by Marianne Wolf-Astrauskas
A Celebration of Books and Authors
by Marianne Wolf-Astrauskas
IWPA celebrates its annual Book Fair at the historical Chicago Cultural Center
on November 19. This year the Fair spotlights the diverse literary infusion
throughout Illinois and features some of the state's most creative authors.
Of the many highlights at the Fair will be "Meet-the-Authors" on stage
in the Randolph Café. Guest Emcee, Diantha Parker, news correspondent
for Chicago Public Radio, will ask the authors about their books and their writing.
"I am so impressed with the outstanding Illinois authors participating
in this year's book fair," past IWPA President Marion Gold stated while
working to put the finishing touches on the fair. "Members and nonmembers
had the passion, courage and self-confidence to write - and often publish -
their own books! The public might not recognize their names. Not yet! But these
homegrown authors have determination - and that's the first step towards success.
It has been my privilege to work with Marianne, Cecilia and Suzanne on this
program, which is IWPA's first step towards greater public visibility."
Join us at the Cultural Center. Discover and support Illinois' newest literary
talents being showcased. Some of the authors and their works include:
Caryn Lazar Amster-The Pied Piper of South Shore, Toys and Tragedy
in Chicago. With a forward by Mandy Patinkin, Amster won the USA Book News
"Best Books in 2004" for True Crime.
Bob Gorski-ClipWords Promotion and ClipWords Motivation. If you're
a professional copywriter, novelist or ad expert, these books will save time
and give your ideas a fresh twist.
Joan Stanek-Juicing for Jocks. This guide extols the benefits associated
with fresh juicing, a concept not only for athletes but for people of all ages.
"I realized after raising two young athletes that health and wellness are
my passions but athletes are my inspiration."
Judith M. Davis, M.D.-Emotional Comfort: The Gift of Your Inner Guide.
As a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Davis has developed a new self-hypnotic
technique that allows one to create a new mental pathway that functions as an
Inner Guide.
Lucia Mauro-Careers for Fashionplates, Careers for the StageStruck,
and Frieze Frame: Textures & Colors of Italy. A noted arts writer
and dance critic, Mauro focuses on practical advice for individuals interested
in fashion and performing arts careers. Frieze Frame offers 50 photographs
that evoke the multi-layers of beauty that are Italy.
Jane Ranshaw-101 Tips for Marketing Your Consulting Services and
Consultant's Guide to Grammar & Style. As past president of the Independent
Writers of Chicago and editor of Training Today magazine, Ranshaw offers ideas
for marketing on the Internet and an easy reference guide for grammar.
Dan McGuire-Now, When I Was A Kid is the personal and nostalgic
autobiography of Dan McGuire's growing up as a young man in a semi-rural town
from the late 1930s to the early 1950s. McGuire's is a wistful and fondly told
reminiscence set in Norridge, Illinois, a near northwestern Chicago suburb.
Susan Brauer-Just Keep Dancing is Susan's autobiographical story
of the events of her life and marriage to a violent alcoholic. An odyssey of
abuse, courage and triumph, she shares the guideposts tools of survival for
those looking to move forward during difficulties in their lives.
Elizabeth Rann Arrott-Shortcut to a Miracle: How to Change Your Consciousness
and Transform Your Life. How we think and what we think has an effect us.
By understanding how our consciousness affects how we live, we can change our
lives.
Annette Frizzell-The Cattle. In the tradition of George Orwell's
1984, Frizzell's fictional novel examines the logical evolution of a high tech
national identification system and one terrifying plausible consequence.
Randy Richardson-Lost in the Ivy. Holy Cow! This debut contemporary murder mystery
is set against the backdrop of Wrigleyville, the neighborhood planted outside
of Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs baseball team. Charley is caught
in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse that plays out in two seasons-one of futility
and the other of hope.
JoAnne Stone Geier-LAUNCH IT! How To Turn Good Ideas Into Great Products
That Sell. This book provides step-by step information anyone can use to
elevate and protect their ideas, raise capital, save time, know the top consumer
trends, and make money. LAUNCH IT is a resource guide including profiles
on successful entrepreneurs.
Hadji Williams-KNOCK THE HUSTLE: How to Save Your Job and Your Life from
Corporate America. After 13 successful years building Fortune 500 brands,
Williams creates a part insider-expose and part revolutionary success manual
in this power-packed business book.
Sheila Miller-Painted Picture is Miller's touching, heart-wrenching
fictional tale of love, lies, deceit and abuse as pretty and smart Alicia Bradley
meets debonair Derek Hendricks. Theirs is a dysfunctional love and Alicia's
blurry sighted picture of the perfect marriage and her idea of what her husband
could become, is clear as Derek throws a fit that almost destroys the family.
Keith Anwar-Memories of Afghanistan by M.H. Anwar. This is a captivating
memoir of a man who fought for a modern, secular Afghanistan. Anwar traces his
personal growth from street urchin to idealistic teenager, to government official
espousing reform in a deeply patriarchal, religious society.
Mishawn Purnell-O'Neal-The Wonders of Mother's Milk. Inspired
by the lack of books that positively speak to the importance of the breastfeeding
experience, Purnell-O'Neal set out to fill this literary gap. Her debut children's
title-The Wonders of Mother's Milk-educates, entertains, and intrigues its readers.
With its rhythmic poetic text and colorful and diverse illustrations, it is
a book that will serve as a superb gift for new mothers.
Jennie Spallone-Deadly Choices is Spallone's debut suspense novel.
She is also author of non-fiction educational texts. Write Me Up! is a written
expression program for students with special needs in Grades 4-12. The book
provides scripted lesson presentations in vocabulary development, written and
oral expression, higher level thinking skills, and listening and organizational
skills.
Cheryl Price-Never Give Up: A Biography of Thomas L. Thomas. Cheryl
tells the compelling story of a man who spent 10 years of his life in an orphanage,
lived through the Depression, fought in WWII and became a prisoner of war. This
is a tale about a true survivor.