Pen Women member Gail Lambert has won Honorable Mention in the 2010 Leapfrog Fiction Contest.
Her story, “Aesop: The Storyteller” is set in the ancient Greek world of slaves, sailors, merchants, wars and gods; all of which contribute to the slave boy Aesop’s eventual fame as the most celebrated storyteller in all of history.
Lambert holds a Graduate Degree in Children’s Literature from Hollins University as well as a BA and a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies. She was a frequent reviewer for Best Sellers with a review included in Contemporary Literary Criticism, Vol. 30, as well asa Contributing Writer and Editor of Notable Women of Southwest Virginia, 1850 – 1950 published by the Historical Society of Western Virginia, 2007. She authored an essay for National Public Radio in 2009, teaches high school Latin, and is a regularly published freelance writer in Virginia.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
June 2010 Meeting
The Roanoke Valley Branch of the National League of American Pen Women met on Wednesday, June 2, at Mama Maria's in Salem.
The program was an update on member activities.
Becky Mushko, Vice President, chaired the meeting.
Elena DeRosa reported that she is nearing completion of her manuscript. Her memoir should be ready for submission in the next few months.
Ethel Born reported that her nonfiction book, From Horse 'n Buggy to Hi Tech, which is about the rural postal service in Virginia, will be presented to the postal society later this month.
Meg Hibbert, a guest, noted that she is writing steadily for an online magazine and is editor of The Salem Times-Register and The New Castle Record.
Becky Mushko reported that she has participated in numerous book readings and author events in order to promote her book, Ferradiddledumday.
Margaret DuBois has been working hard to create her arts of oil, pastel and enamels. Her work was for sale recently at the Roanoke Sidewalk Art Show.
The group will take a hiatus and will meet again in September.
The program was an update on member activities.
Becky Mushko, Vice President, chaired the meeting.
Elena DeRosa reported that she is nearing completion of her manuscript. Her memoir should be ready for submission in the next few months.
Mildred Sandridge, currently a student at Hollins University, said an independent study with Professor Jeanne Larsen was invaluable in assisting her with her book, which is a multi-generational work.
Ethel Born reported that her nonfiction book, From Horse 'n Buggy to Hi Tech, which is about the rural postal service in Virginia, will be presented to the postal society later this month.
Meg Hibbert, a guest, noted that she is writing steadily for an online magazine and is editor of The Salem Times-Register and The New Castle Record.
Becky Mushko reported that she has participated in numerous book readings and author events in order to promote her book, Ferradiddledumday.
Margaret DuBois has been working hard to create her arts of oil, pastel and enamels. Her work was for sale recently at the Roanoke Sidewalk Art Show.
The group will take a hiatus and will meet again in September.
Meeting Dates for Fall 2010
The Roanoke Valley Branch of the National League of American Pen Women will meet on the following dates this fall:
September 8
October 13
November 10
December 8
These meetings will be held at the Roanoke Coop in Grandin in Roanoke. Anyone interested in joining the group can contact President Peggy Shifflett at pshiffle@radford.edu.
Programs will be announced at a later date.
September 8
October 13
November 10
December 8
These meetings will be held at the Roanoke Coop in Grandin in Roanoke. Anyone interested in joining the group can contact President Peggy Shifflett at pshiffle@radford.edu.
Programs will be announced at a later date.
Mary Tousman Open House
Mary Tousman, a member of the Roanoke Valley Branch of the National League of American Pen Women, will hold an open house to showcase her art at WVTF radio station on Friday, June 19 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The show is called called Feeling Fired: Masks. Oils, and Watercolors.
The event will be catered by Center Stage Catering and The Blue Ridge String Quartet will perform. The art will be on display from June 1st to June 30
The event will be catered by Center Stage Catering and The Blue Ridge String Quartet will perform. The art will be on display from June 1st to June 30
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
May 5, 2010 Meeting
William Spillman, winner of the Roanoke Valley Pen Women's Poetry Contest in 2009, was the guest speaker at the group's May 2010 meeting.
Spillman spoke about the writing process and how he learned to write better poetry through study and persistence. He also read a number of his poems.
Members in attendance included Mary Tousman, Peggy Shifflett, Margaret DuBois, Elena DeRosa, Gail Lambert, Ethel Born, Becky Mushko, Beth Rossi, and Anita Firebaugh.
Margaret DuBois and Becky Mushko.
With permission, the group is pleased to present Mr. Spillman's award-winning poem:
Garden of Stones
By W. B. Spillman, Jr.
This is a garden of stones
whose shadows never touch,
not the long shadows of winter,
not the small shadows
of summer noon.
It began as Japanese,
but its plan decays
as western thoughts intrude.
The wind likes this place
and its unexpected confusions.
I sit on the largest stone
and arrange my thoughts
like the notes of a flute,
no meaning, only emotion.
Twilight joins me.
After awhile,
The world loses color.
Monday, April 19, 2010
2010 Scholarship
The Roanoke Valley Pen Women will grant a scholarship of a minimum $100 to a woman age thirty or older who has either returned to college or entered college for the first time, and who is taking one or more classes for credit in the arts, letters, or music at a college or university within 75 miles of Roanoke.
