
Just in time for the July Booknanza, Fenton Kay has new offerings for the kids in all of us. Grab them from Amazon and stop by to get them signed by the author at the Booknanza, or pick them up there!


Just in time for the July Booknanza, Fenton Kay has new offerings for the kids in all of us. Grab them from Amazon and stop by to get them signed by the author at the Booknanza, or pick them up there!


Get ready for the Booknanza at Mesilla Valley Mall this July! Meet the authors, learn more about writing, and buy their books for yourself and as gifts.…

Award-winning Las Cruces Writer Charmayne Samuelson has released a Spanish version of her biography of Spencer MacCallum, a critical figure in the development of the Mata Ortiz pottery school of Mexico.
Here are some upcoming events she is doing:
The book launch AND tour begins on Friday, April 17, 2026 from 6-8 at the prestigious Otero Arts Center Reading Program in Alamogordo, NM, where I will be the guest speaker and will share thoughts about everything from the Creative Process to Publishing to the significance of winning awards for not only me but those I write about. I will be signing the new book as well as many of my other books.
The second launch date is Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Tucson, AZ. I will join the renowned Tito Carillo’s Mata Fest, joining famous potters from Mata Ortiz, and signing all three Mata Ortiz books.
The third launch date will be Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Silver City, AZ, at the Silver City Museum for the Silver City Clay Festival. The museum features the stunning work of Mata Ortiz Potter Oralia Lopez and others, and I will be doing 3 slide show presentations and signing books for you!



Check out more exciting activities by award-winning Las Cruces Writer Charmayne Samuelson. Here’s a rundown of upcoming events straight from her mailing list:
…On Saturday evening, Feb. 28th, I accepted the very prestigious Southwest Book Award from the Border Regional Library Association in El Paso. It was a wonderful event! The BRLA is a stellar institution, and has given these Awards to Authors for 29 years. It is humbling to look at that list of Award-Winning authors and books, and now my name is added to them! Amazing. This is the 8 th Literary Award for my book, MATA ORTIZ POETRY OF THE CLAY, and I am so grateful and happy that this Award helps to shine even more light on the wonderful potters of Mata Ortiz, MX.
Coming up soon in Albuquerque, New Mexico: Join me Sat. March 21st, 2026, 10-1, at the Scarab Art Design House art gallery for New Mexico Book Awards Winners and Finalists “POETRY AND ART BOOK” event hosted by the New Mexico Book Awards. It just so happens that is what my book is: Poetry and Art! My book, POETRY OF THE CLAY POESIA DEL BARRO, won 5 NM Book Awards, including WINNER FIRST PLACE in Fine Art, FINALIST in Poetry, FINALIST in Cover Design, FINALIST in Coffee Table: FINALIST in Multicultural. I will be reading poetry and signing books! All my Albuquerque friends, come on out for this fun event! Thank you to Director Lisa McCoy and the New Mexico Book Awards

Check out new articles in the Las Cruces Bulletin that cover our two rock-star writers and event organizers, Eva Nevarez-St. John and Charmayne Samuelson. First the two discuss the event, its origins and even a little about literacy in the 21st century. The second article covers Charmayne’s amazing run of awards and success with her Mata Ortiz pottery collaborations and, drum roll please… five new awards from the New Mexico Book Awards, announced Oct. 1st.
For more information on the book festival, check out our events page.
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The Las Cruces Digest has a great write-up about the upcoming Southern New Mexico Book Festival and, again, our own Frank López is front-and-center. Check out the incredible array of workshops, author presentations, children’s activities, and, yes, the critical food trucks available at the upcoming festival this Saturday.
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Catch Las Cruces Writer Charmayne S. in Alamogordo at Otero Artspace appearing with Mata Ortiz potters on 8 November 2025, from 10AM-4PM.…

Continuing Las Cruces Writers’ seemingly endless successes (can we call it “the Summer of LCW?”), catch Eva Nevarez St. John talking about her book, When Tough Cookies Crumble: A True Story of Friendship, Murder, and Healing at Thomas Branigan Memorial Library on July 16th.…

Join Las Cruces Writers at the Mesilla Valley Mall for a rootin-tootin bang-up shindig on Saturday, July 12th, pardner. And get some fancy-like new readins for all your folks from the premiere writers of the Southern Territory.…