Join Karen Ray, Elva Oesterreich, and others at the Artists’ Workshop Week organized by Ten O’clock Artists, March 15th through the 23rd.

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.
Good Samaritan Village 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.
1:30-3:30 pm July 11th, 2024
Executive staff will meet 30 minutes early.
Please join Karen Ray in the Roadrunner Room at Thomas Branigan Memorial Library (I used to go to the one on the downtown mall as a child…maybe I’ll write about that) at 1:30 on Tuesday, July 16th to learn more about memoir writing. Here’s the official flyer:
The summer book signing is coming soon. Check out your favorite Las Cruces Writers and buy their great literary achievements at:
Mesilla Valley Mall near Barnes & Noble
Saturday, July 20th from 12 noon to 3 PM.
The following writers will be serving up written buffets:
Come join the crew and I promise they won’t hedge-hog the limelight!…
And just as Charmayne’s new collection of poetry goes to press she wins two prizes for the related biography of Spencer MacCallum! Drumroll, please……..
Independent Press Award, 2024 Distinguished Favorites, Biography: General
Next Generation Indie Book Awards, FINALIST: AUTOBIOGRAPHY/BIOGRAPHY
You can check out her complete canon at Wood Duck Publishers. Of course, the wood duck is the most colorful North American waterfowl, noted for iridescent plumage and perching. Almost a prize in itself.…