WILD WASHINGTON WOMEN'S BOOK CLUB - The Sisterhood of Skagit County

Last Thursday I was at my sister's home in Mount Vernon, Washington to discuss WOMANKIND with her book club. What an AWESOME group of women! And, if they don't know how to do a book club up right...well, then no one does.

The perfect hostess, Pam greeted us with fresh-frozen margaritas to get everyone into the mood of "world-travel" and set the stage for the amazing plablano chili dinner she had prepared. In honor of Cecelia's story we had a tortilla making contest with Lara taking the prize for the smallest, and the most perfect. If you don't understand, then you haven't read the book yet, in which case you won't understand why the candied 'peaches' for desert either.

As the evening progressed I listened to the women discuss the women of WOMANKIND and even more important - their own lives. I felt a familiar "hug around my shoulders like a warm huipile" - that sense of commradie only women, and goddess, can understand.It was obvious to me that my sister's book club is far more than just of group of readers who gather every other month to talk about a book. They are members of a Sisterhood who respect,love, and support each other through all their good times and the gawd-awful ones too.

"Life can stretch your spirit, they read in WOMANKIND'S last story,"Choices," or tear your soul. You choose."

It was apparent to me these strong, beautiful women already had - long before they read my book.

A BIG THANKS to the Wild Washington Women's Book Club for choosing WOMANKIND for their December read. I look forward to returning in April. Hmmmm....I wonder what we will eat...er, I mean, read?

MIDWEST WRITERS CENTER HOLIDAY BAZAAR

I'm off to Davenport, Iowa this afternoon to take part in the Midwest Writing Center's Holiday Bazaar. There will be writers and artists from all over the Midwest there. Please join us if you're in the area and are interested in promoting 'local talent.' It should be a grand event! The Center is located at 225 Second Street in Davenport. Hope to see you there!

DES MOINES REGISTER - Wever Nurse's Journeys to Other Nations Build Respectful Connections -

Here's exerpts from the Des Moines Register Staff Writer, Mike Kilen's article in the Thanksgiving Day issue of The Des Moines Register -

Nancy Leigh Harless wears a necklace with a turtle medallion."It reminds me that only when you stick your neck out do you move forward. That's my motto," Harless said.She stuck her neck out in 1997. Living in a tiny southeast Iowa town of Wever, the nurse joined a group sponsored by the Rotary International that performed service work in Belize.

"That month in Belize changed my life," she said.It sparked several years of international travel to Mexico, the Kingdom of Tonga and the Balkans. Her experiences became her debut book, "Womankind: Connection & Wisdom Around the World" Courageous women are the focus.

."Women are pretty amazing creatures. They have the ability to stay positive, even when there is nothing to be positive about," she said. Harless saw it often in women from every country she visited while volunteering to help with women's health issues in poor countries. The pride and nurturing of a Mayan woman who could make the perfect corn tortilla for her family. The determination of a nurse in Mexico facing long odds trying to help poverty-stricken women and their children. The mental toughness and grace of a Guatemalan woman with a philandering husband.

"If it sounds a little like the popular "Chicken Soup" series of inspirational books, it is. Harless has stories published in those collections, although not focused exclusively on women."Women are considered the weaker sex, but I continually saw strong women who did what needed to be done," she said. "That is worldwide. We are going to do what is necessary to take care of our children, like a mama bear."

The trips awakened her to the world beyond rural southeast Iowa, which she hopes to continue someday in Africa.The book was formed from journals.."It helps clarify. When I'm traveling the world and seeing so many things that are shocking and appalling, it's a way of processing it," she said. "Without the journal in Kosovo I might have had a breakdown." It also helped her clarify the bond of women everywhere."There is this connection that women have," Harless said. "We 'get' each other."

SIGNING at the BURLINGTON MALL

Nancy will be at B. Dalton's bookstore in the Mall in Burlington, Iowa on Friday, November 23 to sign your books and discuss WOMANKIND.

