From The Pen Woman, Fall 2026
Marcia Zina Mager (Honolulu Branch) earned finalist honors in four categories at the 2026 International Book Awards — Novella, Visionary Fiction, Inspirational Fiction, and Best Fiction Cover Design — for her novel, “Quest” (available wherever books and audio books are sold). Investor and technology entrepreneur Jon Christensen wrote about the book, “A page-turning parable for these times. Anyone who cares about the fate of the world should read it.”
Jerry Casey’s (Washington, D.C., Branch) two works premiered on July 18 in Portland, Oregon, at the In Good Hands Recital sponsored by Cascadia Composers, a branch of National Association of Composers USA (NACUSA). One piece, titled “Cool Shade and Sunshine,” is a collaboration with Rebecca Gu, a student of Irene Huang. The other, titled “Saucy,” is a “Teacher’s Choice” selected by Wilma Hawkins, whose student is Oliver Yang.
Ronni Miller’s (Sarasota Branch) newest book, “The Write It Out Book,” was published in June by Robi Jode Press (available on Amazon and her website, writeitout.biz). The author’s 14th book represents her 30 years as a pioneer in creating, developing, and facilitating Write It Out expressive writing workshops nationally and internationally. The content includes Write It Out’s philosophy, process, and 20 expressive writing syllabi used in the workshops. Miller has enjoyed writing since childhood and continues to encourage others to express their feelings, memories, and experiences in any genre for their own personal growth through the process of writing.
Dawna Hammers (member-at-large) created a 26-minute documentary, “Music is Medicine,” featuring the power of music to help people struggling with dementia and Alzheimer’s. The video includes Hammers’ music sessions with her clients, showing the beauty of their reactions when making music with her. Hammers teamed up with local artist and sculptor Sue Beardsley (the wife of one of her clients), who wrote a daily read book titled “Comfort” for caregivers to loved ones with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Watch “Music is Medicine” on YouTube.
Jordanne Renner (Central Ohio Branch) is a featured artist at the Contemporary Arts Center (Cincinnati, Ohio) in its “In the Interest of Time” exhibition, opening at 8 p.m. on October 2 and on display through February 7, 2027. Bringing together seven regional artists whose practices engage with the concept of time, the exhibit was developed through a FotoFocus juried open call, led by independent curator Theresa Bembnister. “In the Interest of Time” features work by Elijah Howe, Julie Renée Jones, Robyn Moore, Osamu James Nakagawa, Jordanne Renner, Joseph Vitone, and Lynn Whitney.
Roberta Seret’s (Ph.D., Greenwich Branch) book, “My Friend the Spy,” was released this past summer by the Academic Studies Press. The espionage thriller takes the reader to Belarus, where secrets and spies are uncovered. Merging fact with fiction in a hybrid narrative style, “My Friend the Spy” uses Belarus as its political background. Set across multiple countries (United States, Mexico, Belarus, Russia) and depicting their involvement in the Ukrainian war, the thriller focuses on actual events. The fiction is based on Seret’s personal experience —she has worked at the United Nations for 25 years as the founder of the non-governmental organization International Cinema Education.
From The Pen Woman, Summer 2026
Nancy Avery Dafoe (Central New York Branch) and Jamie Tate (Delta Branch) were featured at a book signing and author and artist talk for their collaboration, “Got Some River in Us,” at The Next Chapter Bookshop in Leland, Mississippi, in late March. The cross-genre work of poetry and paintings examines the place of the Mississippi and Yazoo rivers in the history and development of the Yazoo-Mississippi Delta and also explores varied aspects of the area’s cultures. Eight original Tate paintings used in the book, along with excerpts from Dafoe’s long-form poem, were displayed throughout the venue. Approximately 70 guests attended the event, which was the inaugural book signing for the new bookshop.
Mary Jane Ingui, PhD (Vero Beach Branch) was interviewed live by Andrew Gladding on radio station KZE 98.1 FM out of Kingston, New York, about her book, “Trauma and Tenacity in Vietnam, A Surgeon’s Story,” on Memorial Day. She shared details about the book and expressed her admiration for our veterans’ sacrifices and courage.
