February 3, 2015 (San Diego)--San Diego's Mission Trails Regional Park announces a three-day Kumeyaay Lakes Poetry Campout  in February with Poet Jim Moreno--complete with love-themed workshops for romantics at heart.

The Valentines Day Weekend (Feb. 13-15) will blend writing time for beginning to seasoned poets in four structured writing workshops. Star gazing with the San Diego Astronomy Association, a guided nature walk, and a Saturday sunset open mic for camping poets and community at the Kumeyaay Lake amphitheater will be blended with Valentine theme poetry events.

Janju: The Voice Of One Girl, by Priscilla Koranteng (Poised Publishing LLC, Lanham, Maryland, 2014, 150 pages.)

Book Review by Dennis Moore

January 27, 2015 (San Diego's East County) - Priscilla Koranteng, an author and businesswoman born in Ghana, West Africa, to a teacher and politician, and who grew up with a lot of optimism and the zeal to achieve the best in all she could, has written a warm and fictional account of a young girl growing up in Africa; Janju: The Voice Of One Girl.

For complete Calendar including Authors Events, go to www.SDWriteWay.org

On Earth As It is In Hell, by Cortina Jackson (48HrBooks, 2014, 204 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore                                                                                                        

January 17, 2015 (San Diego's East County) - Cortina Jackson, a doting mother of two sons, with a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice, and over 15 years of law enforcement experience, has written a fictional novel that reaches within the depths of your soul to examine your relationship with God and the Devil; On Earth As It Is In Hell. Although fictional, one gets the impression that this book is based on the author’s life experience, especially after reading excerpts of the book and numerous phone interviews with her. With Jackson’s experience and knowledge in law enforcement, she has seen firsthand that; oftentimes, life is scarier than fiction. This has given her a basis for the material in her writing that often seems too detailed to be true. The gory and graphic aspects of those doomed to Hell, such as this fiery inferno continually burning the skin from their bodies, seems so disturbingly realistic. It is actually scary! This born-again Christian has written a spellbinding novel. Listen to audio intro to book here.

Akram, by Akram Arastehjoo (The Scriptory, Stacy Thunes Krieger, Menlo Park, California, 2014, 115 pages).

Screenplay Review by Dennis Moore

January 7, 2015 (San Diego's East County) - Akram Arastehjoo, a descendant of the great Persian Empire, which we now know as Iran, tells her own and personal family story that encapsulates the long and illustrious history of kings and queens, in a screenplay written by Stacy Thunes Krieger, Akram. The author actually derives her name from the Holy Quran; meaning generosity, or “most generous.” This is pointed out by Krieger in this well-written and warm story.  Arastehjoo is unabashed in her pride for everything that is Persian, and rightfully so. It comes across in my interview of the author and throughout the story. I have been made aware that Iran actually converted from the original name of Persia to Iran in 1935, but it did take some getting used to. Many seem to prefer that bygone era of Persia, and all it stood for, including the iconic Darius the Great.

For complete Calendar including Authors Events, go to www.SDWriteWay.org

Readers

January 2 (Friday, 6:00 pm) — Author Bishop O'Connell will sign and talk about his book, The Stolen.

Mysterious Galaxy, 5943 Balboa Ave, Suite 100, San Diego. For additional information, go to http://www.mystgalaxy.com/ or call (858) 268-4747.

December 26, 2014 (San Diego)--If you were lucky enough to have a tablet or e-book reader waiting for you in a gift box this season, the San Diego County Library is ready to help you use your new gift.

From a large catalog of titles available for download to tutorials on how to use your e-reader to hands-on workshops to help you get started, there’s something for everyone.

For complete Calendar including Authors Events, go to www.SDWriteWay.org

Readers

December 21 (Sunday, 7:00 pm) — Warwick's and Words Alive present Cary Elwes in conversation to discuss his new book, As You Wish, the behind-the-scenes account about the making of The Princess Bride. The event will be held at the David and Dorothea Garfield Theatre at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, The Jewish Community Center, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037. This is an OFFSITE ticketed event, and a copy of the book is included. Tickets can be purchased here. Check-in and doors open at 2:15PM and seating is first-come first-served.