Martha Wolf of The Ivy Bake Shoppe will also be there to sign her cookbook. Martha will bring a tray of yummy 'goodies' from The Ivy.

Both books will make wonderful Christmas gifts for all the women on your lists. Stop by on Friday and visit with Martha and Nancy. Bring coffee. :-)

Revelation at REVELATIONS !

A small crowd gathered upstairs in a cozy corner of Revelations Bookstore & Cafe, in Fairfield, Iowa this afternoon to hear Cassandra's story - "Joy in the Morning," from Nancy's book, WOMANKIND: Connection & WIsdom Around the World. They loved little Cassrandra's grit, and asked many questions following the reading about life in southern Belize. They also loved "Norms Masterpiece" - the beautiful 5-panal frame made to hold pictures of the women of Womankind.

Laughing Together at the North Liberty Library

Last night a dozen strong, beautiful women and, two very brave men, gathered at the North Liberty to hear Nancy read from her book, WOMANKIND: Connection & Wisdom Around the World. Many of the group were from the University Women's Writers group which Nancy joined about one year go and lauds as 'the most positive, encouraging, talented group of writers I've ever had the privilege to work with."

There were plenty of laughs as some of the funnier excerpts were read. More importantly (is that a word?) there was thoughtful discussion regarding some of the challenges women face worldwide, as well as the perception of "our America" around the world.

Nancy's book event schedule is posted on her website www.womankindconnection.com. She'll be getting it up here on her blog soon. We hope you will join us for one, or for many of these celebrations of women and Womankind.

Local author Lauded at Arts for Living Center Book Launch

On Sunday, November 11th, The Society of Great River Poets lauded local author, Nancy Leigh Harless as they celebrated the launch of her first book, Womankind: Connection & Wisdom Around the World" at the Art for Living center in Burlington Iowa. In his introduction, Ron Kahl, president of the Iowa Poetry Association, remarked, "Nancy told me several years ago that she couldn't write poetry, but there is poetry throughout her allwriting."

A group of about 40 people gathered to listen to Harless read 'Over Coffee with Sister Filje," the story of two nurses from oppisite sides of the world sharing sharing nursing stories over coffee. In describing the Sister filje's work in post -war Kosovo, Harless writes "Her work is more than a job. Her work is her mission."

And that might now be said of Harless too with regard to promoting her book - WOMANKIND: Connection & Wisdom Around the World.

The Hawk Eye Canonizes Iowa Author

Oh course the headline is tongue-in-cheek, but truly this past week the Burlington, Iowa newspaper - The Hawk Eye - featured an article written by reporter Criss Roberts that made me sound like I can walk on water. More important though is that she loved the book - WOMANKIND! Here's a little of what she had to say -

"...In her travels Harless has seen shredded spirits. She's seem souls souring so high she was graced to have caught sight of them. As a nurse practitioner specializing in women's health, the Wever woman hadn't gone looking life lessons or inspiration. She began traveling....In each stop, in locations usually rural and poor, Harless found women and young girls thriving despite heartcrushing adversity. Burdened with an unending cycle of pregnancy, birth and nursing, these women created small pockets of humanity, tapping into a joy Harless found crossed languages and borders, living in the universal feminine heart.

Harless brought these stories home like souvenirs, polishing them into a series of written gems in "WOMANKIND: Connection & Wisdom Around the World.....She's hoping to weave the threads of wisdom she's brought back from her travels through the lives she touches.

Life can stretch the soul, Harless learned from a woman in Belize street market. Or it can tear the spirit. "You choose," the woman told Harless.

And she has."

Nurse Practitioner Authors Book on Women around the World

Here's the Press Release that went out to the newspapers this week. Look Mom - I'm 'almost famous!"