Rodika Tollefson (member-at-large) won the Personal Platform category in the 2026 American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) Awards. ASJA is the nation’s leading professional organization of nonfiction freelance writers, and the 2026 awards recognized “exceptional nonfiction freelance writing” published in 2025 in more than 20 categories, with more than 500 works submitted in total by both members and nonmembers. Tollefson’s award was based on three pieces published on her Substack, From Art 2 Zen (art2zen. substack.com): “Doodle Your Way to a Calmer, More Present You,” “The Art of Letting Go,” and “Breaking the Fear of Creative Expression.”
From The Pen Woman, Spring 2026
Michelle Smith’s (member-at-large, California) prose and poetry were staged as dance theatre in collaboration with an award-winning choreographer. The three-day run, titled “Cautionary Tales: A Reflection on 2025 Through Words and Movement,” was performed before a sold-out audience. Smith self-published the unabridged text in a chapbook, “Cautionary Tales: Evocative Prose and Poetry to Contemplate for 2025.
Liyuza Eisbach (Santa Clara County Branch), a retired classical archaeologist and professor of art history, received an Artist of the Year 2025 third-place ribbon for her painting, “Winter,” from the Campbell Artists Guild. She also received two Blue Ribbon awards from the guild, for “Sunset” in October and “Lake Tipsoo” in September.
Candace Long (member-at-large, Georgia; NLAPW president, 2014-2016) celebrates the growth of her podcast series, Lessons in the Ladder Days. Over the last five years, she has witnessed a 5,200% increase in downloads, with listeners from all over the world. Long is emerging as one of today’s most thought-provoking teachers providing biblical commentary on what we are living through. Having studied the biblical end of days for over 35 years, she began writing and producing Lessons in the Ladder Days in 2021 — airing on radio stations and streaming platforms. She is particularly grateful to be using all three NLAPW classifications: writing, graphic design, and instrumental composition.
Peggy Harrell Jennings’ (Jacksonville Branch) newest book, “Rascals of the Revolution,” published in February, is now available on Xlibris, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. The author, who also illustrated the book, devoted almost seven years to intense research about the Revolutionary War in the Southern states, with a focus on British East Florida and the involvement of the East Florida Rangers in St. Augustine and their native Indian allies. As a sixth-generation Floridian, Harrell Jennings has a lifelong interest in Florida history and holds memberships in several historical societies, as well as being an exhibiting artist. She recently gave a presentation of her book to the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in Florida. Harrell Jennings is dedicated to education and historical preservation.
Betty Wishart’s (Washington, D.C., Branch) “Journey into the Unknown” for winds, strings, and horn received honorable mention in the orchestra category of the 2025 American Prize Competition. The American Prize Competition, the nation’s most comprehensive series of contests in the performing arts, recognizes the best composers in America.
Jerry Casey’s (Washington, D.C., Branch) “Pilate’s Monologue,” the opening aria of the chamber opera, “Pilate’s Wife,” premiered in March at the Tenth International Festival of Music by Women in Poindexter Hall on the campus of Mississippi University for Women in Columbus, Mississippi. Performers were Matthew Hoch, baritone, of Auburn University; and Jonathan Levin, festival pianist from North Carolina.
Mary Jane Ingui (Vero Beach Branch) gave a slide presentation about her book, “Trauma and Tenacity in Vietnam, A Surgeon’s Story,” at the North County Library in Sebastian, Florida, in January. The subject of her book, Dr. Sheldon Kushner, was present and spoke about his experiences in Vinh Long, Vietnam, and answered audience questions. Dr. Kushner took the photos in the slides while he was in Vietnam. Many local veterans attended and truly enjoyed the program.
Faith Gaillot (member-at-large, South Carolina) was recently awarded the Marquis Who’s Who of Emerging Leaders award for her professional integrity and attributes required to achieve success in the field of art. Marquis Who’s Who, established in 1898, is a publisher of biographical lives of today’s leaders and achievers around the world from every field of endeavor. Gaillot has been a member of Marquis Who’s Who since 2021, and this is her second achievement award received from the publication. Her first one was Top Professional Artist for two years.
Kristen Alger (Pensacola Branch) launched “Letters of a Traveling Architect” on October 24, one hundred years to the day after her leading character boarded the Leviathan in New York City, bound for the “Old Country.” Published by Four Walls Press, this creative nonfiction is revealed through letters, a travel journal, and photographs taken by architect Levi Geniesse as he travels Europe and North Africa in 1925, searching for the perfect cathedral while hoping to find lifelong friendship and the answer to the question of whether the love he left behind is meant to be.
