Thursday, July 31, 2008

Friday Macondo Event!

Friday August 1, OLLU, Thiry Auditorium @ 8:30 p.m. Donations for tickets $25. Poet Ai, Andrei Codrescu, and Sandra Cisneros will read.

From the San Antonio Express-News: Ai, Andrei Codrescu and Sandra Cisneros will read recent work at the Macondo Libre Heavyweight Champion Writers event at 8:30 p.m. Friday in Our Lady of the Lake University's Thiry Auditorium. Donations at the door cost $25; proceeds benefit the Macondo writers foundation and OLLU.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Spanish SLHW Group Meeting


Hola a todos:

Los invito a que asistan a nuestra próxima reunión del grupo de español, posiblemente contemos con la presencia de una reportera de un periódico local que está trabajando en una historia de THE SOCIETY OF LATINO & HISPANIC WRITERS OF SAN ANTONIO!!! Ella quiere observar nuestra junta de español. ¡¡¡LOS INVITO A QUE PARTICIPEN!!!

En la junta anterior decidimos que la siguiente propuesta sería dedicada a la poesía. Como somos un grupo flexible recuerden que ustedes deciden lo que desean compartir y el genero que prefieren.

Para no perder la costumbre de enviarles fotografías aquí está una A VER QUE LES INSPIRA.

Y para los que decidan trabajar en poema les comparto esto que leí:

IMAGENES Y METAFORAS SON LOS RECURSOS MAS BRILLANTES QUE TIENE UN POETA, PARA DESCRIBIR SUS EMOCIONES.

Recuerden lo importante es ¡SOLTAR LA IMAGINACION Y A DISFRUTAR ESCRIBIENDO!

Nuestra próxima junta es el día cuatro de Agosto del 2008 a las 7:00 pm en Barnes & Noble de De Zavala.
¡AHI LOS ESPERAMOS!

¡Escríbelo o se pierde!
Martha Curcio

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

August Meeting

I hope everyone is making plans to attend our monthly meeting on August 11 at the Barnes and Noble, San Pedro Crossing, featuring "Cinco Minutos with You."

There is a possibility someone from the print media who is working on a story about our Society will be in attendance! Now that we're a 501(c)3 non-profit, we need all the positive exposure we can get!

Please make every effort to attend.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Public Macondo Workshop Events

Here's the line-up for Sandra Cisneros' Macondo Foundation Workshop that are open to the public:

La Palabra Eléctrica and La Palabra Tremenda
• Featuring: Macondo Writers and Community Guests
• Tuesday, July 29, 2008 and Wednesday, July 30, 2008
• Providence Hall, West Social Room [PWSR] — the Red Room — at OLLU at 7 p.m.
Admission: Free

La Palabra Peligrosa
• Featuring: the poet Ai, Andrei Codrescu and Sandra Cisneros
• Friday, Aug. 1, 2008
• OLLU at Thiry Auditorium 8:30 p.m.
Admission: $25 Donation per ticket at the door

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Reading Books, Internet Sites

Did anyone catch the story in today's San Antonio Express-News--it's actually a wire story from the New York Times--with the Headline: Can books, Internet get along together?

It brings up the often debated question in some academic and literary circles, about what is reading in the digital age. There's no argument that reading a book is "reading," but is reading postings on a website "reading?"

Click HERE for the New York Times article by Motoko Rich.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Cinco Minutos with You

Just wanted to remind everyone that August's monthly meeting (Aug. 11) is our "Cinco Minutos with You" event where Society members have up to 5 minutes to read from their original work-in-progress.

We have some veteran readers, along with some new readers, and even Martha's 7-year-old niece returning for a second reading!

Please make plans to attend the meeting and support your fellow members as they seek feedback on their works-in-progress. Remember, we first got a glimpse of Gil Dominguez's "Hippity Hop Frog" poem before it went on to be published in a book collection by Half-Price Books; Mary Lou Barrera's "El Chisme," which has been made into a locally produced film that will be premiering soon; and a couple of others.