Women’s healthcare nurse practitioner Nancy Leigh Harless, of Wever, Iowa, has released her first book, a collection of stories entitled “WOMANKIND: Connection & Wisdom Around the World.”
Published by Tate Publishing and Enterprises, “Womankind” is a compilation of stories from real women across the world that Harless has encountered in her travels and experience as a women’s health nurse practitioner. From the Mayan mothers in the Belize rainforest to a race for the hospital with a laboring woman in the Kosovo countryside, the author tells the stories of the women she met, separated by land but united by the grace and strength of womankind.
The book is available at any bookstore nationwide or can be ordered through barnesandnoble.com, amazon.com or walmart.com. Audio versions of the book are also available.
Originally from Washington state, Harless is a graduate of the Intercollegiate Center for Nursing Education through Eastern Washington University. After working several years as a nurse, she returned to school at the University of Texas Southwest Medical Center to become a women’s healthcare nurse practitioner. Now retired, she divides her time between her home in Wever, Iowa, and traveling the world with her husband, Norm. A second volume of “Womankind” is currently in production.

A Hit at Zanzibar's !

Nancy's first WOMANKIND reading was at Zanzibar's Coffee Adventure on Friday. A small, friendly crowd of about 25 people gathered together to drink coffee and hear stories of "wisdom and connection from around the world." Both Cassandra and Sister Filje were a hit with the crowd, who asked many thought-provoking questions following the reading. We closed up Zanzibar's at 10PM after selling every book we had taken. We'll take more the next time. It was a wonderful first experience and now Nancy is less nervous about holding more Readings.As for 'Signings' where the author sits at a table like a hungry puppy and hopes someone will stop by and ask for her signature,...well that might be another story.

DES MOINES

Norm and I are in the Des Moines for the weekend and having a blast. Yesterday we visited eight bookstores and everyone was so friendly that it made marketing WOMANKIND a breeze. So far we've got 14 Reading/Signing events lined up between the first one tonight(Zanzibar's Coffee Adventure) and Christmas. Whew! This ole gray mare better pick up some speed.

I hope you've already gotten your copy and are at least half-way through WOMANKIND. Please respond on my blog and tell us your reactions to the stories. Do you have a favorite? A question? For example....DID Cassandra get a new rope? DID landmine explode? :-) Happy reading!

Nancy

READING AT ZANZIBAR'S COFFEE ADVENTURE

Nancy will do her first reading of WOMANKIND at Zanibar's Coffee Adventure in Des Moines, Iowa on October 26 at 8:00PM. Her husband,Norm,finished the photo display just in time. At Zanzibar's, Nancy will be reading, "Joy in the Morning" - Cassandra's story, the little girl pictured in the top center of the photo display; and "I Am a Curandera," - Agripina's story - the Peruvian midwife in the top row to Cassandra's left. We hope tht you will join us for this first celebration of WOMANKIND.

Womankind Acolades From Chicken Soup

Nancy Leigh Harless is fresh new writer who braids narrative threads of true stories about ordinary women from all over the world, living in extra-ordinary circumstances. These stories show us not only who these women are, but who we are and the universality of our lives and lessons. This remarkable collection of legacies will make readers cry, and laugh, and celebrate the community of women worldwide.” -- LeAnn Thieman, Co-author of Chicken Soup for the Nurse’s Soul

Colleen Sell, Editor of the Best Selling Cup of Comfort Anthologies Says....

If you've ever wondered what the expression "heart of a woman" means, read this book and you will understand exactly what makes a woman's heart tick. Through these powerful stories of fascinating women and girls from around the globe, Nancy Harless reveals and celebrates the integrity, ingenuity, strength, and sheer beauty of the feminine spirit.

Opps! I Made a Mistake!

Well, it seems that I was wrong when I said that WOMANKIND wouldn't be available until October 22. Several friends have called or written to say that they've already gotten their copies right from the publisher. So, if you want check it out! www.tatepublishing.com/book After the 22nd you can order on-line through www.amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com like I've previsouly mentioned, or , better yet, ask your local bookstore to order it!

How Can I Get a Copy?