The money is to be used either for supplies (textbooks, art supplies, paper, software, etc.) or for other expenses related to college attendance.
Women interested in receiving the grant for fall 2010 must apply to the Roanoke Valley Pen Women on or before May 1, 2010. The application should include the following:
•Statement of interest:
Contact information at top of page: name, address, phone, email.
A paragraph explaining the recipient’s reason for taking the class or returning to school.
A paragraph explaining the recipient’s career goals.
•A work sample in one of the following:
Letters: an example (2-10 pages) of either published or unpublished fiction (short story, novel excerpt), non-fiction (article, essay), poetry (three poems) or a combination thereof.
Arts: CD or DVD of jpegs of artwork (paintings, drawings, sculpture, pottery, fiber art, photographs, etc.).
Music (composer, performer, choreographer): CD or DVD of performance.
Applicants who want work samples returned should provide a self-addressed mailer with sufficient postage.
•Verification of class enrollment or college acceptance (a photocopy of acceptance letter, student ID, or receipt for payment of tuition).
The scholarship recipient is encouraged to report back to the Roanoke Valley Pen Women, either by mail/email or as a guest at a future Pen Women meeting to inform the membership how the scholarship helped her accomplish a goal.
Send applications to Peggy Shifflett, 700 Cherrywood Street, Salem, VA 24153 or to Becky Mushko, 8 Listening Hill Road, Penhook, VA, 24137
The money is to be used either for supplies (textbooks, art supplies, paper, software, etc.) or for other expenses related to college attendance.
Women interested in receiving the grant for fall 2010 must apply to the Roanoke Valley Pen Women on or before May 1, 2010. The application should include the following:
•Statement of interest:
Contact information at top of page: name, address, phone, email.
A paragraph explaining the recipient’s reason for taking the class or returning to school.
A paragraph explaining the recipient’s career goals.
•A work sample in one of the following:
Letters: an example (2-10 pages) of either published or unpublished fiction (short story, novel excerpt), non-fiction (article, essay), poetry (three poems) or a combination thereof.
Arts: CD or DVD of jpegs of artwork (paintings, drawings, sculpture, pottery, fiber art, photographs, etc.).
Music (composer, performer, choreographer): CD or DVD of performance.
Applicants who want work samples returned should provide a self-addressed mailer with sufficient postage.
•Verification of class enrollment or college acceptance (a photocopy of acceptance letter, student ID, or receipt for payment of tuition).
The scholarship recipient is encouraged to report back to the Roanoke Valley Pen Women, either by mail/email or as a guest at a future Pen Women meeting to inform the membership how the scholarship helped her accomplish a goal.
Send applications to Peggy Shifflett, 700 Cherrywood Street, Salem, VA 24153 or to Becky Mushko, 8 Listening Hill Road, Penhook, VA, 24137
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
April 2010 Meeting
The Roanoke Valley Branch of the National League of American Pen Women met on Wednesday, April 7 at Mamma Maria's in Salem.
Guests were Diane Cayton-Hakey, Meg Hibbert and guest speaker Fred First.
Mr. First writes Fragments From Floyd, a popular blog, and has self-published several books about life in his community, sustainability, and related issues.
Below is a video, courtesy of Ms. Cayton-Hakey, with a little taste of the discussion during the meeting. That is followed by photos of various members who enjoyed the afternoon.
Author Fred First laughs with former Pen Women president Margaret Dubois and current President Peggy Shifflett.
Peggy Shifflett, Vice President Becky Musko, and guest Diane Cayton-Hakey.
From left: Diane Cayton Hakey, Meg Hibbert, Beth Ann Rossi, Pat Bijwaard, and Gail Lambert.
From left: Margaret DuBois and Peggy Shifflett
Guest speaker Fred First makes a point during his discussion of self-publishing.
Pat Bijwaard
Fred First
From left: Beth Ann Rossi and Pat Bijwaard
Becky Mushko
Gail Lambert
Margaret DuBois
Guest speaker Fred First.
Photos courtesy of Anita Firebaugh and Diane Cayton-Hakey.
Guests were Diane Cayton-Hakey, Meg Hibbert and guest speaker Fred First.
Mr. First writes Fragments From Floyd, a popular blog, and has self-published several books about life in his community, sustainability, and related issues.
Below is a video, courtesy of Ms. Cayton-Hakey, with a little taste of the discussion during the meeting. That is followed by photos of various members who enjoyed the afternoon.
Author Fred First laughs with former Pen Women president Margaret Dubois and current President Peggy Shifflett.
Peggy Shifflett, Vice President Becky Musko, and guest Diane Cayton-Hakey.
From left: Diane Cayton Hakey, Meg Hibbert, Beth Ann Rossi, Pat Bijwaard, and Gail Lambert.
From left: Margaret DuBois and Peggy Shifflett
Guest speaker Fred First makes a point during his discussion of self-publishing.
Pat Bijwaard
Fred First
From left: Beth Ann Rossi and Pat Bijwaard
Becky Mushko
Gail Lambert
Margaret DuBois
Guest speaker Fred First.
Photos courtesy of Anita Firebaugh and Diane Cayton-Hakey.
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