Announcements, news and notices – December 1st

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First of all – we acknowledge World Aids Day and pay tribute to those who have lost loved ones or are otherwise affected by the disease. Today, Twitter will contribute towards medical research for everyone who mentions #red in a tweet – which will also turn the tweet bright red!

Also, for those in the San Francisco Bay Area, Dave Eggers’ literary organization, 826 Valencia, hosts a workshop and networking event this week for aspiring children’s authors. Relatively reasonable cost, speakers designed to help improve one’s craft and help one locate markets and become published. I’ve found there’s not as much professional support for children’s writing as for other types of work – not sure why, but here is something aimed at those who write for young people (and some of my current favorite books are children’s books!) http://www.826valencia.org/workshops/adult/007461

Also – Amnesty International hosts its international Write-A-Thon December 12th at locations around the world. Designed to coincide with the United Nations’ International Human Rights Day on December 10, the Write-A-Thon is a free event offering participants the chance to write and sign letters on behalf of nonviolent political prisoners around the world incarcerated or discriminated against for any cultural, political, or religious positions. Sample text, addresses, snacks and usually stamps are provided – drop in and stay as long as you like…click here to find a Write-A-Thon in your area: http://www.amnestyusa.org/writeathon/

Positive news concerning our contributors and featured artists…first, from jazz musician Augusta Collins, featured in June:

My Dear Family and Friends:

I have been inducted into “The Bay Area Blues Hall Of Fame”.  My induction will take place at the Oakland Airport Hilton Hotel March 28th 2010. 

I will have more information for you (tickets, time, etc….) in a few weeks. 

Thank for your love and support.

Always Moving forward,

Augusta
And, from Laila Lalami, author of Moroccan family saga Secret Son, featured in July:
I have a new essay in the December 14 issue of The Nation magazine, which you can already find it online.  It’s called “The New Inquisition” and it’s about the spate of gloom-and-doom books on Muslim immigrants in Europe.  The paperback of Secret Son will be coming out in March and I will be doing readings in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle (where it is a citywide read). I will also be in conversation with the great Ngugi wa Thiong’o for the ALOUD series at the Los Angeles Public Library in April. I don’t have exact dates for events on the East Coast yet, but they should be posted on the website soon.
Editor’s Note – congratulations to Laila Lalami and Augusta Collins! If you’ve been featured in Synchronized Chaos Magazine and would like us to publicize an update on your work or any exhibitions or book/CD/etc releases, please comment and let us know. We try to keep up with members of our community and encourage people to support each other.