Featured Writers and Poets

Peregrine Falcon Inspires Poetic Creation

From The Pen Woman, Spring 2024

By Catherine T. Horn

Peregrine Falcon

 

Linda Hortick, letters member of Greenwich Pen Women, and her husband, Edward, recently embarked on an extraordinary voyage aboard the Viking Polaris that led to a remarkable poetic creation shared with everyone on the ship.

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Award-Winning Author Brings History to Life

From The Pen Woman, Fall 2023

By Luanna K. Leisure

Tina Jones Williams leads a walking tour through South Berkeley

 

Tina Jones Williams shines a light on a time, place, and people who should not be forgotten through guided walks on Julia Street, Berkeley, where she grew up.

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The Thrill of Writing a Blitz Poem Together

From The Pen Woman, Fall 2022

Greenwich, Connecticut, Pen Women Linda Hortick and Kathy Horn collaborated on a blitz poem — a 50-line poem with eight specific rules. The process resulted in both a beautiful poem and new friendship.

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Playing with Words

From The Pen Woman, Fall 2022

By Joanne Hardy

Carol head shot
Carol Mann

Palm Springs Branch Pen Woman Carol Mann receives national recognition for her short story fiction book, “Creek Song,” inspired by a childhood place where she found solace.

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A Different Treasure

From The Pen Woman, Fall 2021

By Maxine Carlson

Sandy with her dog by a pondIowa City Branch Pen Woman Sandy Gleaves, an author and pilot, brings unusual qualifications to her office and uses the threads of her varied experiences to influence her writing. She says that writing, like flying, changes the view and “makes you see other perspectives.”

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It’s Only Too Late If You Never Start

From The Pen Woman, Fall 2021

By Maxine Carlson

Jan Down stands by map holding a bookIowa City Branch member Jan Down celebrated the publication of her first book, “Wind in My Wheels: A Fifty State Odyssey,” a few weeks before her 82nd birthday.

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‘America at the Crossroads’ Back in the Spotlight

From The Pen Woman, Spring 2021

By Donna Puglisi

JoAnna O'Keefe“America at the Crossroads,” written by JoAnna O’Keefe, couldn’t come at a better time. Her lyrics plead with Americans to come together in this time of crisis—and country music artist Michael Peterson recorded her plea for unity as a song.

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The Incredible Audry Lynch and John Steinbeck Forever

From The Pen Woman, Summer 2019

By Luanna K. Leisure, Santa Clara County Branch

Audry-LynchIn May 2019, Audry Lynch Santa Clara County Branch member received the Delta Kappa Gamma Distinguished Service Award for Professional Service for her tireless work in the area of scholarly research on California author John Steinbeck. Her interest and fascination with Steinbeck began 50 years ago and continues today.

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Mary Lou Taylor, Poet Extraordinaire

From The Pen Woman, Fall 2018

By Luanna K. Leisure, Santa Clara County Branch

Mary Lou TaylorMary Lou Taylor, Santa Clara County Branch, was honored as a featured reader for the 40th anniversary celebration of Poetry Center San Jose (PCSJ). She was recognized for her contributions to the center as well as esteemed as a poet extraordinaire.

Taylor began writing poetry when she was 8 years old, inspired by her father, who always read to her. When asked, after a moment of thought, she said, “It’s just in me to write.”

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Billie Travalini: A Writer on a Mission

From The Pen Woman, Fall 2018

By Mary Lou Griffin, Diamond State Branch President

Billie Travalini has been an active letters member of the Diamond State Branch since 2008. She is a teacher and an internationally known writer and speaker.

“Life is good,” she says, and quickly adds that good does not always equate to easy.

At 12, Travalini was an abused child at the hands of her father. At 14, her father made good on his promise to put her “away,” in her words, “to keep family secrets secret.” 

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