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New Mexico Book Association

LUNCHEON MEETING INCORPORATES SPEED NETWORKING SESSIONS

11/22/2020

NMBA tried something new at the November virtual luncheon meeting--Speed Networking Sessions! We noticed that it is challenging to have meaningful conversations and connections online in our group luncheon meetings, and so at the November meeting we tried out randomly assigning present members to small groups of four or less where they were able to chat and network for around 10 minutes and then rejoin the main meeting. After 1 0r 2 sessions with four members, we had a few 15 minute rounds with only 2 people in each group. Members had a wonderful time connecting with others in the group who they may be old friends with, or even meeting for the first time! It was a great exercise and we plan to continue to incorporate a few speed sessions into many of our virtual luncheon meetings going forward. If you plan on joining the luncheon meeting, please be sure to RSVP HERE beforehand.

NANCY KING DEBUTS MOVING MEMOIR

11/19/2020

Nancy King reflects on her life and childhood in her new memoir, Breaking the Silence. Empowered by the stories she told herself as a child, she learns to use stories as part of her work as a university professor teaching theater, drama, world literature, and creative expression. Gradually, with the help of bodywork and therapy, she finds her voice. Says no to abuse and abusers. Reclaims her self and life. Writes a memoir. You can find her brand-new memoir here or at any bookstore.

MARTHA EGAN PROUDLY DEBUTS NEW BOOK

11/19/2020

Martha Egan’s new book, Relicarios: The Forgotten Jewels of Latin America, celebrates finely crafted bi-faced lockets popular during the Spanish Colonial era. Relicarios held prints, miniature paintings, or bas-relief sculptures of holy figures behind glass in silver or gold frames. The jewels could be simple or lavishly encrusted with gems. Although Jesuits in particular exported tons of relics to Latin America from Europe, in general only the elite wore relicarios containing relics. The pendants served to reflect loyalty to the Spanish Crown and the Catholic Church, devotion to certain saints, and as powerful amulets to protect the wearer from harm in the precarious New World. Although written for the general reader, much of Egan’s information will be new even to historians of Latin American art. She includes such rarely discussed topics as Bethlemite monks’ badges, Agnus Dei wax medallions, and Native people’s affinity for religious jewelry.

Topics such as New Spain’s ivory trade with Manila, miniature painting, silversmithing in Latin America, and bas-relief carving in indigenous media yield new information. With 200 color photographs, many of them not previously published, this elegant 176-page book, printed in Italy, is the result of 40 years of research, correspondence, interviews, travel, and writing. A glossary, an index, and an extensive bibliography accompany the text. Fresco Books of Albuquerque published Relicarios in September 2020. This handsome book is now available from Pachamama, 4829 Corrales Road in the Casa Perea Art Space, tel. 505-503-7636, or from the bookseller of your choice.

GENE GOLDBERG ANNOUNCES NEW CHILDREN’S BOOK

11/19/2020

NMBA member Gene Goldberg is releasing a brand new children’s book titled Once Upon a Pizza: Eight Crazy Ways Pizza Wasn’t Really Invented, and One It Might Have Been. This is an illustrated children’s book with a small collection of fun short stories. He invites NMBA members to reach out to him if they are interested in reading an advanced copy and posting a review on his behalf. Contact Gene at: geneg1103@gmail.com

MEMBER JUDY VAUGHAN ANNOUNCES NEW MEMOIR

11/19/2020

NMBA member Judy Vaughan has just launched her new memoir, Strawberry Roan: Growing up in the Shadow of Hermit’s Peak. It’s a triumphant story as well as a dramatic one, laced with lovely descriptions of ranch life and the backwoods beauty of northern New Mexico. Her book is available for purchase on Amazon and at op.cit. books Santa Fe, or it can be ordered from any bookstore.

NEW BOARD MEMBERS

11/19/2020

On October 9 the new board members met and voted for new officer positions. We are deeply grateful for the service of our departing members, including former president, Jared Gann, Vice President Sandi Wright, and Secretary Hal Malchow.

NMBA welcomes three new faces to the board! We are excited about their ideas to better serve the NMBA Membership. First, we welcome Jordan Jones as the new NMBA President, Miguel De La Cruz as Vice President, and Connie Nelson as Secretary/Historian. Long-time member Paula Lozar retains her role as Treasurer, and Richard Polese and David Freobel remain as members at large.

NMBA HOSTS FIRST-EVER VIRTUAL GALA & MEMBERSHIP MEETING

11/19/2020

The annual gala is something that NMBA members look forward to--getting dressed up each year and catching up with their fellow members--but this year we had to think of new ways we could safely host the event. In hopes of obtaining some sense of normalcy, we decided to continue the event but with a twist: it would be held virtually. Despite the obstacles, the gala was a success! We had members from all across the country, many of whom had never been able to attend the annual gala before because of the physical distance. In total, we had around 50 members log onto the virtual meeting and vote for board members.

Along with membership voting, the main attraction of the gala was the announcement of the winners of this year’s Southwest Book Design and Production Awards. Jared Gann and Sandi Wright put together a presentation that featured the winners and images of their books that played as they announced the winners. They also created lovely certificates for all winners and finalists that were mailed out after the announcement. It was a great turnout and it was nice to see everyone, even if it was virtually!

PEN AMERICA HOSTS VIRTUAL GALA

11/19/2020

This year, PEN America will merge their annual New York Literary Gala and Los Angeles LitFest Gala into one national, virtual celebration on Tuesday, December 8. Join them for a unique, one-night-only event and celebrate the power of words. Additional honorees and special guests will be announced soon. You can register for the gala, here.

TUCSON FESTIVAL OF BOOKS RESCHEDULES

11/19/2020

We were all excited to display member books at the Tucson Festival of Books earlier this year, but due to COVID-19 the event was canceled. They have just announced that the 2021 Tucson Festival will be a virtual event held online! No date has been released yet, but as soon as there is more information we will announce our plan for attending.

PUBWEST ANNOUNCES BOOK DESIGN AWARDS

11/19/2020

PubWest Book Design Awards recognize superior design and outstanding production quality of books throughout North America. As they celebrate their 43rd annual awards, PubWest invites you to submit your 2019 and 2020 titles. Books must be published from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2020, to be eligible. There are a variety of categories that can be entered. Click here for a list of eligibility requirements and a submission form. Submission deadline is December 31, 2020.