John Borchardt's book, Career Management for Scientists and Engineers, was the hot selling book at Oxford University Press's booth at the National Chemical Exposition in March. His interview with Christian Science Monitor editor Clare Turner at the 2004 SSA Wrangling with Writing Conference resulted in publication of "New Weed May Flag Land Mines" in the Monitor's February 19 issue. Writer's Digest published two of his manuscripts, "Will Write for Food" (February) and "Science Sells" (April). Three of his articles were published in winter 2003/2004 issues of Equal Opportunity Publications magazines: "Be a Survivor And Get The Job" (in Woman Engineer), "Career Opportunities in Medicine" (in Careers & the disABLED) and "Women Vs. Men" (in Workforce Diversity for Engineering and IT Professionals). John's article, "Be Sensitive Toward Sensitive Skin," was published in the Winter 2004 issue of Health Beat. "Testing labs become profit centers for energy firms" was published in the April 9 issue of Houston Business Journal. John presented two workshops on writing resumes at the American Chemical Society national meeting in Anaheim, CA in March. John also had another six articles published in trade magazines and is willing to share contacts with interested SSA members.

Walter Brasch has penned a new book, Sex and the Single Beer Can; Probing the Media and American Culture (Lighthouse Press, 2004). The book looks at numerous media and popular culture issues including obscenity, politics, social injustice, First Amendment, PR and advertising, mass entertainment, and the nation's preoccupation with sex, beauty, and violence. Bill Kohler of Standard-Journal newspaper chain says, "Brasch keeps the readers entertained not just through his poignant satire, but with his ability to tell a good story first. He always displays a solid point and makes it a fun ride getting there." Ralph Izard, dean at Louisiana State University, says Brasch "is both refreshingly irreverent and irreverently fresh. Little escapes his attention. His approach is both biting criticism and deep understanding." This is Brasch's 13th book. He is a national awardwinning syndicated newspaper columnist and university professor of journalism. In February, Brasch received the Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Service Award.

Pearl Gladwyn Burk's short story "A Very Special Gift" has been purchased by St. Anthony Messenger. This is her second short story in the magazine, which has a circulation of over 300,000. At present, Pearl's story is set for inclusion in the September issue.

Big John Duhanich, our resident gold prospecting chef, has a series of speaking engagements lined up for this year including a presentation in Marana for the Noshers and Nibblers club on June 13th. In July, he will speak with children at Kino Children's Center for Pima County Parks & Recreation. 2004 also marks Big John's fifth year as a presenter for the American Cancer Society "Relay for Life" in October.

Jane Eppinga presented a slide show "Tales of Tucson and Tales of Tombstone" at the Western National Parks Association, Oro Valley on May 22nd. Jane used the occasion to sell and sign two of her titles about these interesting historical towns, Images of America: Tombstone (Arcadia, 2003) and Tucson, Arizona (Arcadia, 2000). Jane also had a signing at Tombstone's Old West Books in May during Wyatt Earp Memorial Days.

Patrick Lavin's new title, New Mexico: An Illustrated History (Hippocrene Books, 2004), is due for release this Summer. Patrick also had a very busy March with three major presentations: "Understanding Research and Sources for Persons Pursuing Their Irish Family History" for the Sun City Genealogical Society; St. Patrick's Day Parade Festival Book signing at the Tucson Convention Center; and "Exploring Arizona from Prehistoric Days of the Paleo-Indians to the Present" for the First Families of Arizona Society in Phoenix.

Mabel Leo participated in "Young Author's Day" at the Granite Mountain Middle School in Prescott, teaching three classes on "Life as a Writer." Though she was apprehensive about facing a room full of kids, they were terrific and it was great fun. In April, she presented at a similar event for St. Theresa Catholic School, Phoenix holding four classes from kindergarten to 2nd grade. Luckily Mabel kept in close contact with the woman in charge of children's books at the Border's store near her home, a good lesson for us all to remember. Mabel also has adapted her children's book, Yahoodywho, into a play which will be used in drama classes at Luke Elementary School in Glendale.

Marci Martin had a signing for her prize winning third Hannah Pryce series mystery, Tangled Webs (McKenna Publishing, 2003), on May 23, at Barnes and Noble, Broadway. Marci has also signed a contract with PublishAmerica for her fourth series mystery Out of Bounds-and Dead.

Mike Rom's film crew finished production on their half-hour sci-fi short movie, Another Trip to the Moon, which premiered at a benefit for the Pima Air and Space Museum on April 24th. Find out more at: www.purple-cactus.tv/moon where you can watch the trailer and see photos. (See a review of Mike's film debut on page 5!)

Davis Skramstadt and his book, The Murder at Gates Pass, had a fantastic spring season. First, David appeared on Bill Buckmaster's KUAT evening program Arizona Illustrated. Then, at his successful signing at Clues Unlimited, he learned his book was that store's best seller of the month. That was followed by J.C. Martin's very favorable review in her "Southern Arizona Authors" column in the Arizona Daily Star. A few days later Habitat for Humanity featured David's book on the front page of their international newsletter, HabiChat. Then, Bonnie Henry of the Arizona Daily Star came by for a lengthy interview. Finally, when his author's supply of 300 books was exhausted, he turned over the business of selling autographed copies to Clues Unlimited. To top it off, in mid-May, PublishAmerica asked for David to submit his next book. They say it never rains but it pours; and in this case it's been pennies from heaven for David.

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The Write Word
published bi-monthly by the Board of Directors
of The Society of Southwestern Authors
P.O. Box 30355, Tucson, AZ 85751

President
Mark Sneller: (520) 326-4771
e-mail: allergy@mindspring.com

Vice-President & Membership Chair
Penny Porter: (520) 296-5299 (FAX: 296-0409)
e-mail: wporter202@aol.com

Recording Secretary
Jean Gietzen: (520) 352-2009
e-mail: octodon31469@cs.com

Treasurer
Jay McCall: (520) 887-7847
e-mail: jmccall415@msn.com

Forum Chair
Connie Kazal: (520) 682-8009

Conference Director
Al Petrillo
e-mail: apetrillo@earthlink.net

Conference
Chris Stern
e-mail: cstern@usibm.com

Contest Chair
Margaret Schroeder
e-mail: SSAWritingcontest@hotmail.com

By-laws
Dale Adams
e-mail: 2dale@dakotacom.net

Conference Interview Coordinator
Sharon Landeen
e-mail: SLLandeen@aol.com

Write Word Editor
Terry Skaug: (520) 625-1587
e-mail: SSAWriteWord@msn.com

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SSA Home Page:

http://www.azstarnet.com/nonprofit/ssa

Webmaster
Mike Rom: (520) 410-1294 (beep)
mike_rom@hotmail.com

Deadline for next issue is the 21st day of July