The Central New York Branch was featured in the local newspaper, Syracuse Post Standard, in March. The article, titled “Recognize these names? CNY women’s group searches for long lost relatives for its centennial,” highlights the NLAPW and the branch’s history. Pen Woman Karen Hempson was quoted as saying, “I love being surrounded by creative women who support and encourage me. Their talents shine in their books, poems, paintings, and sketches.” Read the article at syracuse.com.
From The Pen Woman, Winter 2026
Nancy Dafoe’s (Central New York Branch) book, “Got Some River in Us,” in collaboration with artist Jamie Tate (Delta Branch) will be released by Finishing Line Press on Feb. 13. The book is about two great American rivers, the Delta, the region’s prehistory and history, the cultures, music, literature, and peoples. It is also a symbolic work in microcosm about the great faults and wonders of our country.
Tonya McQuade’s (Santa Clara County Branch) article, “Exploring the Amazing, Prolific, and Sometimes Controversial Life of Sculptor Vinnie Ream: Creator of the Capitol Rotunda’s Lincoln Statue and Washington, D.C.’s Admiral Farragut Monument,” was published in August in Emerging Civil War, “a public history-oriented platform for sharing original scholarship related to the American Civil War.” In addition to discussing Ream’s biography, the article highlighted the NLAPW.
Grace Joy Reid (Washington, D.C., Branch) prepared and presented a “Hymn Sing” for the residents at her father’s retirement and assisted living community in Escondido, California. Selecting beloved gospel hymns, she researched the stories behind each piece, discovering how these songs were often born out of hardship and resilience. “Sharing these stories and leading the residents in song was a powerful reminder of music’s ability to heal, unite, and uplift,” she says. “The experience of bringing people together through music — reading, praying, and singing as a community — was deeply rewarding. It reaffirmed the unique role musicians play in fostering connection and bringing joy to others.”
Cinzi Lavin (member-at-large, Connecticut) was appointed to the Connecticut Art Council (CAC) by Sen. Stephen Harding. As a division of the state’s Department of Economic and Community Development, the CAC supports the advancement of the arts. This appointment also dovetails with Lavin’s longstanding arts advocacy work, allowing for greater impact.
From The Pen Woman, Fall 2025
Cinzi Lavin’s (member-at-large) show, “A Goodnight Kiss,” premiered in June in Goshen, Connecticut, to sold-out crowds and standing ovations. Based on love letters discovered in the attic of an old Connecticut home, the play recounts a young couple’s relationship that blossomed in the shadow of the Civil War. Future performances of “A Goodnight Kiss” are being scheduled in Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts area, and members interested in bringing the show to their town can email cinzi@cinzilavin. com for details on pricing and logistics. Lavin also received a Star Award from the Massachusetts History Alliance for outstanding contributions to the research and interpretation of history.
Jo Jo Harder’s (Boca Raton Branch) fourth book, “Vintage Tails featuring America’s Top Dog Models,” was released in May. This black-and-white coffee-table book invites dog lovers and fashion enthusiasts alike to embark on a delightful journey where canines display style, grace, and a sprinkle of nostalgia. Each page is a tail-wagging tribute to the elegance and sophistication of yesteryears, showcasing the author’s cover-dog Romeo and America’s Top Dog models as they flaunt their fabulous retro looks. These glamorous pups bring to life three captivating categories: fashion, entertainment, and travel. Learn more at americastopdogmodel.com.
Jane Howard (Vero Beach Branch), a landscape and human-interest photographer, shared part of her collection at the LoPresti Art Gallery and Studio in Vero Beach, on August 15. Conversing with her guests, she shared stories about the origins of each of her photographs. Howard was joined by friends, family, and current branch President Mary Ingui. Refreshments were served and guests had an opportunity to purchase some of her work.
Patricia Daly-Lipe’s (Jacksonville Branch) had her 12th book, “All Alone, Washington to Rome” (a revised edition of her memoir), published by Xlibris. According to an Amazon reviewer, “Daly-Lipe, in a style that is both literary and eloquent, paints a picture of Rome as seen by a young girl coming of age during the ‘60s and left all alone. Her bittersweet memories of the loss of her mother and a failed first love are contrasted by the unbridled joy and wonderment for life she experiences in a foreign country. ‘All Alone’ is an honest and thoughtprovoking look into the past that offers all who read it a better understanding of themselves.”
Betty Wishart’s (D.C. Branch) “Fanfares” for brass quartet were released on Phasma-Music’s Visions D’Athènes album in May. The pieces were performed and recorded in Athens at the Greek National Opera on July 11, 2024.
