Category: Events

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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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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Desiree Bustamantes Takes 2nd Place in the Desert Exposure Writing Contest!

Posted on by Mark Davis

Applause and plaudits for Las Cruces Writer Desiree Bustamantes for her 2nd place win of the Desert Exposure writing contest! Her story, “The Brothel,” is set in Old Mesilla and involves a young man getting “exposed” to a little more than he was ready for and reacting honorably.

Here’s the October issue with Desiree’s story and others!

As LCW’s Effrem Carrasco (a multiple contest winner himself!) points out: this is the 5th year in a row that LCW has won or placed in this esteemed writing competition.…

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When Tough Cookies Crumble: New True-Crime Memoir by Eva Nevarez-St. John

Posted on by Mark Davis

Check out Las Cruces Writer Eva Nevarez-St. John’s exciting new memoir, When Tough Cookies Crumble: A True Story of Friendship, Murder, and Healing, now available on Amazon! Eva will be reading and signing her book at Downtown Blues Coffee on Saturday, August 24th, 2:00 – 3:30 pm.

Here’s the intriguing synopsis:

As young soldiers in Korea in the late 1970s, Janice Starr and Eva Booker found themselves on the front lines of the women’s liberation movement, pushing the boundaries of what women could do in their professional and personal lives. Navigating jobs, school, interracial dating, and a playgirl lifestyle were among the challenges they faced when they relocated to the Washington, D.C. area together, where their bond was often tested but never broken.

Three months after Janice moved to southern Virginia on her own in the summer of 1981, she disappeared without a trace. Eva knew Janice had been murdered—and who did it—but the only one who believed her was Detective Kay Lewis. Together these tough cookies wouldn’t stop until they found Janice … and justice.

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August 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

We are trying a new time slot. This meeting will be taking place on Saturday NOT Thursday!

2:30-4:30 pm August 10th, 2024

Agenda

  1. Call to Order
  2. Welcome New Members
  3. Membership and Financials
  4. Member Accomplishments
  5. Bylaws business (amendments votes and ratification)
  6. Reading by Jim Humphrey’s and critique (30 min)
  7. Lecture on prologues by Efrem Carrasco
  8. Time & Date of next meeting reminders
  9. Adjournment

Critique Reading Material

Please follow the link below to read the material authored by Jim Humphrey’s prior to the meeting. We provide this in advance so the membership can come to the meeting with some thoughts and to optimize the short time we have together. The password will be sent out to the membership via mailing list. If you did not receive it for whatever reason, please contact the executive committee of the LCW.

Critique Material Page
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