NAWW Member, Barbara Florio Graham was the only Canadian winner in the 2006 CNW/FFWR writing contest. Entries in this contest come from all over the world, and judging is rigorous. There were only four categories in this 24th annual contest, so the Poetry Division was open to both traditional poems and free verse of any length.

Bobbi’s poem, just seven lines long, received the First Honorable Mention. Judge Mary H. Sayder called it “exquisite in its simplicity. Everything works beautifully…” and her additional comments on the website say: “Brevity and amazing simplicity elevate these highly visual lines into a highly memorable poem.” The list of winners and comments are at www.writers-editors.com.

NAWW Member, Pat Samples, author and speaker on creative aging and body wisdom, is a guest on this week’s “Tavis Smiley Show,” which is being aired on public radio stations across the country.

In the show, produced by Public Radio International (PRI), she talks about her new memoir, Body Odyssey: Lessons from the Bones and Belly. She speaks about the excitement of creating the second half of our lives with intention and enthusiasm, and using our body’s accumulated emotional and spiritual wisdom as a guide. She tells about an experience she had being “kidnapped” from her garage by a robber and what she learned from the terror still carried in her body years later. She also describes the revelations, delights, and healing that come from exploring creative dance and other forms of artistic expression as we age.

Visit http://www.tavistalks.com to hear the show (beginning June 10) online or to find your local station that carries the Tavis Smiley Show. More information on Pat Samples and Body Odyssey is available at http://www.bodyodyssey.biz.

NAWW member Nancy Mills, founder of Spirited Woman, invites you to participate in the SPIRITED WOMAN CIRCLE an exclusive new monthly 1-hr. phone conversation series with famous women authors and more. On July 11th our guest is Marcia Wallace, well-known actress and author of “Don’t Look Back We’re Not Going That Way.” She’ll talk about how her book was rejected by publishers - again and again, how her long road to self-publishing her book really paid off, and why it was one of the best decisions she ever made. Call only $15. Find out about series special. http://www.TheSpiritedWoman.com/spirited_woman_circle/

Lauren E. Sullivan is pleased to announce that her
book, “Give Wings to Your Dreams: Reawaken Your Joy and
Passion for Life” is now available on her website at www.GoldenWingsPress.com.

This book offers inspiration and tools to create a rich and robust quality of life for women who are experiencing burnout, feeling lost in the confusion of midlife turmoil, or who are facing challenges associated with change. Visit Lauren’s website for more information, to read an excerpt, or to place an order for the book.

Pesha Joyce Gertler has been elected Seattle’s Poet Populist and so far, has experienced this position as the most rewarding year of her professional life. Her belief that the healing power of poetry belongs to everyone has been affirmed as this position has enabled more doors to open for her and for others.

She has taken poetry (her own and those she evokes in others) to women’s transitional shelters and to the Mayor’s swearing-in ceremony and just about everywhere in between. Please see her web page for more details: www.peshajoycegertler.com.

She has published in numerous literary magazines and received many awards but feels stumped about book publishing. Would love mentoring on the subject or someone with whom she could toss ideas around.