Join Las Cruces Writers at the Mesilla Valley Mall for a rootin-tootin bang-up shindig on Saturday, July 12th, pardner. And get some fancy-like new readins for all your folks from the premiere writers of the Southern Territory.…
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!
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.…
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.…
