be doing something useful! Of course, since she didn't really know better, I could claim everything was homework. As, in a way, it was.

Can you explain a little how you went from someone who read very little growing up (and it even sounds like you were even discouraged from doing so) to a published author? It sounds like an amazing achievement and I think my readers would really enjoy learning about it.

This was actually the subject of a talk I did at a fundraiser for the new Castro Valley library. It was my own local library in Revere MA that opened the reading door for me. My high school was next door to RPL, and I got a job there after school. It took me a while, believe it or not, to realize that these were books with stories, and that people read them, not for a grade, but for enjoyment. When I figured that out, I started reading "on the side" and that continued, of course through college and on.

Once I began to use reading for comfort (my childhood was not a comfortable one!) and for pleasure, it was an amazing journey. From there, it wasn't a big leap for me to want to be part of that culture and write myself. I think I was the only math major who wrote for the college literary journal, and later the only physics grad student who took lit classes on the side.

I should credit my parents for wanting me to have an education (the way out of poverty as they saw it), although they didn't understand what that would involve. They were suspicious of reading, or of anything that was intellectual. If I told them I "had" to read a certain book to get a good grade, they could understand that, and that's how I pulled it off.

I should also point out that this was a LONG time ago, and reading for kids was not the huge industry it is now. There weren't enormous children's sections in libraries and bookstores, nor were there children's "programs." If you didn't get it at home, you didn't get it.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

I read on the dark side: the Dexter books are my current favorites. Also, Thomas H. Cook, Martin Cruz Smith, and Joyce Carol Oates.

What are some of your favorite books?

I read a lot of current nonfiction. Two of my recent favorites are by Steven Johnson: "The Invention of Air" (a bio of Joseph Priestley) and "Everything Bad is Good For You" (about the effect of technology on our psyches and our brains).

Do you have a website we can visit?

Two websites, which are linked: http://www.minichino.com and http://www.dollhousemysteries.com. The second features my second series of mysteries, based on my hobby of making miniatures. I write this series as Margaret Grace (easier to pronounce, eh?)

Where can we find your books?

Independents, chains and on line. There are links on my sites.

Behind the Barbed Wire: by John Keibel

After interviewing local author John Keibel I decided to check out his book from the library (currently 10 copies available located at various libraries in the C.C.C. Library system). Behind the Barbed Wire is an incredibly extensive and inclusive history of the Naval Weapons Station that was located in Concord, CA from 1942-2005. The book includes every last detail you could possibly want to know about this important part of US and California history that is sitting right in our backyard.

The book provides hundreds of primary source documents. Some of the most impressive items are the dozens of maps and historical photos of the area and the people who worked at this site. Additionally, there are incredible details on housing, entertainment for the personnel (including a movie schedule from December of 1983), flora and fauna, the railroad (including the surprisingly fascinating "10 Commandments of Diesel Engine Maintenance"), workforce (demographics, pay scales, etc.),and community activities (the Pet Parade and the city of Concord's Pow Wow Parade).

Moreover, Behind the Barbed Wire gives a detailed account of social issues that have not only greatly affected the Naval Weapons Station over the past sixty-plus years but the United States as well. The book talks about various labor disputes, the economic impact of the station, the Red Scare during the Cold War, and the multiple protest rallies outside of their gates from the War in Vietnam to the illegal weapons sales to Central America all the way up to our current war in Iraq. Other social issues the book gives compelling history to are impact of the civil rights act of 1964, atomic weapons, and modernization.

On top of all this great historical text we get some pretty interesting stories of events that happened on the base during these sixty three years. One story tells about the time when an eccentric millionaire, who was traveling around the world in a hot air balloon, crashed onto the base. This would probably would not be so note worthy if it wasn't for the fact that this happened at the height of the the Cold War and he happened to be traveling with a photographer from East Germany!

Another very compelling story is the recounting of the Great Port Chicago Explosion of July 17th, 1944. There are great interviews with those who survived this explosion that left hundreds either dead of severely wounded.

When I finished the book I was so impressed with it that I wanted to ask the author some questions about his experience writing it.


What inspired you to write the book?