Unfortunately, we had more people wanting to read than we have space allotted for in August. Please don't be discouraged. Our next "Cinco Minutos with You" event is scheduled for December, plus we may even have an added reading for a holiday bookfair event the SLHW officers and I will be discussing after August's meeting.

Keep Writing!

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Garcia's Entre la Carpa

The following information is from Dr. McIntyre

ADRIANA GARCIA'S
Entre la Carpa/Inside the Tent
Opening Reception: Fri., July 25, 5:30-8:30 pm
&
Mini-Symposium: Sat., Aug. 9, 2-4 pm


Dear Friends of Bihl Haus Arts:
Please join us for the opening reception of Entre la Carpa/Inside the Tent on Friday, July 25th, from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. In this spectacular exhibition, artist Adriana Garcia explores self-identity in a new series of brilliant large-scale paintings inspired by her family’s history with La Carpa Garcia. This famous traveling tent circus, founded in 1914 by Manuel Garcia, Adriana’s great-grandfather, performed throughout the U.S. Southwest until 1947. La Carpa Garcia was best known for a comedic routine by Manuel, who played Don Fito, and a tightrope performance by Pilar Garcia. Adriana’s grandfather, Rodolfo, was born to Teresa Garcia soon after her evening dance performance ended (the subject of the painting in the attached invitation). Esperanza Garcia, a member of the family troupe, died at an early age after falling from a tightrope. Through these family personalities and their circus occupations and acts, Adriana delves into universal themes of life and death, joy and loss. But whatever cost, the show must go on!

At the opening on July 25th, cousin Esteban Garcia will perform a special saxophone dedication set to fragments of interviews by grandfather Rodolfo Garcia, a member of the Garcia circus. And, La Música de la Carpa will be performed by the Mexican Folkloric Trio from the International Academy of Music and the Arts (we welcome IAMA to our hood--they just opened around the corner from BHA on Babcock), under the direction of Dr. Rachel Yvonne Cruz.

We also invite you to join us on Sat., Aug. 9th, 2:00-4:00 pm, for La Carpa: A Mini-Symposium featuring Adriana on her artwork and the Carpa Garcia, followed by a lecture on the history of La Carpa by Dr. Michaele Haynes, Curator of the Witte Museum, with a special appearance by Virginia Garcia, a performer with the Garcia troupe. (For background on La Carpa Garcia, please go to http://users.marshall.edu/~brooks/La-Carpa-Garcia.htm) Entre La Carpa continues though Aug. 30, 2008.
See you there!
Kellen

Dr. Kellen Kee McIntyre
Executive Director
Bihl Haus Arts

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

El Chisme! Premiere

"AMAN ARTE"

FREE ADMISSION
AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Visual Artist's Fundraiser Event
DIRECT PURCHASE & SILENT AUCTION
Bids close at 4:30 PM

Funding the FILM projects of "Glorybridge Productions"
and
San Antonio's own Bisabuela Producer/Director
Mary de los Santos Harder

FEATURING UNUSUAL PAINTINGS, OILS, ACRYLICS
WATER COLORS, SCULPTURES, CERAMICS, DESIGNER FLORALS!
POPULAR PRICES!

EL CHISME!
The public premiere of "EL CHISME," Glorybridge Productions' latest
short film, will be screened at 2:OOPM and 4:00PM
Come meet the ACTORS!
Vincent's Note: El Chisme! was originally a short story read during the Society's "Cinco Minutos with You" event. It joins the ranks of Gil Dominguez's story about a frog named "Jumpity Hop" that was published in a collection of short children's story by Half Price Books Corporate office.


SIGN UP as an EXTRA in Glorybridge Productions' next film,"DRAGULA"!

SUNDAY, AUGUST 16
1:00PM TO 5:00PM
CENTRO CULTURAL AZTLAN
1800 Fredericksburg Rd. at Zarzamora St.

Adequate free parking at rear of building!

