Round Table Success

Originally posted Thursday, April 28, 2016

Round Table Success

April 8th was our first YA Round Table, an event where we sat closely together and discussed plans and inspirations for the work in which we engage involving the young adult book genre. Angelica Jackson, author of Crow's Rest, graciously gave her time to us at MAE and shared her experience with the publishing process and the art of crafting a pitch and synopsis for a book. Our small group was able to intimately engage, getting questions answered and small comments heard. Although we had few attendants, I know that many more wanted to be there. We want to do more events like this one, because we see the need for YA events for writers in the area. Perhaps we will have another event on an upcoming weekend, so keep an eye out for an event on our Facebook page!

Be sure to check out the lovely Angelica Jackson's novel, Crow's Rest.

Crow's Rest Trailer by Angelica R. Jackson

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"Avery Flynn arrives for a visit at her Uncle Tam's, eager to rekindle her summertime romance with her crush-next-door, Daniel.

But Daniel’s not the sweet, neurotic guy she remembers—and she wonders if this is her Daniel at all. Or if someone—some thing—has taken his place.

Her quest to find the real Daniel—and get him back—plunges Avery into a world of Fae and changelings, where creatures swap bodies like humans change their socks, and magic lives much closer to home than she ever imagined."

Synopsis of Crow's Rest taken from Jackson's website, http://www.angelicarjackson.com.

Until we meet again, 

Hayley Perry

MWP intern

Young Adult Round Table: Collaborate, Innovate, Create

Originally posted Thursday, March 24, 2016

Young Adult Round Table: Collaborate, Innovate, Create

“Youth is happy because it has the capacity to see beauty. Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.” -Franz Kafka

On April 8th, Manzanita Arts Emporium will be opening its doors to anyone interested in learning more about what they can do with Young Adult literature! If you come, bring a book jacket you find visually captivating, and some questions for our guest speaker Angelica Jackson, published author of Crow's Rest, a young adult urban fantasy. Mariah and I, as interns at Manzanita Writers Press and at the Emporium, will have the privilege of hosting Angelica as well as any aspiring authors and fans of YA fiction. Both of us have a passion for adolescent attitudes in literature, being slightly-post-adolescent lovers of literature ourselves.  

Any questions or RSVP calls should be directed to the Manzanita Arts Emporium phone number and email, as listed on our flyer above. Hope to see you there!

Until we meet again, 

Hayley Perry

MWP intern

Searchers Book Launch

Originally posted Thursday, March 17, 2016

Searchers Book Launch

"Archer weaves an unforgettable tale of courage and inspiration that sweeps up the reader in a stirring drama that will long be remembered." - Antoinette May, author of The Determined Heart, The Sacred Well, Pilate's Wife, and Haunted Houses of California.

Stephen Finlay Archer's first of four novels, Searchers: The Irish Clans, was released on March 3rd for sale. Now comes time to celebrate, in a true Irish style. Well, perhaps with less drinking and brawling. We will have our book launch party on April 9th from 3:00-5:00pm. Come for the author booth and stay for the Irish libations.

The novel follows Claire, a spunky young Irish woman adrift with amnesia and near death, as she proves valuable to unlocking an ancient clans mystery. Also featured is Tadgh McCarthy, a young Irish rebel sea captain who stares death in the face as he struggles to accomplish his mission in the revolution and validate his birthright as Clan Chieftain. And thirdly, we read about Collin O'Donnell, a beleaguered young Canadian with guilt for the loss of family and a difficult decision to make. This book is perfect for the reader looking for mystery, romance, adventure, and history.

Until we meet again,

Hayley Perry

MWP intern 

Upcoming Events at Manzanita Arts Emporium

Originally posted Thursday, March 10, 2016

Upcoming Events at Manzanita Arts Emporium

"The ladder of success is best climbed by stepping on the rungs of opportunity." -Ayn Rand

It's March and the sun is out. The weather is gorgeous and we are ready for this Winter/Spring/Summer hybrid season, Wringer if you will, to take flight. If you're in the area this month, here's what there is to check out at the Manzanita Arts Emporium:

• March 7, March 21, 10:00AM-1:00PM - Writers Unlimited meetings - FREE

• March 14, March 28, 6:30-9:30PM - Writers Unlimited manuscript review, craft chat and event sharing writers support - FREE

• March 13, March 20 2:00-4:00PM - Saving the IOWA lecture series - FREE

• March 19, all day - MURPHYS Irish Days - Stephen Archer will have an author booth set up 

• March 21, 6:30-8:30PM - Photoshop Design Workshop -$20.00

• Mondays, by appointment - Guitar Lessons with Master Gordon Rowland

Should you have any questions about booking our space for your organization, a workshop you'd like to do, or any of the above events, please be sure to contact Manzanita Arts Emporium at our gmail account, manzanitawp@gmail.com, our phone number, 728-6171, or through our Facebook page.