My basic inspiration for this or any undertaking may be summarized best with two Bible passages. Because "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16) I aim to respond in gratitude for this free gift by working at whatever I do "with all [my] heart, as working for the Lord, not for men" (Colossians 3:23).

With the foregoing, prerequisite understanding, it was a so-called "Historic Resource Study" (1996) written by Harlan D. Unrau of the National Park Service that most impacted how I went about Behind the Barbed Wire: History of Naval Weapons Station Concord. The title of Unrau's momentous two-volume, 910-page study is: The Evacuation and Relocation of Persons of Japanese Ancestry During World War II: A Historical Study of the Manzanar War Relocation Center. Its format, level of detail, use of photographs and incorporation of human interest accounts were in the back of mind throughout Behind the Barbed Wire.

Do you have any connections to the US Navy or US military?

I am not a veteran, if that is what you are asking. In my immediate family, two uncles served in the US Armed Forces (Air Force - Korea; Army - Vietnam). Despite lack of a direct, personal connection with our military, I have a high regard for the men and women who have served and serve in the US Armed Forces.

The initial connection with the US Navy that ultimately led to Behind the Barbed Wire occurred in May 1997. I wanted to re-photograph the town of Port Chicago--what remained of it as compared with historic images of the town. I wished to make comparative "then & now" photographs. This site was within Naval Weapons Station Concord's "Tidal Area" and required permission from the Navy. The connections that resulted from this exercise laid the groundwork for what became Behind the Barbed Wire.

What challenges did you face in your research?

Certainly assimilation of the great amount of data was a challenge not soon forgotten. Nearly 50 years worth of base newsletters, hundreds of reports and various documents and thousands of newspaper clippings had to be read or skimmed and summarized in a retrievable fashion. I interviewed some 24 individuals whose lives were connected in some fashion with the weapons station. These recorded interviews required transcription and summarization.

Closely tied to the challenge of assimilation was the writing--and selecting what to include and what to exclude. I hope and pray I did a good job.

What surprised you the most in your research?

I was pleasantly surprised by the cooperation of the US Navy when it came to getting information on and gaining access to Naval Weapons Station Concord. Understandably, there remain some sensitive matters to which access was limited, but by and large I felt welcome. Thank you Navy!


Was it hard to find people to interview?

Surprisingly, no. As word got out that I was interested in the station's history and that of the land before it was Navy-owned, contact was established readily and interviews ensued.

Now that Behind the Barbed Wire is out, I'm finding still more that I would like to interview if circumstances permit.

Who was your most compelling interview?

Oh boy! Each interview was compelling in its own way. Which do I choose: Dudley Knisley's eyewitness account of what he found on base following the Port Chicago Explosion, Harold Bollman's story of his father's business struggles and accomplishments thwarted by the Navy's expansion, Wilfred Scott's details of missile maintenance, Nancy Weiser's memories of a little girl's life interrupted by WWII? If I must choose one, let it be Morris Rich.

Morris Rich was assigned to the ill-fated SS Quinault Victory. Recounting the night of the Port Chicago Explosion (July 17, 1944), Morris recounted for me:

There were eight of us men off duty that night. All eight of us went ashore and were the only survivors of the SS Quinault Victory crew. My shipmate Richie and I tried getting off the ship three different times. Each time the gangplank had not yet been lowered. After the second attempt, we agreed to try once more. If the gangplank had not been lowered, we would stay aboard and save our leave for another time. The plank was finally lowered and we, Richie and I, departed the ship at 9:20 p.m. (The other six that also took leave followed soon after.) We invited others to join us, but they opted to stay aboard. Most of the men were already in their bunks. They never knew what hit them.

How long did this process take from start to finish?

Photography that made its way into the book goes back to 1997. Research, writing draft and further photography began in 2000. Full time writing commenced in August 2007 and concluded in December 2008. Following revision work, design and printing, Behind the Barbed Wire: History of Naval Weapons Station Concord came out in late May 2009.

For more information on the book please visit www.behindthebarbedwire.com.

Book-signing!
Book signing and sale at the August 1st Concord Naval Weapons Station Neighborhood Alliance block party, 4-6 p.m., at the end of Denkinger Road adjacent to the station.

Interview With Local Authors: Penny Warner

How long have you lived in the Bay Area? Which parts?

