The Woodland Garden is my sanctuary. I am amazed what I discover every time I
stroll though.

July 23, I armed myself with a bottle of poison and clippers.
The poison ivy is spreading rapidly and approximate two-four
inches tall. Stormy weather keeps me from entering the garden
and allowing the poison to be effective. Leaves three beware.
This is difficult in a wild garden. The unknown seedlings
don’t show their true selves until they have grown to
display four or more leaves such as the Virginia Creeper.

I pruned some ground cover, small trees, and bushes. In the
meanwhile my husband discovered I was working in the
garden. The push moor's roaring sounds drowned out the
birds joyful songs and raised my temperature. I quickly
removed myself as I saw my small Mimosa tree being
topped as the sticks with red tags surrounding it crumbled.

I discovered a large walk in hole under my wood pile with
another hole leading from it. The tracks I couldn’t
make out. There are new holes on the bank and throughout
the garden and as usual lots of chipmunks escape hatches.

Under the deck steps is a mud turtle’s home. A blue strip salamander
continues to ran out from under the stepping stones.

July 24, As I sat on the sun porch watching the orange tinted
sunrise peek through the trees two bats raced around the large
oaks as the yard light displayed flying insects. This year I
haven’t adopted a summer buddy. I miss having one.

On a couple of other matters, I had a poem rejected July 13
from Mature Living magazine. I guess, I am not mature
enough for it. Jim Hamilton is looking for a poem with the
title-The Devil in Arkansas. As a writer we are always
learning and receiving interesting items.

Ozark Writers and Illustrators for Children's
Annual Summer Workshop July 11, at Lebanon, Mo –
what a wonderful experience!
Naomi Shaw was in charge of keeping the workshop
running smoothly and what a great job she did.

The first session was “Coffee with Vicki Grove”. Vicki
mesmerized us with insight to a dedicated writer’s life
with all the ups and downs, and what inspired her to write
each teen novel. She was serious, witty, and encouraging. I
have never met a writer who provided so much helpful
information for beginners or sparks to fire up the professional
writer to continue to share their words to motivate readers to
continue reading and to become a person that gives back to
their community.

Lunch was provided by Maria’s Café located in the library.
The café carries a Route 66 theme to encourage patrons to
visit the library’s Route 66 Museum.

Afternoon we had three break-away sessions:
J.B. (Jamie) Cheaney- “Sweatin’ the Small Stuff.”
Lizabeth Hardman- “Getting your Foot in the Door
with Non-fiction.”
Louise Jackson – “Believable Characters.”

Three great programs; I hate break-away sessions, because
I want attend them all. I decided on Lizabeth’s who writes
for a history magazine and a work-for-hire for non-fiction teen
and adult books. It was Eizabeth’s first time as speaker. She did
a great job providing us with importance of research: Gathering
information no older than ten years, and where to find reliable
information on the Internet.

From 2-3 a.m., the first manuscript page of ten attendees
was shown by Power Point. Naomi read each manuscript’s
1st page and afterwards the five panelists gave their critique.
It was very informative to hear ten different critiques by
J.B. Cheaney, Louise Jackson, Vicky Grove, Barbara
Cochran and Lorrie Cardwell-Casey. At the workshop’s
closing each page with five critiques were handed in an
envelope back to each writer to take home to read and digest.

Three of the authors are members of OWAIC that meet
the 1st Saturday of each month in Springfield.
Website: http://www.owaic.org/

Thanks again to OWAIC, Lebanon-Laclede County Library
and the Ozarks Penmasters Guild.

Good Old Days magazine: http://goodolddaysonline.com/ I received a letter that my story, Buck the Comeback Horse will be tentatively scheduled for Feb 2010. Check their contributor guidelines at their website. Real stories of people who lived and grew up in about 1935-1965. Check it out. They also publish other magazines. Share your family stories for others to enjoy and create excitement among your family. You will be a celebrity at your family reunion - the family writer. Stories recorded and passed down through generations will enrich family history.

This will be my second family story published in Good Old Days magazine. A couple of years ago they published, Christmas Among the Wolves. My brothers and sisters were excited as they received their copy. I purchased several extra copies. It was fun!

Ozarks Writers & Illustrators for Children, Ozark Pen Women and the Lebanon-Laclede County Library sponsored Authors Day and the Ozark Writers & Illustrators for Children Annual Summer Workshop July 10 & 11. I thank each and everyone for their hard work in presenting these two programs where I was able to sit back for two days to learn and have the time of my life.

Authors Day was from noon to 5 p.m. The tables were set up in rolls for visitors to stroll by viewing authors on both sides. There was about 35-40 authors attending. I met new authors and visited with authors I have known since moving to the Ozarks.

I sold several books, Submarine Stories of World War II. What pleased me more than anything was to see young pre-teen boys standing in awe reading my handouts and mothers purchasing the book for them. A young boy won my book as a door prize. We were both excited as he asked me to sign it.

Teachers and parents spoke to me about WWI &II history was no longer being taught in schools. History bluffs visited. I met Tina who just received her degree in World War I & II history. Tina’s heart was filled with love for her subject. She shared how she is searching for information on the Merchant Marines who played a huge part in World War II. Thanks to my friend Joyce Larimore, a member of the Fleet Reserve who gave me the book, They Couldn't Have Won the War Without Us-Stories by the men who sailed the ships. Edited by Pete Peterson who served in the Merchant Marines. It is a book that shares the horror they endured bringing supplies to our men. I promised Tina the book. I sent it Monday.

I met Teri Haux, an ex-Navy brat who wrote Movie Viewer Extraordinaire – Discerning the Influences of Movies on your Freedom, Family and Happiness. http://www.movieviewerxtra.com/ Teri’s husband is station at Fort Leonard Wood. He was there for awhile and I regret I didn’t have the chance to go over to say, “Thanks for serving.” Teri is also a screenwriter and is searching for a military women photography that she wants to write a screen play concerning her career.

My friends Ellen Gray Massey (Whom I cornered for advise.), Brenda Brinkley (Ozarks Writers League), Lee Ann Russell and Larry Cunningham (Springfield Writers Guild – http://www.swgste.org/) were there.

Next time I will share my day at the Ozarks Writers & Illustrators for Children’s Annual Summer Workshop. What an upper! What speakers! What a day! It was soooo special.

Lebanon-Laclede County Library: I will be

there from 12-5 pm July 10th with several

other authors at the Author's Day to promote,

sell and sign my book. July 11th at the library

I will be attending the Ozarks Writers &

Illustrators Workshop from 8:30 am -3pm:

speakers are J.B. Cheaney, Lizabeth

Hardman and Louise Jackson.

My book, Submarine Stories of World

War II for ages ten and up.

Review by Max McCoy author of Hellfire Canyon: A fascinating

series of vignettes about the war beneath the waves during

World War II, as told by the men who fought it. Only the

submariners could describe how it feels to hear mine cables

skitter along the hull or the whooshing sound when the boat

buries itself in the sandy bottom to hide from Japanese

destroyers.

Mary Nida Smith has done a fine job collecting theses largely

untold stories from the silent service.

Conner and Davis, two young grade school boys wrote a

note to me and said: I will forever continue thinking

your book is awesome!

Review by Deborah Edmonds, Children's Librarian, Baxter

County Library:

Mary Nida Smith has compiled a set of personal experiences

from submarine veterans of World War II that should not only

speak to family members of the Silent Service. Her book also

informs the rest of the population of the thoughts and feelings

of these brave men who served under the seas to

protect our country with no guarantee that they would resurface.

Ridley Pearson, a friend when we both lived in Idaho. He has come a long way and is a great guy and writer.
JULY 2009 NEWSLETTER KILLER SUMMER STARTS...On Sale Date: June 30th!!!KILLER SUMMER ORDER THE BOOK:IndieBound, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble

APPEARANCES
St Louis ( Fenton, MO) Barnes and Noble, Tuesday, June 30, 7 PM
Scottsdale, AZ—Poisoned Pen Bookstore, Wednesday, July 1, 7 PM
Houston, TX—Murder By The Book, Thursday, July 2, 6:30 PM
St Louis (Frontenac)—St Louis County Library, Thursday, July 9, 7 PM
Ketchum, Idaho—Community Library, Thursday, July 16, 6 PM.
PLEASE PASS THIS EMAIL ALONG TO YOUR READING FRIENDS!
Thanks for the support, Ridley

The Historic Ozarks Mills Book ~ Take the tour! Order at www.photozarks.com < click here, call or go postal. Collectable 1st edition, details on website, order before they're history! Photozarks ~ Mike McArthy

Children's Books http://www.publishersweekly.com

Writing Picture Books http://donnasbookpub.blogspot.com
If you get a chance, please stop by Donna's Book Pub tomorrow. I'm having a special guest blogger who has written several books for children. Her latest book from Writer's Digest in on Writing Picture Books. Even if you don't write for children, her advice is helpful. She is posting about "Grabbing Your Reader from the First Word" and offering to give away a copy of one of her books to a randomly selected visitor who posts a comment or asks a question on my blog this week.

