Celebrated biologist turned author, Fenton Kay, will appear in Eastern New Mexico University’s creative writing magazine with his story, “A Forest Story.” The release is scheduled for July 26th, 2025 at the Ruidoso Public Library.…
LCW’s Charmayne Samuelson’s work on Mata Ortiz pottery is back in the limelight with a feature in the Las Cruces Bulletin. Check it out, here.
Also note that Charmayne will be at the July 19th Silver City Clay Festival where she will be giving presentations with Mata Ortiz potter Oralia Lopez!
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!
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!…
Join Karen Ray, Elva Oesterreich, and others at the Artists’ Workshop Week organized by Ten O’clock Artists, March 15th through the 23rd.
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.
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.…
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.
