New Mexico Press Women

Zia Award Recognizes Five Outstanding Nonfiction Authors

Five outstanding New Mexico women writers will be honored for their work in nonfiction on Saturday, May 5, at 12:15-1:45 p.m. at Marriott Courtyard Santa Fe, 3347 Cerrillos Rd. The 2012 Zia Book Award recognizes top winners in five categories: “Always Messin’ With Them Boys” by Jessica Helen Lopez (nonfiction poetry), “Weekends with O’Keeffe” by C.S. Merrill (history/biography), “Through a Narrow Window” by Linney Wix (coffee table), “Code Talker” by Chester Nez with Judith Schiess Avila (memoir) and “The Hybrid House” by Catherine Wanek (how to/reference).

Additionally, three books were selected to receive honorable mentions: “Love & Death: Greatest Hits” by Renee Gregorio, Joan Logghe and Miram Sagan (nonfiction poetry), “Gila Country Legend: the Life and Times of Quentin Hulse” by Nancy Coggeshall (history/biography) and “Across the Great Divide: A Photo Chronicle of the Counterculture” by Roberta Price (coffee table). “With so many excellent books submitted, the judges had to make some really tough decisions,” write Zia Book Award judges Merimée Moffitt and Jennifer Simpson.

The award is presented by New Mexico Press Women. The winning writers will read and sign books at an award luncheon during NMPW’s annual conference, “Learning from the Past–Planning for the Future.”

WINNING BOOKS AND THEIR AUTHORS

“Through a Narrow Window: Friedl Dicker-Brandeis and Her Terezín Students” (UNM Press in cooperation with the UNM Art Museum)

“‘Through a Narrow Window’” is not only a heartbreakingly beautiful art book filled with stunning and compelling color plates of the artwork of the children of Terezin concentration camp and artist/teacher Friedl Dicker-Brandeis.  The book documents the will to create art and shines a bit of hope on one of the darkest times of the 20th Century,” write Moffitt and Simpson.

Author Linney Wix is associate professor in the art education program at the University of New Mexico.

This book and the accompanying exhibition, curated by Wix, offer a closer look at the methods and philosophy of Friedl Dicker-Brandeis’s teaching, the history behind her approach, and its possible psychological effects on the children she taught in Terezín, the so-called model ghetto designed by the Nazi propaganda machine to showcase creative endeavors. The book includes biographical and art historical information on Dicker-Brandeis and sheds light on her roles as an artist, teacher and heroine behind Nazi lines in World War II.

“Weekends with O’Keeffe” (UNM Press)

“So much has been written about iconic artist Georgia O’Keeffe, but in ‘Weekends with O’Keeffe’ author C.S. Merrill shows us O’Keeffe through the lens of her young poet self.  The book is rich with details of daily life culled from journals Merrill wrote during the ’70s working as O’Keeffe’s assistant and sprinkled throughout with her own poetry, which adds artistic depth to the work,” write Moffitt and Simpson.

C. S. Merrill is the author of a book of poetry, “O’Keeffe: Days in a Life” (La Alameda Press). She works as librarian at Kewa Pueblo School and Cochiti Pueblo School.

In 1973 O’Keeffe employed C. S. Merrill to catalog her library for her estate. Merrill, a poet who was a graduate student at the University of New Mexico, was 26 and O’Keeffe was 85, almost blind, but still painting. Over seven years, Merrill was called upon for secretarial assistance, cooking and personal care for the artist. Merrill’s journals reveal details of the daily life of a genius.

“The Hybrid House – Designing with Sun, Wind, Water, and Earth” (Gibbs Smith)

“‘The Hybrid House’ is a how-to hybrid itself, pretty enough for your coffee table, informative enough to make your head spin green. Catherine Wanek tucks stories, resources, and instructions onto pages of to-die-for architectural photos. Readers will want to live more efficiently after flipping through this beautiful and useful book,” write Moffitt and Simpson.

Catherine Wanek is an author, editor, filmmaker and owner of the Black Range Lodge, an historic bed and breakfast inn in the mountains of southwest New Mexico, where she hosts workshops and conferences, including the Natural Building Colloquium.

“The Hybrid House” showcases 12 contemporary homes in more than 200 color photographs, demonstrating ways to create a healthy, comfortable house with traditional natural materials in combination with the best of new technologies, such as super-efficient windows and radiant heat.

