Self-Publisher to Talk About Her Bestseller

Thousands of authors are self-publishing their books. Most of these books fail, as do many books released by established publishing houses. But when self-publishers succeed, they do so in grand fashion.

Barbara Saltzman, a former editor of the Los Angeles Times, couldn’t interest any publisher in a book for children written and illustrated by her son David before he died of Hodgkin’s disease at age 22.

She mortgaged her home to produce “The Jester Has Lost His Jingle,” and sold 20,000 books out of the garage.

Saltzman will be at Barnes & Noble, 4360 E. Main St., Ventura at 7 p.m. Friday to read from her late son’s unique bestseller and describe her adventures as the publisher.

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Jim Woodard begins his fifth year as director of the Storytelling Club, which meets at 3:30 p.m. every Friday at the Eastside Boys & Girls Club of Ventura. Youngsters from 7-12 are welcome to attend. Call 658-6697.

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There are thousands of books in my house filling shelves in every room, including the kitchen and bathrooms. And yet, every time I go to a used book sale, I discover a gem I must have, or a title that cries out to become a gift. Check out the Used Book Sale sponsored by Friends of the Thousand Oaks Library scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at 2400 Willow Lane. Everything from children’s books to paperback collectibles will be on sale at bargain prices.

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Mysteries to Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, has scheduled four author appearances this week. Rebecca Rothenberg will sign “The Shy Tulip Murders” at 1 p.m. Saturday; at noon Tuesday the store will welcome authors Susan Dunlap (“Sudden Exposure”), Marilyn Wallace (“Lost Angel”) and Gillian Roberts (“In the Dead of Summer”).

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If your goal is to sell your writing, consider enrolling in LeeAnne Krusemark’s one-day workshop, “A Beginner’s Guide to Getting Published.” The class begins at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Ventura College, 4667 Telegraph Road. The cost is $38 plus a $10 materials fee. Call 654-6459.

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An “Evening of Poetry” hosted by the Simi Valley Library Poetry Group will feature columnist Mary Scott at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the library, 2969 Tapo Canyon Road. Open readings will follow. Donation of a good used book for the Friend’s book store is welcome but not required.

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Michel Engelbert will read at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Oxnard College Poetry Coffeehouse in the student services trailer on campus. The coffeehouse is sponsored by the college’s Creative Writing Club. Call 986-5809 for details.

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Freelance journalist Patricia Fry, whose latest book, “Quest for Truth: A Journey of the Soul,” has just been released, was honored by the Ojai community as “A Living Treasure” in the field of literary arts. Fry is conducting writing workshops this month for students at Matilija Junior High and Nordhoff High School. Call Paula Spellman at 646-9590 for details about the Living Treasure program.

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SANTA BARBARA: The distinguished journalist and author Harry Ashmore of Santa Barbara is being honored today with a lifetime achievement award by the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Book Award Committee at a ceremony hosted by the Freedom Forum in Virginia.

The author of 10 books and recipient of numerous honors, Ashmore received a Pulitzer in 1957 when he was executive editor of the Arkansas Gazette for editorials he wrote about the Little Rock School integration confrontations.

He was assistant to and speech writer for Adlai Stevenson in the 1955-56 presidential campaign, president of the Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions in Santa Barbara, editor-in-chief of Encyclopedia Britannica, and went on a secret mission to Hanoi for President Nixon.

He is presently a member of the board of the National Committee for an Effective Congress. Ashmore’s latest book, “Civil Rights and Wrongs: A Memoir of Race and Politics” is being reissued this year.

Frances Halpern is co-host with Jon O’Brien of “Beyond Words” at 10 a.m. Sundays on KCLU 88.3 FM, Ventura County’s National Public Radio station.