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The Women’s National Book Association of New Orleans mourns the passing of Dianne de las Casas, one of our earliest members, August 21, 2017. Dianne was a prolific author of children’s picture books, known for such works as Cinderellaphant, The Little ‘Read’ Hen, There’s a Dragon in the Library, The Cajun Cornbread Boy, The House that Santa Built, and most recently, Captain Deadeye and the Bully Shark. She was a talented storyteller, gifted with the ability to make her audience join in the fun of her performances. And she was tireless in her efforts to promote children’s books with her work as the founder of Picture Book Month in November. She was not just a New Orleans treasure – she traveled the world. And she always brought that New Orleans spirit with her in her colorful and flamboyant style!

During the chapter’s first year, she gave a fabulous workshop on social media at the Tulane University Bookstore, and we had the pleasure of treats created by her daughter, Kid Chef Eliana Marisol. Our hearts go out to Eliana Marisol, Soleil Lisette, and John Couret.

On July 16, Board members and chapter members enjoyed a delicious Sunday brunch and a busy afternoon of planning programs and events for the year ahead starting this fall!   Held at the home of President Marie Breaux, the Retreat set the stage for a lively discussion of all things literary and how we can promote reading and support women writers.  There was great food and drink….and there was champagne when all the work was done!  As Marie told attendees, “We have great plans for the coming year.  Even better, you all make the WNBA-NOLA so much fun!”  Member Pam Ebel said, “Thank you for hosting a wonderful and creative day. Your home is a wonderful, eclectic venue that makes creativity flow. I look forward to working with everyone in the future.”

The June Social/Networking Potluck Dinner was packed with members, friends and food. They kept coming in waves — and in the case of the food that was a good thing as everything had to be tasted. Incoming president Marie Breaux thanked soon-to-be-Past President Sheila Cork and her husband John, presenting them with WNBA-N.O. travel mugs. Member Susan Larson was given the same as thanks for hosting at her lovely, book-filled home.

(New Orleans, LA—June 1, 2017)— Louise Penny and Trudy Nan Boyce are the recipients of the Pinckley Prizes for Crime Fiction, named to honor the memory of Diana Pinckley, longtime crime fiction columnist for The New Orleans Times-Picayune. The prizes will be presented September 8, 2017 at The Academy of the Sacred Heart/Nims Fine Arts Center, 4301 St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans. This ticketed event is open to the public.
Bestselling author Louise Penny, the first Canadian to receive the award, is the winner of the Pinckley Prize for Distinguished Body of Work; her appearance in New Orleans is part of her national tour for a new novel. The author of 13 novels in the Armand Gamache series (the latest, Glass Houses, will be published August 29th), “Penny has created a world where most of us would like to live,” the jury said. “In the village of Three Pines, Quebec, readers take refuge and delight among its endearing inhabitants.  Crime may occur, but it never triumphs, not when Gamache is on the case. Penny finds her mantra in the words of W.H. Auden – ‘Goodness exists’ – something we need reminding of in these times.”  “What amazing company – all women whose works I admire and enjoy,” Penny said.  “All trailblazers in an industry we love. As was Diana. It also speaks volumes about Diana and her friends that not only was this award created, but that it celebrated both the established and the emerging. This generation and the next. I’m where I am because of other women in the industry, be they authors, editors, publicists, reviewers, booksellers, librarians. And now we all get to help the luminous new voices.”
Atlanta resident Trudy Nan Boyce wins the Pinckley Prize for Debut Novel for her book Out of the Blues, published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons, the beginning of a series featuring Detective Sara Alt, or “Salt.” Boyce’s experiences as a beat cop, Homicide detective, senior hostage negotiator and lieutenant all add authenticity to her writing, in what the judges called, “This gutsy, confident first novel.”  “What a thrill,” Boyce said. “I am honored to be among such company as the past award recipients and to be chosen by your judges. And, man, do I love New Orleans! I last visited two or three years ago for the French Quarter Festival; stayed in a B & B on Esplanade near Treme. It was, as New Orleans often is, magical. I’ve got a story I’ve been working on for years that is inspired by a coming of age experience I had in New Orleans when I was thirteen.”
The Prizes were launched in 2012 by the Women’s National Book Association of New Orleans to honor Diana Pinckley, who was a founding member, as well as a civic activist who gave her time and energy to local and national causes. WNBA-NO, composed of writers, librarians, publishers, and booklovers, was founded in 2011, as a local affiliate of the national group, which began in 1917.  The judges for Debut Novel this year were novelist Jean Redmann, author of the Micky Knight and Nell McGraw series; Mary McCay, author/editor of books about Rachel Carson, Ellen Gilchrist, and Walker Percy; and journalist Susan Larson, host of “The Reading Life” on WWNO-FM. Previous Pinckley Prize winners include Laura Lippman, Nevada Barr, and Sara Paretsky for Distinguished Body of Work, along with Gwen Florio, Adrianne Harun, and Christine Carbo for Debut Novel.
Penny and Boyce will each receive a $2,500 cash award, as well as a beautiful paper rosette fashioned from the pages of their books, created by New Orleans artist Yuka Petz.  For tickets to the event go to: OctaviaBooks.com Tickets are exchanged for a copy of Louise Penny’s newest book Glass Houses. For more information: pinckleyprizes.org.
Submissions for 2018 Debut Novel Prize open June 1, 2017.

Despite a pesky rainstorm on May 30th, members enjoyed a fabulous evening to discuss the Sassy Bookwomen of New Orleans, our inaugural Book Circle held at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation.  The program was facilitated by Freddi Williams Evans. Freddi was recently awarded the title of Humanities Hero by the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities.  Note: see Blog page for more info.

On May 21 several Chapter members viewed A Quiet Passion at the Broad Street Theater and then stayed (in the theater’s roomy bar) for a round-table discussion about the movie and the life of Emily Dickinson facilitated by Chapter Member Constance Adler.

As part of the celebration marking its 100th anniversary, the Women’s National Book Association will send a book a day throughout March to President Trump that the organization believes sheds light on many of the critical issues faced by the country. The books have been taken from a list of the top 100 books in both fiction and nonfiction compiled by the WNBA to reflect, in its estimation, the most influential books written by women.

Noting the absence of other types of non-fiction works, our Chapter Vice-President (and acting President) Marie Breaux contacted National; their response was that she had a wonderful idea.  A second list of non-fiction works was started with our Chapter leading the charge!

The entire list is available at the WNBA Centennial site https://www.wnba-centennial.org/celebrating-women-s-voices as a webpage or PDF.

WNBA-New Orleans members enjoyed a special January meeting at the home of member Nina Calvo, Doris Stone Director, Latin American Library, Tulane University.  Nina presented and led the discussion of the work of 17th century Mexican writer Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz (New Spain, 1648-1692).  She was the major figure of Spanish American literature of the colonial period (1492-1821) and a towering figure of the Spanish language of any age.

Here is a message from Nina before the meeting: