As we move through the early weeks of a new year, I thought you might want to read a few comments regarding one of the stories that aaduna published.  Keith Laufenberg's "Childhood" (Click to read) was published in the 2010 spring/summer issue.  His nomination for a Pushcart Prize elicited some interesting comments, and in one case, I asked Keith to provide the response. Anonymous said... I read this story about Cole Black and I just wondered if it was true or not. Quite a discussion I have had with many friends about this story if its true or not but it was a really good story and I read it about a month ago but still think about it. D.A. January 9, 2012 10:43 AM Jean Goldstrom said... I'm delighted to see Keith Laufenberg's beautiful story "Childhood" made available to a wider audience. Keith is one of our star writers here at Whortleberry Press. He is well worthy of a PushCart Prize. ...

Happy New Year! Lisa Brennan & bill berry, jr I hope your holiday festivities were grand and this year enables you to embrace those goals that you want to achieve for yourself and family.  Lisa Brennan, Ellen Blalock, bill berry, jr & Patricia Clark Ellen, Bill and Pat The new year started out with a delightful and wonderful Kwanzaa affair hosted at the home of Ellen Blalock and Patricia Clark.  Lisa and I met several interesting folks while soaking in the ambiance of art and culture that permeates Ellen and Pat's abode.  We feel blessed, most importantly, by their friendship, as well as the colleagueship that we share.  (Both serve on the aaduna Board of Directors and Pat is the vice-president.)         As the first official day of getting back to work is blanketed by snow and 14 degree cold weather, we will re-start our engines and move forward to get the F...

Well, winter has officially arrived.  A good number of holiday shoppers appear to be still holding out for even deeper discounts.  The federal government is at an impasse with many elected officials deciding not to "hear" the wishes of most citizens, and we at aaduna are busy trying to settle the First Anniversary/winter 2012 Issue.  And overshadowing all of this mundane stuff [rightfully so] is the Season of Giving and Sharing with Hanukkah moving through its cycle; Christmas on the way immediately followed by Kwanzaa, New Year's Eve celebrations and Festival of the Three Kings. It is a time for festivities and enjoying family and friends.    Cleopatra & Cairo - aaduna resident sphynx cats With that said, I will wait and talk about  aaduna  stuff next week even though I am excited about what we are up to. Lisa and I, joined by our colleagues, extend our wishes for a fe...

Thomas Lee, Fiction Michael Rhynes, Non-Fiction Frank A. Gladden, Fiction Tamara J. Madison, Poetry  Keith Laufenberg, Fiction Cyd Charisse Fulton, Poetry  

The Pushcart Prize - Best of the Small Presses series, published every year since 1976,  is the most honored literary project in America. Hundreds of presses and thousands of writers of short stories, poetry and essays have been represented in the pages of these annual collections. The Pushcart Prize editions are found in most libraries and bookstores. Each volume contains an index of past selections, plus lists of outstanding presses with addresses. aaduna appreciates and applauds the contributions of all its writers and regrets that the publication was limited to six nominations.  The works nominated and writers are as follows: Poetry: Abuse in a Dream                                            Cyd Charisse Fulton Kentucky Curdled (selected ...

For most of us, Thanksgiving Day marks the start of the season where we reflect on where we have been and where we want to go.   Our interests tend to transition from giving to ourselves to giving to others and wanting to share our blessings with those who seek to be blessed by the generosity of others.   I suspect all these attributes came together as Lisa, Carrie and I visited my Mom in Arlington , VA for the past five days to celebrate Thanksgiving.   (For those of you who know Cairo and Cleo, those two joined the road trip.)   This annual sojourn also included promoting aaduna and once again we left marketing material at the Poets and Busboys restaurant on 14 th and U Streets in DC.   While we did not get the chance to see friends and family in Baltimore and other parts of MD, or spend time with friends/family in DC (Sandra Miles and Frank Daspit), there were some inspiring highlights.    Dinner at Rincome, a Thai restaurant on Columbia ...

Our community of writers, artists, directors, supporters and friends extend grand wishes to Lisa on her special day, November 13th.  We are confident she will have a glorious day and bask in the wishes and festivities that will come her way.  And we appreciate all that she does to make what we do so much better. HAPPY BIRTH DAY LISA!!!!