ANYONE DESIRING TO DONATE ITEMS PLEASE CONTACT:
MARY DE LOS SANTOS HARDER
Email: harderrlmo@sbcglobal.net

Monday, July 21, 2008

Teen Arts Puentes Project

THE GUADALUPE CULTURAL ARTS CENTER

IS PROUD TO PRESENT

THE TEEN ARTS PUENTES PROJECT

IN

PRESENCE AND PRESENTS
AN ECLECTIC LIVE PERFORMANCE OF
THEATER, POETRY, FILM, AND MUSIC

Starring: Athena Ascencio, Vicente Blanco, Austin Delgado,
Ashley Dittman, Elysse Epperson, Andrea Gonzalez,
Emily Hernandez, Denisse Ibarra, Julie Marin, Samantha Martinez,
Bryan Paine, Sean Reese, Antonio Romero, Andres Sustraita,
Eric Villalpando, Patrick Villalpando, Cara Wallace, and Casey Wallace

Friday July 25th & Saturday July 26th @ 8 PM
Sunday July 27th @ 2 PM
At The Guadalupe Theater
( 1301 Guadalupe Street )
General Admission $ 5
For more information, contact: 210.271.3151
Or vincentt@guadalupeculturalarts.org
http://www.guadalupeculturalarts.org

Presence is the power of voice and spirit,
the focus of all of a human being's energy into one moment,
one experience. Presents are gifts.
Gifts are objects ignited with compassion and
passed on unconditionally to someone in order to heal.

This one of a kind show has been conjured,
created, and performed by the teen members
in the Teen Arts Puentes Project.
It is an edgy, humorous, and inspiring show that addresses
local, national, and global issues with complexity and depth.
The talent, intelligence, and passion of these youth performers is not to be missed.
This is not the same old public school play, this is powerful,
Life changing art created by some of the most gifted artists (of any age) in this city.
This performance is their gift to San Antonio.

We hope you will be there to receive it.


Vincent Toro
Theater Arts Director
Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center
1300 Guadalupe Street
(210) 271-3151 ext. 26
vincentt@guadalupeculturalarts.org
http://www.guadalupeculturalarts.org

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Sunday's Book Review

Thank you to everyone who has emailed me regarding today's book review in the Express-News. In case you missed it, Click HERE

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Congratulations, Jose

Congratulations toSLHW member Jose Caraballo, whose poem, Amarga La Vida, was published by la revista Almiar. To view Jose's poem, click HERE.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Monday's Meeting Re-cap



Top Photo: Martha Curcio (L) buys Founding Member Lupe Gonzalez's book "No Time for Romance?" from Lupe at Monday's meeting. Lupe's book was released in print format, June 27. Congratulations, Lupe!
Bottom Photo: Some of the 25 members who attended Monday's meeting pose with Lupe to celebrate her book and the 4th Anniversary of the Society's founding. Pictured from left to right are: Mary Lou Barrera; Becky Gomez; Lupe Gonzalez; Lourdes Nunez; Martha Curcio; Bertha Jacobson and Vincent Bosquez.
--------------
Thank you to everyone who attended Monday’s monthly meeting and the celebration of the 4th Anniversary of the Society of Latino and Hispanic Writers of San Antonio!

Founding member Lupe Gonzalez gave a wonderful presentation on her “Path to Publication,” that contained a lot of useful information for writers seeking to publish a novel. The handouts were great, too.

In case you were wondering, the special announcement that was made at the meeting was: The Society of Latino and Hispanic Writers of San Antonio is now an official 501(c)3 non-profit! And it was fitting that the determination by the IRS and the announcement to our members fell around our 4th Anniversary!

Now I really need everyone’s help in keeping an eye open for grants and other funding opportunities that we can apply for so that we can offer a wider range of programming and services to writers.

As I’m sure you know, there is a need for this Society in San Antonio, and unfortunately we have been hampered in the amount of assistance we have been able to provide due to our lack of funding. But I am confident that all that will change now that we’re an official non-profit and all donations are tax deductible.

Please let me know of any grants or funding opportunities you come across. My email is Vincent_bosquez@yahoo.com

Keep Writing!