“Code Talker: The First and Only Memoir By One of the Original Navajo Code Talkers of WWII” (Berkley Hardcover)

“‘Code Talker,’ chronicling the life of Chester Nez, is historically important and not only depicts World War II history, but also depicts a part of the Native American experience as well—it is a tribute where tribute is long overdue.  Beyond the work’s importance because of its topic, author Judith Avila’s ability to write in the voice of Chester Nez and take a large amount of information and craft it into a story is impressive,” write Moffitt and Simpson.

Co-author Judith Schiess Avila worked as a social worker, an air traffic controller, and a computer consultant before discovering writing.

Of the original 29 Navajo code talkers who first devised the code and proved it indispensable in combat, Nez is the only one still alive. In this memoir, Nez, 90, chronicles both his war years and his life growing up on the Checkerboard Area of the Navajo Reservation—the hard life that gave him the strength, both physical and mental, to become a marine. His story puts a living face on the legendary men who developed what is still the only unbroken code in modern warfare.

“Always Messing with Them Boys” (West End Press)

“‘Always Messing with Them Boys’ echoes Harlem Renaissance jazz, gardenia-scented blues and attitude.  Jessica Helen Lopez’s first book of poems steps up on the stage and shouts out lyrics both breathtaking and defiant. There are no boundaries this poet won’t cross, no topics too small or too taboo. Jessica’s voice will set women free to be, from L.A. to Deming to Burque to New York City,” write Moffitt and Simpson.

Poet Jessica Helen Lopez is a member of the 2012 Albuquerque Slam Team and was on the 2008 national champion winning UNM Lobo Slam Team.

In this debut collection, Lopez ruminates on love and romance, motherhood, teaching and the trials and tribulations of adulthood. This collection in the New Series was voted a Southwest Book of the Year by the Tucson-Pima County Public Library.

JUDGES

Merimée Moffitt arrived in the land of enchantment in 1970. She co-edits the Rag, a monthly broadsheet and co-hosts Duke City DimeStories, a prose open mic. She recently has work in Mas Tequila, Sunday Poem on Duke City Fix, Adobe Walls, Malpais Review, and the Harwood Art Center anthologies. Her third chapbook is forthcoming.

Jennifer Simpson is in the final stretch of her Master of Fine Arts in creative writing, writing her dissertation, “Reconstructing My Mother,” a memoir. She co-hosts Duke City DimeStories, Albuquerque’s only open mic for prose. Her work has been published in Bartelby Snopes literary journal, Creative Human magazine, StyleSubstanceSoul.com, and several trade magazines. She has a poem forthcoming in “A Year in Ink, Vol. V,” an anthology of San Diego writers.

ZIA BOOK AWARD

The Zia Book Award was started in 1953 to honor an outstanding woman in New Mexico media. Each year the award rotates to one of three categories: nonfiction, fiction and children’s literature.

The 2013 Zia Book Award will be given to the author of an outstanding fiction book published in 2010, 2011 or 2012. The contest is open to all sub-genres of fiction. Details will will be posted on NMPW’s website in the fall.

NEW MEXICO PRESS WOMEN

NMPW is New Mexico’s largest inclusive media organization. It is an affiliate of the National Federation of Press Women, providing professional development, networking and First Amendment rights protection to professional journalists and communicators.

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Nonfiction book entries sought for N.M. women writers contest

An outstanding New Mexican writer will be honored for her work in nonfiction next spring when her book receives the prestigious Zia Award.

New Mexican women writers are invited to submit their books for consideration for the award, given each year by New Mexico Press Women at the annual spring conference. To be eligible to receive the award, selected winners must read at the award luncheon during the 2012 conference May 4-6.

The 2012 Zia Award will be given to the author of an outstanding nonfiction book published in 2009, 2010 or 2011. The contest is open to all subgenres of nonfiction, from memoir to textbook.

Submissions can be made by the author or by someone else on behalf of the author, such as a publisher. Membership in New Mexico Press Women is not required, but the writer must be a woman who lives in or has a strong connection to New Mexico. The book may be published anywhere.

To submit for consideration for the Zia Book Award, send a brief cover letter including complete contact information, the author’s biography (including her connection to New Mexico) and a description of the book, a copy of the book and a check for the $10 entry fee payable to New Mexico Press Women to:

Sari Krosinsky
Zia Book Award Chair
315 Terrace Street SE
Albuquerque, N.M. 87106

Entries must be postmarked no later than Friday, Jan. 13, 2012.

Book entries are considered a donation to the organization and are not returned. The books will be part of the silent auction held at the spring conference to raise scholarship funds.

