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Scroll to May 2014 under archives to read all about Reruns.

An article this month in Writers Digest entitled Creative Rations explores how people who have creative writing jobs, whether it’s copy writing, journalism, or advertising, to name a few, find that their personal creative writing many times suffers because their creativity is utilized during the day in the workplace. I found this to be true when I was still teaching; all of my creative energy was poured into lesson plans and writing lectures, not to mention grading essays. Right now though I have a part-time job that does not utilize my creativity, and so, even though these eighteen hours a week I am putting in do take up writing time, I am finding that I am becoming more disciplined  due to my writing time being limited. Many times when I have all the time in the world I tend to waste it. So for me, having to schedule my writing and sending off submissions time more efficiently is resulting in actually getting more done!

If you have a similar story, or a not so similar story, please respond.

Ariella Moon is our featured reader for July at Koffi in Rancho Mirage. Ariella draws upon her experiences as a shaman to create magical young adult fiction. Her series include The Two Realm trilogy and The Teen Wytche Saga. The program begins at two on July 15th. Come and enjoy!

There is a call for someone to teach girls at The Indio Family Justice Center. They are looking for someone to teach a creative writing class for one week to girls aged 13-18. They are offering a stipend for the week. If interested go to https://womenwonderwriters.com.

On June 17th at Koffi in Rancho Mirage, located at 71-380 Highway 111, featured authors are as follows: Ulrike Maria and David Cat Cohen. The program begins at two o’clock and an open mic is also included.

Ulrike writes primarily about her metaphysical findings. She has published five books; some of the titles are Modern Thought Theories and Better Living through Right Thinking. Her presentation is sure to be inspiring.

David Cat Cohen has published eight books on food, travel, and music. Some of his titles include Chicken Soups From Around The World and Road Stories Southwest. He is a gregarious presence and his recipes are tempting!

So, come and enjoy, listen, participate, and even buy a book! These should promise to be good summer reading.

On May 13th at our regular featured reading series at Koffi in Rancho Mirage two accomplished authors debuted their books.

Rose Baldwin’s upcoming novel is entitled Mike’s Magic Burgers. It is about a restaurant where the burgers transport a diner to another realm. For example, the tropical burger transports a new customer to a tropical island where she relaxes on a white sand beach while enjoying a massage. The novel will be out in June and available on Amazon. It promises a delightful read.

Our next featured reader was Patty Farmer whose book Playboy Swings chronicles the contribution Playboy made to jazz artists, many of whom got their start at The Playboy Clubs and The Playboy Jazz Festivals. Many only think of Playboy as a magazine with naked ladies, but Hugh Hefner gave exposure to so many jazz greats. In addition, Hef broke racial barriers by having both black and white performers in the clubs,  and on Playboy After Dark.

Playboy Swings is the first in a trilogy. In September Patty will return to Koffi to debut her next in the series Playboy Laughs which traces the evolution of the jokes and cartoons in Playboy. The last of the series is Playboy Talks which focuses on the articles. Remember the catch phrase, “I read Playboy for the articles.”

Patty is a thorough researcher. In her first book The Persian Room she brought to light the many singers and musicians who performed at the famous Persian Room at The Plaza Hotel.

Join us September 10th at Koffi in Rancho Mirage when Patty will debut Playboy Laughs. And don’t forget to order Rose Baldwin’s Mike’s Magic Burgers on Amazon come June.

A very special reading at Koffi in Rancho Mirage this Saturday May 13th beginning at two o’clock. Author Patty Farmer and her book Playboy Swings which chronicles Playboy’s contribution to the music scene, and Rose Baldwin debuting her upcoming novel Mike’s Magic Burgers. Don’t miss this exciting reading!

This weekend, April 22nd and 23rd at USC. So many vendors and lectures and readings. Some of the lecturers this year are: Joyce Carol Oates and George Saunders. Poets Luis J. Rodriguez and Laurel Ann Bogen. Google LA Festival of Books for info on speakers.

This is what I have been experiencing lately. I have many writer friends and I am so thankful for a supportive community of like-minded people. But this is what I have lately been experiencing. Whenever I am around my writer friends the discussion is always what people are working on and how many are getting published. Well, of course, what else would writers talk about? I am writing regularly, but I haven’t been published in awhile. I have been sending out submissions and receiving regular rejections. It kind of amazes me because back in the 1980s and 1990s I got published often. I think I am a better writer now, so the constant rejections have me a bit baffled. But no matter, I have developed a thick skin over the years. My present real concern is that I feel a sense of competition amongst myself and my fellow authors, and this feeling is taking away the fun of writing. I feel I have to keep up with my colleagues, and I don’t like this feeling. Does anyone else feel like this?