I grew up in the Bay Area. I was born in Okinawa, then moved to Palo Alto until third grade. Moved to Lafayette and lived there until I got married. We moved to Danville, where Tom grew up. He graduated from San Ramon High.

When did you get your first book published?

My first book was HEALTHY SNACKS FOR KIDS. I sold it in 1987 and it has sold over 200,000 copies. Still in print today. After the success of that book, I wrote two sequels - SUPER SNACKS FOR KIDS and HEALTHY TREATS FOR KIDS.

What type of books do you write?

After the snack books, I began writing parenting and child development type books, such as SUPER TOYS and HAPPY BIRTHDAY PARTIES, etc. About the time my kids became teenagers, I started thinking about murder........and wrote my first murder mystery.

Why do you write?

I enjoy the creative outlet, entertaining readers, and helping parents enjoy their babies and children. I also like setting my own hours and being somewhat my own boss.

How involved are you with the community?

I've been teaching at Diablo Valley College - child development - for the past 30 years so that keeps me in touch with young people. I do a lot of speaking at groups, such as AAUW, Soroptomists, Women's Clubs, Scouts, etc. Plus I write a column for the Times and Herald that often features people or activities in the community.

What challenges have you faced as an author?

Getting published is always a challenge. No matter how many books I've had published -- over fifty to date -- I still have to "sell" the next one, with a proposal, marketing plan, etc. Ideas, however, are easy to come by, and I don't usually have "writer's block." If I'm stuck, I just sit down and try to write something.

Who were some your influences as a writer?

As a kid, I read a lot of mysteries and adventures -- Nancy Drew, Sherlock Holmes, Edgar Allen Poe, Robinson Crusoe, James Bond. Later I read a lot of fiction by women about women, including mysteries featuring strong female protagonists, such as Sue Grafton, Janet Evanovich, etc.

What types of books would you recommend for young readers?

All types of books, but especially Nancy Drew, Harry Potter, Lemony Snicket, and so many of the contemporary juvenile and YA writers.

What do you think is the best way to get young people excited to read?

Give them a good story with lots of action, believable characters, and push the envelope a little, with contemporary issues. Make the stories fun and exciting to read.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

Aside from the ones mentioned above, I have lots of favorites -- David Sedaris, Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, Dan Brown, Harlan Coben, Nora Ephron, off the top of my head.

What are some of your favorite books?

The French Lieutenant's Woman, The DaVinci Code, Shutter Island, Jane Eyre, Frankenstein (by Mary Shelley) - so many more. I love humor (ie Why Cats Paint), biographies (ie Marie Curie), how tos (iPhone apps), etc.

Do you have a website we can visit?

My website and blog are at www.pennywarner.com.

Where can we find your books?

All of my books are available through Amazon, or you can try your local bookstore or the publishers. My latest book, THE OFFICIAL NANCY DREW HANDBOOK, is from Quirk. ROCK-A-BYE BABY is from Chronicle Books. LADIES' NIGHT is from Adams Media. I have a new mystery series coming out in February called HOW TO HOST A KILLER PARTY, from Penguin, and a picture book for parents and babies called BABY'S FAVORITE RHYMES TO SIGN, from Random House that features nursery rhymes in sign language, due out next summer.

Interview With Local Authors: Elizabeth Koehler-Pentacoff

How long have you lived in the Bay Area? Which parts?

I've lived in Contra Costa County since 1983.

When did you get your first book published?

1989. It is a book for parents and teachers about drama activities for kids. It's still in print . . . which is a miracle in this day and age!

What type of books do you write?

Usually books for children, but some books are for adults too. I also freelance for magazines and newspapers.

Why do you write?

Because I can't NOT write! It is my passion!

How involved are you with the community?

I am chairperson of California Writers Club Mt. Diablo Branch's Young Writers Contest. I've been involved with this since 1995. It is a writing contest for all middle school students in Contra Costa County. It doesn't cost them a cent! Get all the middle school kids you know to enter their poems, short stories and personal narratives! The guidelines are on our website, http://mtdiablowriters.org/ and I will answer any questions and give writing suggestions, discuss technique and tips on my blog, http://lizbooks.wordpress.com/, as well as any other contests I can find for kids here. We also give FREE writing workshops through the Contra Costa library system. The next one is July 29 at the Clayton Library. (1 - 3 pm)

What challenges have you faced as an author?

