"Sleeping With Ward Cleaver" makes debut

Jenny Gardiner's novel, Sleeping With Ward Cleaver, has just hit the bookshelves. You'll recall that Jenny's manuscript for this novel won the American Title III national fiction contest last year. Order your copy at Amazon.com.

"A fun, sassy read! A cross between Erma Bombeck and Candace Bushnell, reading Jenny Gardiner is like sinking your teeth into a big frosted chocolate cupcake...you just want more."

-Meg Cabot, author of Big Boned and Queen of Babble Gets Hitched.

Congratulations, Jenny!

LLLer Makes the LA Times Bestseller List

A BLESSING IN DISGUISE: 39 Life Lessons from Today's Greatest Teachers by LLLer Andrea Joy Cohen is #7 on this week's Los Angeles Times Bestsellers List.

LOOK!

Job Opportunity in NC

From Press 53, a small independent publisher in Winston-Salem and Hamptonville, NC.

Edit 1/10/08: Hard to believe, but the below is an UNPAID VOLUNTEER position. As if!

Publicity Coordinator: BA in Public Relations, Journalism, Communication, or English. Previous experience writing press releases and pitching media in a book publishing environment or for a PR firm necessary (or really desirable). Experience in a book publishing environment is a big plus.

Ideal candidate will have a proven track record of successfully pitching story ideas and getting placements with national and trade media. Excellent computer skills (Word, Excel, Filemaker Pro, Bacons Media Source, Photo Editor (or equivalent), Microsoft Outlook e-mail, Internet Skills) required. Must be able to work independently, possess sound judgment, and be a creative professional. Individual should be able to show successful national print, TV, and radio placement. Media relations background and experience pitching authors to all media outlets desirable. Previous experience running a campaign independently desired.

Responsibilities include developing and producing public relations materials, including press releases, fact sheets, author biographies, pitch letters, interview questions, etc. This includes writing press sheets for galleys to be sent to trade media. To conduct media relations, including responding to inquiries by the media, arranging interviews, planning book and media tours, and following up on news releases and mailings. To conduct author relations, including responding to questions and requests of authors, and maintaining continual flow of information. This includes planning events and scheduling author participation at trade shows and other venues. Superb written and verbal communications skills imperative. Ability to manage multiple tasks and foster good relationships with a wide variety of internal and external business associates essential. Specific knowledge of public relations strategies and tactics, specifically related to book campaigns, is important. Will train the right motivated candidate(s). More than one position may be available.

Please submit a letter of interest with two writing samples, a press release and a pitch letter or some other short nonfiction piece (an article, essay, etc.) that illustrates your writing ability. Email as attachments to Sheryl Monks: sherylmonks (at) aol.com.

Sharon Leiter reading at New Dominion

An invitation from Sharon Leiter:

Dear Friends,

Please come and join me for a reading of my new book of poems, The Dream of Leaving, on Thursday, January 24, at 5:30 pm, at New Dominion Bookstore on the Downtown Mall. Afterwards, we'll convene at Jean Sampson's studio on the second floor of the McGuffey Art Center, for food, drink and conversation!

Will you let me know by January 17 if I may expect the pleasure of your company? You can email me at SLeiter at AOL.com.

wishing you a happy, healthy new year,

Sharon

LLL Denver News 3

Debra Fine's new book is coming out this month:

THE FINE ART OF THE BIG TALK: How to Win Clients, Deliver Great Presentations, and Solve Conflicts at Work (Hyperion).

She will be speaking and signing books at:

Tattered Cover LoDo, Denver - Wed., January 30, 7:30 pm.

LLL Denver News 2

Andrea Joy Cohen MD's first book is being published today:

A BLESSING IN DISGUISE: 39 Life Lessons from Today's Greatest Teachers (Berkley/Penguin)

She will be speaking and signing books at:

Boulder Book Store - Thurs., January 24, 7:30 pm.
Tattered Cover LoDo, Denver - Tues., January 29, 7:30 pm.

LLL Denver News 1

Carleen Brice's first novel, ORANGE MINT AND HONEY (One World/Ballantine), is debuting on Feb 12. Target has chosen it as a Break Out Title for February, and it's also a pick of the Essence Magazine and Black Expressions book clubs.

Upcoming events:

7:30 p.m., Tuesday, February 26
Tattered Cover LoDo, 1628 16th Street, Denver, CO 80202 (at Wynkoop directly across Wynkoop Street from the new EPA building next to Union Station just blocks from Coors Field). Hourly parking lots are located near the store and streetside parking is also available. Phone number: 303-436-1070.

7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 8
West Side Books, 3434 W. 32nd, Denver, CO 80211. "Stories for All Seasons." Free admission and refreshments. Phone number: 303-480-0220.

2:00 p.m., Friday, March 28, VIRGINIA FESTIVAL OF THE BOOK
New Dominion Bookshop, 404 E. Main St., Charlottesville. "Families Coming Together," with Tim Farrington (The Monk Upstairs) and Emilie Richards (Touching Stars).

7 p.m., Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Southglenn Library, 7500 South University Boulevard (Dry Creek and University), Centennial, CO 80122. Phone number: 303-LIBRARY (303-542-7279).

Denver White Elephant Gift Exchange

At long last, here's the Denver LLL White Elephant Extravaganza on December 14 at Mead St. Station. A hilarious time was had by all.

Clockwise from left front: Robin Owens, Rebecca Burgess, Andrea Joy Cohen, Debra Fine, Kristin Nelson, Shelly Vickroy, Bella Stander, Rebecca Burgess, Karen Carter and Mary Taylor Young.

The many exquisitely wrapped gifts were piled in the center of the table and the Ladies picked for themselves.

Carleen Brice happened on the most inappropriate gift, donated by yours truly: a self-published doorstop about an Irish guy who fought for the Confederacy, which she immediately regifted to Robin. Then good luck shone on Carleen again, and she walked away with what was unanimously deemed the most horrid item: a white bisque double-necked amphora (I'm sure there's a special term for it) with a Spirit of the West-type owl painted on it.

Andrea Joy Cohen blessed the amphora, but I have a strong suspicion that it's going to resurface next year. Perhaps it will become a rotating gift, like the famous can of guava paste in Charlottesville. If memory serves, the copulating frogs received by Dawn Hunt (see below post) have also made a previous appearance. And the painted-lady wine glasses that Laura Rydin got from (and returned to) Janis Jaquith were given by me two years ago.