The writer chics

This is my gang of writer chics. I have to say that I am very, very proud of them. And although I don’t measure up to their great accomplishments, I still hold my head high when we are together because I brought them together, and they are very good for each other.

Don’t believe me that I don’t measure up? Listen to their resumes:

Kathy Soper (far right) is the editor-in-chief of a little magazine called Segullah, which I think is revolutionizing Mormon periodicals and literary communities. The whole Segullah concept is amazing and catching on like hotcakes. If you haven’t checked out their site and you are an LDS female, you are MISSING out, babe. Trot on over there and see what I’m talking about (segullah.org). But we’re not done with Kathy’s accomplishments yet. She has edited two books, one that has been published (Gifts, a collection of essays about having a child with Down Syndrome) and one that is under contract with Deseret Book (The Mother in Me, a collection of writings by Segullah authors). And she is also in the process of finishing her own memoir that has already sold to a publisher (The Year My Son and I Were Born). Besides all this, she is the mother of SEVEN and a fantastic, loving and wise friend. I can't begin to tell you the ways knowing her has changed my life.

Sharlee Mullins Glen (next to me on the other side)writes for children and has published (forgive me—I’m not sure of the number) at least three picture books (Keeping Up With Roo, One in a Billion, Just What Mama Needs) and one YA book (Circle Dance). She has taught in the honors program at BYU and is the mother of five. In fact, she is one of the most amazing mothers and homemakers I have ever known in addition to remaining cute, young, hilarious and happy through it all. She has also been published in Segullah and Irreantum and probably some other places I don’t know about.

Angela Hallstrom just changed the face of Mormon literature by publishing Bound on Earth, a novel in stories that is insightful, fascinating and the most true-to-life about the faithful LDS women’s experience that I have ever read. She is also one of the editors-in-chief of Irreantum magazine. She has an MFA and teaches writing through SLCC. Besides all that, she was a cheerleader in high school and continues to be a personal cheerleader to myself and many other would-be writers. She’s also a fantastic conversationalist and hilarious.

Do I not have the coolest chics ever in my gang? I am seriously, seriously out of my depth with these guys but I'm selfishly continuing on in the group because of everything I learn from them.

These pictures were taken at our first annual publication celebration outing. We were celebrating Kathy’s memoir contract and Sharlee’s and Angela’s book releases. And we know how to do a celebration in style. First we went to Sharlee’s book-signing party at Barnes & Noble and hobnobbed with lots of cool children’s book writers. I had a good talk with Rick Walton, who is one of the most charitable artists I know (besides being one of the very few who actually makes a living at writing for children).

Then, as no women’s outing would be complete without a stop at Café Rio,



we had a great early dinner and solved the problems of the universe over our salads and chips (Sharlee is taking the picture). Then we hit a chic flick (Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day—a cute show but the men in our lives would have hated it), and finally dessert that was heavy on chocolate. Lots and lots of talk, lots of good food—-what could be better? (And what a great way to prepare for Mother’s Day!) I love these women and continue to learn from them every time we’re together. I consider them one of the greatest blessings in my life.

Only problem is that our outing has spoiled me. I want to do it again. Every week.