Peace Corps Worldwide – Page 414 – promoting Peace Corps writers since 1989

RPCV Arsenault In The Hartford Courant On Sunday

Nov 23 2009

Interview by Carole Goldberg When Emily Arsenault was growing up in Cheshire, a teacher told the fifth-grader she was very good at writing. Give that teacher an A. At age 11, Arsenault, a fan of ghost stories and books for girls, wrote her first novel, about a summer camp, with the idea of getting published. But a year later, she said in a recent telephone conversation from her home in Shelburne Falls, Mass., she realized, “This isn’t very good.” As an adult, she tried again but also judged that young adult novel “not ready for prime time.” This fall, however, Arsenault, now 33, has published her debut novel, “The Broken Teaglass,” and it is an accomplished work. It is set at a staid dictionary company not unlike Merriam-Webster in Springfield, where she once worked. Peopled by quirky characters and centered on a mysterious killing – although it’s not a mystery . . .

Review: The Broken Teaglass by Emily Arsenault

Nov 23 2009

Mary-Ann Tirone Smith (Cameroon 1965–67) has written nine novels including-purportedly- the first long fiction to come out of the Peace Corps, Lament for a Silver-Eyed Woman, meaning written by a volunteer with characters who are volunteers. Her most recent, Dirty Water: A Red Sox Mystery, was written in collaboration with her son, Sox blogger Jere Smith. She has also written a memoir, Girls of Tender Age, in which she gives two paragraphs to the Peace Corps although the book does include a photo of her and her Cameroonian students. She is presently working on a Civil War novel. Here she reviews the first novel by Emily Arsenault (South Africa 2004–06) entitled The Broken Teaglass. • The Broken Teaglass by Emily Arsenault (South Africa 2004–06) Delacorte Press September 2009 384 pages $25.00 Reviewed by Mary-Ann Tirone Smith (Cameroon 1965–67) As I slip into The Broken Teaglass knowing nothing about the work . . .

RPCV Toby Lester Writes Wonderful Book About The Naming Of America

Nov 22 2009

For millennia Europeans believed that the world consisted of three parts: Europe, Africa, and Asia. They drew the three continents in countless shapes and sizes on their maps, but occasionally they hinted at the existence of a “fourth part of the world,” a mysterious, inaccessible place, separated from the rest by a vast expanse of ocean. It was a land of myth — until 1507, that is, when Martin Waldseemüller and Matthias Ringmann, two obscure scholars working in the mountains of eastern France, made it real. Columbus had died the year before convinced that he had sailed to Asia, but Waldseemüller and Ringmann, after reading about the Atlantic discoveries of Columbus’s contemporary Amerigo Vespucci, came to a startling conclusion: Vespucci had reached the fourth part of the world. To celebrate his achievement, Waldseemüller and Ringmann printed a huge map, for the first time showing the New World surrounded by water . . .

Wake Up, Portland. There Is Work To Do!

Nov 22 2009

Ellen Urbani (Guatemala 1991-93) is working with Saturday Academy and Mercy Corps to convene a week-long camp (June 28-July 2, 2010) in Portland, Oregon, designed to introduce high school students to the issues and demands of careers in the field of international aid and development work. This week-long immersion camp will combine traditional and hands-on learning, public service opportunities, and the mentoring process to motivate participants toward further study or volunteerism in global relief efforts. Ellen is currently looking for instructors (8hrs/day for one week, paid positions) to teach each of these modules: Shelter, Water/Sanitation, Small Business, Global Health, Appropriate Technologies. She is also looking for experts/guest lecturers (from 1-8hrs/day, one day, unpaid) to cover topics of interest and application to the entire group, including: Action Planning: Designing interventions, rallying local support, project implementation, fund-raising Leadership Development: How to garner local buy-in, identify and collaborate with local/indigenous leaders, make best . . .