Nell Rude (Sarasota Branch) recently published her fourth children’s book, “A Day at Jungle Gardens.” Jungle Gardens is an animal adventure park in Sarasota, where Rude photographed the flamingos, parrots, lemurs, snakes, gators, a giant tortoise, miniature deer, peacocks, and more on many occasions over the years. The photos served as her source of inspiration in writing the book and for her illustrator, Pen Woman Barbara Jendrysik, in completing the illustrations. In June, there was a “Meet the Author” event at the Jungle Gardens gift shop, where the book is available for sale.
From The Pen Woman, Summer 2025
Virginia Nygard (member-atlarge, Florida) recently published her poetry collection, “Driftwood: Cresting the Sea of Poetry.” This work comes from a lifetime observing Mother Nature and her offspring, human beings. The collection is a touching and amusing mélange of themes including the many faces of love, nature, youth and aging, politics and religion, and humor — without which, life on this planet would shrivel to naught. Published by La Maison Publishing, the book is available at amazon.com.
Sue Johnson’s (member-at-large, Indiana) eighth book was released in March. “Navigating Nursing’s Future” is a journey that challenges readers to navigate their own future, guided by the transformative power of nursing’s past and propelled by the limitless possibilities of its future. The history of nursing has always been about navigating uncharted waters. This journey of self-empowerment, reflection, and strategic foresight provides a map for the future — a vision where nurses are both the pilots and navigators of their profession. As they take the helm, they must do so with purpose, resilience, and the collective power of the profession to transform healthcare for the better.
Susan Sparrow’s (member-at-large, New Orleans) debut supernatural suspense novel, “The Devil Drinks Monsoons,” will be released in October (under her pen name, SueBird Sparrow). The novel tells the story of elderly private investigator Richard, who doesn’t believe in supernatural forces. He and his blind neighbor, Molly, must confront the occult when one of Richard’s own vigilante killings goes wrong and his equally elderly girlfriend (unbeknownst to Richard, a vampire queen) becomes obsessed with Molly’s baby. Richard’s lesbian biker daughter, a Voodoo priestess, a martial arts instructor, two sex worker colleagues, and an undead mama’s boy are just a few of the other characters orbiting him in the Big Easy, where nothing is easy and magic flavors everything.
Ronni Miller (Sarasota Branch) recently received a gold medal award for her novel, “Roads To Run,” from the Florida Authors and Publishers Association 2024 President’s Book Awards. The novel, set in Woodstock, New York, and published by Robi Jode Press, is Miller’s 11th published book. All her books are available at amazon.com.
Rodika Tollefson’s (memberat-large, Washington state) painting, “I Choose to Believe” (18 x 18; acrylic, India ink, paper, oil pastel on canvas; pictured), received third place in the mixed media category at the 54th Helen Norris Open Art Show, a juried exhibition hosted by the Sidney Art Gallery in Port Orchard, Washington, in May. Additionally, her book, “The Freelancer’s Compass: Navigate Your Way from Corporate Cog to Entrepreneur Star,” was a finalist in the career category in the 2025 Next Generation Indie Book Awards.
Karen McAferty Morris (Pensacola Branch) presented a workshop titled “Prose Poetry and Beyond” at the Alabama State Poetry Society’s spring meeting in Orange Beach, Alabama, in May. In the society’s spring contest, her poem, “Mvskoke Boy in the Dogwood,” was awarded first place in the category The Otis Dees Poetry Award, in honor of Otis Dees, Mvskoke, father of sponsor Dr. Deidra Suwanee Dees. A committee of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians judged the contest.
Penny Pence Smith’s (Honolulu Branch) “The Fat Lady Sings — Nine Stories from the Hollywood Beat,” the fifth book in her Hollywood Legwoman Mysteries series, was released in March. The book follows the intrepid celebrity journalist Meredith Ogden as she unravels individual stories of the alluring as well as the dark and seamier side of show biz’s happenings. Smith, herself a former Hollywood news professional, uses her own experiences for inspiration in the fictional mystery series. Smith, Ph.D., is a retired Hawaii Pacific University professor of marketing.
Carol White’s (Boca Raton Branch) play, “A Certain Eye for Art,” was produced by the Seaside Players as part of their Sea Short Play Festival in May.
