Students Launch Heartwarming Memoirs:
Footprints From Around the World
Published by High Desert Branch
After countless hours and months of interviews, tutoring sessions, and writing, 11th grade students of Victorville’s University Preparatory School launched their delightful memoirs collection, Footprints From Around the World, June 5, at the Hesperia Library Community Room, in Hesperia.
Footprints From Around the World, filled with heartwarming stories, is the third publication of the Dorothy C. Blakely Memoir Project (DCBMP) promoted through HDCWC (High Desert California Writers Club). The Memoir Project is a partnership between the HDCWC and local schools.
Most of the students selected their own Memoir Stars (senior citizens), and some were paired with Memoir Stars — who are HDCWC and local community members — and wrote their inspiring and interesting stories, after receiving instruction from writing professionals and their teacher Anna Lovato. In cooperation with University Preparatory School Principal Valerie Hatcher, nearly 100 individuals assisted with this year’s project. DCBMP Project Director Dr. Mary Langer Thompson was assisted by several HDCWC members, including Jenny Margotta, who, along with Langer Thompson edited Footprints.
Students read excerpts and signed the books. Refreshments were served. Footprints From Around the World may be purchased at Amazon.com. Student authors received free books during the launch.
[Note: This article originally appeared in the High Desert newsletter The Inkslinger, June 2018.]
East Sierra Branch
Calls for Entries in Weird Weekend Competitions
September 21-22, 2018, Ridgecrest
The East Sierra Branch will host its annual Weird Weekend Friday-Saturday September 21-22, including an indie film shorts festival on Friday and the Fourth Annual Weird Storytelling Competition on Saturday afternoon. Films and readings must reflect or relate to “the stranger side of the desert – lost gold mines, aliens, haunted hideouts, bigfoot sightings. Truth is optional.” Filmmakers and storytellers interested in participating must sign-up in advance at Red Rock Books in Ridgecrest, www.redrockbooks.net; 760-375-3454. The both days will conclude with a Master Mystery Productions interactive mystery.