For more information on the contest, send correspondence to the address listed above or email michal_kro@hotmail.com.

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The Zia Award started in 1953 to honor an outstanding woman in New Mexico media. Each year the award rotates to one of three categories: nonfiction, fiction and children’s literature. To accommodate this schedule, a book published in the last three years is eligible.

New Mexico Press Women is an affiliate of the National Federation of Press Women and exists to provide professional development, networking and First Amendment rights protection to professional journalists and communicators.

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Zia Award Recognizes Three Outstanding Children’s Book Authors

Three outstanding New Mexico women writers will be honored for their work in children’s literature on Saturday, April 9, at 12:15 p.m. at the Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces. The 2011 Zia Book Award recognizes Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw for “My Travelin’ Eye” in first place, Jennifer Cervantes for “Tortilla Sun” in second place, and Karen Taschek for “Hanging with Bats: Ecobats, Vampires, and Movie Stars” in third place.

The award is presented by New Mexico Press Women. The winning writers will read and sign books at an award luncheon during NMPW’s annual conference, “Come see the stars in Las Cruces,” newmexicopresswomen.org/conference.

In “My Travelin’ Eye,” Jenny Sue’s eyes are different from other people’s eyes. Her right eye looks in one direction, while her left eye sometimes wanders. Jenny Sue has a travelin’, lazy eye. Although it makes her different, it also helps her see the world in a special way. Kostecki-Shaw is a freelance illustrator. She studied at the Kansas City Art Institute and The Illustration Academy. This is her first picture book. She lives in Northern New Mexico with her husband, Patrick.

“Tortilla Sun” is the story of 12 year old Izzy from California who must spend the summer with her grandmother in New Mexico. Along with some new friends and a pinch of magic, she finds herself on an adventure to connect the hidden pieces of her past. Cervantes was named a 2010 New Voices pick by the American Booksellers Association. She teaches young adult literature at New Mexico State University. She lives with her husband and three daughters.

“Hanging with Bats” explores bat fact and bat fiction, highlighting bats’ value in ecology and pop culture. Taschek introduces the world’s tiniest mammal, the 20 ounce bumble bee bat, the flying fox with a six-foot wingspan and others of the more than 1,100 species of bats. She explains common expressions like “bats in your belfry” and bats’ roles in movies, cultural legends and literature. Taschek is a freelance author and editor for Random House and UNM Press.

The Zia Award was started in 1953 to honor an outstanding woman in New Mexico media. Each year the award rotates to one of three categories: nonfiction, fiction and children’s literature. The 2011 award was judged by Leslie Chamberlin, director, Tireman Library, University of New Mexico; Mandy Cumming, assistant librarian, Albuquerque High School; and Sari Krosinsky, chair, Zia Book Award, and editor, University Communication and Marketing, University of New Mexico.

The 2012 Zia Book Award will be given to the author of an outstanding nonfiction book published in 2009, 2010 or 2011. The contest is open to all subgenres of nonfiction. Details will will be posted on NMPW’s Web site in the fall.

NMPW is an affiliate of the National Federation of Press Women and exists to provide professional development, networking and First Amendment rights protection to professional journalists and communicators. For more information, visit newmexicopresswomen.org.

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Fiction entries sought for women’s book contest

An outstanding New Mexican writer will be honored for her work in fiction next spring when her book receives the prestigious Zia Award.

Women writers living in the state are invited to submit their books for consideration for the award, given each year by the New Mexico Press Women at the annual spring conference. The 2010 conference will be held in Albuquerque, April 16-17.

The 2010 Zia Award will be given to the author of an outstanding book in fiction published in 2007, 2008 or 2009. The contest is open to novels, novellas and short story collections and to all genres.

Each year the award rotates to one of three categories: nonfiction, fiction and children’s literature. To accommodate this schedule, a book published in the last three years is eligible.

Submissions can be made by the author or by someone else on behalf of the author, such as a publisher. Membership in the association is not required, but the writer must be a woman. Authors must also live in the state or have a strong connection to New Mexico; however the book can be published anywhere. A $10 submission fee is required and helps to defray the costs of the award. Entries must be postmarked by Jan. 11, 2010.

New Mexico Press Women is an affiliate of the National Federation of Press Women and exists to provide professional development, networking and First Amendment rights protection to professional journalists and communicators. For more information on the association, visit www.NewMexicoPressWomen.org.

The Zia Award was started by members in 1953 to honor an outstanding woman in New Mexico media.