White

Nov 18 2009

The following was the 1999 recipient of the Moritz Thomsen Peace Corps Experience Award presented by Peace Corps Writers for the best short description of life in the Peace Corps. • White by Lynn Marshall (Mali 1997– 99) YESTERDAY, I ATTENDED MY FIRST FUNERAL. I wore white and so did the corpse. The body was wrapped in a heavy, white cloth and placed under a mango tree, surrounded by dozens of old women with missing teeth, gray hair, and skin as dry as coconut shells. The old ladies wore mismatched swatches of bright print fabric. Over a hundred people had gathered in the concession, and sat cross-legged on long, colorful rectangular mats. They paid their respects by playing cards, smoking Marlboros and drinking tea. As I toured the concession, I felt hundreds of eyes on me. Trying to convince myself that I was not out of place, I casually made . . .

Peace Corps Director Aaron Williams Speaks!

Nov 11 2009

This is an interview done in South Africa by Andre van Wyk for allAfrica.com that appeared today, November 11. Aaron Williams, the new Peace Corps Director, was on a world tour visiting Peace Corps countries on one of those famous ‘all/see’ trip all PC/W staff take. I thought that you’d like to see what the Director is thinking, two or so months into his new job. The Obama administration earlier this year named a former United States Peace Corps volunteer, Aaron S. Williams, as the program’s new director. The Peace Corps, which will soon celebrate its 50th anniversary, draws thousands of Americans who want to work abroad and under the new administration, it is looking at its areas of focus and how best to continue implementing its programs most effectively. Williams spoke with AllAfrica during a visit to South Africa. Is this your first visit to Africa since your appointment, . . .

Veterans Day Tribute: Pro Golfers Who Served in WW II

Nov 11 2009

(Pictured: Lloyd Mangrum) “From the first days of World War II, players put away their sticks and picked up rifles to defend America.” By John Coyne Special to ARMCHAIR GOLF WORLD WAR II WAS CALLED the last “good” war and Tom Brokaw wrote of the men and women who fought in it as, “America’s greatest generation.” They came of age during the Great Depression and served their country in World War II. Many of this greatest generation were golf professionals. Herb Graffis, founder of Golfing magazine, in his history of the Professional Golf Association (PGA) writes how golf professionals served in combat during WW II, and did a hundred other volunteer jobs relating to golf to help the war effort. From the first days of World War II, players put away their sticks and picked up rifles to defend America. They would not be the first players to fight in . . .

Looking For An Agent? The “V” List

Nov 11 2009

Valentino, Ralph Cambridge Literary Associates 25 Green Street Newburyport, MA 01950 General Fiction, General Non-Fiction, History, Biography, Memoirs, Reference, Art, Religion/Spirituality, Science, Business/Investing www.cambridgeliterary.com Van Nostrand Samuel French 45 West 25th Street New York, NY 10010 General Fiction, General Non-Fiction, Art, Lifestyle, arrative Fiction, Religion/Spirituality, Business/Investing www.samuelfrench.com VanAuken, Lisa Creative Media 240 W. 35th St., Suite 500 New York NY 10001 Reference, General Non-Fiction, Business/Investing assistantcma@aol.com www.thecmagency.com Vance, Lisa ERBACH AARON M. PRIEST LITERARY 708 Third Avenue, 23rd Floor New York, NY 10017 Mystery/Crime, Thriller LEVance@aaronpriest.com www.aaronpriest.com Vicinanza, Ralph Ralph Vicinanza Agency 111 8th Avenue, Suite 1501 New York, NY 10011 Graphic Novel ralphvic@aol.com Vigliano, David Vigliano Associates 584 Broadway, Suite 809 New York, NY 10012 Memoir, Advice/Relationships, Pop Culture, Health, Business/Investing/Finance www.viglianoassociates.com Voges, Liza Pulitzer Kirchoff/Wohlberg 866 United Nations Plaza New York, NY 10017 Children’s www.kirchoffwohlberg.com