Many have asked 'How can I get a copy?" So, here's the scoop -- WOMANKIND's release date is October 22. It's my understanding that it won't be in bookstores before then. After October 22 it will be available on-line through Amazon and Barnes & Noble, or directly through the publisher at www.tatepublishing.com/book/ or through your local book store. This that doesn't mean that all stores will stock it. They will, however,be able to order it for customers. The more times a store is asked to order it, the more likely they will stock it. I hope this is helpful.

IOWA WRITER LAUDES WOMANKIND

"...Nancy is that rare person who, through sheer persistence and a blend of practical and visionary ideas, continues to see the good that can be done in this world. Through her travels, she’s discovered that much of that good comes from telling stories. In fact, for women who have experienced the horrors of war, the oppression of religious intolerance, and a poverty of choices in everything from the clothes they’re allowed to wear to the children they’re expected to bear, sharing personal stories is one of the best ways to heal.

That’s what Womankind represents: a collective healing, not just for the women Nancy writes about, but for everyone who reads these insightful glimpses into the universal concerns women face. This is a book that incites thought, examination, and change. It is a celebration of women, and a measure of how far we need to go to achieve a greater sense of our selves." - Debra Landwehr Engle, author of Grace From the Garden: Saving the World One Garden at a Time.

Kind Words on WOMANKIND From a Poetress

“Nurse practitioner Nancy Harless has written a moving collection of short stories, based on her intimate encounters with strong, courageous women around the globe. A skilled, sensitive storyteller, her tales in WOMANKIND transcend cultural, racial and gender boundaries to touch the human heart.” - Marie Delgado Travis, award winning Latino writer and author La Ventana/The Window

Read what Susan Sanchez-Causal, co-author Chicken Soup for the Latino Soul says about WOMANKIND !

A sparkling debut, Womankind proves to me that sisterhood is possible among women who have little more in common than being women. With the compassionate and lyrical voice of a nurse who has spent years volunteering for medical projects from Belize to Kosovo, Nancy Harless surprises and rewards us with her lively accounts of girls and women who manage to flourish in the midst of poverty, war, and the challenges of living in a man’s world. If you’ve ever wondered if there really is a unique spiritual connection among women, Womankind offers poetic proof in story after story about women who help each other to live rich and abundant lives, who honour nature and spirit, and who move through the rigors of their daily lives with courage, resilience and hope. Equally enlightening is Harless’s insightful introspection about her complicated role as a First World volunteer in countries whose futures are risky at best, and her continuous struggle to reach across the boundaries of nationality and language in the loving gestures of sisterhood. As an orange seller in Belize says to Harless one day: “Life can stretch your soul or tear your spirit.” Thanks to Harless’s inspiring pen, the women of Womankind will make your soul and spirit soar. An eye-opening and inspiring read.

The BZZZzzz over Womankind

Read what Susan Brady, editor of The World Is a Kitchen (Travelers Tales) says -

“Womankind by Nancy Leigh Harless is a deftly woven glimpse into the women of other cultures—how they live, work, and cope, in very difficult situations such as poverty and war. This sensitive, insightful collection showcases the author’s ability to connect to others and her surroundings through understanding and compassion, as well as food and humor, and does so without being judgmental.”

I'm officially 'embedded'

Thanks to a wonderful poet and talented computor guru, Marilu Delgado Travis, my photo no longer looks like it's being viewed through a circus mirror. She emailed me an 'embedded' copy of my photo and - VOILA - it worked like magic!

I met Marilu as a co-contributor to "Chicken Soul for the Latino Soul" when we shared a reading in Chicago last year at a Latino Literacy event. Marilu's poetry books are amazing (in both English and Spanish) and available through her on storefront www.lulu.com/marilu. Check it out!

WOMANKIND's Coming October 22 !

I just received word from my publisher, Tate enterprizes, that my book Womankind: Connection & Wisdom Around the World will be released October 22, 2007. It's taken nine months from contract signing to completion- just like a pregnancy. I truly do feel as if I've just given birth. Watch for updates as our plans unfold for the "wild and crazy" tour around the country for WOMANKIND!