Category: Seminars

Upcoming Events with LCW’s Charmayne Samuelson

Posted on by Mark Davis

Charmayne has the following exciting events coming in the next several months. Here they are, straight from her newsletter:

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 4:00 P.M.

For those of you in the El Paso, TX and Las Cruces, NM area or other areas where you receive the ABC Affiliate, KVIA, TV, tune in at 4 p.m. to the news segment beginning at 4 and I will be interviewed by Nichole Gomez talking about the amazing story of Mata Ortiz pottery and  the trilogy of Mata Ortiz books I have published.

FRIDAY SEPT. 11 & SATURDAY SEPT. 12

Major Mata Ortiz exhibition, trunk show, powerpoint presentations, wine reception, and pottery demo and firing at the San Antonio Museum of Art.

I am honored to be attending this event with the world-famous Master Mata Ortiz potters, Hector Gallegos, Laura Bugarini, Paula Bugarini and Yetito Bugarini.

An opening wine/cheese reception on Friday with pottery and books, and on Saturday I will be sharing the unbelievable story of how it all began! Details in the flyer below.  Pottery Sales and Book Sales!

SATURDAY OCT 3

SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO BOOK FESTIVAL

I will be attending with my books ready to autograph for you, and I will be leading a workshop. This will be the second year for this event, and it was hugely successful last year. Authors from all over the Southwest will have their books for sale, and there will be other special events. 

THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY, OCT. 8, 9, 10

I am very excited …

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Request for 2026 Southern New Mexico Book Festival Vendor Applications

Posted on by Mark Davis

We are ready to accept applications from authors, booksellers, and book-related vendors to participate in the 2026 Second Annual Southern New Mexico Book Festival (SNMBF).

The 2026 SNMBF will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at the DASR building at the Doña Ana Community College East Mesa campus on 2800 Sonoma Ranch Blvd. 

This year, we are expanding beyond the common area into the courtyard, so we will be able to accommodate more vendors. If you choose to be in the courtyard, you have the option of using your own table or renting a half or whole 6-foot table.

Follow the appropriate link to access the online application that applies to your situation.

Link to Author Vendor form – https://forms.gle/W1bgwHkCnq4LGPyi6

Link to Bookseller/Publisher Vendor form – https://forms.gle/AkXL23rnNw95iHUx8

Link to Book-related Vendor form – https://forms.gle/R8qf9LseUqpAQJho6

If you participated in the 2025 Southern New Mexico Book Festival (SNMBF) and you want to use the same headshot and book cover that you submitted last year, email us at snmbookfestival@gmail.com. Put your name as the subject. 

DO NOT SUBMIT PAYMENT UNTIL YOUR APPLICATION IS APPROVED. When you are accepted, you will receive instructions about how to pay. There will be an online payment option.

We still need volunteers to help with the 2026 SNMBF. Only children’s book authors will do readings. Author panels by genre will replace adult author readings. We need authors to serve as panelists and moderators; help with planning and conducting workshops; getting sponsors and food vendors; and doing …

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Charmayne Reigns!

Posted on by Mark Davis

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

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Seminar: The Last Writers Class

Posted on by mark

Everything You’ve Wanted to Know about Writing Fiction, But Were Afraid to Ask

Efrem Carrasco

Saturday, October 22, 2022

2:00 pm – 4:00pm

“There are no masters of writing, only students.”

Not sure about a particular aspect of the writing craft—technique, punctuation, paragraphing, story structure, word usage, the writing life, editing, and so on?

This class will provide you the opportunity to ask your questions, coupled with group discussions on various writing topics that may prove to be an edifying experience.

Who Should Take This Class?

  • Anyone who wishes to be known as an author with Good Story Writing Skills.

The Class:

  • A Short Presentation.
  • Open Forum for Writer’s Questions, and Group Discussions.
  • Concluding With: The Best Fiction and Memoir Writing Advice You’ll Ever Get, plus, The Secret to Becoming a Good Writer will be revealed (But you can’t tell anyone).

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Bring your list of Questions concerning the Craft of Writing.
  • Bring Paper and Pen, and Be Prepared to have fun in this class.

LOCATION: Good Sam, Building E, 3045 Buena Vida Circle
The building in front of Bus and Handicap Parking, next to the building where we hold the LCW meetings—down the steps, first room to the right.

Join Las Cruces Writers today to participate.

Teaching the Write Way…

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