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Arizona Press Women

March2014

Items coming before the APW board meeting onFeb. 22, 2014, included the following:

· The Latty-Hurlburt Memorial ScholarshipFund has been depleted over the years byscholarships awarded. The treasurer reportsthat $103.70 remains in the fund. Future

scholarships will be awarded in memory ofJune Payne, using the proceeds from SkirtingTraditions.

· APW will sponsor the NM-AZ Book Awardagain this year.

by Barbara Lacy

There’s no question that Jana Bommersbach is a goodstory teller. She kept APW members and guests

laughing and listening to her stories at the Feb. 18 CentralDistrict meeting at Bluewater Grill in Phoenix.

Bommersbach discussed her journey from true crimewriting to authoring a story about a family of squirrelscalled A Squirrel’s Story: A True Tale.

Yes, squirrels!

The award-winning writer may be best known for her firstbook, The Trunk Murderess: Winnie Ruth Judd, and asecond true crime book, Bones in the Desert: A TrueStory of a Mother’s Murder and a Daughter’s Search. In

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Bommersbach brings laughter to CD meeting

See Bommersbach, Page 5

APW February board meeting notes

Writing and the Law: The future of your copyrights

See board meeting, Page 3

By Brenda Warneka, JD, CPA

Writers, beware!

Nobel Prize-winning author JohnSteinbeck’s death in 1968 led to more than40 years of litigation over his copyrights.

His will, after making certain bequests, leftthe rest of his estate to his third wife,Elaine. The failure to specifically addresshis copyrights provided an opening for twosons from his second marriage, and

See your copyrights, Page 4

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Interviewed by Brenda Warneka

Marie Fasano has been a member of ArizonaPress Women since 2013, when she joined at

Carol Osman Brown’s encouragement after attendingthe summer APW Writer’s Retreat at the MerrittCenter, Payson.

Fasano, whoseparents were first-generation ItalianAmericans, was bornand raised in theborough of Queens inNew York. Aftergraduating from thenursing program atD’Youville Collegein Buffalo with aB.S.N., she lookedfor adventure byheading to LosAngeles with twofriends.

In California, sheearned two master’sdegrees, an M.N.Nursing from UCLAand an M.A.CounselingPsychology from Chapman College in Orange. Shecontinued over the years with post-graduate studies ina number of areas including holistic health andnutrition; gerontology; traditional Chinese medicine,which included studying in China; and CranoSacraland Somatoemotional Release Therapy (CST).

While going to school in California in the 1970s,Fasano started her own business as a consultant andcounselor in healthcare. Still in business today, she isthe author of books, dozens of articles and continuingeducation classes; an editor; and a workshoppresenter. She was a self-publisher before self-publishing was popular. Her different positions haveincluded being a college instructor, home healthnursing supervisor, a special education school nurse

and Director of Nursing at Livingston MemorialVisiting Nurses Association.

All three of Fasano’s self-published books, BasicSkills for the Long-Term Nurse Assistant, aninstructor’s guide to the book, and Creative Care forthe Person with Alzheimer’s were picked up andrepublished by Prentice Hall.

It was the illness ofher second husband,Fernando Ramos,from cancer that ledher to study andthen teachalternative medicineincluding nutrition,macrobiotics,energy work andholistic health. Afterhis death, she brieflyleft nursing, but thenreturned to teachingand counseling withher own holisticpractice.

In the early 1970s,Fasano enjoyed alife-changingexperience: the

exhilaration of flying above the clouds when aneighbor flew her in his private plane from Californiato a nursing conference in Kansas. By 1973, she had aprivate pilot’s license, later adding commercial,instrument, multi-engine and seaplane ratings. Flyinghas not only been her passion ever since, but she hasincorporated it into her nursing work by flying tomeet with clients and, for the last 15 years, to performlong-term insurance evaluations for an insurancecompany. She also worked flying into her volunteeractivities by flying doctors and nurses to Baja, Calif.clinics with the Flying Samaritans. One of herfavorite stories is about a client who answered herphone and said, “I can’t talk to you now, my nursejust flew in to see me.”

Meet Marie A. Fasano

APW member Marie Fasano is shown with a seaplane she flewover the Sierra Mountain Lakes in California.