Every author faces rejection, difficulties with technique, and finding time to write. It's all part of life. Challenges are good for the soul!

Who were some your influences as a writer?

E.B. White, who is the author of Charlotte's Web, the humor of Dorothy Parker, and the people IN my life who have helped me every step of the way. Friends, writers groups, family . . .and for them allowing me to write about them in my various newspaper columns . . .

What types of books would you recommend for young readers?

Let the kids loose in the library and let THEM choose. Don't limit them to "what is for their age?" That drives me crazy. My son read picture books at the same time he read chapter books. The sky is the limit! They discover new words AND new worlds this way!

Who are some of your favorite authors and books?

Richard Peck, Louis Lowry, Deborah Wiles, and thousands of others. Adult books include Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe By Fannie Flagg, Wicked by Gregory Maguire, Princess Bride by William Goldman, Population: 485 . . . by Michael Perry. But if you ask me in a week I'll come up with some other titles and authors. There are so many.


Do you have a website we can visit?

www.lizbooks.com

Where can we find your books?

The local library has some of them. Try online and at your bookstore.

I visit schools presenting author assemblies and giving classroom writing workshops to students. Encourage your kids to read!

Interview With Local Authors: Barbara Bentley

How long have you lived in the Bay Area? Which parts?

I have lived in Contra Costa County my entire life. If I told you how long, I'd have to silence you. LOL

When did you get your first book published?

My first book "A Dance with the Devil: A True Story of Marriage to a Psychopath" was published by Berkley Books in November 2008. A lot of the story takes place in Contra Costa County.

What type of books do you write?

My first book was a true crime/memoir. I have written a fairy tale trilogy and am seeking a children's literary agent. My next adult book will be a historical novel about a strong Irish woman.

Why do you write?

I wrote my first book to share my story to educate society about the crazy-making world of the psychopath in the hopes of saving a life. It took me 18 years. I wrote and illustrated my fairy tales to nurture my creativity. Now I want to do the historical novel to prove that I can do it! Besides, it makes a lovely retirement activity and I've met many great authors in the California Writers Club - Mt. Diablo Branch.

How involved are you with the community?

My husband and I support STAND! Against Domestic Violence and Community Violence Solutions. I am on the Speaker's Bureau for STAND and represent them with talks at schools, colleges, businesses, and organizations. I have given speeches on my own at women's workshops and the International Women's Writing Guild. My story was recently aired on Dateline NBC and I field questions and requests for help from women all around the country. I also am serving my second year as secretary on the board of the CWC - Mt. Diablo Branch.

What challenges have you faced as an author?

When I decided to write a book there was one big obstacle - I needed to learn how to be a creative writer! I checked out writing books from the library. I joined the International Women's Writing Guild and attended several conferences. I also learned a great deal about the craft at the Writer's Retreat Workshop. I believe the biggest challenge is time. Right now I'm having trouble finding the time to get into my research for my next book. Then, of course, there was the challenge for my first book of finding a good literary agent (I got one in New York City) who could access the major publishing houses. Now I have that same challenge as I look for a children's literary agent. It's also taken a lot of time to learn the publishing business as it is not at all what the general public envisions!

Who were some your influences as a writer?

Gary and Gail Provost started the Writer's Retreat Workshop and their classes gave my writing a jump-start. Eventually, Gail became my mentor and we worked closely to develop my voice.

What types of books would you recommend for young readers?

I'd recommend that young readers pick up books on subjects of interest to them in order to nurture their love for reading. When I was young, I loved the Nancy Drew Series.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

Maeve Binchy, Ken Follett, Jefferey Archer, John Grisham

What are some of your favorite books?

There are no special books that come to mind.

Do you have a website we can visit?

www.adancewiththedevil.com Also, my husband and I are award winning home winemakers www.bentleycellars.com but we can't sell our wine.

Where can we find your books?

Independent book stores, Barnes and Noble, Borders, Amazon.com. I have links on my website

Interview With Local Authors: Willem Ridder

How long have you lived in the Bay Area? Which parts?

