High Hill Press Wins a Spur from Western Writers of America

Coffee and Critique co-founder Lou Turner is kicking up her red cowboy boots and shouting, "Yee Haw!"

Lou found out yesterday that she will be among those receiving Spur awards from the Western Writers of America at their awards ceremony in Sacramento, California, this coming June.

As publisher of High Hill Press and editor of Cactus Country III, Lou will receive a Spur because the short story "Cabin Fever," written by Brett Cogburn and appearing in Cactus Country III, won a Spur in the Best Short Fiction category.

Another work published by High Hill Press, McKendree Long's short story "Chouteau's Cross," was a finalist in the same category.

Congratulations to High Hill Press publishers Lou and Bryan Turner for their commitment to publishing stories and books in the Western genre and for their tireless dedication in championing Western writers.

Some Items of Interest

Doyle overcame technical difficulties during his talk at Troy-Buchanan High School about being a writer. He highly recommends writers sign up for next year's event.

Jack answered questions from second graders at St. Peter school about writing, being a Navy pilot -- and why submarines don't have windows.

Donna gave a talk about the process of revision to members of the Columbia Chapter of MWG last Sunday.

Alice's laptop was DOA at the Best Buy "Trauma Center," and a replacement is on the way. She also has a new phone to replace the one she borrowed from her grandson.


Donna, Sarah, Jane, Bill (the Elder) and Alice have submitted true stories to the Reader's Digest 100-word story contest.

The Elder Bill's 100-word story is about not having a birthday party -- so we surprised him with one of our own!

Bill S. signed a contract for his series of short stories.

Claudia has a book coming out soon.

Marcia sent a reminder that the deadline for the MWG contests has been extended until March 15.

Margo Dill has a post about the release of her new book, Caught Between Two Curses, over on the Lit Ladies Blog.

Announcement: Meeting Change

Tomorrow we will meet in the Wine Room, rather than the banquet room, of Rendezvous.

Hot off the Press: Coffee and Critique Anthology is Ready!

Hot off the Press! (I've always wanted to say that).

Lou Turner called this morning with the exciting news that the Coffee and Critique anthology will be finished today and will be available for pick up tomorrow at the Rendezvous Café.

Lou will be there at 10 a.m. to distribute contributor copies. 

Additional copies will be available for sale at a discount for contributors.

In addition to the wonderful stories and essays, the anthology includes photos and "Take Ten" interviews with several members, including the late Nick Nixon.

Bring your Sharpies so you can sign copies.

Hope to see you there!

Cover Reveal: Coffee & Critique Anthology

Here's a sneak peek at the front and back covers of the soon-to-be published Coffee & Critique anthology.

This first issue of the anthology includes short stories, essays, and interviews from more than a dozen writers, all associated with the Coffee & Critique group that meets each week at the Rendezvous Café in O'Fallon.

Check back for details about the book's official release date.

They Sold, They Signed, They Survived!

Cathi, Linda, Lynn (front)
Donna and Alice (rear)

Last Saturday, I had a great time visiting with four local celebrity writers (Cathi LaMarche, Linda O'Connell, Lynn Obermoeller, and Alice Muschany) at Barnes and Noble in St. Peters.

Coffee and Critique's own Alice Muschany is one of the four local contributors whose true stories of survival are included in "We Will Survive" by Grammy Award-winning artist, Gloria Gaynor, and Sue Carswell.

I arrived at the event a bit late -- after 2 p.m. -- straight from celebrating my baby sister Bridget's birthday lunch at McGurk's in O'Fallon. (Yum)

By the time I got to the book store, I stood in a rather long line. One of the contributors told me they sold out of the 25 copies of books the store had ordered in the first hour of their signing, so the ladies had to run out to their cars to get their private stashes of books.

In addition to the four local celebrity authors, I met several other celebrities: members of Alice's family, including her granddaughter Peyton, who was also celebrating a birthday on Saturday, and chatted with local writers Tammy, Teresa, Kim, and Jack.

Thanks to Kim for taking this photo with my iPhone.

Alice Muschany's Book Signing at Barnes and Noble in St. Peters

Alice Muschany, aka Coffee and Critique's "fastest red pen west of the Mississippi," is one of four  St. Louis area authors whose stories of survival are included in Gloria Gaynor's recently released anthology,  We Will Survive: True Stories of Encouragement, Inspiration, and the Power of Song.

In addition to Alice, local writers Lynn Obermoeller, Linda O'Connell, and Cathi LaMarche have stories in the anthology and will be on hand to sign copies of the book.

The event will be this coming Saturday, December 7 at Barnes & Noble, Mid Rivers Center Drive, St. Peters, MO from 1-3:00 p.m.