Looking For An Agent? The “T” List

Nov 10 2009

Targ, Roslyn Roslyn Targ Literary Agency 105 West 13th Street, 15 E. New York, NY 10011 General Fiction, History, Mystery, Thriller roslyntarg@aol.com Tasman, Alice Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency 216 East 75th Street New York, NY 10021 Children’s, Memoirs atasman@jvnla.com http://www.jvnla.com Teal, Patricia Patricia Teal Literary Agency 2036 Vista Del Rose Fullerton, CA 92631 Reference, Biography, Memoirs tealblue@mainstation.com Tenney, Craig Harold Ober Associates 425 Madison Ave. New York, NY 10017 General Fiction, General Non-Fiction, History, Biography, Memoirs, Reference, Science, Health, Business/Investing, Graphic Novels, Children’s, Art, Mystery, Thriller tenney@haroldober.com http://www.haroldober.com Thixton, Robert Pinder Lane and Brooke 159 West 53rd St., Suite 14-E New York, NY 10019 General Fiction, Reference, Art PinderL@interport.net Thoma, Geri Elaine Markson Literary Agency 44 Greenwich Avenue New York, NY 10011 General Fiction, Biography, Memoirs, Reference, (Science, History, Politics/Current Affairs litworks@aol.com Thompson, Rosalie Heacock Literary Agency. 707 Seventh St. Tularosa, NM 88352 General Fiction, General Non-Fiction, . . .

RPCV Of A Lesser God

Nov 10 2009

Back in 2004 John Perkins (Ecuador 1968-71) published Confessions of an Economic Hit Man.It became something of a best seller, this story of his life and the conspiracies he was part of around the world after his Peace Corps years. Now John is back with a new book, Hoodwinked. It is out today. The book John says is “by far the most important book I have written.” This is his fourth book. Here is what John has Hoodwinked is all about: It provides the facts – and many personal stories from economic hit men, jackals, business execs, politicians, and educators – behind the following Eight Key points: 1. The US – in fact the world – has been stolen by the very wealthy and powerful, the corporatocracy. 2. This has created a failed system – unsustainable, unjust, unstable, dangerous. 3. The cause is a mutant, viral form of capitalism – what I call “Predatory Capitalism” that began with President Reagan and . . .

Policy Makers and International Volunteers Convene In Washington, D.C., To Forge New Partnerships And Advance National Policies For Volunteer Service and Citizen Diplomacy

Nov 07 2009

Partners of the Americas, the International Volunteering Project at Brookings, and the Building Bridges Coalition will host the 2009 Higher Education & International Volunteer Service Conference on November 12-13, 2009 in Washington, D.C. The conference will drive efforts for assessing and influencing national policies related to service, study abroad programs and service learning, and citizen diplomacy. The first day of the conference will conclude with a special Capitol Hill Reception in the Hart Senate Office Building hosted by Senator Russ Feingold (D-Wisc.). The reception will celebrate international volunteer service and recognize legislative leaders for their contributions. WHO: Partners of the Americas, the International Volunteering Project at Brookings, and the Building Bridges Coalition. Invited speakers include: Senator Russ Feingold (D-Wisc.); Senator George Voinovich (R-Ohio); Judith McHale, Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy; Aaron Williams, Director, Peace Corps ; John Bridgeland, President and CEO, Civic Enterprises; Senator Harris Wofford, former senator from . . .

Looking For An Agent? The “S” List

Nov 07 2009

Sagalyn, Raphael Raphael Sagalyn, Inc. 4825 Bethesda Ave., Ste. 302 Bethesda, MD 20814 General Non-Fiction, Science www.sagalyn.com Sanders, Victoria Victoria Sanders and Associates 241 Ave. of the Americas, Suite 11H New York, NY 10014 History/Politics/Current Affairs, Women’s/Romance, Children’s www.victoriasanders.com Schlessinger, Charles Brandt and Hochman Literary Agents 1501 Broadway New York, NY 10036 General Fiction, Reference, Art, Mystery, Thrillers, Religion/Spirituality, Biography, Memoirs, Science, Health, Parenting, Children’s, Business/Investing/Finance, Romance, Sports, Sci-Fi/Fantasy cschlessiger@bromasite. Schmalz, Wendy Wendy Schmalz PO Box 831 Hudson, NY 12534 Children’s books wendy@schmalzagency.com http://www.schmalzagency.com Schmidt, Harold Harold Schmidt 343 West 12th St., Suite 1B New York, NY 10014 General Fiction, Reference, Pop Culture hslanyc@aol.com Schneider, Deborah Gelfman Schneider Literary Agents 250 West 57th St., Ste. 2515 New York, NY 10107 Thriller, Memoirs, Humor, Mystery/Crime, deborah@gelfmanschneider.com Schulman, Susan Susan Schulman Literary Agency 2 Bryan Plaza Washington Depot, CT 06794 Memoirs www.schulmanagency.com Seldes, Timothy Russell and Volkening 50 West 29th Street New . . .