Vivian Ripley’s (Ohio Branch) work was exhibited in the show “Vivian Ripley: 50 Years and Beyond” at the Dublin Arts Council gallery in May and June. Ripley is an internationally recognized artist of varied subject matter, and inherent in all her works is the beauty of color and how it is affected by light and shade. She works in acrylic, watercolor, pastel, and colored pencil (sometimes combining media), always striving to achieve beauty in each medium through her emotional use of color and tone. She also regularly teaches and is in demand for demonstrations and workshops in these disciplines.
From The Pen Woman, Spring 2025
Sara Etgen-Baker’s (member-at-large, Texas) memoir vignettes, “Peep, Peep Baby Chicks” and “Plantin’ Season,” were published in the March/April issue of Good Old Days Magazine and another, “An Engaging Evening,” in the January/February issue. Additionally, her nonfiction piece, “God’s Heavenly Messenger,” was published in Guideposts’ publication, Angels and Divine Encounters; “Where Cardinals Fly” was published in Guideposts’ February/March issue in the Mysterious Ways section; and “No Ordinary Christmas” was published in Guideposts’ Angels on Earth Magazine. Several other of her works, including poems, were published recently in various other publications.
Jane Marshall Goodsill’s (Honolulu Branch) third book was released in December 2024. “Voices of Hawai`i: More Untold Stories of the Aloha State” is a collection of vignettes from oral history interviews. Taken together, these rich anecdotes tell the story of Hawai`i, offering an inside look at the history and culture of a special place. Goodsill begins the book with the poem “The Art of Storytelling” by Pen Woman Joan Gencarelli, who captures the wonder Goodsill experiences when people tell her their stories. “SunUp over Sandy’s” by another Pen Woman, Susie Y. Anderson, appears on page 32 and perfectly introduces the reader to the chapter titled Voices of the Ka Iwi Coast.
The Art of Storytelling
By Joan Gencarelli
Featured in “Voice of Hawai‘i”
It began, at the beginning of time, in cozy caves, under starlit skies, around campfires they sat— waiting for the magic to begin. And the storyteller would enchant them with tales of the past— heroic deeds, magical events, and these stories would give them the strength and courage to face another day. And the storyteller became the historian.
From The Pen Woman, Winter 2025
Georgia Popoff (Central New York Branch) was one of 22 laureates from throughout the nation to be awarded the Poet Laureate Fellowship from the Academy of American Poets, which includes up to $15,000 to implement a community-based program. She proposed a collaboration with professor Ricky Pak of the Syracuse University Drama Department to provide a 12- to 16-week intergenerational workshop, Voices in Verse. This pilot program will convene elders and youth to create poetry reflecting their lives, both shared experiences and personal memories, offered at no charge to participants. Learning from community literary and theater teaching artists, creative work will then be turned into scripts, as participants also engage in development and staging a dramatic public performance.
Lucy H. Hedrick’s (Greenwich Branch) debut novel, “Six Weeks in Reno,” will be released in March. The novel tells the story of the little-known “divorce colony” in Reno, Nevada, during the Great Depression in 1931. In most major cities, there were bread lines serving the unemployed. But Reno was booming thanks to the “six-weekers,” women from all walks of life who took up residence for six weeks, just long enough to secure an uncontested divorce — a right they didn’t yet have in their home states. After 20 years in a loveless marriage, the protagonist, Evelyn Henderson, boards a train to Reno in hopes to escape her stifling suburban life.
Jennifer Hambrick (Central Ohio Branch) was interviewed by Tim Green, editor of the high-profile, Los Angeles-based poetry journal Rattle, as the featured poet on his livestream, Rattlecast. Rattle is a “destination” publication venue in the poetry world, and appearances on Rattlecast are by invitation only. Hambrick and Green discussed, among other topics, how Hambrick’s extensive musical background informs her poetry. Hambrick was also the featured poet on the international virtual poetry conversation forum A Conversation with Jimmy Pappas and Friends, served as guest poet and critic for the Greater Cincinnati Writers League’s November meeting, and performed as guest artist with the Columbus Koto Ensemble on the ensemble’s Momiji Matsuri (Japanese Fall Festival) in October.
her town, Freeville, New York.
Iris Gray Dowling (Diamond State Branch) completed three books in 2024. “Days Gone By” is the inspirational journey of the Cochrans from Ireland to Pennsylvania to start Cochranville and shows the family’s growth and achievements through 1950 in 157 pages and 400 pictures. “Nature Stories #2,” written earlier, was revised in 2024 to include stories about plants and animals in the local area. “Discover A Luna Moth” is a picture story of a luna moth, given to the author in 1945 by her cousin, showing the growth stages and more.
