Events

Dear Friends,
Exciting news here at Blenheim Press—starting in May, Anthropologie, the national chain of clothing and lifestyle stores, will carry
The Santa Monica Farmers’ Market Cookbook! I'm delighted to have this new opportunity to get out the eating-in-season message.

You know it’s spring when the markets overflow with plump fava beans, extra-sweet asparagus, and mellow green garlic. In the May issue of Bon Appétit, you’ll find the second installment of my year-long pullout Seasonal Produce Guide with tips on why to try and how to choose and store the season’s top ten favorites. Closer to home, I was delighted to have Danielle Berrin of The Jewish Journal accompany me on my weekly visit to the market; her lovely article ran in the Passover issue (April 11, 2008).

Hope to see you at these great L.A. events celebrating books, sustainability, and farmers. See the invitation below to the exciting second annual farmer-chef gala starring the city’s greatest cooks. And, please visit www.ameliasaltsman.com or www.blenheimpress.com for more events. I’ll be traveling to Chicago and Ann Arbor in June and New England in September and will send details soon.
Warmest regards,
Amelia
Celebrate the Market benefit for Southland Farmers’ Market Association
Sunday, May 18, 2008
The Fairmont Miramar Hotel - Santa Monica, CA
6 pm - 10 pm
(see invitation below)

Book EXPO of America
Booksigning Prospect Park Books, Booth 2707
Saturday, May 31st:
LA Convention Center
1201 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015
10 am

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday April 22, 2008

Contact:
Eric Reynolds
206.524.1967 x218
reynolds@fantagraphics.com

“STRANGE & STRANGER: THE WORLD OF STEVE DITKO” to debut at the MOCCA Art Festival (June 7/8th).

Fantagraphics Books is proud to announce that Strange and Stranger:
The World of Steve Ditko – the first critical retrospective of Steve Ditko, the co-creator and original artist of the Amazing Spider-Man – will make its much-anticipated debut on Saturday June 7th, 2008 at the MOCCA Comics Art Festival. The author, Blake Bell, will be on hand both days at MOCCA to sign copies of the book and will debut his slide show presentation on Ditko’s work as part of the festival’s programming. As well, a bookstore signing event at Jim Hanley’s Universe will take place during the festival weekend.

In addition to updates, teasers, and media news on Bell’s Steve Ditko web site at www.ditko.comics.org, readers will be able to keep abreast of updates on the book’s Facebook and MySpace pages, as well as multiple radio and print appearances. For example, Wizard magazine will be running a 6-page feature, excerpting from the Amazing Spider- Man chapter, in its July issue – out in early June). Also, beginning tomorrow, the book’s Introduction will be posted on www.fantagraphics.com, with an additional excerpt being made available to Fantagraphics’ 20/20 Club members.

Available in comic-book stores nation-wide in mid-June, and in mainstream book stores in early July, the book will explode many of the myths of Ditko’s career, as well as present reams of rare and unpublished Ditko artwork. All at once, the book functions as a biography of the artist, and an examination of his work (spotlighting over 300 images) with commentary on what makes Ditko one of history’s greatest sequential storytellers from the author and some of comics most skilled and articulate comic creators.

2008 will mark the year when Steve Ditko fans the world over will have the opportunity to celebrate the artist’s 50-plus year career with this definitive volume from Blake Bell and Fantagraphics Books.
A selection of images in a variety of formats is available for publication. For additional information, contact Eric Reynolds at the numbers above.

TITLE INFORMATION:
Strange & Stranger: The World of Steve Ditko By Blake Bell
$39.99 Hardcover
220 pages, full-color, 9” x 12”
Diamond order code: MAR08 3707
ISBN 978-1-56097-921-0
PUBLICATION DATE: June 2008

USC MASTER OF PROFESSIONAL WRITING PROGRAM -- ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS NOW!
Since its inception in 1971, the mission of the USC Master of Professional Writing Program has been to prepare and launch talented writers in lifelong writing careers. The unique multi-genre approach enhances students’ interests and strengths while encouraging them to expand and augment their writing expressions.

Courses are technique-oriented, leading to the discovery of the individual writing voice, honed through structure, the influence of multiple disciplines, and market awareness.

Faculty members are leading professional writers, many of whom are graduates the USC MPW Program, chosen for their abilities to originate, direct, and communicate. Courses are taught in workshops, in which students experience the editorial and directorial process.

Students network with MPW alumni and industry leaders at activities and events throughout the year structured to facilitate their way through the marketplace. Students may also intern with literary agencies, community organizations, film studios, and other organizations for on-the-job training.

The USC MPW Program offers the energy and dynamism of Los Angeles, a 24/7 hive of creative activity, with multi-ethnic, cultural, artistic, and intellectual energies. MPW faculty, alumni, and students are a family of writers who define and advance social commentary, entertainment, business, and artistic discovery.