Looking For An Agent? The “R” List

Nov 06 2009

Raihofer, Susan David Black Literary Agency 156 Fifth Avenue, Suite 608 New York, NY 10010 History/Politics/Current Affairs, Parenting, How-To, Memoirs, Sports, Business/Investing/Finance, Lifestyle, Reference, Biography, Religion/Spirituality, Narrative Non-Fiction, Advice/Relationships sraihofer@dblackagency.com Raines, Theron Raines and Raines Author 103 Kenyon Road Medusa, NY 12120 History/Politics/Current Affairs, Thriller rainesbook@aol.com Ramer, Susan Don Congdon Associates, Inc. 156 Fifth Avenue, Suite 625 New York, NY 10010 General Fiction, Reference, Biography, Memoir, History, Children’s, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Thriller sramer@doncongdon.com Reamer , Jodi Writers House 21 W. 26th St. New York NY 10010 Thriller, Children’s jreamer@writershouse.com www.writershouse.com Rees, Helen Helen Rees Literary Agency 13 N. Washington St., 5th Fl. Boston, MA 02114 Reference, General Non-Fiction, Business/Investing helen@reesagency.com www.reesagency.com Regal, Joseph Regal Literary 52 Warfield St. Montclair, NJ 07043 General Fiction, General Non-Fiction, Sci-Fi/Fantasy joe@regal-literary.com http://www.regal-literary.com Rein, Jody Jody Rein Books 7741 S. Ash Court Littleton, CO 80122 General Fiction www.jodyreinbooks.com/jr.html Reingold, Anne The Marton Agency, Inc. 1 Union . . .

RPCV John Givens on literary journals, part two

Nov 06 2009

In late Septemer of this year, TriQuarterly, one of the most respected print literary journals, announced that it was converting to an online format. TriQuarterly’s blog currently offers subscribers a chance to purchase the “last three issues of TriQuarterly in print.” It’s only one journal; but this feels like a big deal, particularly in today’s world of Kindles and eBooks and POD. Evergreen Review, one of the greatest and most provocative of literary journals, began life as a trade paperback, shifted to glossy magazine format, and ceased publication in 1973. In 1998, it was resurrected as an online journal and pushes ahead today with new content as well as reprinting great work from its past. For the sake of this discussion, we can divide the world of literary journals into three permutations, with some overlap: Print journals that require hard-copy submissions by snail-mail. The old stalwarts we’ve always known include: . . .

RPCV John Givens on Literary Journals — part one

Nov 05 2009

John Givens (Korea 1967–69) was born in Northern California, got his BA in English literature at the California State University Fresno and his MFA in creative writing at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, University of Iowa, where he was a Teaching/Writing Fellow. After his Peace Corps tour, he studied language and art in Kyoto for four years; and he worked as a writer & editor in Tokyo for eight years. For fifteen years, Givens was a creative director and branding consultant for advertising agencies in New York then San Francisco. He has published three novels in the US: Sons of the Pioneers, A Friend in the Police, and Living Alone; short stories have appeared in various journals. His non-fiction publications include A Guide to Dublin Bay: Mirror to the City and Irish Walled Towns, both published by The Liffey Press in Dublin. He is currently finishing The Plantain Manner, a long novel set in . . .