New Release Spotlight: Thriving Latina Entrepreneurs in America

Thriving Latina Entrepreneurs in America by Maria de Lourdes Sobrino


Maria Sobrino is the founder of Lulu’s Dessert in Anaheim, CA. As a successful Latina entrepreneur, she has written this book to not only tell her story, but the story of six other Latinas with thriving businesses. While reading, I noticed a common trend among these women: they work extremely hard, are determined to succeed, and they don’t let setbacks stop them from achieving their dreams.

Sobrino gives you over 100 pages of brief, yet detailed stories that explain each woman’s background, why they are passionate about the business world, the personal hardships they endured and the obstacles they prevailed over, their path to success, and their advice for other budding entrepreneurs. Their stories are meant to inspire and direct you in your journey through the business world. Although this book is geared towards entrepreneurs—especially those who are women and Latina—even I (a creative writing major) felt inspired after reading their stories. After learning what these women went through to pursue their passion and achieve success, you will feel like you can accomplish anything.

While having passion is extremely important, it’s necessary to be realistic. This book exposes the harsh realities of starting your own business. Sobrino explains, “The first few years of a venture are risky and even after the first few years, keeping the business fresh, innovative, and achieving financial stability is a challenge.” While starting a business may seem daunting, she explains that with risks come rewards. These women stress the importance of not being afraid to take risks or to ask for advice or help from others.

Reading this book will reawaken your adventurous spirit and give you the courage to follow your dreams and succeed. It will also provide you with the tools and knowledge to get your business up and running. By the second half of the book, you will learn valuable lessons about starting your own business; many of these lessons are ones that Sobrino learned along the way. This book is written with the purpose of saving you time, energy, and perhaps even money. Listen to the beneficial advice given in Sobrino’s book. Like she says: Seize the opportunity.

Review by Valerie Zogas, Indigo Editing, LLC

Thriving Latina Entrepreneurs in America
Publisher: WBusiness Books
ISBN: 978-0-8329-5007-0
$24.95

New Release Spotlight: The Off Season

The Off Season

By Catherine Gilbert Murdock

A sequel to Dairy Queen, The Off Season is a book that can stand on its own. Having not previously read Dairy Queen, I wondered if I would be able to follow and immerse myself in the storyline of its sequel. I was pleasantly surprised that I could become attached to the characters and their lives quickly and completely.

The continuation of the life and times of D.J. Schwenk, The Off Season delves further into D.J.’s struggles as the only girl on her high school football team. As the first girl linebacker in her school and in her state, she experiences the effects of notoriety and fame. She also experiences new love with Brian Nelson, a football player from the opposing team, which only seems to complicate her already complicated school and social life. To top it off, D.J. must deal with family troubles when she finds out that the small, family dairy farm is having financial difficulties.

Murdock’s characters have wonderful, unique voices that are both familiar and warm. D.J.’s struggles, in school, in love, and in her family are ones that teenagers can relate to, having similar problems in their own lives. All in all, this is an excellent second book for Murdock.

Review by Katrina Hill, Indigo Editing, LLC

The Off Season

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin

ISBN: 978-0618686957

Hardcover, $10.88

Summer 2007 Ink-Filled Page

We at Indigo are excited to announce the release of the latest issue of the Ink-Filled Page, which is the first issue to feature essays, stories, and art by young adults. The decision to feature youth writers and artists came naturally. All of Indigo’s senior and associate editors have worked with children, and we find fulfillment in teaching them, encouraging them to challenge themselves, and watching their talents blossom. And now that the Ink-Filled Page is in full swing, we found it appropriate to showcase young talent. Talent, indeed! Please take your time as you read this issue, savor the artistic expression, and imagine what lies ahead for these young artists.

Download it at https://www.indigoediting.com/Ink-Filled_Page.html.

The fall issue is open to contributors of all ages, and the deadline is this Friday, August 31. Please visit https://www.indigoediting.com/IFP_Submissions.html for more details. We look forward to reviewing your work!

