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Recognitions

Joan McNulty Pulver

Welcome to Recognitions, a column designed to celebrate the writing successes of Writers' Village University members!

Sonja Herbert submitted two manuscripts to contests. They both won. Her short story, "Lies," won honorable mention and appears on the N.E.B. Publishing website. "My Mother," her biographic piece, won first prize at Joyous Publishing December 2005 contest. It's published on their site, and will appear in a paperback collection of prize-winning stories by the end of the year. “When I first found out that my stories won I was delighted. I hope to get more published, so that I can eventually find an agent for my novel Tightrope!

Another one of Sonja’s pieces, "Something about Daniel," will be published in September in the book A Cup of Comfort for Grandparents. “I've always wanted to write. Ever since I found out that my mother hid from the Nazis in a German circus, I wanted to write her story, and I finally did it. Now that book and another one I've written, are looking for representation. In the meantime, I write shorts and try to get them published.”

Sonja likes to knit and crochet and is working on a booklet of original knitting patterns right now, too.

She joined Writers’ Village University in 1998. During the last eight years Sonja belonged to many study groups. “At present I'm in the Hemingway Hall, and they are a wonderful group. The help I've gotten from WVU and especially from the groups is invaluable. Thank you all so much! Three years ago I quit teaching ESL and became a freelance copy writer. I couldn't have done it without WVU, and the confidence everybody here inspired in me. To learn more about Sonja visit her website at German Writer.

Dorice Nelson’s first publisher went out of business under suspicious circumstances and left everyone high and dry. Shortly thereafter, she had several other offers once publishers heard of NBI's downfall—but she decided to go with Arline Chase of Write Words, Incorporated. “I have all three books Clan Gunn: Gerek, Saratoga Summer: 1863, and Lost Son of Ireland, in her two divisions: Electronic versions are at ebooksonthe.net and the print ones are at Cambridge Books. All three books have been totally reedited twice and have new covers. “I'm still counting my blessings and am still very excited. I really would love it if members of the U to read my books, even if they felt they had to pan them. They've gotten rave reviews—as posted on my web site Dorice Nelson.”

Over the years Dorice won several awards, including Bloody Dagger Award - Honorable Mention: 1863 SARATOGA SUMMER, Love Romances Golden Rose Awards - Best Historical & Best E-book: THE GUNN OF KILLEARNAN, Word Weaving Award of Excellence – UNLAWFUL, Scribes World Reviewer Choice Award - THE GUNN OF KILLEARNAN, RW Holt Medallion-Finalist: THE GUNN OF KILLEARNAN, Honorable Mention - RW Notable New Authors of 2001.

“Originally, I wanted to rebut a college professor who wrote a supposedly academic treatise on a murder that happened in my home town in 1826. I started researching and began my first novel which is still to be completed. I was a horsewoman for about 20 years and all of my books have horses in them, along with dogs, animals that I love.”

Dorice joined the WVU in the 90s and became a lifer. She took many courses and learned from them. “I fully compliment the U for helping me succeed in my endeavors. Right now, I'm the moderator for the Word Slingers Study Group. We deal in novel writing and always have something strong going on there. I am thoroughly thrilled with that group.”

Dorice gives this advice to new writers: “Never give up. No matter how hard the road is, plant your feet in a straight line and go forward. Novel writing, in particular, is tough. It's a long, arduous path. Don't get discouraged. Keep at it and you'll eventually succeed. That's where the U comes in. The members help each other. Of late, my professional life is the biggest part of my life, except for my family and friends. I haven't heard from this member for a long time, but I have to mention a fabulous editor, named Hay-J. She was kind enough and clever enough to critique my suspense novel, which I am now rewriting. She gave so much of herself to my project that I must compliment her publicly. I don't know where she is at the moment, but I sure wish she'd contact me.”

Congratulations, Sonja and Dorice. We wish you continued success in all of your writing endeavors and thank you for sharing your information with us.

We look forward to reading about your writing accomplishments in this column. If you or someone you know received recognition for writing, please send the information to recognitions@wvu.org. Let us know!


About the Author
Joan McNulty Pulver, mother of five and grandmother of five, works as an Administrative Secretary for the State of Florida but considers her writing and editing to be her vocation. She is a columnist for T-Zero: The Writer’s E-Zine, a course developer and facilitator at Writers’ Village University and the Personnel Coordinator/Editor for ePress-online. Joan has had two short stories published and is currently working on a non-fiction book and a fantasy novel.