Authors Guild is Sponsoring NMPW’s 75th Anniversary Conference

George RR Martin

The Venerable Authors Guild, which has been “supporting working writers and protecting authors’ rights since 1912,” is co-sponsoring New Mexico Press Women’s 75th Anniversary Conference at the Isleta Resort, scheduled for March 15-16, 2024. Conferences | New Mexico Press Women

There are several special connections between the Guild and our organization this year. George RR Martin, our banquet keynote speaker, is a named plaintiff in the Guild’s lawsuit over AI using authors’ work to train their computer software without permission. The Authors Guild, John Grisham, Jodi Picoult, David Baldacci, George R.R. Martin, and 13 Other Authors File Class-Action Suit Against OpenAI – The Authors Guild
Hampton Sides, who will be our featured guest for an interview on Saturday, March 16, is a member of the Guild’s Advisory Council. Authors Guild Council – The Authors Guild
NMPW President Sherri Burr, has been a member of the Authors Guild Foundation Board of Directors since 2020. Marie Arana, Sherri Burr, and Richard T. Ford Join Authors Guild Foundation Board – The Authors Guild Here’s a link to how to join. Membership – The Authors Guild

George RR Martin to keynote NMPW’s 75th Anniversary Banquet

While you may know that George RR Martin is the author of the best-selling book series “A Song of Ice and Fire” that began with A Game of Thrones, which became an award-winning television series by the same name, did you know any of the following facts about him?

1. Martin received a B.S. in Journalism (summa cum laude) in 1970, a M.S. in Journalism in 1971, and a Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in 2021 from Northwestern University.

2. Martin signed on as a story editor for Twilight Zone at CBS Television in 1986, and as producer and writer for the 1987 Beauty and The Beast.

3. In 2022, Martin became the Executive Producer of AMC’s Dark Winds.

4. Martin’s charity work includes supporting authors through scholarships to Clarion West, Odyssey Writing Workshop, and the Taos Tool Box, as well as the establishment of the George R. R. Martin Chair in Storytelling at Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern.

5. Martin is the proud owner of Beastly Books and Jean Cocteau Cinema in Santa Fe, NM.

Martin is contemplating an interesting talk where he will weave in his thoughts about Banned Books and the protection of the First Amendment. His bookstore, Beastly Books, will be on hand at the Conference Banquet from 5:30 – 8:30 to sell not only his signed books but also many banned books. The Banquet is sold out and registrations are closed.

Enter Now and Save!

Time is running out! Beat the early bird deadline and save $25 bucks! Take a look at your work during the 2023 media year and enter the New Mexico Press Women’s state level tier of the National Federation of Press Women’s prestigious communications contest.
The state contest is the first tier in the national contest. All entries are submitted through the National Federation of Press Women’s Communications Contest portal at nfpw.org/professional-contest.
The New Mexico Press Women’s Communications Contest is first judged at the state level. First place winners in the state level contest are eligible to move to the national level of judging. To be eligible to move to the national contest, the entrant must be a member in good standing with the National Federation of Press Women. The contest is open to media people over the age of 18 regardless of gender, professional status or location. There are over 64 categories covering writing, editing, photography, graphic design, radio and television, web and social media, advertising, communication programs and campaigns, public relations materials, information for the media, speeches and collegiate/education.
All work must have been published or broadcast between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023 to be eligible for entry. Entry fees for New Mexico Press Women are $25 for the first entry and $15 for each additional entry. Nonmember fees are $30 for the first entry and $20 for each additional entry. Student fees are $10 for the first and $10 for each additional entry.
A one time $25 late fee will be assessed to all professional contest entrants after the Jan. 17, 2024 early bird deadline. Jan. 31, is the entry deadline for all books. The final contest deadline for all other media is Feb. 7 then the state level contest judging begins. Judging will be completed by March 8 and first place winners that want to go on to the national contest must be members of the national organization by March 15.
State level contest winners will be announced at the annual NMPW conference is set for March 15 and 16, 2024 at Isleta Hotel and Resort. See more information on both the contest and the upcoming conference.

COA Nominations Are Open

Adam Biederwolf, the Chair of the Communicator of Achievement process, is pleased to announce the opening of the nomination phase. Here is the link to the requirements. You may nominate yourself or another member of NMPW. If you have any questions, please reach out to Adam Biederwolf.

The deadline for submissions is Friday, February 2, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. The winner will be announced at the Diamond Anniversary Conference banquet on March 16, 2024. The banquet keynote speaker is legendary author George R. R. Martin.

Happy Holidays from New Mexico Press Women!
Sherri Burr, NMPW President