Castles of The Blue

http://amiestreet.com/music/hard-fault

Unique, uninhibited compositions composed by
Wes Bensching born with talent to hear musical
sounds that inspires the imagination.
Album has eight distinct orchestra numbers.

Castles of the Blue – I visualize different cloud formations passing
before me.
The Night in your Eyes – Generates the feeling of a vintage movie
of two lovers struggling with their emotions.
Getting Back up – Will give the listener the enter feeling of
encouragement to try again.
Blinding Wind – Sparks the imagination of riding the wind on
a magical unicorn into an uncharted world.
It’s Gone – The emotion of ecstasy ascends and fades beyond reach.
Sister – Reflection of what was and what is.
On One Level – Homage for all
OG’s Dream – Questioning the elements with anger and compliance
© Written & Designed by Mary Nida Smith

The original flyer/poster design would not reproduce for the blog. If you would like a copy of the original -email me at : marynida@lakeviewnet.com
http://www.billboard.com/

Rejections test your will to continue. Read more on this subject "Writers & Rejections: Don't give up" at http://www.inkygirl.com

Promotional Campaign, Gardening, Crafts & Focus:

I volunteered to help promote a wonderful young man named Wes Bensching and his new label Hard Fault. He has a great love for writing and composing his own style of unique music. Every note on Hard Fault’s CDs is performed by Wes. He plays several instruments, compiles, and edits to create leisure music. http://amiestreet.com/music/hard-fault

January’s ice storm removed many tree limbs in the Woodland Garden. No more canopy of trees. The sun has found its way in where I have to rethink from shade to sun growing plants. This is a new adventure. The garden is my place to think – refocus my life as a writer- what book to rewrite, what one to submit, and what one to start writing.

Focus, focus, focus- How does one keep focused in this crazy, changing world. Deadlines I can keep because I gave my word – I keep my word. I just wish, I could keep my word I place on myself,

Before I start submitting crafts and recycling articles and two books I have finished on these subjects, I would like to start a blog on these subjects. What I have sold in the past and what I have researched; non-fiction sells quicker than fiction for children and adults.
What do you think?

Ozark Writers & Illustrators:
The deadline for submitting a first page for critique at the Ozark Writers and Illustrators for Children [including YA] is June 12th. The conference is July 11th (Saturday) at the Lebanon-Laclede County library this year. For more info, including a downloadable registration form, go to www.owaic.org. Great conference for writers - even if not specializing in children's writing. Great for illustrators, too.
On July 10th, the library is hosting an Author Day/Book fair for writers of all ages and genres [except things not suitable for public library] from noon to 5 - no charge, but need to reserve a table by emailing rklein@lebanon-laclede.lib.mo.us.
Joyce
~ member MWG, Ozark Pen Masters Guild, SCBWI

J.C. Ragland, Ed.D.
417-664-2982
www.EllaRaglandArt.org
www.Zazzle.com/EllaRaglandArt
One cannot build an orchestra with one instrument; harmony requires multiple notes.
-- Elaine Estervig Beaubien

Illustrators Workshop, Library, OWL Books in Museum and Living a busy life:

The illustrators’ workshop was rewarding. I am hoping to hear from other illustrators who are interesting in writing and illustrating for publication. If you are interested, email me at marynida@lakeviewnet.com. Updates on the workshop click on http://belarcowritersworkshop.blogspot.com/. To learn more about children’s authors and illustrators click on http://picturebookillustrators.typepad.com/; http://childrensbooks,about.com/ and http://asuen.com/blog.central.com .

To keep up dated with the publishing world and the dishonest publishers & agents go to - Writer Beware http://accrispin.blogspot.com/ (Round the clock coverage of BookExpo America 2009; http://www.sfwa.org/; http://anotherearm.com/ and http://www.publishersweekly.com/.

I was saddened by the death of Noogie, the Llama (1993-2008) and now the beloved Lurch is very ill. Lurch, is a Watusi steer. What makes Lurch special, is not because he is a Guinness Record Holder – it is because he is kind and lovable. I wrote an article about Lurch and the herd. It was published in The Ozarks Mountaineer magazine. Everyone who knows Lurch is ill is chipping in with donations to help with his treatment expenses. http://www.lurchandtheherd.com/

This month has been very busy and I believe it will continue for the next six months.
May 16th I attended the Ozarks Writers League is where you see old friends and meet new ones. Great group! Soon OWL members will have their books with the history of the league in the Ralph Foster Museum, College of the Ozarks.