By Mimi Pollack

December 10, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) --Animals have a way of reaching others and comforting in a way that people sometimes can't. When a well-trained and loving dog is brought to a retirement home, a nursing and rehabilitation facility, or a hospice, etc., it brightens the day of so many people, bringing positive companionship. That is why pet therapy dogs provide such an invaluable service, and there are many owners who would like their pets to participate. However, if someone is interested, it is very important to do some research first.

What Mama Said, by Gladys Seedorf (Seedorf Publishing, Battle Creek, Michigan, 2013, 91 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

December 7, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - In dedicating this book to her mother, Willie Jewel Peterson, first time author Gladys Seedorf writes a heartfelt memoir that will resonate with many readers; What Mama Said. It certainly resonates with me, as it brings about poignant reminders and experiences I had with my own mother. Having interviewed the author over the phone, also contributed to the affinity that I have for Seedorf’s writing style.

By Miriam Raftery

November 20, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – As part of our coverage of Native American Heritage Month,  East County Magazine Show’s Bookshelf host Reina Menasche interviewed local writer Paula Margulies. She is the author of Favorite Daughter, Part I, a story about Pocahontas told from a Native American point of view.  She has also written a novel, Coyote Moon, set on the Pala Indian Reservation here in San Diego’s inland region.

Listen to our interview with Paula Margulies, originally aired on KNSJ radio, now online here: https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...

By KB Schaller

November 25, 2014 (Plantation, Florida) - It is my pleasure to share this update on the presentation of my latest title, 100+ Native American Women Who Changed the World, which was given a stellar review by Dennis Moore for East County Magazine. The event took place on Saturday, November 15 at the Helen Hoffman Library in Plantation, Florida and was co-sponsored by the Plantation Historical Society.

By Dennis Moore

November 16, 2014 (San Diego) – It’s that time of year again when San Diego’s best and brightest minds converge on the San Diego County Library in downtown San Diego. For the 49^th consecutive year the city will honor and celebrate authors and their books. I was fortunate to have been one of those authors at the 46^th Annual San Diego Local Author Exhibit at the old San Diego County Library. The Local Author Exhibit highlights the intellectual and creative accomplishments of writers in the San Diego region. The San Diego Public Library is calling on San Diego County authors who have published books in 2014 to submit them to the 49^th Annual Local Author Exhibit. See attached.

The Healing Shower, by Eloise Laws (Knowledge Power Books, Valencia, California, 2012, 131 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

When all the odds say there’s no chance,

Amidst the final dance,

I’ll be your comfort through your pain

I’ll be your shelter in the rain.

• Stevie Wonder

Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter, musician, political           activist and philanthropist.

November 13, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - Eloise Laws, an award-winning vocalist, Tony-nominated actress, author, and breast cancer survivor – in her debut book The Healing Shower, shares her personal journey, surviving the “ups and downs’ of breast cancer. Inspired by the outpouring of love and support she received from family and friends, prompted her to write this thought provoking and deeply moving book. In this thoughtful and well-written book are all the tools one who is suffering from a life-threatening illness will need as a guide when considering a “Healing Shower” before or possibly returning home from surgery. As East County’s Jamie Reno attested to in his book Hope Begins in the Dark, which this writer also had the honor of writing a review of in the East County Magazine, cancer can be a never ending battle. San Diego City Councilwoman Marti Emerald is also fighting this debilitating disease of cancer.

Mama’s Bees, by Anat Tour

Book Review by Dennis Moore

With podcast interview on "East County Magazine Live!" KNSJ 89.1 radio show.

San Diego’s East County resident Anat Tour, is at it again, with her latest book offering, Mama’s Bees. This prolific writer has penned her 6^th children’s book, since we initially met while I was moderating an Author Event at Barnes & Noble Grossmont bookstore in La Mesa, and she asked me for some advice on how to get started. A few weeks later Tour had published as an eBook, Mama’s Shoes. The interesting thing about Mama’s Bees, as told to me in a phone interview with Tour, is that it is actually inspired by a true story.