Monday, May 31, 2010


Cold War

Heat of summer
Cold of winter
Our sons
and daughters
serviced,
and are
serving.
Some gave
it all
and they
are missed.
Prayers follow
where ever
they travel.
God keep them safe.
WINNER: Thanks to all who voted for my May poem posted on Children's author and poet David L. Harrison's blog. http://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/. Come join us in June. The word for June is"SONG".

Saturday, May 29, 2010

North Central Children's Writers and Illustrators. Cherie Neal's email below is incorrect, it is cherieneal@hotmail.com Our first meeting today was a big success. Thanks to my Vice-president Cherie, who helped make it successful. What a fun and talent group. Don't miss June 26 - our next meeting.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

WRITING AND DRAWING CHILDREN’S BOOKS
North Central Children’s Writers and Illustrators
has formed to meet the needs of people who want to write
or illustrate children’s books or magazines. The goals of
the group is to support and assist each other to became
published writers or illustrators. New members are encouraged
to attend and share their books and illustrations.
North Central Children’s Writers and Illustrators meet
May 29, 1-3 p.m., at Lakeview City Hall near the Bull Shoals
Dam. For more information contact:
Mary Nida Smith 870-431-5369 marynida@suddenlink.net
or Cherie Neal 870-481-6681 cherienaeal@hotmail.com

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

E-BOOK SALES: Received a puzzling article on today's Publishers Daily (PW)newsletter stating
ebooks sales soar. On http//accrispin.blogspot.com Writers Beware blog May 4th had an article titled: Lies, Dammed Lies, and Statistics.

Monday, May 24, 2010

The Woodland Garden: It is going to be hot today, so I am heading out for a couple of hours to spend a wild adventure in my over-grown garden. I have to check on my large cecropia moth cocoon. The last time I checked it appears to be ready to break out. I sure hope I don't miss it. I discover another moth cocoon where I disturb it as it was breaking out. A sad story! I took lots of pictures and saved the cocoon to add to my treasure box. So, many stories to share. See ya!

Don't forget to vote for my poem on David's blog.

Friday, May 21, 2010

ABOUT.COM Children’s Books/Sharing Stories and Books
Reader Stories: How I Introduced Children’s Books to My Baby/Toddler.
My story was published on line this morning at http://childrensbooks.about.com/u/sty/boardbooks/babies-books/Sharing-Stories-and-Books.

Ozarks Writers League members arrived at Boxcar Willie’s Hotel
by 3 p.m., Friday 14th. It stormed most of the week where I didn’t think I would be going. I hitched a ride with new friends Cherie Neal & Janice Votsmier members of the Twin Lakes Writers and North Central Children’s Writers & Illustrators. We had a great time.

Dinner was served at 5:30 and after we had open mic. Several members read the first chapter of their finished novel. Daniela Rapp, editor at St. Martin’s Press and Agent Paul Fedorko at http://www.nsbienstock.com sat through all the readings and Saturday OWL members had the opportunity to pitches to each one. I was excited to learn some of friends were invited to submit.
Others received a no-go which is always hard to take. I didn’t pitch as they didn’t except my genre. They both spoke on Saturday and short story writer Shirley McCann shared writing for magazines. Check all the magazines she was published in at http://shirleymccann.com and http://cleverchonicles.blogspot.com

I purchased some good buys at the auction (OWL’s yearly fund raiser).
Seen old friends and made new friends: Judy Moresi http://www.JudyMoresi.com
W.E Mueller http://www.wem-stories.com
Claire Applewhite http://claireapplewhite.com
Sylvia Forbes http://bylinescalendar.com

Sunday, I was too tired to attend Books in Bloom at Eureka Springs. Went to church and sang in the choir. I also worked Sunday & Monday afternoon printing some photos to go in the new church directory. I am our church historian & photographer.
Monday morning was our Friends of the Library board meeting which I am proud to be a member. Tuesday afternoon took some pictures of my dear friends for the directory. He is in a care center after injuring his back. Then later our pictures were taken and I attended Bible study that evening.
Wednesday, I helped set up for the library booksale, printed some more photos and attended the church BBQ to take more photos for the history album.
Thursday, I worked in the studio catching up with work as a writer.
Each day in-between storms I am running like a dog chasing its tail.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Baxter County Library is having their booksale, Thursday, Friday & Saturday. I am going, are you?