Bay Area since 1974. The LA area from 1953 to 1964 when I was assigned to Europe by my employer Bank of America.

When did you get your first book published?

Book was published in 2007

What type of books do you write?

Related to history, primarily WWII

Why do you write?

Writing the book about my experience in Holland during Nazi occupation was a catharsis.

Our book club recently read Band of Brothers by Stephen Ambrose, what are your opinions on the chapters he wrote about Holland during the war?

I very clearly remember when the paratroopers of the 101st and 82d as well as the 2d British AB Division flew over our house on their way to the landing zones in the east of Holland. It is covered in my book as well with particular reference to Bernard Law Montgomery's part in the disaster. ( A Bridge Too Far)

How involved are you with the community?

Somewhat through Clayton Pioneer, wrote a few articles

What challenges have you faced as an author?

To write it at all and working on it diligently for 15 some odd years

Who were some your influences as a writer?

Maybe Stephen Ambrose

What types of books would you recommend for young readers?

Recommend history so as not to repeat it. My book Countdown to Freedom [for example]

Who are some of your favorite authors?

Stephen Ambrose, Leon Uris, Nevil Shute, Cornelius Ryan.

What are some of your favorite books?

All books by the above mentioned writers and more recently: The Count of Monte Christo

Do you have a website we can visit?

Facebook: Countdown to Freedom

Where can we find your books?

At Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and many other book stores (print on demand)

Interview With Local Authors: John Keibel

How long have you lived in the Bay Area? Which parts?

I was born in southern California. Growing up years were spent in Martinez and Concord. Following college I moved around the state and country a bit. Most recently, Concord has been my residence 1996.


When did you get your first book published?

I published The Alhambra Valley Trestle Then and Now: A Centennial in 1999. As the title suggests, this is a history of the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe trestle near the home of John Muir in Martinez. A prominent feature is my use of comparative ("then & now") photography.



What type of books do you write?

Both of my books (as well as newsletter, magazine and newspaper submissions) are almost exclusively of the non-fiction, history genre.

Why do you write?

An educator by training and profession, I enjoy sharing history. I find writing provides a means of making certain I get the history correct; it's too easy to make a mistake or to miss an important point when speaking.


How involved are you with the community?

I am a teacher and council-member at Eternal Life Lutheran Church in Concord, a member of the Concord Historical Society's board of directors and a volunteer tour guide at the John Muir National Historic Site in Martinez.


What challenges have you faced as an author?

I have found every aspect of the writing and publishing process to be rewarding challenges.

* Research is demanding. Imagine going on a treasure hunt where the map is less than clear. After successes and setbacks, there's the big find.
* Writing does not come easy, but write anyway and then polish, polish and polish some more.
* My books have been self published, so the whole creative process has been at my fingertips: writing, design, image selection, printing and marketing. Exciting! In the end, sola Deo gloria.

What types of books would you recommend for young readers?

As a young reader, I enjoyed biographies--especially of inventors; e.g., Edison, Marconi and Wright brothers. Good examples provide wholesome inspiration.

Do you have a website we can visit?

www.BehindTheBarbedWire.com

Where can we find your books?

The Alhambra Valley Trestle Then and Now: A Centennial is out of print (although a handful of copies may yet be for sale at Sheila Grilli Bookseller in Martinez, CA).

Behind the Barbed Wire: History of Naval Weapons Station Concord is available at a number of local bookstores and historical societies listed on the BehindTheBarbedWire.com website.

Interview With Local Authors: Andre' Gensburger

1. When did you get your first book published?

The book SIGNS YOU MAY BE AN IDIOT and other musings was published last year.

2. What type of books do you write?

SIGNS was a book of editorials. I am a fiction/science fiction writer and prefer that format. I am currently writing a science fiction novel called The Shift which I am posting as I go on my blog misterwriter.com. It is similar in process to something that Philip K. Dick might have conjured up, although, of course, the writing style is different.

3. Why do you write?

Writing is as natural a process for me as talking. It allows me to vent, to process, to problem solve; but perhaps most importantly to try and find some rationalization for much of the insanity I feel pressing in around me.

4. How involved are you with the community?

I co-publish The Concordian, a local Concord newspaper. I am a Rotarian. I was a public school teacher for seven years.