See Fasano, Page 3

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In 2006, Fasano and her partner, Mac McCabe, aretired United Airlines pilot, moved from Californiawhen they located an airpark in Payson where theycould keep their Cessna in a hanger next to theirhome. In the years since, she’s been an active memberof the Payson community, participating in the annualAero Fair at the Payson airport; providing no-costCST treatments in the Returning Combat VeteransProgram at the Merritt Center, where she also serveson the board; and participating in “Angel FlightWest,” which involves flying patients from rural areasto medical appointments. In addition to continuing hernursing practice, she continues to write articles relatedto aviation and on medical issues in her areas ofexpertise.

Fasano also enjoys a blended family of threedaughters. Her mother entertained the children whenthey were growing up with great stories about thefamily history, and one of Marie’s goals is to writeher mother’s stories.

Fasano from Page 2

Marie Fasano and her partner, Mac McCabe,

Get profiled!To get profiled in the APW newsletter, contactBrenda Warneka at brendawarneka@yahoo.com.

· Brenda Warneka will be responsible for send-ing news about APW to the monthly NFPWe-newsletter editor. Board members should sendnews items to her prior to the monthly deadline,which is the 24th of the month.

· APW is considering changing the name bywhich it is known to Arizona ProfessionalWriters. More information will be forthcoming.

· APW is considering changing to a dual member-ship status where members will have a choice ofjoining both NFPW and APW (professionalcategory) or just APW (“state” category). Moreinformation will be forthcoming.

· A rewriting of the by-laws is underway byBrenda Warneka, who is awaiting furtherinformation related to the possible name changeand dual membership status.

· Barbara Lacy has resigned from the position ofDirector of Central District after many years of

faithful service. Weneed someone to fillthis position as soonas possible.

· Rim Country Districtis planning anotherwriting retreat thissummer at theMerritt Center.Details will be in thenewsletter.

· Early reports are that the NFPW At-LargeCommunications Contest, conductedelectronically this year for the first time, wentwell. We hope to return to having our ownArizona contest in 2015.

· Elections of officers for the coming year will beheld at the membership meeting in May, exceptfor the president, Pam Stevenson, who willbegin her second year of a two-year term. Weneed to fill the position of lst Vice-President,who is the President Elect.

Board Meeting From Page 1

APW Secretary KateHerbert takes notes.

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eventually a granddaughter, to litigate rights to hiswork under then copyright law. Elaine, who died in2003, left her interest in the Steinbeck copyrights toher grandchildren from a prior marriage. The latestcourt proceedings ended in 2013 in favor of Elaine’sestate.

Harper Lee, author ofblockbuster To Kill aMockingbird, soughthelp from the courtsystem in 2013 aftershe was allegedly, at 80years of age and besetwith physicalinfirmities, the object ofa scheme to dupe herout of the copyright toher one and only book.

To avoid suchproblems, you need tomake provisions nowfor management ofyour literary estate upon your incompetency or death,and you should specifically designate the beneficiariesyou wish to reap the financial benefits of your workafter you are gone. Copyrights now endure for the lifeof the creator, plus 70 years, so several generationsmay be involved in enjoying the fruits of your labor.

One solution is a revocable literary trust, which youmanage as trustee, but which becomes irrevocable,with another person or entity taking over as successortrustee, if you become disabled or die. A trust canhold copyrights for successive generations and splitthe royalties received among multiple beneficiaries.

A possible complication in planning for your literaryestate in Arizona is that it is a community propertystate. Your spouse normally owns a one-halfundivided interest in work you create during themarriage. Multiple marriages and children frommultiple relationships need to be taken intoconsideration.

If you die without a will or without making otherprovisions for your copyrights, they will pass to yourlegal heirs by the laws of intestacy, which may not bewhat you would wish. The estate of Swedish writerStieg Larsson, who died without a will in 2004 before

The Girl With the DragonTattoo was published, nowamounts to an estimated$50 million and waspassed by laws of intestacyto his father and brother,with nothing to EvaGabrielsson, hiscompanion for 32 years.

You may wish to considerdonating an interest inyour work to charitable oreducational institutions. Sister Eulalia “Sister”Bourne, an early member of Arizona Press Womenand author of autobiographical classics about ranchingand teaching in the state, gave royalties from herbooks to the Eulalia Bourne Scholarship Fund at theUniversity of Arizona. Phyllis G. Leonard, anotherAPW member, and her husband, Walter, worked withthe Hayden Library at Arizona State University toestablish the LeonardCollection of manuscriptsand correspondence.

Contact the institution todiscuss what you have inmind before doinganything, and considermaking an accompanyingdonation of cash if thereare expenses that will beincurred by the donee as aresult of accepting thedonation of your work.