Monday, July 14, 2008

Happy Anniversary

HAPPY 4TH ANNIVERSARY--
SOCIETY OF LATINO AND HISPANIC WRITERS
OF SAN ANTONIO!
See you at tonight's meeting
Barnes and Noble, San Pedro Crossing
7:30 p.m.
Guest Author:
Founding Member Lupe Gonzalez
Special Announcement!

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Onda Book Update

From Rose Contreras:

The website of Rose Contreras Communications, parent company of OndaBooks, has updated its website. Please visit www.rosecontreras.com and check out coming titles on the Onda Imprint. We have some excellent Latino literature premiering October 27, 2008. Muchisimas gracias!Rose Contreras
Owner, Rose Contreras Communications
Onda Books

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Monday's Meeting

Please try and attend the monthly meeting of the Society of Latino and Hispanic Writers of San Antonio, this Monday, July 14 at the Barnes and Noble, San Pedro Crossing at 7:30 p.m.

We will be celebrating our 4th Anniversary at this meeting!!! There will be CAKE!

I will also be sharing some exciting news!!!

Our guest speaker will be one of our founding members, Lupe Gonzalez, whose book was recently released in print by the Wild Rose Press. Lupe promises an informative class that you won't want to miss.

Please try and visit the blog site on a regular basis to catch up on news and events. There's information on the San Antonio Writers' Guild annual contest, along with a notice of a Brad Thor signing. The website to the SLHW Blog is: http://slhwnotes.blogspot.com/

See you Monday night!
Keep Writing,
Vince

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

NYT Best Selling Author at BN Fiesta Trail

***Media Release***
Contact: Ellen G. Wulf
Community Relations Manager
Barnes & Noble
12635 IH-10 West
San Antonio, TX 78230
Phone: 210-561-0205
VM: 210-561-0718


New York Times Best selling Author
Visits Barnes & Noble


Brad Thor, New York Times best selling author of The Lions of Lucerne, Path of the Assassin, State of the Union, Blowback, Takedown, and The First Commandment, will be at Fiesta Trail Barnes & Noble, located at IH-10 at DeZavala, to discuss and sign his newest thriller, The Last Patriot on Wednesday, July 23rd at 7:00 pm.

Brad Thor has served as a member of the Department of Homeland Security’s Analytic Red Cell Program and is a much-sought commentator on Fox News Channel, CNN, CNN Headline News, ABC, CBS, NBC, and PBS as a National Security Expert to discuss terrorism. Before becoming a novelist he was the writer and producer and host of a Public Television travel series entitled “Traveling Lite”.

The Story line: It’s 632 AD and Mohammed has been given a revelation that he deems must not be lost, but cannot be shared with his followers as he (Mohammed) lay dying from an assassin’s dose of poison and he is surrounded by his enemies. He has his personal scribe write it down and hasten across the desert to protect the final revelation. Cut to September of 1789 in Paris and Thomas Jefferson is charged with making a treaty with the Muslim pirates of the Barbary Coast. He discovers a very important secret that would change the world’s view of Islam forever. Jefferson is called back to Washington, leaves the information locked away, never to view it again. Cut to Modern day and Scot Harvath saves a victim of an attack. Scot is pushed back into the covert life he thought he had put behind him forever. It sets him on a track to uncover a secret so powerful “that militant Islam could be defeated once and for all without firing another shot, dropping another bomb or launching another covert action.” Many people exist who do not wish for this secret to be revealed.

The Last Patriot is a guaranteed “can’t put down until you’re finished” read.

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

2008 SA Writers' Guild Annual Contest

2008 SAN ANTONIO WRITERS' GUILD ANNUAL CONTEST

http://www.sawritersguild.com/contest_sawg-annual.html

The San Antonio Writers' Guild annual writing contest features five categories in the fiction, non-fiction, and poetry fields and is open to all writers. The deadline for entry is the first Thursday of October. Cash prizes are given in each category. The contest is open to members of the San Antonio Writers' Guild and to non-members.