Local Events

Monday, August 27
Oregon Writers Colony Presents Robert Briggs, author of Ruined Time: The 1950s and the Beat
Where: Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, 3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd.
When: 7pm
Cost: Free

Tuesday, August 28
Peak Oil Reading Group Discusses the Second Half of The Long Emergency: Surviving the Converging Catastrophes of the 21st Century by James Kunstler
Where: Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, 3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd.
When: 7pm
Cost: Free

Tuesday, August 28
Brian Libby's Tales from the Oregon Ducks Sideline
Where: Powell's City of Books on Burnside, 1005 W. Burnside
When: 7:30pm
Cost: Free

Wednesday, August 29
Classics Book Group Discusses Untouchable by Mulk Raj Anand
Where: Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, 3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd.
When: 7pm
Cost: Free

Thursday, August 30
Jeff Parker Presents his First Novel, Ovenman
Where: The Mississippi Pizza Pub, 3552 N Mississippi Ave.
When: 6pm
Cost: Free

Thursday, August 30
Kate Schatz Presents Rid of Me: A Story, the Latest Volume in the 33 1/3 Series of Short Books
Where: Powell's Books on Hawthorne, 3723 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
When: 7:30pm
Cost: Free

Friday, August 31
Wizard Rock Festival: Whomping Willows and the Parselmouths
Where: Powell's City of Books on Burnside, 1005 W. Burnside
When: 7:30pm
Cost: Free

New Release Spotlight: Don't Use My Sweater like a Towel

Don't Use My Sweater like a Towel by Jennifer Kelton

Jennifer Kelton dives right into the premise of her self-help book, revealing to readers that this book is an “in-depth look at dating, relationships, love, and human nature in the 21st century.” The book begins with Kelton’s decision to end a long-term relationship that she no longer feels happy in. By chapter three, Kelton turns into a social scientist, focusing her research on dating. After reading many books and articles on the subject of dating, she compiles rules into a survey for her sample: 16 men of various ages, races, and religions, as well as economic and relationship statuses. According to Kelton, there is one major flaw with other dating books: their rigid rules on how to attract and retain love do not allow you to be who you truly are. Does an exact, foolproof method for love exist? Kelton sets out to expose these dating rules and so-called truths in Don’t Use My Sweater like a Towel.

Kelton takes her social research a step further by transforming her own love life into an experiment. She openly discusses her experiences and observations, immediately engaging your attention and gaining her trust. With short chapters, hilarious anecdotes, and inspiring insights, Kelton’s book is a fast read and leaves you wanting to hear more with each page you turn. Unlike other dating books that encourage you to follow a set of rules, Kelton bravely tells it like it is: abiding by rigid rules might make you miss out on a great friendship or connection with someone.

Don’t Use My Sweater like a Towel is a highly entertaining read; however, it is also thoughtful and poses significant questions relating to the complexities of life and our relationships with others. Kelton stresses the importance of looking inward before we can look outward, explaining that a better understanding of our sense of self is vital in creating healthy relationships. The stories Kelton shares are completely relatable. Even if you have not encountered a persistent man whose e-mails you hardly respond to, an awkward first date, or a guy who’s totally wrong for you on all levels, you will be able to identify with what Kelton’s book is ultimately about: basic human connection.

Review by Valerie Zogas, Indigo Editing, LLC

Portland Grassroots Media Camp

Wow, this event looks cool. If you're in Portland August 24–26, consider checking it out. Even if you can't attend, I encourage you to visit the Web site to see what's planned and to learn more about the participating organizations.

Local Events

Saturday, August 18
David Lee, poet laureate
Where: Collins Gallery, Central Library, 801 SW 10th Ave.
When: 2pm
Cost: Free

Sunday, August 19
'Vital to Language and Living": 35 Years of Poetry at Copper Canyon Press
Where: Multnomah County Central Library, 801 SW 10th Ave.
When: 12am-5pm
Cost: Free

Monday, August 20
INCITE! Women of Color Against Violence Presents The Revolution Will Not Be Funded
Where: In Other Words, 8 NE Killingsworth St.
When: 6:30pm
Cost: Free (fundraiser event)

