Check out Las Cruces Writer and memoirist Karen Ray talk about writing at the virtual Kingdom Writers Conference on March 24th. Extra-nice: it’s free!
Karen Ray Speaks!
Category: Seminars
Charmayne Reigns!
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
Desert Exposure Exposes the Southern New Mexico Book Festival!
Charmayne Samuelson at Otero Artspace
Catch Las Cruces Writer Charmayne S. in Alamogordo at Otero Artspace appearing with Mata Ortiz potters on 8 November 2025, from 10AM-4PM.…
Eva Nevarez St. John on Friendship, Healing, and Murder Most Foul at Branigan!
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.…
Learn, Read, and Write in Ruidoso!
Seminar: The Last Writers Class
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…
Seminar: Character Development
September Writers Class: Character Development
Efrem Carasco
Saturday, September 24, 2022
2:00 pm – 4:00pm
“Anyone can create a character, but the development of a strong, three-dimensional character . . . that’s an act of a true writer.”
Who Should Take This Class?
- Writers of Fiction and/or Memoirs.
- Those who wish to improve their Story Writing Skills.
You Will Learn:
- Types of Characters
- The Purpose of Character Types
- How to Create Characters
- How to Use Characters, When to Use Them, Where to Use Them, and most importantly, Why.
- The Use of Tools for Creating Better, Interesting Characters.
REQUIREMENTS
Bring Paper and Pen—for your notes.
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—first room to the right.
How to Attend
Members should email Efrem directly to get on the list. Non-members can join and get instant access!…
August Seminar – Life Legacy Memoir Workshop
Please join LCW’s Karen Ray for the next LCW writer’s seminar. Here’s the scoop:
Have you ever thought about sharing your story? Do family and friends tell you, “You should write a book!”? I believe each person’s unique history deserves to be remembered and shared with others. My goal as a personal historian, memoir coach, writer, and editor is to help preserve those life stories. When faced with a whole lifetime of memories the task can seem daunting. However, capturing one’s life stories can be an enjoyable, easily accessible project when broken down into easy steps and given some inspiration for how to start.
Come join us in an interactive workshop on writing your story. My goal is to empower you with the tools to begin writing or recording your own unique memories and experiences. This can be an immensely rewarding writing project. Ask yourself, if not now, when?
Date: August 27
Time: 2 – 3:30 p.m.
Place: Good Sam’s, Building E (first floor West lounge), 3045 Buena Vida Circle.
I’ll share some simple tools and ideas for recording your memories and drawing out your story. This will be an interactive one hour seminar, followed by a half hour question and answer session, during which I’ll provide handouts with take away information. Even if you’re an experienced writer you might learn something new, and gain a different perspective, while having a bit of fun on a Saturday afternoon.…
Overview of Branding Workshop
Six hearty souls ventured out in the heat to participate in the branding workshop presented by George Pintar
The participants requested answers to three questions
- What is the definition of branding?
- How do you brand your book?
- What are the benefits of branding?
Using the Socratic teaching methodology, mind mapping, and attendee participation the three questions were answered. Below is the summarization that culminated in the two-hour informative and fun-filled event.
