DR. IRENE BLEA is a native New Mexican with her first novel Susana coming out Summer 2009. She is a retired Full Professor and Chairperson of Mexican American Studies at California State University-Los Angeles. The sociologist is an award winning author, scholar, poet and public speaker with areas of specialization on the Santa Fe Trail and Race and Gender relations.
She is a New Mexico Humanities Council lecturer who has written well over thirty articles and seven books; six of them published by Greenwood/Praeger. Two of her books are considered “classic” textbooks.
Blea has reviewed manuscripts for academic publication and is the founder of the Sandia Poets in Rio Rancho, NM.
For her, the first line of the text is of primary importance, the hook. It determines if she continues reading past the first page. Her specialization is in cultural character development. She offers that non-fiction writers must write about what they know both from an insider and outsider perspective. This means setting aside bias to render a truly unique publication. Those writing historical fiction would do well to develop a historical timeline. To review her books, visit Amazon.com.
DON BULLIS graduated from Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree in American History and American Literature. He attended graduate school at the University of New Mexico in 1971. During the 1970s he worked in public relations, educational projects and business. In the early 1980s he became a columnist for the New Mexico Independent newspapers and editor of the Sandoval County Times-Independent.
Bullis began a law enforcement career in 1982 that included stints as deputy sheriff/criminal investigator (Sandoval County), town marshal (San Ysidro), Commissioner (Governor’s Organized Crime Prevention Commission), and criminal intelligence operational supervisor (New Mexico Department of Public Safety). He retired in 2002.
After retirement, Bullis concentrated on historical research and writing. He gives talks to groups on New Mexico historical subjects. He is also the author of five non-fiction books and two novels including Bloodville, Bull’s Eye, and the acclaimed New Mexico Biographical Dictionary (a 2008 New Mexico Book Award Winner.)
Bullis is Sheriff (President) of the Albuquerque Corral of Westerners International, and a board member of the Historical Society of New Mexico. He is also a member of the Sandoval County Historical Society, the Albuquerque Historical Society, Corrales Historical Society, Western Writers of America, the Western History Association, National Association for Outlaw & Lawman History, The New Mexico Book Co-op and the ENMU Alumni Association.
Bullis lives in Rio Rancho, New Mexico with his wife, Gloria.
More than 30 years ago DRUSILLA CLARIDGE was seduced by both the Land of Enchantment and the stories that sprang from it when she came here to attend New Mexico Tech. Finishing her degree at UNM, she worked for the Gila National Forest on a fire tower. Subsequently, the Silver City Museum hired her to document historic districts in Grant and Catron Counties. Armed with what she learned from both written sources and field work, she wrote Peacock Ore, an historical novel on southwest New Mexico. After The History Channel found her internet article on the Johnson Massacre of 1837, she appeared on Wild West Tech, the 'Massacres' episode. "I strongly suspect stories are what make the world go 'round," she says. "When I review a book I serve as tour guide, explaining to readers what sort of book it is and what's in it, so they can decide for themselves if they want to read it. I try not to say whether it's 'good' or 'bad' but rather what I observe about it." Claridge lives in Albuquerque and tries to read only good books.
DAVID J. CORWELL is a native New Mexican. His short fiction has appeared in Dead in Th13teen Flashes and Cloaked in Shadow: Dark Tales of Elves. The latter anthology was a 2007 New Mexico Book Awards double finalist. Other stories have won seven national writing awards, including a Storyteller Award. He has a M. A. in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University.
David looks for several elements when reading a novel or short story: 1) Characters that live and breathe on the page and/or personalities that grab and make him care about what's happening to them; 2) Storylines that are compelling and unpredictable, new twists on old concepts, and/or interesting conflicts between characters and within themselves; 3) Conversations that are crisp, provocative, and emotionally charged; 4) Settings that are both immediate and vibrant, introducing wondrous new vistas or rediscovering the magic inherent in the everyday scene; 5) An underlying message that is not preachy, but that reveals new perspectives about the many facets of the human condition; and 6) A writing style that is so engaging and transparent that it's difficult to remember that he's reading - and critiquing - a book.