5. What challenges have you faced as an author?

Getting work read is always a challenge. With the Internet everyone writes which creates a mass of stuff out there so the competition is strong.

6. Who were some your influences as a writer?

I have a wide range of reading interests from David Deutsch, John Scalzi, Gregory Benford, James Clavell, Philip K. Dick, Frank Herbert, Ayn Rand... the list is endless.

7. What types of books would you recommend for young readers?

I would not recommend by type since each reader has a different taste. What I do recommend is to go to the library and select 5 books based on how the cover looks, or the title, or something and try to read it. You are allowed to stop after 10 pages if it does not grab you, but one of the 5 books MUST be read all the way through. This gives reluctant readers some power. Often with some choice, one can find something good.

8. Who are some of your favorite authors?

David Deutsch, John Scalzi, Gregory Benford, James Clavell, Philip K. Dick, Frank Herbert, Ayn Rand, Carl Sagan, Isaac Asimov, Robert Heinlein, Jack McDevitt, Jospeh Campbell - the list goes on.

9. What are some of your favorite books?

Frank Herbert's Dune trilogy hooked me into Science Fiction as an adult after Robert Heinlein's juvenile sci-fi hooked me as a kid with tales like Spaceman Jones. Old Man's War by John Scalzi is a fun read.

10. Do you have a website we can visit?

www.misterwriter.com is my blog
www.gensburger.com is my site
www.signsyoumaybeanidiot.com is the book site

11. Where can we find your books?

amazon.com,
target.com
Clayton Books
other stores - although I do not have the list.

Interview With Local Authors: William Sawyers

William Sawyers was raised in Pleasant Hill for 22 years then moved to Concord. He has been writing stories and poetry for about 25 years. He is a married father of 23 years and has two children in their teens. To learn more about William Sawyers please visit his website at williamsawyers.com or follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/william2233.

1. When did you get your first book published?

I got my first book published October 2005

2. What type of books do you write?

I write riddle books with coloring pages, a book on a family of Robins. (Birds)

Other stories I write Fiction and Non fiction. I have a few stories on birds, a story about model rocketry, and a story to keep children ages nine up to never start to smoke.

I also write poetry and most can be viewed on my blog site at www.williamsawyers.com.

3. Why do you write?

I write to help encourage children to be more interested in reading more, and to help them refrain from watching too much T.V. I love to hear children laugh and giggle over my stories. My motto? “Daring to make a difference in today’s youth-one page at a time”

4. How involved are you with the community?

I’m very involved in my community; I’m donating 10% of my profits to three local schools and a daycare center. Mt. Diablo High, Glenbrook Middle School and Holbrook Elementary, My third book is helping out a local Cub Scout troop. I’m also Find places to do story telling. This month was Clayton Book Store and Holbrook child care (Pre School). I’ll do another for other ages soon. I’ve also read at the Cabana pool club in Livermore last summer to do story telling and looking for more places to read at.

My full time job is a head custodian at an Elementary school. 20 years of service.

5. What challenges have you faced as an author?

Getting out my name is the hardest part, I spent 4 to 5 hours every night trying to get out the word, and I belong to about 30 net working sites.

6. Who or what were your influences as a writer?

Three I can think of, Charlotte’s web, Where the Red Fern Grows and Dr. Seuss.

7. What types of books would you recommend for young readers?

My own of course, and ALFRED'S NOSE by Vivienne Flesher for ages 4-7

8. Who are your favorite authors?

My favorite authors are the ones I’ve met at my book signings.

Andre’ Gensburger
Barbara Bentley
Elevera Reese
LloydLofthouse
Mary F. Pols
Queenell Minet
Vincent Silva

9. What are some of your favorite books?

My favorite books are the type written for net working and such.

TOP BOOK MARKETING TIPS OF 2008 by Dana Lynn Smith
Guerrilla Marketing For Writers by Jay Levinson
Get In the News by David Leonhardt
Marketing Success by Robert W Bly
Book Promotion Ain’t For Sissies by Jenna Glatzer
Discover Social Networking 101 by Bob Jenkins & Scout Tousignant


*Publishers Note- I'd like to thank William Sawyers for being the first of what I hope are many interviews with local authors!