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Patience's and Hope: I am trying to be patience and hope I can update my blogs and website soon. I have lots to share. My world is spinning. Someone from Good Old Days magazine called, to say they received my follow-up letter that had gotten misplaced in its travels. By this time the June issue arrived with my story "Buck, the Comeback Horse". They payed me a long time ago. They will be sending two extra issues. I didn't sell all rights. I have it in free verse as a children's book manuscript. Back to busy, busy.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Homework poem I have written and placed on http://missrumphiuseffect.blogspot.com

NOT AGAIN
©By Mary Nida Smith

Ah, Mom
Homework
Not again tonight.
I know,
You told me before
If I do all my homework
I’ll be smarter tomorrow.

Ah, Mom
I am already smart.
I don’t have time,
There is much
To do outside
Like exploring
And learning
About nature.

Ah, Mom
Can’t I have any fun?
Yes, Mom, I’ll hurry
I’ll do my homework
So, I’ll be smarter
Tomorrow.

Ah, Mom
When I grow up
I’ll never do homework.
I’ll play and explore
While I tell
My kids that story,
Do your homework
You’ll be smarter tomorrow.

Ah, Mom
Not again!

Friday, May 14, 2010

ALDOUS HUXLEY: A bad book is as much of a labor to write as a good one; it comes as sincerely from the author's soul.

Rain rain
this isn't the day.
So, go away
come back
another day.
I have travels
to seek
and garden
to weed.

Sunshine
come my way
You don't
have to stay.
I need a day
to find my way
out of the gloom
out of this room.

I do love you rain
your ever changing
personality.
I sit on the edge
wondering what's next.
But not this week-end
good-bye rainy gloom
welcome sunshine.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Writers Events:
Saturday, May 15: The Ozarks Writers League (OWL) group meets at the Plaster Auditorium of the grounds of the College of the Ozarks, near Hollister, MO. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., with the program starting promptly at 9:00 a.m.Speakers will be Daniela Rapp, editor at St. Martin's Press, Paul Fedorko, agent with N.S. Bienstock Agency, and Shirley McCann. Daniela and Paul will hold five-minute pitches in the morning, then speak in the afternoon. Shirley McCann will speak in the morning on "How to Write a Short Story and How to Find Short Story Markets." Also features lunch on the patio and an auction afterward. One of the most popular meetings of the year. OWL's membership $25.00, or a one-day visit $10.00. Lunch on the patio is $7.00, paid at the registration desk. Reservations are required by emailing deloism@gmail.com to who and how many will be attending. Open mic is held the night before, Friday, May 14th at the Boxcar Willie Inn conference room. Price is $9.00, but you must make reservation by emailing to louturn@aol.com. Let her know if you wish to participate in open mic. Boxcar Willie Inn gives a special price to attendees. You must mention you're with OWL. Their number is 417-337-7070.We always have a great time at the auction, which is the only fundraiser OWL does. Proceeds go toward bringing in well-known agents and editors. There's a prize for the person who donates the item to the auction that brings in the most money. So bring your donated items and your wallet to purchase items.

Sunday, May 16: Books in Bloom from noon to 5pm, at the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs. This is a free event. http://www.BooksinBloom.org

Also, an update on the workshop Steve Berry is hosting to benefit the Carroll County Historical Society. We filled the seats for the workshop, but will have room for a few more attendees who would like to hear Mr. Berry speak during the noon-time luncheon.The cost of the meal is $15.00. If anyone would like more information, please contact me. We even have a workshop attendee flying in from CA!!
Writer information forwarded by:
Dr. Fred R. Pfister: Editor
Editorial office: 815 Lee St.
Branson, Missouri 65616
417-334-5615
editor@ozarksmountaineer.com
or frpfister@suddenlink.net
For subscription and circulation: call toll free: 1-866-784-9444
"Once an Ozarker, always an Ozarker, even if you're no longer living in the Ozarks."
Check out The Ozarks Mountaineer at www.ozarksmountaineer.com. It's the magazine that keeps your heart in the Ozarks!