Categories
Fiction categories:
Novel, first chapter, 5,000-word limit
Short story, 4,000-word limit

Non-fiction categories:
Book, first chapter, 5,000-word limit
Essay, memoir, or article 2,500-word limit

Poetry category:
One to three poems equal one entry for fee purposes. Each poem will be judged individually. There is a 40-line limit per poem, any style, any genre.

Prizes
First place will receive $100, second place $50, and third place $25 for acceptable entries. Acceptable entries are those that meet contest format guidelines and are not grossly flawed due to excessive spelling or grammatical errors.

Cash prizes in each category are not based on the number of entries per category. All advertised prize money may not be awarded. If no acceptable entries are received in a category, no prize will be awarded in that category.

Contest Rules
1. The contest is open to any writer.
2. The non-refundable entry fee is $20 for non-members and $10 for members, payable by check or money order only, to the San Antonio Writers' Guild.
3. Each writer may submit entries in up to three different categories. A writer may receive an award in each category entered.
4. Each writer may submit up to two entries in each category. However, a writer may not receive more than one award per category.
5. Entries that do not meet the submission guidelines or do not fit the contest categories (such as screen plays, plays, or movie scripts) will not be considered and the entry fee will be forfeit.
6. All entries must be previously unpublished in any paying medium. Entries may be submitted for publication and in other contests at time of entry. If the entry is accepted for publication after being submitted and the entry is suitable for the anthology, the entry may not be included in any anthology the Guild may publish.
7. Entries may be submitted to the contest coordinator at the September or October meeting or mailed to the Guild's post office address.

San Antonio Writers GuildP.O. Box 34775San Antonio, TX 78265

Mailed entries must be postmarked by the deadline date (October 2, 2008) and received by the following Wednesday. The San Antonio Writers' Guild is not responsible for lost, misdirected, or undelivered manuscripts.

The deadline for hand-delivered submissions is Thursday, October 2, 2008, at the monthly Guild meeting.

Late entries will not be accepted.

Submission Guidelines
Submit two copies of each entry, typed and double-spaced with one-inch margins, on white 8.5" x 11" paper, pages numbered. The font must be Times New Roman 12 pt. or Courier 10 pt.
Do not fold or staple the entries.

The title and category must appear in the upper right corner or the upper left hand corner of each page. The title of the work must be on the first page near the top and before the text of the work.

The author's name must not be on any page except the entry form. The entry form should list the author's name, the title of the work, and the category. Entry forms are available on the Web site, from the contest coordinator, or at the guild meeting when turning in the entry. The contest coordinator or his/her assistants may help the writer determine what category their entry fits.
Place both copies of the entry and the completed entry form and the contest fee (check or money order only) in the entry envelope. Print the title of the entry and the category on the outside of the envelope. DO NOT print your name on the envelope. Entry envelopes will be available from the contest coordinator or at the guild meetings. If submitting more than one entry, each entry must be in a separate envelope. Each entry must have its own entry form.

Up to three poems may be included in one entry, but each poem should be on (a) separate page(s). All three poems are to be included in the same envelope with just one entry form listing up to three poem titles.

Entrants may write one check to cover all entry fees, but each entry must have its own entry form as stated above.

Manuscripts will be available for return to entrants who attend the December meeting.
If you cannot attend in December and want your entry returned, please provide a SASE. Entries not accompanied by a SASE or not picked up at the December meeting will be destroyed.

Memorial Prize
The winning entry in non-fiction essay will be designated as The Lorraine Berenson Memorial Award winner. The first place money of $100 is funded from the Lorraine Berenson memorial endowment.

Monday, July 07, 2008

Third Annual Josiah Youth Media Festival

URBAN-15 announces the Third Annual Josiah Youth Media Festival on July 10, 11, and 12, 2008.

The three-day event will take place at the URBAN-15 Studio in San Antonio, Texas. In addition to screenings, there will be opportunities for critiques and discussions. A grand prize of a $500 line of credit with B & H Photo & Video will be awarded, as well as additional prizes for various categories.

