Val Dumond, publisher, writer, editor, and author
Val Dumond

Author

Publisher

Editor

Consultant

Grammar For Grownups
A manual for people who have to use language in the real world.

Links and Resources

Organizations

Seattle Free Lances
Seattle Free Lances is the Northwest's oldest ongoing writers' group. Since 1921, professional freelancers have met monthly to have dinner, to talk about the business of writing, to hear featured speakers, and to enjoy each other's company. Visit their website and see what SFL is doing.

Pacific Northwest Writers Association
The Pacific Northwest Writers Association monthly newsletter, NW Ink, is scheduled to re-appear this month. In it, Val writes about grammar for writers under the title "Tools of the Trade." If you have a question about grammar, this is the place to raise your hand and ask away! Send questions to: Val@valdumond.com.

Check out the PNWA web site for details of the upcoming holiday potluck party, and info about next summer's 2006 annual conference, where you'll have the opportunity to meet agents, editors, and publishers, and to rub shoulders with successful authors.

RATIFY THE ERA: It's time women were included in the U.S. Constitution. Ratification from only three states are needed to make that happen. Get the skinny on Val's first blog: eraupdate.blogspot.com, and follow up with the Florida Equal Rights Alliance website. Get involved! Make it happen!

EuraLex European Association for Lexicography. Each year they hold a linguistic conference with lexicographers from around the world. In 2010 it was held in Fryske Akademy, Leeuwarden, Netherlands. Pictures from my trip to this last conference can be seen on my Facebook page.

Books, Authors, and Artists

www.LorraineFeather.com
More awards and successes for Lorraine Feather, who appeared in Seattle at Jazz Alley in October. She sings like morning coffee (bubbly, full of energy and meaning) and writes awesome lyrics - not only for songs, but for videos too. One of them, "A Very Minty Christmas," was released this month and has become the #1 kids' video in the country and the #1-selling VHS title overall. (Check out ToysRus for a mint-colored stuffed pony that sings her words, "That's What I Love About Christmas," as well as "Nothin' Says Christmas Like a Pair of Socks," voiced by Mark Watters.)

But wait, there's more. Lorraine's CD, "Dooji Wooji," has just been named one of the best vocal releases of the year by the International Association for Jazz Education! Read about it online at: All About Jazz. Click onto her very creative Web site and settle back to enjoy uniquely original poetry as well as entertaining illustrations. If you look at nothing else, discover Miss English - a woman after my own heart!

Brent Hartinger This guy can write - and not just the easy stuff. Brent Hartinger has chosen to write books for young adults as his audience. Geography Club (HarperCollins 2003) became his first bestseller and now there's a screenplay in the works. His latest is Dreamquest, and it's a beauty. Brent writes his novels, screenplays, teaches, and lectures - and boy, is he busy!

Randall Platt Randall Beth Platt is the kind of writer you've always wanted to become. She rises early - I mean early - and writes away until it's time to play handball. Then she does the nitty-gritty stuff of authorship before going off on a modeling gig. Her books run the gamut from raw western humor (the Fe-As-Ko books) to subtle beauty, The Cornerstone. She has turned to writing books on sensitive subjects for young adults: Honor Bright, The Likes of Me, and the latest, Hellie Jondoe.

Pam Phree and Mike (Darkside) Beakley have published their new book, Betrayal, Murder and Greed (New Horizon Press), about their experiences as bail bond agent and bounty hunter. For a scary and fun trip into a world of crime and punishment, check out this website: www.betrayalmurderandgreed.com.

Chellis Jensen is a talented writer, singer, storyteller, entertainer. You'll want to get a copy of her new book, Mrs. Annathena Gilly Gully From Puddle Rumple Tilly Willy (Puddle Rumple Press) for your favorite child. Find photos of the colorful Rhinestone Rosie and hear the song about Mrs. Annath... a feisty lovable character at: www.chellisjensen.com.

Fun-with-words.com is dedicated to amusing quirks, peculiarities, and oddities of the English language: wordplay. Playing with words and language is both entertaining and educational. Here you can have plenty of fun with words with over 500 pages of word puzzles, games, amazing lists, and fun facts.

Dana Quade: A woman who aspired to write a book to share her insights into making life better for herself and those around her. You should see where her vision has taken her! Take a look at: www.doingthething.com.

Paul McCormick: Here's a man who had a dream, a very big dream. It seemed too far out to reach for, but he did - because he wanted it. Now he has completely changed his life in order to do what makes him happy. Check out his new career: www.secretsofthemillionaireinside.com.

Miscellaneous Links

www.northwestauthors.org - a group of very talents authors from the Northwest

www.powells.com - Powells Books in Portland, OR

www.loc.gov/nls/catalogs/braille - National Library Service for the Blind

www.womensresourcedirectory.com polyglot.lss.wisc.edu - U of Wisconsin

wwww.abanet.org/careercounsel/profile/judges/holidayg.html - American Bar Assoc

www.librarything.com

Grammar for Grownups Links

www.loc.gov/nls/bbr/ - Books in braille, including Grammar for Grownups

www.ci.edmonds.wa.us - Write on the Sound

Just Words Links

www.uwrf.edu/falcon-features