The Book Worm MsDemeanors tells it like it was by Antoinette May Jennifer Renfree has everything. Imagine: a successful husband, a beautiful home, a bright and spunky teenage daughter. But suppose that isn’t enough. Suppose it’s 1969 and times they are a changing. Set afire by the Women’s Movement, Jenn forsakes Suburbia to explore the exciting world “out there.” Having landed a job at the State capitol she is ill-prepared for the challenges of powerful men, the spontaneous sex of singles clubs, or the politics of hippie communes and anti-war protests. Imagine once again: writing a historical novel based on one’s own life. Jackson’s Helen Bonner has done just that with her poignant narrative, “MsDemeanors.” “If we wait for historians to tell us how it was, all we’ll get is conjecture—how they think things were,” Bonner warns. “I know what the 70s were really like because I was there. I lived it.” Bonner’s protagonist, Jenn, against the Vietnam War, toys with drugs and communal living, and becomes sexually involved with— Heavens!—more than one man. But it isn’t all fun and games. Jenn’s husband forbids her to see their daughter, a cynical lover reacts violently, new situations are confusing, finances terrifying. “The book is about making choices,” Bonner explains. “’MsDemeanors’ is a coming of age novel about a thirty something woman in search of herself. It’s

not autobiographical, though every action or situation that I wrote about either happened to me or someone I knew. “The era from 1969 to 1975 was an exciting time to be a woman but it was scary too. All the freedom came so suddenly. One minute it was ‘Good Housekeeping’ or ‘Ladies Home Journal’ telling us how to be nice and pretty, the next it was ‘Ms’ exhorting us to stand up for ourselves, to be and do what we really wanted. But did the price tag have to mean giving up everything else? Choices are rarely easy.” “MsDemeanors,” published in March, is Bonner’s third novel. The former creative writing professor has also written two memoirs. She has chosen to go the “indy” route for all five books, publishing through lulu.com/ “Independent publishing has changed the face of literature,” she says. “Agents and publishers make a profit by feeding into what’s popular, the same old, same old stuff. We’re talking mostly about romance novels or who done its. “The indy concept gives a voice to writers who might otherwise not be heard because they don’t fit the common mold.” Helen Bonner’s own original and insightful voice is gaining recognition in leaps and bounds. In 2011 her first novel, “Cry Dance,” was a finalist for Sharp Wit Book Award. The following year, her second novel “Dolphin Papers” won that award. The Sharp Writ is sponsored by Smart Booklovers,

originally Mensa. “Dolphin Papers” was also a finalist for the Eric Hoffer First Horizons Book Award. The award was established in 2000 as “a means of opening a door to writing of significant merit, honoring the memory of the great American philosopher Eric Hoffer by highlighting salient writing, as well as the independent spirit of small publishers.” “You can imagine how thrilled I am to be categorized in that manner!” Bonner says. “Pasting gold award stickers onto every copy of ‘The Dolphin Papers’ was a shear delight.” Bonner believes that Indy publishing has revolutionized the writing world. “A decade ago, self- publishing a book was a path to financial and literary loss, but technology, print-on-demand and e books have changed all that. If you’re willing to do the work, you can publish your novel inexpensively, but that’s only half the challenge. You still have to market your book.” Bonner promises to discuss the means in which the new on-line publishing world can enable a writer to do just that. Her workshop, “Promises and Perils of Indy Publishing,” will be a highlight of the eighth annual Gold Rush Writers to Conference to be held May 3, 4 and 5th at the Leger Hotel in Mokelumne Hill. For additional information, check out goldrushwriters.com or call 286- 1320. Caption: Helen Bonner of Jackson has a new book out.