Perhaps you believe yourliterary output is of littlevalue, so you are notconcerned about what happens to it in the future.Remember that countless authors died penniless buteventually left very wealthy estates.

Disclaimer: My articles are intended for educationalpurposes and are not to be construed as legal adviceor relied on for that purpose. There are many issues Icannot address in a short article. You must consultyour own attorney about legal matters involving yourwriting.

Your copyright from Page 1

Eulalia “Sister” Bourne

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both she is good at the painstaking research andinterviewing skills necessary to dig out the hiddendetails that make the case.

Of course, her mode of fact-finding was a littledifferent in writing a true story about squirrels. Astory witnessed by her parents, Rudy and WillieBommersbach, in Hankinson, N.D. She was writing achildren’s book so her facts had to be perfect, but thebook also needed to be fun. Most importantly, it had

to tell the squirrel mother’s story as told byBommersbach’s own mother who had watched thesquirrel family in her backyard. For it was her motherwho said, for four years: “You have to write thesquirrel’s story!”

Finally, Bommersbach minded her mother and wrotethe story. And, maybe it was her mother’s influence,but she wrote the story from the point of view of thesquirrel’s mother.

I won’t give away the ending. You have to read ityourself.

Bommersbach from Page 1

Plan for relaxation, creativity

Mark your calendars for the Rim Country District’sWriters' Retreat, held July 19 and 20 at the Merritt

Center near Payson. All APW members are invited.

The retreat will be similar to the one hosted last year,starting at noon on Saturday and ending at noon on Sunday,and will include four regular meals and snacks. Additionaldetails will be announced later.

Members who have suggestions for topics, speakers,activities, etc., should send their ideas to Carol Brown atcarolosmanbb@gmail.com or Pat Gail Hearn at patgail@npgcable.com.

Elementary school readers learn which animals make greatclassroom pets and which do not with APW member Conrad

Storad’s new book Gator, Gator, Second Grader (ClassroomPet…or Not?). The book, published by Linda Radke, an APWmember and president of Five Star Publications, Inc., is scheduledfor an April release.

Gator, Gator, Second Grader leads Mrs. Nichols’ second-gradeclassroom on an impromptu “pet safari,” necessitated when two boysbring a baby alligator to school in a cardboard box. The teacher’slast-minute lesson leads to an exuberant naming game with studentsclamoring to compare turtles with Gila monsters, hamsters withgrizzly bears and more.

“My goal,” explains Storad, “is to help students understand how andwhy these intimidating, often misunderstood reptiles were rescuedfrom extinction and how the fearsome-looking alligator is actually agentle parent and speedy swimmer.”

For more information, visit GatorGatorSecondGrader.com, emailinfo@fivestarpublications.com or call 480-940-8182.

Storad takes kids on classroom pet safari

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Workshops, a media marketplace and unsurpassedsightseeing blend with professional develop-

ment, creativity and fun during the 2014 NFPWConference, held Sept. 4 through 6 at the GreenvilleMarriott at 1 Parkway East, Greenville, SouthCarolina.

In addition to workshops, seminars and trainingforums designed to help attendees develop theirdigital impact, create innovative communications andmodernize their professional profile, there will beplenty of sightseeing.

Sessions are presented by top professionals andexperts in their fields to help participants improvetheir skills, as well as intuitively guide them throughthe nuances of today's changing communications'world.

Each aspect of the 2014 conference focuses onmaximizing the experience for participants. Fromhost city and hotel, to programming and professionaldevelopment, to pre- and post-tours, they will beexposed to the mysteries of the Carolina Spirit, whichis the theme of the conference.

Conference hotelLocated minutes from everything Greenville offers,the Greenville Marriott is the city’s only AAA, FourDiamond hotel near the Greenville-SpartanburgAirport. Amenities include complimentary shuttleservice to and from the GSP airport, full businesscenter, spacious fitness facility, indoor and outdoor

seasonal pool, onsite restaurant and lounge,complimentary parking and a spa.

NFPW members and guests also receive complimentaryWi-Fi access, free transportation to and from down-town Greenville, a special conference rate three dayspre- and post-conference dates, and complimentaryluggage storage. The NFPW room rate is $112 pernight (plus tax). Book at the group rate by calling888-236-2427 and referencing National Federation ofPress Women and the conference dates. Because thegroup block covers a wide range of dates, pay closeattention to your arrival and departure dates to ensurethe appropriate dates are being reserved. VisitMarriott.com/GSPAP for more hotel information.

