Calling all writers
November is Prose month at SOMOS
IN CELEBRATION of its 5th Annual Prose Month, SOMOS is offering a selection of virtual writing groups, workshops, and readings by distinguished prose writers throughout November. Prose Month at SOMOS coincides with National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). Each weekend SOMOS will offer a variety of opportunities for every level of writer from published authors and notable novelists to the burgeoning and unseasoned scribes who have just begun to turn thoughts into words.
Jan Smith, SOMOS Executive Director, writer, teacher, administrator, and curator of Prose Month commented on why prose and why now. “We had already initiated a month of poetry in April and have had a great deal of success. November is national novel writing month and it made sense to offer something substantial to the community in honor of that.”
Guest authors range in genre including fiction, creative nonfiction, memoir, and playwrighting and will read their works over four weekends. Prose Month kicks off Saturday, Nov. 5 with Writers Showcase author, E.J. Levy, who hails from Fort Collins, Colorado. Levy will read from her debut novel, The Cape Doctor. She will also be teaching a workshop, ‘Auto Fiction: Writing from Life.’
The following weekend participants can hear John Biscello read from his newest publication, No Man’s Brooklyn. Celinda Kaelin, of Cherokee Creek heritage and author of Ute Legends, and Jim Kristofic, who grew up on the Navajo Reservation in northeastern
Arizona, are scheduled to read. Also scheduled is Alexander Shalom Joseph who will read from his forthcoming collection of short stories, American Wasteland, with his uncle, Sean Murphy. Murphy is a local author, writing teacher, and Zen practitioner who is working on a novel, Wilson’s Way, which won the 2017 William Faulkner Wisdom Award for a novel-in-progress.In addition to the E.J. Levy workshop, Jan Smith will teach, ‘Dynamic Dialogue and Subplot’, part of her series of seven
workshops, ‘Effective Prose Writing.’ Students may register for an individual workshop or the entire series.
Other notable authors scheduled to read include Maria Dolores Gonzales, Maria Christina Lopez, and Rosa Lucero Padilla – bilingual writers who will share their work in English and Spanish. Leanna Torres, a 2014 Aldo Leopold writing resident at Mi Casita, is scheduled to read from one of her environmental essays. Paul Wapner, a professor of Global Environmental Politics at American University, will read from his latest book of nonfiction, Is Wildness Over?
The finale of Prose Month will feature a reading from award-winning biographer, James McGrath Morris, who will read from his newest title, Tony Hillerman: A Life on Friday, Dec. 3.
Initially, plans were to hold Prose Month in person but due to uncertainties with the on-going public health emergency, Smith made the decision to move everything virtual. In many ways it enables more people to attend. “Everything will be virtual and available on Zoom – the links will all be on the SOMOS website,” explained Smith.
The calendar of readings and workshops is diverse and is designed to appeal to a wide range of writers. Memoirs by authors in a wide range of genres are represented – all to encourage those interested in writing or honing their skills. According to its website, NaNoWriMo is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides tools, structure, community, and encouragement to help people find their voices, achieve creative goals, and build new worlds – on and off the page. Smith recognizes the similarities in the support that SOMOS provides the community and is building on that initiative.
“National Prose Month encourages writers to write. That can be the biggest challenge and they encourage writers to write a certain number of words a day. The idea is to build good writing habits and many participate in the notion of writing a novel in a month,” explained Smith.
Without a doubt, Taos is a good place for any writer to be. Smith continued, “This is how I got involved with writing 13 years ago. I wanted to be in a place that would teach me to write. I knew Taos was an art colony but I soon learned that a lot of writers live here. To be a good writer you need to be an avid reader and expose yourself to as many writers as you can – regardless of the genre. SOMOS supports every level of writer whether they want to be published or not. Even if your writing is for your eyes only, you’re still a writer.”
While donations are encouraged to further support the cost of literacy programs, Prose Month readings are free, due in large part to the generosity of three sponsors: Annette and Richard Rubin, Robert Silver, and the Chevron Grants for Good Fund. For more information on Prose Month, the author’s bios, descriptions of their books, and the free NaNoWriMo writing groups, call SOMOS at 575-758-0081 or visit
To be a good writer you need to be an avid reader and expose yourself to as many writers as you can – regardless of the genre.