May 27th was the last meeting of the Friends of the Library for the next three months (Gosh, I’ll miss it and the special people who help support the library.). Please, don’t ever forget your library - big city or small town it is so important. Go beyond the Internet, check out your local library to do research and reading. The book sale May 21-22, 23 was a success. If you have any extra books – donate them to your library and please attend the interesting programs they provide throughout the year.

A Sharing Garden: Last week when I entered the Woodland Garden I was met by the Poison Ivy family. They welcomed me with a bouquet of their family’s fast growing crop. Long after I left the garden, their freely given gift is staying close to my heart. When I triumph over the emotions I have been feeling; I’ll re-enter the garden with my gift for the Poison Ivy family. Hopefully, this gift will change their life.

I felt a little safer on the deck when I planted flowers and seeds in pots. In a couple days the seeds were growing. With a little unwanted help from my chipmunk friends, holes have dug in several pots. I guess they wanted me to plant some sunflower seeds. The wildlife that has made homes and do visit the Woodland Garden continues to amaze and inform me. I have my own Red-headed woodpecker family. I fought for them and continue to watch them at the campgrounds belonging to the Army Corps of Engineers.

Hard Fault has some new music; check it out and listen at http://amiestreet.com/music/hard-fault/ I love this artist. He is the creator of every note and also the beautiful covers.

If an editor or writer acts unprofessional do not bend. Remember to always act as a professional and you will be rewarded.

I’ll be updating my blog, Submarine Stories and Military Writers soon at http://submarinestories.blogspot.com/ and my website at http://marynidasmith.homestead.com/

Ozark Writers and Illustrators for Children meet each month in Springfield, Missouri. They are having their Annual Summer Workshop July 11. Check out their website http://www.owaic.org.
The Lebanon-Laclede County Library is having an Authors' Day & Book Fair July, 10,11 &12 from 12-5 p.m. Please make reservations with Rosalie Klein 417-532-2148 or email rklein@lebanon-laclede.lib.mo.us

Book Sale, Baxter County Library May 21,22, & 23 starting at 8:30 a.m.

Hard Fault Music is by a new artist. His music will calm you after a difficult time,transport you on a journey of cloud formations and heavenly sounds.

http://www.shockhound.com/search?q=hard+fault
http://amiestreet.com/music/hard-fault/?fms=J0UbLqiywJkx

Enjoy the peace Hard Fault's music will bring to you. You will not be sorry. Hard Fault is an artist who's music is pure because it is created from the heart of one of the greatest new artist to come to us in 2009.

Illustrators Workshop

Illustrators’ workshop on illustrating a 32-page children’s
picture book will be held at Bel Arco Resort’s Conference
Center May 22, 2-4 p.m.

Mary Nida Smith, freelance writer, author and illustrator
will present the workshop.

The workshop will discuss how to create a storyboard,
thumbprints, and spacing to develop a dummy book to submit
to an art director, agent or an editor at a publishing house.

On display will be several how-to-books, a completed dummy,
a storyboard, thumbprints and a light box.

Attendees are invited to bring their illustrations
for display.

If you have any questions call 870-431-5369 or email marynida@lakeviewnet.com.
For more information and Smith’s bio go to http://belarcowritersworkshop.blogspot.com/.
Registration fee $10. by May 18th or $15.00 at the door. Send to Mary Nida Smith 162 Stamford Dr, Lakeview, AR 72642

Check http://www.ala.org/ big event in June at Chicago. It appears I will miss it again this year.

May 11-17 is Children's Book Week
http://www.bookweekonline.com/

Did you know all children's books published before 1985 may be removed from your library in 2010?

One of my favorite books for 2009 is "These Darn Squirrels" by Adam Rubin. I am a nut who loves squirrels. They have taught me what I read online is not always true and that I can learn from them.

SCBWI/ Arkansas Conference this weekend.http://www.arkansasscbwi.org/
Blogs I follow list - HOME is Rich Davis' website He has something new for children to enjoy.

NEWS RELEASE
22nd Annual Ozarks Romance Authors Writers’ Conference
"Committed to Write"
June 6, 2009, 9:00AM-3:30PM (registration 8:30-9:00)
The Springfield Library Center
4653 South Campbell Avenue
Springfield, Mo.
E-mail dilock@abcbglobol.net
http://www.ozarkromanceauthors.com/

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, MOM. Not a day passes that I don't think of you. I will always be grateful to God for choosing you to be my mom and best friend. You continue to guide me from your new home in heaven.

To my daughter Margeret, who is a special mom. I love you.