Host cityNestled into the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains,Greenville combines traditional Southern charm,stunning natural beauty and an unexpectedcontemporary cool to create one of America's hottestemerging destinations and fastest growing cities.

Greenville offers a revitalized downtown rankedamong "America's Ten Best" by Forbes Magazine,the one-of-a-kind Liberty Bridge, quaint shops,boutiques, restaurants, world-class museums,galleries, theaters, beautiful lakes, rivers andmountains. Learn more at visitgreenvillesc.com.

2014 NFPW Conference details

Greenville-Liberty-Bridge

See NFPW Conference, Page 7

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Betsy Batish announces that she is “thrilled,humbled and honored” with winning the Dean WebbMemorial Award for Excellence in Photography andBest of Show in the Photography category at the 29thAnnual MOAH Juried Art Show in January inLancaster, Calif. Her winning entry is titled“Unhitched.”

Conrad J. Storad’s newest picture book, Monsterin the Rocks, is setfor release during the6th Annual TucsonFestival of Books,held March 15 and16 in the outdoormall of theUniversity ofArizona. “Be smart,stay safe and listen toyour parents” is themessage from the story’s Mama and Papa Quail to

their covey of chicks. Eddie the Elf Owl narrates theSouthwestern Desert tale, which is illustrated by theaward-winning Nathaniel Jensen. Info:bobolinkmedia.com.

Lois McFarland, a long-time Arizona Republicreporter and APW member,is home from the hospitaland recovering well from astroke she suffered in earlyFebruary. APW memberssend their prayers and wishher well.

In Touch with APW

Pre- and post-toursHints of this year's pre- and post-tours include:

· "Wine, Waterfalls and Way Back!"· "Revolution, Roses and Retail Therapy"· "Dive Into Downtown Greenville"· "Outdoor Adventure Tour"· "State Capital Tour – State House, Congaree

National Park, Zoo and Gardens"

· "Pottery, Turkeys and History . . . Does It GetAny More Interesting?"

· "Civil War and Civil Rights – Together in OneRegion"

· "The Charleston Experience"

Details are being finalized, and registration forms willbe available soon. Visit discoversouthcarolina.comand scatr.com for a closer look at the Palmetto State.Additional conference details are available atnfpw.org/conference.cfm#sthash.VIbHpggy.dpuf.

NFPW Conference from Page 6

Submissions wanted!Share industry related news with your

fellow APW members includingcommittee reports, event news, writingcontests, industry related articles, industry-related personal accomplishments ... anythingyou think would be of value to ourmembership!

Send submissions, photos and art to LyndaExley at exlent@aol.com. The deadline for theApril issue is March 21.

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Feb. 28: 2014 NM-AZ Book Award. The deadline forentry with discounted entry fee. Info: nmbookcoop.com.

March 8, 22: 10 a.m. to noon Fiction Workshop–The Basics Writer’s Critique Group at MaricopaCounty Library District’s Sun City Branch Library,16828 N. 99th Ave., Sun City. Give and receiveenthusiastic support and honest feedback on anythingfrom poetry to prose. New member packets are givento newbies. Info: 602-652-3000, mcldaz.org.

March 11: 6:30 to 8 p.m. The Queen CreekWriter's Group at Maricopa County LibraryDistrict’s Queen Creek Branch Library, 21802 S.Ellsworth Rd., Queen Creek. This critique andnetworking association is open to writers of allgenres and experience levels. To participate in thecritique portion, bring a one- to two-page selectionon which you have a specific desire for feedback. Beprepared to accept both praise and criticism. Groupmeets monthly. Info: 602-652-3000, mcldaz.org.

March 12: 1 to 3 p.m. Creative Writing atMaricopa County Library District’s Perry BranchLibrary, 1965 E. Queen Creek Road, Gilbert. Localauthor Gerri Brooks leads this monthly creativewriting workshop for beginners to advanced levelwriters. Bring a notebook. Info: 602-652-3000,mcldaz.org.

March 15-16: 6th Annual Tucson Festival of Books.The mall of the University ofArizona and nearby venueswelcome more than 100,000book lovers, 450 authors and 300exhibitors to the fourth largestbook festival in the country.Enjoy writing workshops, authorpresentations, book signings andsales. Seeking volunteers to help. Benefits literacyprograms. Parking and admission are free. Info:tucsonfestivalofbooks.org.

