Writing Contest for New Mexico Writers

LAS CRUCES - An outstanding New Mexican writer will be honored for her work in non-fiction next spring when her book receives the prestigious Zia Award. Given each year by the New Mexico Press Women at their annual spring conference, women
writers living in the state are invited to submit their books for consideration for the award. The 2009 Zia Award will be given to the author of a non-fiction book published in 2006, 2007 or 2008. Some suggested non-fiction categories include general, essay, biography, autobiography, history, cookbook, humor, instructional, religious or inspirational, or photography. Each year the award rotates to one of three categories: non-fiction, fiction and children's literature. To accommodate this schedule, a book published in the last three years is eligible. Submissions can be made by the author or by someone else on behalf of the author, such as a publisher. Membership in the association is not required, but the writer must be a woman. Authors must also live in the state or have a strong connection to New Mexico; however the book can be published anywhere. A $10 submission fee is required and helps to defray the costs of the award. Entries must be postmarked by Jan. 10, 2009. The 2008 Zia Award went to Anne Weaver for her children's book titled The Voyage of the Beetle. The 2010 Zia Award will be designated for fiction. The Zia Award was started by members in 1953 to honor an outstanding woman in New Mexico media. The New Mexico Press Women is the state chapter affiliate of the National Federation of Press Women and exists to provide professional development, networking and First Amendment right protection to professional journalists and communicators. For More information on the association please visit the website at: www.NewMexicoPressWomen.org.

Book entries are considered a donation to the organization and are not returned. The books will be part of the silent auction held at the annual spring awards banquet to raise scholarship funds. To submit a book entry to the Zia Award contest please send a cover letter containing contact information and a paragraph stating the author's connection to New Mexico, along with the book and a check for $10 payable to New Mexico Press Women to the following address postmarked by Jan. 10, 2009:

Jessica Savage
Zia Award Contest Chair
1612 Ralph Drive
Las Cruces New M exco 88001

Connie Gotsch
Author Snap Me a Future and A Mouth Full of Shell DLSIJpress.com
Coming in August 2009, Belle's Star Artemesia Press

New Mexico Book Association

> August 3: Jane Hirschfeld, poet (Given Sugar, The Lives of the Heart, etc.), reading and signing at Collected Works, Santa Fe, 6pm.

> August 8: NMBA Networking Luncheon, The Writers Room, Santa Fe, 11:30am to 1:15pm, free.

> August 9: Lisa Dale Norton: Shimmering Images: A Handy Little Guide to Writing Memoir (St. Martin's Press), booklaunch at Garcia Street Books, Santa Fe, 3-4pm. Reception at the author's home follows at 5pm. Call Lisa at (505) 986-0050.

> August 14: NMBA Publishers and Authors Round Table & Happy Hour! Santa Fe Bar and Grill in DeVargas Mall, 5:30pm. Come, relax, enjoy conversation!

> August 16: "Oral History Collecting" with Cecelia Portal, Taos Public Library, 10:30am to 12:30pm, $45 www.somos.org

> August 22: DEADLINE! PDF file for your page in the catalog for the New Mexico Authors & Publishers Showcase at the Mountains & Plains Booksellers Trade Show. Contact Jim Mafchir, westernedge@santa-fe.net, (505) 988-7214.

> September 9: Dan Poynter "Guerilla Marketing for Small Presses and Self Published Authors", An NMBA & SWW professional workshop from 7 - 9pm held at the New Life Presbyterian Church, Albuquerque. Members of SWW or NMBA $25, non-members $35. Reserve now: Rob Spiegel in Albuquerque: (505) 275-2556, robspiegel@comcast.net

> September 28: "Writing from the Creative Heart" workshop with Denise Chavez, Cultural Center de Mesilla, Mesilla, NM, $100. www.borderbookfestival.org.

> October 3-4: Santa Fe Antiquarian Book Show, Museo Cultural, Santa Fe. www.santafebookshow.com, (505) 983-0088.

> October 18: Penny Sansevieri Workshop: "Red Hot Internet Marketing for Authors & Publishers," sponsored by NMBA and SouthWest Writers, New Life Presbyterian Church, Albuquerque. 9am - 4:30pm, includes lunch and book. NMBA and SWW members $79, $99 non-members. Reserve now: Rob Spiegel in Albuquerque: (505) 275-2556, robspiegel@comcast.net

Connie Gotsch www.conniegotsch.com Host Write On Four Corners KSJE FM, Farmington NM www.ksje.com Author two award winning novels Snap Me a Future and A Mouthful of Shell available www.dlsijpress.com
Always in Print ‘Cuz They’re Print on Demand!

Coming in 2009, Belle’s Star,’ a youth novel from Artemesia Press at http://www.apbooks.net