In 2006, Josiah Miles Neundorf, a talented media artist from San Antonio, Texas, passed away as a result of Osteosarcoma, a cancer of the bone. In his short twenty years with us, Josiah expanded the lives of those who knew him through his brilliance, his joy and his determination to create outstanding works in the midst of the pain and physical ravages from this disease.

In honor of this artist, who only wanted to share his wonderment with the world around us, his parents, Marcus and Nancy Neundorf with the URBAN-15 Group are announcing the creation of the Josiah Youth Media Festival, an annual event designed to showcase outstanding works by young film, video and media artists.

Screenings of films will take place Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, beginning at 8 p.m.

The Media Now student workshop will be presented on Saturday, July 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with box lunches. The event is offered free of charge to students of all ages; but, as placement is limited, advance registration is required. Please contact Urban-15 by phone or email to sign up.

Tickets for the screenings are $7.50 for general admission, $5 for students, military, and seniors.

The URBAN-15 Group is supported in part by, The Texas Commission on the Arts,
the City of San Antonio’s Office of Cultural Affairs, The University of Texas at San Antonio,
Valero Energy Foundation, Prima Donna Productions,VuTURE ART, and Friends of URBAN-15.

Sunday, July 06, 2008

Sunday's Book Review

Thank you to everyone who has sent me their comments regarding my book review in today's San Antonio Express-News. In case you missed it, here's the link:

Mexico City

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Screenwriters Meeting Re-cap

Thank you to everyone who attended the Screenwriters (Television Writers) Meeting we held last Wednesday with our Society’s President Emeritus, Ruben Soto, and our special guest from the City of Angels, Mr. Alex Nogales, President and CEO of the National Hispanic Media Coalition.

I know there were some of you who wanted to attend this meeting, but due to work or home commitments, were unable to attend. I have jotted down a few notes and present them here in case you would still like to follow-up on the writer’s program that NHMC is sponsoring.

First off, Mr. Nogales and his assistant, Acasia Flores, stressed that television writing is a “young person’s game” and that you have to be able to take criticism from the team of writers you’re working with when writing for a show. They also stressed that if you’re serious about becoming a television writers, you have to be prepared to move to Los Angeles because that’s where the work is (he did mention that the money is quite good).

On average, about 75 people apply to the NHMC Writer’s Program a year. Of the 75 scripts they receive, about 25 (one third) are immediately dismissed due to lack of imagination or because they cover the same tired formula people submit when they write about Hispanics (drugs and growing up in the barrio.). Also, people tend to forget to introduce conflict and resolve the conflict within the 30-minute comedy or 60-minute drama script proposal. Each script should have at least three to four scenes.

Of the remaining 50 or so scripts, each is given a numerical value by a team of reviewers. Generally, only the top 15 to 18 scripts are read by the final reviewer(s). Of those, only a handful is invited to come to Los Angeles to participate in the program.

A useful tool mentioned is a book entitled “The Complete Book of Scriptwriting.” You should be able to find this book at your favorite Barnes and Noble Bookstore.

If you have any questions regarding the program, please call Acasia Flores at (626) 792-6462. Here is the link to the NHMC website featuring the program: http://www.nhmc.org/writers/

Please remember that there is no entry fee to apply for the program. Please act quickly since September 2 is the entry deadline.

Here’s a note from Ruben Soto on the subject:
Vince,

When you write the summary of the Latino TV Writers meeting, you may want to include the following link found at the Writers Digest website that is specifically for TV writers and screenwriters. It even has ads for screenwriting software.

http://www.writersdigest.com/ScreenStage_Search/?category=ScreenStage

I found this on the most recent Writers Digest magazine issue (August 2008) where it also has a special section titled "Latino Lit" and subtitled "Major-house imprints and a new marketing approach are opening up opportunities for this emerging genre" in which they interview Marcela Landres and talk about the explosion in Latino literature and the agents that represent Latino authors. This is great information for our writers.

The issue is dedicated mostly to screenwriters and gives great advice to those who are submitting their application to the TV writers program.

Just FYI.

Ruben