Rachel Dickinson (Central New York Branch) was awarded a prestigious $10,000 fellowship from the New York State Council on the Arts and the Wyoming County Arts Council. The fellowship was designed for rural and traditional artists with the intention of creating collaborative projects within their communities. The goal of the project is to build lasting connections between rural people and places and to acknowledge and support artists living in these rural areas across New York state. As part of her project, Dickinson will paint 10 portraits of houses in the Village of Freeville (population 503) and then write a story to accompany each painting about who might have occupied the house when it was first built.
Sue Murphy (Central New York Branch) recently had her painting, “Maeve”, accepted in the Adirondack Exhibition of American Watercolors at the View, Old Forge. Her painting, “Birthday Girl,” was accepted into the 2024 Philadelphia Watercolor Society’s International Exhibition of Works on Paper, and it won the Doree Loschiavo Award for Experimental Watercolor. This was Murphy’s fourth time being accepted into this international exhibition from one of the oldest watercolor organizations in the United States.
Catherine Horn (Greenwich Branch) recently released her picture book, “Taking a Ride on Butterfly Wings,” a bedtime story written in rhyme. Lulu and Lainy journey through their imaginations as they picture peaceful, calming places throughout the seasons to help them fall asleep. Children will love visualizing themselves riding on butterfly wings through parks and carnivals, eating ice cream cones and birthday cake, picking pumpkins and apples, and dancing in the snow. Their adventure ends with them back at home, sleeping peacefully in their warm, cozy beds. Learn more at LuluLanePress.com.
Susan Buzzi (Fort Lauderdale Branch) received an individual artist grant from Broward County Cultural Division to present “Creative Wellness,” which will consist of an intergenerational and multidisciplinary workshop, an exhibit, and a short film. The project celebrated creativity, mindfulness, health, and wellness during the month of November, which acknowledged stress awareness, self-care, and early childhood mental awareness. The exhibition, which ran Nov. 23 through Dec. 31, featured works completed at Buzzi’s preceding workshop, select photographs with inspirational quotes by Buzzi, and works by some of her students from Atlantis Academy in Coral Springs, Florida, where she teaches expressive therapies.
Rodika Tollefson’s (member-at-large) book, “The Freelancer’s Compass: Navigate Your Way from Corporate Cog to Solopreneur Star,” won second place in the Fall 2024 The BookFest Awards, Business – Entrepreneurship category. The BookFest’s semiannual awards honor authors who create outstanding works of fiction and nonfiction.
Karen McAferty Morris (Pensacola Branch) has released her newest collection of poetry, “Alpenglow.” Morris, whose work has been recognized for its “appeal to the senses, the intellect, and the imagination,” is an award-winning poet on both regional and national levels. The 50 poems in “Alpenglow” are illustrated with 20 color photographs taken by Morris. Her poetry has been compared to Mary Oliver’s and G. M. Hopkins’ as poems that cause readers to “slow down, look around, and pay attention to the beauty found in the everyday world.” Morris’ wide travels are also reflected in the collection.
Michelle Smith Johansen’s (member-at-large) poem, “A Black Man’s Eulogy,” was published in Decolonial Passage in November. She also won first place for her haiku, “all hallows eve night,” and honorable mention for her humor essay, “Bullfrog Bungle,” in the SouthWest Writers 2024 annual writing contest. Winners will be published in the anthology “Mosaic Voices.” Additionally, her poem, “The Clock Tower,” won a Halloween contest and will be published in Wingless Dreamer Publication’s contest anthology, “Midnight Masquerade.”
From The Pen Woman, Fall 2024
Elaine Bossik’s (Boca Raton Branch) novel, “Body Merchants,” was selected as a thriller finalist in the 2024 Next Generation Indie Book Awards. In the story, reporter Ellie Andrews risks her life to expose a sinister scheme to harvest and sell organs from prisoners and uncovers an organ trade that reaches into law enforcement, government, and her own family. “Body Merchants” is fiction, but it is rooted in fact and based on the illegal worldwide trade in human organs. Learn more at elainebossik.com.