Monday, May 10, 2010

CHILDREN'S BOOK WEEK:
About CBW
"A great nation is a reading nation."
Since 1919, Children's Book Week has been celebrated nationally in schools, libraries, bookstores, clubs, private homes -- any place where there are children and books. Educators, librarians, booksellers, and families have celebrated children's books and the love of reading with storytelling, parties, author and illustrator appearances, and other book-related events.
To read more go to Book Week Online: http://www.bookweekonline.com

Thursday, May 06, 2010



Happy Mother's Day

Your mother is always with you...
She's the whisper of the leaves
as you walk down the street.
She's the smell of bleachin
your freshly laundered socks.
She's the cool hand on your brow
when you're not well.
Your mother lives inside
your laughter.
She's crystallized
in every tear drop.
She's the place you
came from,your first home...
She's the map you follow
with every step that you take.
She's your first love
and your first heart break...
and nothing on earth
can separate you.
Not time, Not space...
Not even death...
will ever separate
you from your mother...
You carry her inside of you...
Author Unknown
Photo of my mom, Bessie Margeret Yoder Nida at sixteen

Tuesday, May 04, 2010

Michael Feldman's "Whad' Ya Know?" Comes To The Ozarks!
Attend the live Broadcast of NPR's Michael Feldman's "Whad' Ya Know?" show at Springfield's Juanita K. Hammons Hall, Saturday, May 8 from 10:00 a.m.--12:00. If you can't attend, listen to it on your NPR station
Springfield 91.1
Branson 90.5
West Plains 90.9
Mountain Grove 88.7
Joplin 98.9
Neosho 103.7
or streaming at:
www.ksmu.org.
I've been invited to "talk about the Ozarks" on a segment. I have no idea where Michael will go with this, but if it's like the show usually is, it's the perfect format of my column "Ozark Meanderings." I've sent him some of my columns (including the "Ozarker" & "Ozarkian" debate and "What Do You Call A Person From Arkansas?" and articles various writers and OWL members have written for The Ozarks Mountaineer over the years so he can get some "background" and the flavor of the Ozarks and know what he's getting into by doing a show down here!
Fredrick Roger Pfister invites all Facebook Friends to attend Michael Feldman's "Whad' Ya Know" live broadcast Saturday.
Michael Feldman's Whad'Ya Know?www.notmuch.com
Thanks--and don't forget the OWL meeting (and auction), May 15! See you there!
regards...
pfreditor
Dr. Fred R. Pfister
Editor: The Ozarks Mountaineer
Editorial office: 815 Lee St.
Branson, Missouri 65616
Editor's home phone: 417-334-5615
e-mail address: editor@ozarksmountaineer.com
or frpfister@suddenlink.net
www.ozarksmountaineer.com
For subscription and circulation: call toll free: 1-866-784-9444
"Once an Ozarker, always an Ozarker, even if you're no longer living in the Ozarks."
Check out The Ozarks Mountaineer at www.ozarksmountaineer.com. It's the magazine that keeps your heart in the Ozarks!
North Central Children's Writers & Illustrators will meet Saturday, May 29, 1-3 p.m., at Lakeview City Hall, Lakeview, Arkansas. Please email marynida@suddenlink.net

If you want to read my family horse story (Buck, the Comeback Horse) in the May/June Good Old Days Magazine you can find it at most magazine racks or at your local library. I sponsored the magazine at the Baxter County Library.

Sunday, May 02, 2010

ONLINE MAGAZINE WRITERS GUIDELINE'S: Kid Magazine Writers http://www.kidmagwriters.com/

NC Children's Writers & Illustrators: President Mary Nida Smith, Vice-president Cherie Neal.
Meet Saturday, May 29 1-3 p.m., at Lakeview City Hall, Lakeview, AR. Sign-up email: marynida@suddenlink.net