Monday, August 20
10th Anniversary Edition of Ecological Design by Stuart Cowan
Where: Powell's Technical Books, 33 NW Park Ave.
When: 7pm

Tuesday, August 21
Catherine Corman Presents Joseph Cornell's Dreams
Where: Powell's City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside
When: 7:30pm
Cost: Free

Wednesday, August 22
Mike Daily Presents ALARM (Reading, Signing, and Musical Performance)
Where: Reading Frenzy, 921 SW Oak St.
When: 7pm
Cost: Free

Thursday, August 23
Powells and Harper Perennial Presents "Take a Stranger Home Event" with Willy Vlautin, author of The Motel Life, and Jonathan Selwood, author of The Pinball Theory of Apocalypse
Where: Ace Hotel, 1022 SW Stark Ave.
When: Cocktails and socializing from 5:30-6pm. At 6pm, authors will read and discuss their new novels.
Cost: Free

Thursday, August 23
Jimmie Moglia Presents Your Daily Shakespeare
Where: 23rd Ave. Books, 1015 NW 23rd Ave.
When: 7:30pm
Cost: Free

New Release Spotlight: The Rest of Her Life

The Rest of Her Life by Laura Moriarty

Smart but not weighty and a page-turner for both its plot and character, Laura Moriarty’s second novel, The Rest of Her Life, is perfect reading for a long summer afternoon, a sleepless night, that commute back home. It quiets the mind; it focuses it with beautiful language.

By page one, eighteen-year-old Kara Churchill has already accidentally hit and killed another teenager, Bethany Cleese, with her car. That physical tragedy frames a story about another kind of loss, the emotional distance mothers and daughters face each other across. Leigh Churchill struggles to connect with Kara during this time, but she’s prevented by a history of family tension—from the relationship between Leigh’s mother and grandmother through Leigh’s disconnect from Kara—which formed long before the accident.

Moriarty’s characters swell off the page, lifted by the author’s attention to unique and multisensory details: “She’d taken off her hoop earrings, and she was shaking them in a cupped hand as if they were a pair of dice,” and “Bethany had leaned toward the other girl and whispered ‘Ten to two.’ Leigh could still hear the three soft t’s.” Even the minor characters are considered thoughtfully. Leigh’s sister, Pam, arrives in town in red sweatpants and an extra-large yellow T-shirt stamped with the phrase “Don’t leave until the miracle happens.” She had lost all her belongings to water damage, and had been staying with friends. Moriarty could have ignored her outfit, but detailing it adds a clue to the financial status of Pam and her friends and digs deeper, the shirt slogan indicating that her friend is a recovering alcoholic.

Just as it takes Leigh several drafts to produce an acceptable sympathy note to Bethany’s mother, all the characters learn their lessons slowly, connecting pieces over the course of the novel, rather than just in a rush at the end. It takes a talented author to move a character from feelings of selfishness and stupidity, which haunt Leigh, to the equally quiet and introspective gift of mercy. Moriarty succeeds.

Review by Kristin Thiel, Indigo Editing, LLC

Local Events

Wednesday, August 8
Patricia Wood Presents Lottery
Where: Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, 3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd., Beaverton
When: 7:00 p.m.
Cost: Free

Wednesday, August 8
Psilo Design Presents Portland Funbook 2 Event
Where: Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison St.
When: 9:00 p.m.
Cost: $8 (includes one copy of the book)

Wednesday, August 8
Mountain Writers Series Presents Local Poets Diane Averill and Jessie Ring
Where: The Press Club, 2621 SE Clinton St.
When: 7:00 p.m.
Cost: $5 suggested donation.