JERRY DAVIS lived in the Midwest until transplanting to Albuquerque in 1997. He earned B.A. and M.A. degrees in history from Michigan universities and taught history and geography in junior high schools there for thirty-one years. Shortly after his move to the Land of Enchantment, Jerry began a second career—that of writing. He had an article published in the national magazine called, The Good Old Days, he writes monthly columns for the newsletter of a men’s group to which he belongs and, for two years was a staff writer for Posh New Mexico. Twenty-five of Jerry’s articles were published in that periodical during the time he was associated with it.
To date Jerry has written four books of memoirs. They are Home on the Farm: Essays on a Michigan Childhood (2003), Tales of the Road: Essays on a Half Century of Travel (2004), Leafing Through My Family Tree (2007) and Master of None: A Love/Hate Affair with Home Remodeling. (2009). All of the books were at least partially illustrated with Jerry’s own original drawings and he is now working on an entire volume of his pencil sketches of rural Michigan outbuildings.
LOLA R. EAGLE author and poet, has published three books: From The Eye of an Eagle (a collection of poems and short stories); The Music of Her Life (a memoir of her mother); and More Visions in Verse. Her poetry, romance, travel articles, and personality profiles have appeared in numerous national magazines and anthologies, as well as local newspapers.
She currently writes for the New Mexico Breeze. A long-time assistant editor/proofreader of SouthWest Writers SAGE, she previously edited two professional newsletters and a literary magazine. Ms. Eagle likes to read nearly any kind of writing, as long as it isn't porn or dull. She likes to see material that has had good copy editing and doesn't care for that which doesn't. Comments about her reviews are welcome. When sending an e-mail, please note 'readingnewmexico' in the subject line, otherwise it may not get read, as unknown e-mails are usually deleted.
CONNIE GOTSCH landed in New Mexico because she got on a plane that took her as far as she could get from frozen South Dakota where it was soooo cold that on Friday, the state was stuck at Wednesday, and in spring, there were still six more weeks of winter left. Before she lived in South Dakota she froze through Chicago and Iowa winters, and spent several lively years in New York City and New Jersey going to college and graduate school in education and radio/tv.
In a novel she looks for characters who have universal things to say. She’s more interested in character development than action filled plots. She likes enough description to be able to picture a place but not so much she wallows in it. In nonfiction she looks for clear writing and things she can learn. She tends to compare what she reads to books of a similar genre when she reviews.
Her biggest pet peeve is characters she can’t believe in, or bad writing craft: word repetition, telling instead of showing, and happy endings with everything tied up in a pretty red bow. Life ain’t like that.
Connie has written two novels A Mouthful of Shell about a professional woman trying to make it in a man’s world, and Snap Me a Future, about a reporter who takes on an antiquities thief with the help of a Setterdor. Don’t know what a Setterdor is? Go to Amazon.com or her publisher DLSIJ Press.com and read the book.
In August, she will bring out a youth novel written from a dog’s point of view. Entitled Belle’s Star, the book attempts to empower children aged 8 to 12 to make good responses to difficult situations. Artemisia Publishing in Albuquerque is bringing out the book, and Four Corners artist, John Cogan is illustrating it. Parents and care givers will be able to download a discussion guide for ‘Belle’s Star.’ See the first chapter
Her advice to writers is: rude critics be – well you get it. Go find supportive, constructive people. Connie speaks from experience. When she was twenty, she thought she had written the Great American Novel. Of course, it was trash and a publisher who attended her church threw it at her at coffee hour and told her not to ever bring around such nonsense again. Her mother laughed and said she knew that would happen. After that Connie just about gave up writing. Fortunately she came to New Mexico and met a drama teacher named Patrick Rucker. His constructive criticism put her on the write road.
Connie is as ugly as an old cow, so she decided to follow a career in radio, and is the program director for KSJE Farmington. She hosts a classical music show entitled Roving with the Arts, and a writer’s show called Write On Four Corners.
MARY LOMBARDO and her family moved to New Mexico 34 years ago away from the snow and cold of the east coast. The retired teacher and union negotiator is the author of eight books for educators including the Mastering Math through Magic series, Poetry and Pop-ups, Easy-Does-It Grammar, and others (Linworth Publishing). Although mainly a non-fiction writer, she has written a middle-grade novel and several humor articles, one of which placed third in the Erma Bombeck Humor Writing Competition. She also writes for Posh, NM Magazine.
