Join Las Cruces Writers at the 5th Annual Spring Literacy Extravaganza hosted by Las Cruces Public Schools. I went through the LCPS system long ago and much of the literacy seems to have stuck!
This is a great opportunity for kids and their families. LCW will be giving away free books, too!
Per the announcement, get literate from 5-7PM on April 9th at the Field of Dreams.…
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!
Las Cruces Writer George Pintar has released a new novel of local interest, Miracles of Tortugas.
Here’s a synopsis to whet the appetite:
…In a world where survival often feels like an act of faith, Miracles of Tortugas tells seven short stories of quiet resilience, unexpected grace, and the slow courage it takes to keep moving forward.
Set against a landscape shaped by memory, loss, and longing, this novel follows characters who carry their wounds like secrets—searching for meaning in the ordinary and hope in the impossible. As miracles appear in the most unlikely forms and Tortugas become symbols of patience, endurance, and return, the line between chance and destiny begins to blur.
Tender yet unflinching, Miracles of Tortugas are stories about learning when to wait, when to fight, and when to believe. It reminds us that not all miracles arrive suddenly—some take their time, moving steadily toward us, one small step at a time.
A luminous exploration of love, faith, and the strength found in moving forward, even when the path is uncertain.
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!
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 Las Cruces Writer and biologist Fenton Kay‘s new book about lizards, now available on Lulu and, soon, other vendors. It’s ready for 5th graders and up!
Here’s the scoop:
…Lizards have lived on Earth for millions of years. They are wondrous animals that fascinate most young people. Lizards live almost everywhere—in deserts, in forests, by the ocean, and in mountains. Lizards dive in the ocean, climb trees, glide through the air, swim in sand, run over water, and warm themselves on rocks. They eat all kinds of things. Some lizards eat fruit and leaves, some eat seaweed, many eat insects, and some eat snails. Some lizards signal by doing pushups and bobbing their heads. Others use body postures, color changes, and bright color patches to signal other lizards. This book talks about the things lizards do and has pictures of many lizards doing some of those things.
Yes, it’s official, Charmayne’s MATA ORTIZ POETRY OF THE CLAY Pottery. Poems. Artists: POESÍA DEL BARRO Cerámica. Poemas. Artistas just won the SOUTHWEST BOOK AWARD from the Border Regional Library Association. This represents the 8th award for the tome and is an inspiration for all border region writers and poets, especially since poetry is underrepresented and underappreciated in our modern era.…
In a long night in anxious times,
Stanzas clash in metrical rhymes.
Enjambments crouch in happenstance
Lurking as if spilled by chance.
With pens we frame visionary cheer
And meet in the light of a frothy new year.
Las Cruces Village (formerly Good Samaritan) 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.
2:30-4:30 pm, Saturday January 10th, 2026
Special Agenda: January is the Poetry meeting month! What does that mean? Bring your poems! Write some poems! Read some poems!
If you haven’t tried writing poetry yet, give it a try. You still have a week. If you have written some things, bring them along to read. If you haven’t and don’t want to, bring a poem from one of your favorite poets and read it.
We’ll also be writing some poems in the meeting with some prompts. Poems poems poems!
Las Cruces Village (formerly Good Samaritan), 3011 Buena Vida Circle. Our meeting will NOT be taking place in the same room, however. Go down the stairs that are right outside the room we usually meet and there will be a large meeting room almost right at the bottom. We’ve met there several times before.
2:30-4:30 pm, Saturday December 13th, 2025
Las Cruces Writer Charmayne Samuelson’s award-winning book, MATA ORTIZ POETRY OF THE CLAY Pottery. Poems. Artists: POESÍA DEL BARRO Cerámica. Poemas. Artistas, is on its way to the Vatican with her Mata Ortiz collaborators. Here is Charmayne on the amazing events:
The outstanding Master Mata Ortiz potters, Hector Gallegos and Laura Bugarini, are now at the Vatican in Rome for a special Chihuahua, Mexico in Rome Christmas celebration. The photos here show their outstanding work in creating magnificent life-sized statues of the nativity scene.
They also presented my book to the Ambassador of Mexico to the Holy See, Alberto Barranco Chavarría. I would have never dreamed that my work, my poetry/pottery book would speed around the world to the VATICAN. This is a truly blessed Christmas!