Wednesday, August 8
Local Poets Paulann Petersen and Vince Wixon
Where: Annie Bloom's Books, 7834 SW Capitol Highway
When: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free

Thursday, August 9
The Tangent Press Hosts Dodie Bellamy and Kevin Killian
Where: Clinton Corner Cafe, 2633 SE 21st Ave.
When: 7:00 p.m.
Cost: Free

Friday, August 10
Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson
Where: Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, 3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd., Beaverton
When: 7:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
Also on Saturday, August 11
Where: Borders at Bridgeport Village, 7227 SW Bridgeport Road, Tigard
When: 5:00 p.m.
Cost: Free

Tuesday, August 14
Peg Edera Presents: How We Name Thee: Poems of the Motherland
Where: Annie Bloom's Books, 7834 SW Capitol Highway
When: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free

New Release Spotlight: Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy

Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy, By Jane O’Connor, Illustrated By Robin Preiss Glasser

Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy follows a familiar storyline, but is done in a magical way. A sweet harmony between text and illustration, the second Fancy Nancy book equals the first, and gives the reader a fun story about a little girl trying to find the perfect puppy. Jane O’Connor has a wonderful rhythm to her prose, and parents will love how she teaches her audience a few vocabulary words, such as spectacular, ensemble, and posh, even throwing in a few “fancy” French words, including papillion and merci. Not only can girls learn to use words that can make them feel like “fancy,” but they also learn a simple definition of these more complicated and possibly strange words. Robin Preiss Glassner’s illustrations are beautiful in their bright colors and immense detail, giving children a book that will surprise them through numerous readings of the book. Each detail is perfectly girly, fitting the main character and the audience to a tee. Every detail is given thought down to the fact that Fancy Nancy’s appearance morphs throughout the book to look like the current dog of her dreams through such small changes as the style of her hair or the decorations on her dress. With glitter on the cover and pink and purple galore, it is the perfect book for the girly girl in your life.

Review by Katrina Hill, Indigo Editing, LLC

Ink-Filled Page Call for Submissions

Ink-Filled Page Call for Submissions
Fall 2007

The Ink-Filled Page is a quarterly literary journal produced by Indigo Editing, LLC. The journal is published online quarterly, and we print an anthology annually. To sponsor an anthology or to get involved, e-mail info@indigoediting.com.

Literary Submissions:

Fiction submissions can be short stories or novel excerpts, and the nonfiction section is open to personal narratives and essays. While all genres are welcome, special interests include travel, multi-cultural themes, feminism, and magical realism.

Limit submissions to 4,000 words, one submission per candidate. Authors who submit more than one piece will not be considered.

Artwork submissions:

Artwork submissions are open to all mediums, but pieces must be submitted electronically. Winning pieces are selected based on composition and originality. We are looking for pieces that highlight the human experience—show us the good or the bad, be surreal or real, but make sure that whatever you submit connects us, human to human.

Limit three submissions per candidate. Artists who submit more than three pieces will not be considered. Submit digital artwork at 300 dpi or higher.

Selected authors and artists earn publication and will receive a complimentary copy of the annual anthology. All work must be original and unpublished. By submitting your work to the Ink-Filled Page, you are offering first online and print publication rights. Rights revert to authors and artists after publication.

E-mail all submissions to inkfilledpage@indigoediting.com with a 100-word bio and "Fiction Submission," "Nonfiction Submission," or "Artwork Submission" in the subject bar by August 31.

View the most recent issue of the Ink-Filled Page here.

New Release Spotlight: Yes, Yes, Cherries

Yes, Yes, Cherries by Mary Otis

Yes, Yes, Cherries is the first published collection of short stories by Mary Otis. This collection is as engaging as it is diverse. These colorful stories feature everything from drug use and complicated relationships to how utterly devastating it is to be a 13-year-old girl. Otis has a terrific talent for narration that presents realistic and sympathetic insight into the minds of her main characters, without being prosaic or predictable.

My personal favorite, “Pilgrim Girl,” is both funny and troubled as it describes the larger-than-life emotions of a somewhat-melodramatic young girl struggling to find a place in a grown-up world. The narrative voice in this story manages to combine a humorous caricature with a sincere look at the difficult transition between being a child and adult.

This collection is a fast, entertaining read and easy to break into intervals (one of the great benefits of short stories). Of course, with the thoughts, feelings, and problems of female characters being predominantly featured in the stories, it is not hard to imagine this book being more appealing to women than men. This is not necessarily a flaw, just something to consider when deciding if this book is right for you.

Review by Julie Franks, Indigo Editing, LLC