Until we meet again,

Hayley Perry

MWP Intern

Encouraging Young Writers

Originally posted Friday, March 4, 2016

Encouraging Young Writers

Any man who keeps working is not a failure. He may not be a great writer, but if he applies the old-fashioned virtues of hard, constant labor, he’ll eventually make some kind of career for himself as writer.

– Ray Bradbury

The beauty of writers is that we often are connected to each other: a network of kindred spirits. Writers, like most artists, tend to move in packs. We like to talk about our craft and ask for information on how to improve it from people we know and trust, while simultaneously gathering inspiration from their work. Manzanita Writers Press strives to provide a personal and hands-on experience for writers looking to publish. There is an understanding between editors, staff, and creator that one of the most important things about a book is the fact that an author is behind it. Someone has taken the spark of a small idea and harnessed it into a flame. It is the responsibility of the press to set the blaze free. 

Young writers at every level of expertise and knowledge about the field are in dire need of encouragement. Without encouragement, they will not have the complete formula for what it takes to make a writer grow. Yes, some young writers prefer not to share their work until it is done. And some may even shudder at the thought of an older writer speaking to them about their work, thinking they won't understand or that they will judge it. But efforts must be made, and attention must be paid. There are Hemingways and Brontes all around us, just waiting to be discovered and brought out. 

Apart from the way it benefits amateur writers themselves, older writers will take away a lot from working with those green scribes. Fresh input creates fresh output, and the cycle continues. Writers should constantly be renewing and expanding their scope of inspiration and influence so as not to become stagnant. What makes a writer stagnant? If a poem seems to have gone fuzzy around the edges from the wear and tear of the language's reuse, it may be stagnant. If a story is an echo of what you have already written down in your notebook every time you feel the need to get something out of your head, it may be stagnant. This does not mean that old ideas are not good. Nor does it mean that nothing can be done for a refurbished story or poem. What it means to have a stagnant piece is that you have the opportunity to reach beyond the branches you have been picking from, and pluck from a higher limb. It means that maybe it's time to work with fledgling writers. 

As a college intern at MWP, I am excited at the prospect of working with young adult writers, ranging from ages 16 to 25. We'll be having a YA writers Round Table event with a guest speaker on Friday, April 8th from 5:30 to 7:30 at Manzanita Arts Emporium. Young writers are highly encouraged to come, and anyone with a passion for young adult fiction is welcome to our FREE event. This will be a time for brainstorming and encouragement.

This blog may be my destination for brainstorming about projects at MWP, or it may be where I blast my concrete ideas for the Emporium and try to get the word out to readers. I love having this space to talk about all things writing related, and I encourage feedback in the comments section below.

Until we meet again,

Hayley Perry

MWP intern

P.s. National Encourage a Young Writer Day is April 10th...supporting this event will make you very patriotic!

A New Chapter for MWP

Originally posted Friday, November 27, 2015

A New Chapter for MWP

“Afoot and lighthearted I take to the open road, healthy, free, the world before me.” 

― Walt Whitman

The grand opening of the Manzanita Arts Emporium is Saturday the 28th of November from 10am-8pm, and we expect to hit the ground running! There will be art on display available for sale, as well as some lovely hand crafted tables and chairs. We have some adult coloring books set out for our guests' leisure and there is always tea in the office. Our emporium is not only a place to display the best of what the local arts have to offer, it is a place where artistic souls may come for sanctuary and inspiration.

There will be workshops throughout the rest of the year and into next year, held at the Manzanita Arts Emporium. If you are interested in attending any of these, sign up at manzapress.com. The image above gives details for each, but here's a brief list of those coming up:

• Tech Talk series with Brett Bunge

November 30, December 7 &14 - 3:00pm-4:30pm

$15 for each workshop, $50 for all

• Novel Hot Starts...First 5 Pages with Antoinette May

December 5 - 9:30am-12:00pm

$40

• Healthy Living...Mindfulness & Nutrition with Nitya Prema

December 6 - 1:00pm

FREE

• Poets Night with Writers Unlimited

• December 7 - 6:30pm

•

• FREE

• Writing for Non-Fiction Film & TV with David Vassar and Sally Kaplan

December 12 - 10:00am-4:00pm

$195

• Mark Twain's 88 Days in the Motherlode Talks with Jim Fletcher

December 12 & 19 - 12:00pm-1:00pm

FREE

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In addition to the workshops, the emporium has open office hours from 10:00am-5:00pm on regular business days. Thank you for reading, and we hope you will join us at our grand opening!