April 2025 Meeting

Posted on by Diego Salazar

April showers bring May flowers! So perhaps what we learn this month will make a big difference in our writing in May. That’s definitely what that means! Either way, to the agenda!

Where

Good Samaritan Village in the Creative Arts Room, 3011 Buena Vida Circle. Enter through the main administrative building entrance (parking is to the east of the building) and turn left in the first hallway to reach the room.

When

2:30-4:30 pm, Saturday April 12th, 2025

Agenda

  1. Call to Order
  2. Welcome New Members
  3. Membership and Financials
  4. Member Accomplishments
  5. Presentation on The Hero’s Journey by Efrem
  6. Applying the Hero’s Journey to known stories
  7. Applying the Hero’s Journey to our stories
  8. Reading by YOU????
  9. Time & Date of next meeting reminders
  10. Adjournment
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March 2025 Meeting

Posted on by Diego Salazar

March meeting! The schedule has changed slightly from what was previously planned, on account of the presenter of The Hero’s Journey being unable to attend. Hero’s Journey will be moved to April. But we’ve got plenty to cover otherwise. See the agenda below.

Where

Good Samaritan Village in the Creative Arts Room, 3011 Buena Vida Circle. Enter through the main administrative building entrance (parking is to the east of the building) and turn left in the first hallway to reach the room.

When

2:30-4:30 pm, Saturday March 8th, 2025

Agenda

  1. Call to Order
  2. Welcome New Members
  3. Membership and Financials
  4. Member Accomplishments
  5. Seven month check in on LCW (was supposed to happen last time)
  6. Presentation on story structure by Kevin Schulmeister.
  7. Follow up discussion on different ways to structure a story
  8. Structuring exercise (yes I have a fun one in mind)
  9. Discussion on writing as art and a force for movement (social, political, thought, etc)
  10. Reading by YOU????Time & Date of next meeting reminders
  11. Adjournment
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George Pintar Launches New Book About Las Cruces

Posted on by Mark Davis

Have you ever been to a book launch party? Whether you have or haven’t, you’re in for a treat!

The Doña Ana Arts Council and local author George Pintar invite all book lovers to the launch of Las Cruces: Traditions, Prosperity & Future.

📅 When? Friday, February 21st, from 6:30 to 7:30 PM
📍 Where? Doña Ana Arts Council Building (230 South Water Street, Las Cruces)
📖 What? Enjoy opening remarks from the author, followed by insightful reviews from beta readers.

Join us in celebrating our beloved city’s rich history and vibrant spirit. Get your autographed copy, enjoy refreshments, and connect with fellow book enthusiasts.

We look forward to seeing you there!…

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Charmayne Samuelson Wins First Place!

Posted on by Mark Davis

Las Cruces Writer Charmayne Samuelson has won First Place (Craft/Arts category) in the 2025 Independent Press Award for her book Mata Ortiz Poetry of the Clay: Pottery. Poems. Artists. Here’s the synopsis:

In this new BILINGUAL photo and poetry book, MATA ORTIZ POETRY OF THE CLAY Pottery, Poems, Artists. and the bilingual Spanish title, MATA ORTIZ POESÍA DEL BARRO Cerámica. Poemas. Artististas., Samuelson features the stellar pottery of 24 Contemporary Mata Ortiz potters paired with original poetry by the author. She also includes poetry, thoughts and dreams of the artists.

This book has been hailed as unique and one-of-a-kind, with uplifting poetry about the pottery and the potters. “I often feel very moved,” the author says, “by art that soars above the rest, as does the brilliant Mata Ortiz pottery. I wanted to honor their work with original poetry.”

Samuelson has gone beyond what would be a normal book about pottery by offering bilingual passages throughout the book. “So many books printed in America cannot be read by people who do not speak or read in English around the world, and I wanted people on both sides of our American Southwest “Borderlands” to be able to enjoy this stunning book of photography and poetry,” Samuelson said.

The book is 144 full-color photo pages with poetry, is hardbacked case-laminate, matte finish pages, and 8.25″ x 11″. Samuelson describes the book as a perfect gift for those who have everything, and a perfect coffee-table book to proudly display.

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February 2025 Meeting

Posted on by Diego Salazar

Second meeting of the year! I hope everyone enjoyed the poetry meeting last month. This month we’re returning to a more normal paced meeting. There is some extra time if anyone wants to read anything they’ve written for feedback. If not, without further ado, the agenda!

Where

Good Samaritan Village in the Creative Arts Room, 3011 Buena Vida Circle. Enter through the main administrative building entrance (parking is to the east of the building) and turn left in the first hallway to reach the room.

When

2:30-4:30 pm, Saturday February 8th, 2025

Agenda

  1. Call to Order
  2. Welcome New Members
  3. Membership and Financials
  4. Member Accomplishments
  5. Six month check in on LCW
  6. Reading by Kevin Schulmeister (short story)
  7. Discussion on character creation
  8. Character creator exercise
  9. Time & Date of next meeting reminders
  10. Adjournment
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January 2025 Meeting

Posted on by Diego Salazar

Happy New Year everyone! Let’s get this year kicked off right with a Las Cruces Writer’s Group meeting. The theme this month is poetry!

Where

Good Samaritan Village in the Creative Arts Room, 3011 Buena Vida Circle. Enter through the main administrative building entrance (parking is to the east of the building) and turn left in the first hallway to reach the room.

When

2:30-4:30 pm, Saturday January 11th, 2024

Agenda

  1. Call to Order
  2. Welcome New Members
  3. Membership and Financials
  4. Member Accomplishments
  5. Poetry discussion
  6. Gretchen poetry reading and short talk
  7. Fenton poetry reading and short talk
  8. Rosemary poetry reading and short talk
  9. Jan poetry reading and short talk
  10. Poetry writing exercise
  11. Time & Date of next meeting reminders
  12. Adjournment
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Winter Booknanza 2024!

Posted on by Diego Salazar

It’s time for the Winter Booknanza! Come see the local authors of Las Cruces Writers (LCW) and show your support by purchasing or bringing along friends! You can find us at:

Mesilla Valley Mall near Barnes & Noble

Saturday, December 14th from 12 noon to 4 PM.

The following writers will be serving up written buffets:

  • Diego Salazar
  • Eva Nevarez St. John
  • Desiree Bustamantes
  • Fenton Kay
  • Susan Pfieffer
  • Heather Lutz
  • Frank Lopez
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December 2024 Meeting

Posted on by Diego Salazar

Where

Good Samaritan Village in the Creative Arts Room, 3011 Buena Vida Circle. Enter through the main administrative building entrance (parking is to the east of the building) and turn left in the first hallway to reach the room.

When

2:30-4:30 pm, Saturday December 7th, 2024

Agenda

  1. Call to Order
  2. Welcome New Members
  3. Membership and Financials
  4. Member Accomplishments
  5. Efrem membership address (15 min)
  6. Rosemary poetry reading and announcement (10 min)
  7. Reading by Diego Salazar of Ink
  8. Freewriting exercise
  9. Short surprise ceremony
  10. Time & Date of next meeting reminders
  11. Adjournment
…
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