Jo Jo Harder (Boca Raton Branch) was presented with an International New York Film Festival Diamond Globe Award in June for her documentary, “Dogs Make a Difference,” a retrospective of America’s Top Dog Models that have made a difference and a fascinating look at the way people celebrate their pups. The documentary, which was written, produced, and directed by Harder, consists of videos from 2007 to 2021 that follow America’s Top Dog Models and their parents during the brand’s contests, events, interviews, and private visits, capturing those contest winners and finalists who have made a difference in an extraordinary way.
Sara Etgen-Baker (member-at-large) had several pieces published in different publications. “A Girl, A Bike” was published in Victoria Magazine, “In the Quiet Corners of My Heart” in Guidepost’s: God’s Constant Presence, and five stories including “The Time of My Life” and “Christmas 1957” in Good Old Days Magazine.
Victoria S. Peterson (Southwest Florida Branch) released the second edition of “The Pathfinder: An Inspirational Journey of SelfDiscovery.” This beautifully illustrated, interactive journal is designed to guide individuals on a transformative journey of personal growth using a series of thoughtful activities and journal prompts that encourage deep introspection and the cultivation of emotional intelligence. Through creative expression and mindful reflection, it empowers readers to harness their inner strength, embrace a more fulfilling and joyful life, and tap into the power of the “I AM.”
Michelle Smith (member at-large) had two essays published recently. One essay, published in the June issue of The Sun, was a response to the magazine’s themed call (“uniforms”) for its Readers Write segment. Her short story, “No Time to Wave Goodbye,” was published by the Canadianbased publication Dreamers Creative Writing in August.
Rodika Tollefson’s (member-atlarge) debut book, “The Freelancer’s Compass: Navigate Your Way from Corporate Cog to Solopreneur Star” was released in August. Based on her 25 years in business, Tollefson offers insights and advice to freelance creatives, solopreneurs, and independent consultants on how to organize their business operations for success. “The Freelancer’s Compass” reached the rank of No.1 New Release in Vocational Guidance category and No. 1 in Business Consulting category in the Amazon Kindle store. Learn more at freelancerscompass.com.
From The Pen Woman, Summer 2024
Jennifer Hambrick’s (Central Ohio Branch) fourth book of poetry, “a silence or two,” was recently published by Red Moon Press. A collection of avant-garde haiku and short prose poems, “a silence or two” is hailed as “a stunning collection” and for its “brilliance of language and heart.” Hambrick also received four first-prize honors, three honorable mentions, and a special award in the inaugural Heliosparrow Haiku Frontier Awards. Created by Dr. Richard Gilbert, professor emeritus in the Faculty of Letters, Kumamoto University (Japan), and one of the world’s leading critics of contemporary English-language haiku, the awards “praise leading-edge poems and poets illuminating inspiring directions in haiku poetics.”
Karin Dahl’s (Central Ohio Branch) solo exhibit, “How Does Color Sound,” was at the McConnell Art Center in Columbus, Ohio, through July 2. Dahl is the winner of the Jeny Reynolds Award for Creativity (Best of Show) at the 51st NLAPW Biennial.
Jamie Tate (Delta Branch) received Best in Show for her painting, “It is Written” (acrylic on canvas, 36 x 36), in the 2024 Mississippi Showcase exhibit of the National Museum of Women in the Art. She also exhibited two other acrylic pieces in the showcase, “Return to Avalon” and “Laundry Day.” The exhibit was judged by Jean Blue and was hosted in the Jackson Street Gallery in Vicksburg, Mississippi.
Sandra Berris’ (Greenwich Branch) latest publication, “Indelible Shadow,” is part of Finishing Line Press’ critically acclaimed chapbook series featuring annual contest finalists. Her chapbook reveals the shock of a teen suicide and the subsequent grief, anger, confusion, guilt, acceptance, and ultimately hope that reverberates with family, friends, and community. She speaks from experience as her poems weave together a tragic story and give powerful testament to the national suicide crisis. Berris has pledged all royalties to teen suicide prevention and mental health agencies.
Loretta Goldberg (New York City Branch) will have her second novel published by MadeGlobal Publishing in June. “Beyond the Bukubuk Tree: A World War II Novel of Love and Loss” won an International Firebird Book Award for War Fiction in 2023. Set in Australia and Papua New Guinea, it tells the story of a lone battalion defending Rabaul against the Japanese invasion through a widely diverse cast of characters.
Winifred Thompson’s (Diablo-Alameda Branch) “Surge,” an acrylic painting, was chosen from 78 artworks as first place in the “40 Years of A.R.T., Inc.” This landmark exhibit was featured at the Adobe Art Gallery in Castro Valley, California in May.