Book entries are considered a donation to the organization and are not returned. The books will be part of the silent auction held at the annual spring awards banquet to raise scholarship funds.

To submit a book entry to the Zia Award contest please send a cover letter containing contact information and a paragraph stating the author’s connection to New Mexico, an email address or stamped postcard for acknowledgement of receipt, the book and a check for $10 payable to New Mexico Press Women to the following address postmarked by Jan. 11, 2010:

Sari Krosinsky
Zia Award Contest Chair
315 Terrace Street SE
Albuquerque, N.M. 87106

For more information on the contest please send correspondence to the address listed above or email michal_kro@hotmail.com.

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New Mexico Press Women announce 2009 Zia Book Award honors

An unprecedented six Zia Book Awards were given to five New Mexican women for their outstanding book-length work in non-fiction and one publisher by the New Mexico Press Women this month at their annual conference in Santa Fe.

The Zia Award is given annually to a woman book author who lives or has ties to New Mexico. Each year the contest focuses on one of three genres: non-fiction, fiction, or children’s literature.

Receiving the top honor was Las Crucen Paula Moore for “Cricket in the Web,” which is the result of three years of intense researching and interviewing to flesh out the story of the Cricket Coogler murder case and its political aftermath.

“I believe the book covers the most notorious unsolved New Mexico murder in the twentieth century — the most notorious of the nineteenth century being the murders of Col.

Albert Fountain and his young son Henry in 1896, another case that still triggers heated debate in
Doña Ana County as well,” Moore said.

Published in 2008 by University of New Mexico Press, Moore’s book, subtitled “The 1949 Unsolved Murder that Unraveled Politics in New Mexico,” has also been honored by the state and Doña Ana County historical societies with awards. In the history of the Zia Award given since 1954, seven other Las Cruces-area women have received the honor, the most recent being Linda Harris, also a non-fiction honoree.

Other honored titles dealt with subjects as diverse as Native American healing, wild and domestic animals, a New Yorker who falls in love with the Southwest and New Mexico on hiking excursions, and nuclear power. Each book was set at least in part in New Mexico. The other New Mexican women honored for their non-fiction books are:

• Marsha Scarbrough, First Runner-Up for “Medicine Dance: One woman’s healing journey
into the world of sweatlodges, drumming meditations and dance fasts,” 2007, O Books;
• Ruth Rudner, Second Runner-Up for “Ask Now the Beasts: Our kinship with animals wild
and domestic,” 2006, Marlowe and Company;
• Mary Beath, Chair Award for “Hiking Alone: Trails out, trails home,” 2008, UNM Press;
• Gwyneth Cravens, “Honorable Mention for Power to Save the World: The truth about
nuclear energy,” 2007, Vintage Books.

Scarbrough’s healing journey brought her to the revelation that she was a warrior in an archetypical sense. Beath quotes Barry Lopez in her introduction: “The differing landscapes of the earth are hard to know individually. They are as difficult to engage in conversation as wild animals.” Through her hiking and journaling Beath realizes she has done just that, while we learn reading through her book of essays Rudner is the one engaging wild animals. Guided by a Sandia National Laboratory scientist and environmentalist, novelist Cravens seeks to counter his nuclear endorsements, but ends up totally convinced nuclear energy should replace carbon-based fuel sources.

Runner-up honors were given in 2007 (fiction) and 2008 (children’s literature) but addition awards were given this year because of the large number of submissions and it was the end of the three year term of the current Zia Award Chair. The Chair Award, given to Beath represents the personal favorite book of the committee chair and this is first time the award has been given. Cravens received the Honorable Mention, also a first time honor for a Zia Book Award submission.

Publisher UNM Press received a certificate acknowledging their role as submitter of the three books that have received top honors in the three-year cycle covering the three genres recognized by NMPW with a Zia Book Award. The titles submitted and honored with the top award by UNM Press the past three consecutive years are: The King’s Lizard by Pamela Christie (Fiction – 2007), The Voyage of the Beetle by Anne H. Weaver (Children’s Literature – 2008) and Cricket in the Web by Paula Moore (Non-Fiction – 2009).

The 2010 Zia Award will be given to a woman author of an outstanding book in fiction. Eligible titles will have been published in either 2007, 2008, or 2009.

NMPW is the state affiliate of the National Federation of Press Women, organized to provide professional development, networking and First Amendment advocacy for women journalists and communicators. NMPW, an inclusive media organization, is open to men and women. Visit the website at: www.NewMexicoPressWomen.org.

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