Contribute your voice to the rapidly expanding culture of contemporary media. APPLY NOW for Fall 2008! Or for further information, contact Paula Brancato, USC MPW Faculty brancato@usc.edu

Paula Brancato
cell: 310.429.5181
office: 212.249.0255

SOUTHAMPTON COLLEGE WRITERS’ CONFERENCE

The Southampton Writers Conference 2008 includes a new program: The Southampton Screenwriting Conference which runs from July 30th to August 3rd. Malia Scotch Marmo (“Hook” “Madeline,”); Andrew Bienen (“Boys Don’t Cry”); Linda Seger (author, Making a Good Script Great), Michael Hauge, ( author, Writing Screenplays that Sell); Renee Shafransky, screenwriter and award-winning independent film producer); Bette Gordon (director; co-chair, School of the Arts, Columbia University) teach morning workshops, including: Writing for Emotional Impact; The Art of Adaptation; Writing the Romantic Comedy; Making the Script Your Own: Finding Your Voice. In addition, Robert Benton will be leading a discussion of his films on Friday evening, August 1st.

Annette Handley Chandler, director of the inaugural Southampton Screenwriting Conference, has worked in all areas of the television and movie business. She was the executive producer of the Emmy-winning “Ansel Adams: The Documentary,” directed by Ric Burns, has been a literary agent, a network executive and screenwriter. She has also taught screenwriting at Pepperdine and UCLA.

Creative writing faculty for the overall Writers Conference 2008 include new stars—Derek Walcott, Amy Hempel, and Alan Alda. Walcott won the Nobel Prize for his poetry. Amy Hempel’s short story collections, including Reasons to Live, are considered classics. Alda is the author of two memoirs, including Never Have Your Dog Stuffed. Returning faculty include: Frank McCourt, poet Billy Collins, playwrights Marsha Norman and Christopher Durang, Meg Wolitzer, Matt Klam, Melissa Bank and Roger Rosenblatt. This summer’s conference will also unveil the newest edition of The Southampton Review, the MFA program’s literary journal.

For more information and applications, telephone: 631-632-5030, or visit the Web at: www.stonybrook.edu/writers

 Everyone has a Greater Voice inside them. It’s indefinable – yet we know it when we hear it. It’s a voice that transcends the times we live in – it speaks of risk, daring, integrity, and conviction.

Join host Susan F. Benjamin, journalist, author, and public speaker to hear the Greater Voice of leading politicians, renowned entertainers, intriguing scientists, top-secret spies, corporate leaders, and outrageous bloggers. They’ll speak out about everything from poetry to protest, science to sensuality. They’ll shape your life, open your mind, and amaze you.

The Greater Voice broadcasts every Thursday at 8am Pacific (11 Eastern) on the VoiceAmerica Radio Network. Tune in and watch your own Greater Voice ignite.

This Week's Guests

Little Secrets

HEMANTA MISHRA author of The Soul of the Rhino: A Nepali Adventure with Kings and Elephant Drivers, Billionaires and Bureaucrats, Shamans and Scientists and the Indian Rhinoceros
RICHARD GLINSKI author of Birds of Prey in the American West
EMILY ELROD editor of Califauna: A Literary Field Guide Heyday Books website

Hello - and welcome to The Greater Voice. So glad you're here for our premier newsletter as The Greater Voice continues to welcome new listeners and listener participation. You can hear us at www.thegreatervoice.com.

New Books for You
Want to a read a great, interesting, helpful or who-knows-what book? Be first and we'll send your pick from one of these:
- The Super Antioxidant Diet and Nutrition Guide: Robin Jeep and Richard Couey, PhD (The title says it all)

- The Hustler and the Champ: R.A. Dyer (He's on today!)

- Smile for No Good Reason: Simple things you can do to get happy NOW!

More Reads -

Nigel Collins editor-in-chief of the Ring Magazine recommends:

A biography by Jen Mace called "Master of the Ring" about a Victorian boxer by Graham Gordon.

A book called "Knock-Out the Art of Boxing" by Ken Regan. Photographs of boxing through the years. The first fight Regan photographed was between Ali and Liston.
"Hands of Stone - the Life and Legend Roberto Duran." Author Christian Giudice studies Spanish then went to Duran's native Panama to get the boxer's story right.

So, What About Your Greater Voice?

Want to get your voice into the world but not sure about hard copy or electronic? By publishing in newspaper, magazines and other hard copy forms, you can reach thousands or, in some cases, millions of people. That's the upside. The downside is that hard copy - at least newspapers - lasts only a day. Besides fewer and fewer people under 50 turn to online sources for their written information: in fact, one quote has it that only 36% of readers under 50 go to the newspaper for hard news. As for blogs, sure. Go ahead. But remember: there's plenty of bloggers out there and you have to market to compete. Of course, those blogs are available for long term (actually, eternal) viewing! One last note: writing poetry? Creative works? Online venues could get you considerably better viewing.

Have questions you want us to address for the next newsletter? Something that will help get your greater voice into the universe? Let us know!

Creative writing faculty for the overall Writers Conference 2008 include new stars—Derek Walcott, Amy Hempel, and Alan Alda. Walcott won the Nobel Prize for his poetry. Amy Hempel’s short story collections, including Reasons to Live, are considered classics. Alda is the author of two memoirs, including Never Have Your Dog Stuffed. Returning faculty include: Frank McCourt, poet Billy Collins, playwrights Marsha Norman and Christopher Durang, Meg Wolitzer, Matt Klam, Melissa Bank and Roger Rosenblatt. This summer’s conference will also unveil the newest edition of The Southampton Review, the MFA program’s literary journal.

525 East 72nd Street #18A New York, NY 10021 TWPBrancatoNY@aol.com