March 17: Deadline for entries to NFPW 2014Communications Contest. First Place entries in theat-large competition are automatically submitted tonational contest. Info: nfpw.org.

March 17: 1 p.m. Author Anne Hillerman visitsMaricopa County LibraryDistrict’s Ed RobsonBranch Library, 9330 E.Riggs Rd., Sun Lakes. Shewill speak about her books,her work as a nonfictionwriter, growing up with herfamous writer father andcarrying on the tradition ofher father's characters. Info:602-652-3000, mcldaz.org.

March 28-29: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. the 28th, 8:30a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the 29th. Arizona Women'sHistory Alliance presents "Arizona WomenHiding in Plain Sight," dedicated to ArizonaWomen’s History. The symposium is held atChandler-Gilbert Community College, 2626 E. PecosRoad, Chandler. Opening remarks are by RetiredJustice of the U.S.Supreme Court SandraDay O'Connor. Thepublic may attend theevent, which representsthe first major publiceducational project of theArizona Women'sHistory Alliance, acollaboration of ArizonaWomen’s Hall of Fameand Arizona WomenHeritage Trail. The goalis to get attendees excitedabout research, writingand the interpretation ofwomen’s history, and to stimulate them to participatein conversations about the contributions of Arizonawomen who represent our rich, diversified history.Notable scholars and archivists will talk aboutresearching Arizona women, historical inquiry,

Events of interest to APW Members

Retired Justice of theU.S. Supreme Court

Sandra Day O'Connor

See events, Page 9

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providing historical context and answering the “sowhat” questions. Advance registration is requiredand costs $20 per person, which includes lunch onFriday. Register at azlibrary.gov/eventreg or contactLiz Garland at 602-926-3720 for more information.For a detailed program of events, visitarizonawomenshalloffame.org/event/arizona-womens-history-symposium/.

March 31: Arizona Women’s Hall of Fame.Deadline for 2014 nominations. Induction every twoyears of five new women (must be deceased twoyears) who played a significant role in Arizonahistory. Nomination form and info at lib.az.us.awhof.

April 1: 1 p.m. “Writing andthe Law: Memoirs” presentedby Brenda Warneka, memberof APW and State Bar ofArizona at River Writers Groupat Mohave Community CollegeLibrary in Bullhead City. Opento the public. Info:sylbiz@aol.com.

April 4: PR for Nonprofits,Small Businesses andOrganizations is a hands-on workshop taught at theWalter Cronkite School of Journalism and MassCommunication at Arizona State University.Develop digital public relations and marketingcommunications skills to promote your cause,business or organization. Fran Matera, foundingdirector of the Cronkite School’s Public RelationsLab, covers key communication strategies that makea difference. APW members receive a $50 discountwhen they mention the code INDUSTRY duringregistration made at cronkite.asu.edu/newmediaor by emailing Liz Smith atelizabeth.grace.smith@asu.edu.

April 4: Video: Capturing Compelling Stories is ahands-on workshop taught at the Walter CronkiteSchool ofJournalism andMass Communica-tion at ArizonaState University.Practice shootinghigh-quality video,composing strongshots and locatingcompelling subjectmaterial in thisworkshop. Cronkite Production Manager Jim Jacoby,an Emmy award-winning editor and director, showsparticipants how to create compelling video for avariety of uses. APW members receive a $50discount when they mention the code INDUSTRYduring registration made at cronkite.asu.edu/newmedia or by emailing Liz Smith,elizabeth.grace.smith@asu.edu.

April 5: Video Editing: Learn Adobe Premiere isa hands-on workshop taught at the Walter CronkiteSchool of Journalism andMass Communication atArizona State University.Get training in the videoediting software applica-tion Adobe Premiere.This hands-on session,taught by Jim Jacoby,covers basic to intermedi-ate software functions forcreating and editingvideo packages. APWmembers receive a $50discount when theymention the codeINDUSTRY during registration made atcronkite.asu.edu/ newmedia or by emailing LizSmith at elizabeth.grace.smith@asu.edu.

Events from Page 8

After years of planning fun, informativemeetings for APW’s Central District

members, Barbara Lacy has stepped down asCentral District Director.

Now it’s your turn to step up to the plate andvolunteer to fill her shoes. If you areinterested, contact Brenda Warneka atwarneka@cox.net or Pam Stevenson atPStevensonComm@cox.net.

APW Needs You for Central District Director!