The author's non-fiction course, which she originally taught for Sageways is available (look under non-fiction) on the internet and stresses research and organization for successful non-fiction writing.
CANDACE MOREHOUSE is a New Mexican transplanted just over the border in the White Mountains of Arizona. She is the author of four books which feature romance and romantic suspense, all published by Champagne Books – and has another three in process. She is also a part-time book editor for Enspiren Press and a full time freelance writer.
What is Candace looking for in a book? A complex plot, believable characters, good editing, and a strong attention to detail.
Her biggest pet peeve: badly line edited books, or those that are self-published and not edited at all (it really takes away from the pleasurable experience of reading when there are too many spelling, punctuation, and grammar mistakes).
Her advice for writers of historical fiction: make sure that your research is exhaustive, extensive, and thorough. Immerse yourself in the time period, from watching movies and documentaries about it, to reading a historical atlas front to back cover. The same applies when writing about a place you’ve never been, or have only visited once or twice. Take your reader to another time and place.
“Everyone wants to write a novel!” says GREGORY J. SAUNDERS. Everyone has a story in them. At least that’s what I’ve been told. I am not unique in this; I have many inside just waiting to get out. So far, four have succeeded. My writing odyssey began in 2002 on a whim. My intent was to write a book. Simple as that. Thus I write.
As a first step I began with the line, “T minus 3 and counting.” Some of you may find that line in my first book, Light Of A Distant Star. I spent years on that single tome, and from one it grew to three and the trilogy, Unknown Country. And since publishers are reluctant to take a chance on new authors, (believe me, I tried many times and many different avenues to attract a traditional publisher or agent) I did what most aspiring writers do, I started my own publishing company and self-published my work. But me being me, I didn’t take the conventional approach, I published four at once.
My genre choice is Adventure with a taste of Sci/Fi and a dash of Fantasy; not to mention a healthy bit of Horror. Who knows what path I may step onto next. Raised in New Mexico, I live for my family and the high-country. Husband and father (always), outdoorsman (whenever I get the chance), and writer.
Oh yes, I do have a real j.o.b. with the State of New Mexico where it is my honor to serve as the Executive Deputy Director for the Gaming Control Board. Gambling regulation and government politics provide almost as much adventure as one of my novels. I reside in the city, but my spirit is usually chasing elk and my daydreams dance within the wonderful worlds of fiction. Whether it is with Niloc and the world of Mith-sul-anroth, (Unknown Country Trilogy), or the evil eye of a Zahir, I find life richer with the endless possibilities of the impossible, improbable and incredible.
I give thanks to my wife Jeannie and my boys, Dean and Colin and thank them for being patient through my passion and for giving me inspiration along the way. After all, Niloc spelled backwards is Colin. When you need names for your fiction just look to home and improvise.
SABRA BROWN STEINSIEK, a native New Mexican, is the author of 4 novels, a children's book, and a book of haiku poetry. Her Taylor Morgan Trilogy – Timing Is Everything, When That Time Comes, and ‘Til the End of Time - received an Eppie Nomination for the final book. Annie’s Song, the fourth book of her trilogy, won the 2008 New Mexico Book Award for Romance. She is also the author of a book of haiku poetry, Red Velvet Shoes: Contemporary Haiku that was recently chosen for a line of rubber stamps called Haiku for You. Her newest book is for children and those who have been children, The Tale Of The Pronghorned Canteloupe. She is also a freelance writer, storyteller, and jewelry artist.
She started ReadingNewMexico.com in July of 2008 because there were few places that local authors could be reviewed, especially those that were self-published or small press published. Believing “a book is a book is a book”, she opened Reading New Mexico to connect New Mexico readers with New Mexico writers.
JIM THOMPSON is the author of two books, The Physics of Genesis and The St. Nicholas Solution. He has served as a mission developer for a major Christian denomination and as a hospice chaplain. He holds a BS degree from Portland State University, a Masters degree from Luther Theological Seminary, and has completed post-graduate studies at the Graduate Theological Union at the University of California at Berkeley. Married, he has two sons and lives in New Mexico. His experience includes extensive studies in Jungian Psychology, Quantum Physics and training in music and marketing.
