Charmayne Samuelson is First!

Posted on by Mark Davis

Following close on the heels of Fenton’s successes, Charmayne Samuelson takes first place in the Art Category of the Next Generation Indie Book Awards. for her book POETRY OF THE CLAY: POESÍA DEL BARRO.

Here are some of her comments on the win:

It was some tough competition from University Presses and Museums AROUND THE WORLD – so I am proud of our book!

Congratulations to the MATA ORTIZ potters, whose spellbounding work will be seen across the world! This is the SECOND first place award given this year, the first being First Place in the Indie Press Awards!

I am really thrilled and know that an INTERNATIONAL award-winning book about Mata Ortiz pottery means that every potter in Mata Ortiz wins! Somewhere someone will read about the MO Pottery, or will have heard about the potters, will fall in love with MO pottery!

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Triple Literary Honors for Fenton Kay!

Posted on by Mark Davis

Las Cruces Writer Fenton Kay has been named a finalist for not one, not two, but three of his children’s books from Literary Global Children’s Book Awards. Check out:

Dear Jennifer: The Jenny Princess Stories (Chap Book)

Chipmunk Jumped Over Him: A Coming of Age Story (Young Adult)

The Jaguar Drum: A Mayan Boy in the Spanish Entrada (Historical Fiction)

An amazing achievement and he has privately shared with me his intention to win every award in every category next year if he can ramp up to 10,000 words per day.…

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May 2025 Meeting

Posted on by Diego Salazar

Time for our monthly LCW meeting! We’ve had a lot of presentations in the past months on things like story structure, the hero’s journey, and more We’re going to be a bit more writing focused this month to try to put this into action. Less talky, more writey!

Please bring something to write or type on!

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 May 10th, 2025

Agenda

  1. Call to Order
  2. Welcome New Members
  3. Membership and Financials
  4. Member Accomplishments
  5. Reading by Rosemary
  6. Flash fiction writing prompt
  7. Making an effective blurb + exercise
  8. Object prompt
  9. Image prompt
  10. Time & Date of next meeting reminders
  11. Adjournment
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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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