From The Pen Woman, Spring 2024
Carol Susan “Sue” Johnson (Member-at-Large, Indiana) has published her sixth book, “Politics and Healthcare: Where is Nursing?” and her seventh book, “Native American Health: Then and Now,” both by leading academic publisher Ethics Press. Politics are part of our daily lives and nurses’ involvement is essential to improve our communities and our country, Johnson believes. “Politics and Healthcare” is “for all nurses who want the world to be better” if they run for office, support colleagues who run, advocate for issues, consider board service, or become more informed voters. “Native American Health” talks about the health and healing practices of indigenous tribes across the United States prior to the arrival of settlers through the present day.
Karen L. Kirshner’s (Long Island Branch) solo exhibit, “Epiphany,” is at b. j. spoke gallery in Huntington, New York, through April 28. Critics have said her art is “strikingly original,” complex, exciting, and beautiful and that she does not accept the status quo and keeps challenging herself with new possibilities.
Michelle Smith (Member-at-Large, California) won a top-20 spot in the Writer’s Digest 2023 annual poetry contest. Nearly 1,000 poems from around the world were submitted to this contest. Her poem, titled “The Journey,” is a magical realism take on the Middle Passage. It will be published in the July/August issue of Writer’s Digest.
Elaine Bossik (Boca Raton Branch) published her second novel, “Body Merchants,” a medical thriller that exposes the hidden, widespread illegal trade in human organs. In the story, reporter Ellie Andrews is propelled into a murder investigation in a Virginia prison that triggers a shocking discovery — the inmate’s organs and other body parts are missing. Risking her life to look for answers, Ellie exposes a sinister scheme to harvest and sell organs from prisoners, and uncovers an organ trade that reaches into law enforcement, government, and her own family. “Body Merchants” is fiction, but it’s rooted in fact and based on the dirty underbelly of the worldwide trade in human organs.
Linda Eve Diamond (Member-at-Large, Florida) was the editor of a recently released digital anthology, “The Art of Listening: An Anthology of Listening-Themed Poetry and Visual Arts.” The free publication of listeninginspired artistry includes contributions from more than 60 inspiring artists, including NLAPW friends, as well as insights from members of The International Listening Association.
From The Pen Woman, Winter 2024
Martha L. Germano (Scottsdale Branch) celebrated her 50-year anniversary as a Pen
Woman this past year. She joined NLAPW in August 1973 as part of the now-defunct Cleveland-
Western Reserve Branch and transferred to the Scottsdale Branch in 1993. Germano was elected national registrar in 1978-1980. She currently designs women’s contemporary lapel pins.
Leigh Grant’s (Greenwich Branch) book, “Mask of Dreams,” received an honorable mention in the mainstream/ literary fiction category of the 31st Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards. There were 1,543 overall submissions in eight categories this year and only 25 honorable mentions were awarded in total.
Sheila Firestone’s (Boca Raton Branch) songs, “Oh God, How Will I Know You” and “Dancing in the Light,” were selected by The Women’s Sacred Music Project for “Resounding Voices,” a new online collection of hymns by women.
Karen L. Kirshner (Long Island Branch) was featured in Long Island’s East Meadow Herald and other local publications. An excellent review was published in the fall issue of Gallery & Studio Art Journal of Kirshner’s work seen during her June solo show at the George Billis gallery in Chelsea, New York City. Kirshner has also been in the news because she received the best in show award for “Faith #2” in the exhibition “Inspiration Rediscovered – Mixed Media Masterpieces” at the Westbury Arts, Westbury, New York.
From The Pen Woman, Fall 2023
Joyce K. Ellis (Minnesota Branch) was honored recently with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 75th anniversary banquet of the Evangelical Press Association (EPA) for her “exceptional contribution to the field of Christian journalism.” A Pen Woman of 40 years, Ellis began writing children’s fiction stories and books when her own children were little. After 20 years of freelancing, at the age of 39, she finally had the opportunity to begin college as a more-orless traditional student, attending classes in person, and she graduated with a bachelor’s of art in English with a writing concentration. During her freelance career, she has published hundreds of magazine and newspaper articles, has received numerous other awards, and has published 18 books. She has held staff editor positions for three national magazines and frequently presents at writers conferences, conventions, and her Minnesota Branch.
Michelle Smith (Inland Empire Branch, Californi