April Happenstance

It's out! The latest issue of Happenstance, 

life happens; here are few things to look for:

Cindy Charlton's "I Charlton, a New Step, a New Music" is a moving commentary on the realities of her life and a tribute to resilience.

It's obvious in Patrick Alarid's Backyard Artistry, this is a man who enjoys creating water wise landscapes that are relaxing and inviting. I like his list of favorite plants and nurseries making it a little easier to embark on water wise gardening. He also kindly provided information about the June Garden Tour sponsored by CCHP.

In keeping with the water wise theme Rain Savers' Steve Reichert writes about the products available through his company, along with an inside look at how to determine what your home needs. There's also an article about water restrictions and alternative gardening recommendations from the Las Vegas water department.

Flower Power will return in mid-may. Read more from project coordinator Andrea Gottschalk.

A couple of Las Vegas women were enjoying the intrigue and history of Egypt when their trip was interruped by history in the making. Check out Witnesses to History.
 
Features return, including Featured Artist: Marti Nash, Recipes & Chat by Pamela G. Daves, Happenstance Kitchen and Connie Mack's Eclectically yours. Also look for wonderful submissions by Kim Delgado (The Stingy Woman, a Spanish folk tale), and Dona Josefita, a memoir from Barbara Perea Casey of a woman whose legacy is one of care and kindness. Robert Gallegos remembers Yesterday and the tools to be found in the backyard. And of course, "Tiger Lilly" continues.

There's more. Hope you will take the time to check it out.
Link to my website

 

My thanks to all the contributing writers and to Lisa Lawrence, whose painting graces the front of the April issue. It certainly carries out the "in the garden" theme I was aiming for. I love Lisa's work. There is an energy to it that makes me smile.

 

Enjoy Happenstance, life happens. I never know when the next one will be the last one. 

 

The May theme is Super Moms. Please submit your articles, ideas, stories, essays, poems, art and other material by April 22.

Survivor Stories, a Request From Cindy Charlton

Cindy Charlton

Cindy Charlton is working on a non-ficiton book that includes stories of survivors. "It goes hand in hand with my professional speaking career," she said.  "So I have finally made the 'call to action' for survivor stories."

 

Check out her new blog at cindycharltonspeaks.com.  It has all the details, including her own survivor's story. Please take a look.

 

If you know of anyone who has survived a traumatic incident whose story would be interesting or inspiring to others, let them know about this opportunity.

 

 

Cindy may be reached through her website or at cindycharlsky@gmail.com. If you plan to send an e-mail, please include SURVIVOR STORY in the subject bar.  

 

"I have already written parts of this book, and am hoping to have a publishable book by the end of the year," Cindy said. 

Cindy  is a frequent contributor to Happenstance, life happens. She is a motivational and inspirational speaker as well as an accomplished writer.

So much for every day!

My very best intentions went awry in the recent days. I haven't blogged, which I said I was going to do EVERY DAY. So what is the point of blogging every day anyway? Good question. One friend said she didn't have time to read other people's personal lives every day. Got that, really, I do. I would hope this blog—the Happenstance blog—would be more, much more than that.

For a heartbeat of time I wondered if it couldn't be an ongoing calendar of events around town, but realized that's already being done rather effectively by the local newspaper, radio stations, chamber of commerce and Karyl Lyne's e-mail blasts.

February 7, 2011

In reality this blog is about Happenstance, life happens, but how much can you say about a magazine that comes out digitally once a month? Talk about it too much and you might as well do the zine in the blog, which believe me, I've considered. It would be cheaper, because, yes, despite there being no print costs, there is a fee for maintaining a website plus the zine publishing site. The blog is free.

Hmmm, where was I going with this. Blogging. Right. To blog or not to blog, that is the question (forgive me Mr. Shakespeare).

So, my purpose in the blog is to draw attention to Happenstance and build readership. With that in mind I'm going to highlight articles through the month as a reminder of what readers missed in the current issue, and give hints about what to expect in the upcoming issue.

I might from time to time sneak in current events.

I'm also looking for submissions: essays, memoirs, poetry, fiction and non-fiction, how to articles, photo journalism, cartoons and illustrations. For submission guidelines e-mail happenstance@happenstancelifehappens.com. Unfortunately right now I can't pay writers, but if it's publishing credit you're looking for this is a way to get it done. I am selective so do ask for the guidelines.

About the February issue. Did you read the article on human trafficking? It is a story most of us would rather ignore, but in it you will find out about an local agency developing a program to identify and provide aide to victims of this horrifying practice. To access the article go to the Happenstance website home page, and click on the Hidden in Plain Sight link under Inside This Issue.

Cindy Charlton

I really loved Cindy Charlton's story about finding romance at a time in her life when it wasn't even on her radar. Check it out.

If you haven't made time to read the last Happenstance don't forget another one will be out in two weeks, on March 7.

More about what to look for in tomorrow's blog... maybe.

Back in the Saddle

Jury duty has put me behind schedule for the February issue of Happenstance. I'm grateful for all the submissions I've received. Contributing writers strengthen content and broaden readership. In the February issue look for articles about Gretchen Bush, entrepreneur Tracy Prieskorn, artitst Kristine Klaiber, and the El Zocalo trading card event, plus articles by Cindy Charlton, Kayt Peck, and Robert Gallegos. Publication date Feb. 7.

I'm writing more than the usual number of articles this month and I've enjoyed every minute of it. In the midst of all that I prepped my latest novel for entry in the Create Space annual Breakthrough Novel contest. It's three rounds of judging with an enormous possibility of being eliminated in the first round. If the 300-word pitch doesn't grab the judges, you're out. Wish me luck! I'm confident Tiger Lilly is a worthy contender for the $15,000 prize. Anyone else who is interested in the contest may find out more at www.createspace.com. The deadline for first round entries is Feb. 6. Good luck!

It's Back! Happenstance returns

Happenstance, life happens, is back. It's a monthly now with the fourth edition posted on January 3, 2011. I will be adding to my blog every day and want to have your feedback about Happenstance, life Happens, along with input for article ideas and how to broaden readership.

The January issue is chock full of interesting articles. I'm actually creating three zines. One comes out in PDF, which is accessible at the Happenstance, life happens site, the website itself which is new this month, and the zine version, which is at http://issuu.com/vandermeerbooks/docs/january_happenstance.

The website has everything except the serialization of Tiger Lilly, my contemporary novel about a family in transition, and a couple of end-of-the-year articles about exercise and healthy eating, and managing your finance in the New Year. See pages pages 12 and 13.