CA-SACRAMENTO-EVENTS-L Archives

From: "James L. Rader" <>
Subject: writing family stories and avoiding the pitfalls of online publishing.
Date: Wed, 9 Aug 2006 14:20:08 -0700

Hello,
Shirley Chang kindly provided your email. I have spoken to
numerous genealogical and historical societies, including the
Root Cellar, about my historical novels based on real people
in the Sacramento region. Please forward this message to
members interested in writing family stories and avoiding the
pitfalls of online publishing.

Reservations for these workshops will close August 17.

Naida West
WRITING THE HISTORICAL WEST
916-985-7411
www.bridgehousebooks.com




SPARK YOUR CREATIVITY AMID THE AUTUMN COLORS AT SILVER LAKE

For 10 years I have been asked, "How do you go about writing
a book based on real people and getting it published? In
September I will answer that question.

By request of Kit Carson Lodge and their guests, I will lead
2 September writing workshops in that inspiring high Sierra
beauty spot. Most participants will want to stay in one of
the Lodge cabins
(fireplace, kitchen, view of the lake --
www.kitcarsonlodge.com).
Location: just off Hwy 88, about 10 minutes west of Kirkwood.
I can attest that Kit Carson dinners are right up there with
the best restaurants anywhere. Call Naida West 916-985-7411
for information about workshop content, or Ximena Pearson
209-258-8500 for information about registration and lodging,
o camp sites. But first, read on.





Naida West Writing Workshops
September 17-19 and September 20-22, 2006 (reservations close
August 17)

Two days and a social evening with Naida in a small-group
setting:

Day 1. (If participants prefer, 1 1/2 days. ) Creative and
stylistic aspects of writing family stories, memoirs, and
historical novels: a continuum from fact to fiction. A
practitioner of the craft with 16 years of critique
experience, Naida will advise you on a wide variety of
writing issues, including point of view, voice, commercial
considerations, and much more. Participants are welcome to
bring chapters to be critiqued. Limited attendance will
ensure personal attention, time for questions, and discussion
of your work. If your book isn't started yet, that's all
right too. This workshop will jump start your creative
juices.

Day 2. (1/2 day if participants prefer less emphasis on
publishing, more on writing) The pros and cons of traditional
publishing, online publishers, subsidized publishing, print
on demand, and self- publishing. Naida's decade of
publishing experiences and those of her many publishing
associates, as well as her involvement in publishing
associations have given her a breadth of knowledge. You'll
come away armed against unscrupulous people who make their
living taking advantage of novices.

Dates and times:
Workshop #1 Starts September 17th, Sunday 7 - 9 p.m. Wine and
cheese social.
Ends September 19th, Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. Workshop hours:
9:00 a.m.
to 12:00 noon and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday.

Workshop #2 Starts September 20th, Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. 7 -
9 p.m.
Wine and cheese social that evening. Ends September 22nd,
Friday at 12:00 noon. Workshop hours: 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. on
Wednesday, 9:00 a.m.
to 12:00 noon and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, and 9:00
a.m. to 12:00 noon on Friday.

Cost: $275 per person, includes lunches and continental
breakfasts.
10% discount for "Early Birds." Click on Participants Info
for details, camping, and alternative lodging. Hurry and
register! Space is limited to 20 workshop participants.

NAIDA WEST, a life long writer, holds a B.A. from the UC,
Berkeley, M.A. from Sacramento State, and Ph.D. from the UC,
Davis. A former teacher of sociology and consultant/lobbyist
on state environmental matters, in 1990 she gave up her other
work to write full time and immerse herself in the craft. She
is a sought-after speaker on writing and publishing as well
as northern California history.

Naida lives in the California Gold Country on her ranch
beside the Cosumnes River. The history of the place and
artifacts she found there inspired her trilogy. Her
award-winning novels are perennial sellers and required
reading in colleges across the U.S., and now England. She is
a storyteller, bringing to life the history of northern
California. She has also led many walking tours through the
settings of her books. Continuing book sales have enabled her
to establish and expand Bridge House Books, her own
publishing company.

At work on the third novel in her California trilogy, Naida
is also writing Meet the Author, a humor-tinged account of
why she became a publisher and the missteps by which she
learned the ropes the hard way. Chapter 1 of Meet the Author
will be provided free to workshop participants.

Naida's books: For more information see
www.bridgehousebooks.com

Eye of the Bear: History Novel of Early California (1825 -
1829). A Miwok boy comes of age and leads his people in a
native insurgency against the Mexican military, winning
freedom from compulsory mission life. Based on real people
and true events, and told from the native point of view, this
novel won Honorable Mention in Book of the Year Awards. First
in the trilogy.

River of Red Gold (1844-1853), the California Gold Rush in
the Cosumnes River area. Based on the true story of Indian
Mary, vaquero- turned-outlaw Pedro Valdez, and Elitha Donner,
survivor of the Donner Party -- three lives entwined in a
drama of passion and power. This award-winning best seller is
2nd in the trilogy.

Rest for the Wicked (in progress) continues the family
stories of the families of Indian Mary, Elitha Donner,
Sheldons and others. It adds Progressive Hiram Johnson as he
begins to assault the railroad monopoly, and Hazel Duffy as
she struggles to rise above her humble beginnings. Third
novel in the trilogy, expected late 2007.

Symon's Daughter: A Memoir of Elizabeth Symon Smith, by Don
Ian Smith, is based on a trove of family stories and bits of
writing found in Elizabeth's room after her death. Naida was
the involved editor, adding new research, scenes, and dialog.
She also shaped the chapters of her uncle's book. This
biography of Naida's remarkable Scottish grandmother, the
most important influence in her life and writing, will be
used as an example for a number of issues at the workshops.

Murder on the Middle Fork, by Don Ian Smith and Naida West,
based on an historic murder in Idaho (l917). Rev. Smith heard
about it more than 50 years ago. He recently provided the
story to his niece and asked Naida, to bring it to life. In
2005 this book was a best seller in Idaho, the childhood home
of Naida and life-long home of her uncle Don.

From Hell to Jackson Hole: A Poetic History of the American
West, by Michael L. Johnson. Winner of the coveted Benjamin
Franklin Award for poetry, this book is a collection of
condensed biographies illustrated with famous artwork of the
American West. Published by Bridge House Books. Free of
charge to workshop participants.

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