One Writer’s Success Story

Ione’s Kathy Boyd Fellure is one busy lady. First and foremost there’s the third annual Summer Read coming up June 4.

Once again, Kathy, in her gentle, soft-spoken but oh, so effective way is inviting fiction writers to stand up on stage and strut their stuff.

Actually, the stage at Clark’s Corner is only about six inches high. Not formidable at all. I know. I’ve been there, done that. Three years ago when “The Sacred Well” was published I was very honored to be the event’s first featured reader.

Was I scared? Well, maybe a little at first. I have an awful voice! But let me tell you the Summer Read audience is warm and friendly. They’ re interested in authors, excited about books. Many have written or are writing books themselves.

This year the featured writer’s mantle has been passed to Jennifer Sienes of Volcano who will be reading from her forthcoming novel.

Other readers will be members of the Amador Fiction Writers Critique Group (AFWCG) which is actually three distinct writing groups. Kathy leads them all. Talk about amazing grace. She personifies it.

One group writing adult novels alternates Monday evenings with another working on young adult literature. They meet at Clark’s Corner. Yet another group intent on going from novel to screen play gathers Wednesday afternoons at Kathy’s house.

The groups are limited to serious writers. Kathy defines “serious” as highly motivated. “Writers don’t have to have a lot of experience,” she explains. “But they

do need to be willing to work hard not only on their own writing but on critiquing the ongoing efforts of other group members.

Group writers take copies of each others work home after every meeting. This is critiqued individually and then discussed at the next meeting. The goal is mainstream publication rather than self- publishing.

With all that going on one might well wonder: when does Kathy have time for her own writing? Somehow she manages. Manages very well it seems.

Last year marked the debut of a children’s picture book, “When the Birdies Came to Tea.” On May 29th she’ll be signing copies o the newly released “Mama’s Tin of Buttons.” It’s the start of a three month booik tour in four states. The four-part Blake Sisters Adventure Series is off and running.

But that’s not all. Kathy’s recently completed adult novel, “Language of the Lake” is currently with an editor at Random House. As in the children’s series, Lake Tahoe has a strong presence in the narrative. One might say it’s almost a character.

“The lake is part of me,” Kathy says. “I was born in July and out on the beach in August. After that I spent every summer there with my grandparents. I think the Blake Sisters series grew out of that experience, The stories depict emphasize strong family values.”

“Language of the Lake,” an adult novel, is also about relationships. Kathy’s riveting plot involves family secrets that trigger a journey of self discovery for the protagonist.

“My

husband, Joe, hasn’t read it yet,” Kathy confided, he’ll have to wait for publication. He’s a Tom Clancy-Louis Lamour kind of guy and sees ‘Language of the Lake’ as chick lit. Joe’s in for a surprise. There’s nothing happy-sappy about this book.”

Fortunately Kathy’s daughter, Jennifer, is an avid supporter and a great critic. “She reads everything down to the last comma,” Kathy says, “and tells me exactly what she thinks.”

Kathy started writing in the second grade and has been at it ever since. “A turning point for me occurred 14 years ago when we were living in Morgan Hill,” she says. “I just happened to spot an ad in the newspaper about a critique group. It sounded scary but I just couldn’t stay away.

“It was even scarier when I got there. Most of the members were men—lawyers, journalists and college professors. They were tough guys, strong critics who really challenged me. As a result I grew light years in just a few months.

“It was an inspiration that I’m trying to pass on. Now what they did then, I’m doing now in my own critique groups.”

VITALS

Kathy Felure’s book launch for “Nana’s Tin of Buttons” will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. at Clark’s Corner, 12 West Main St., Ione. Phone: 274- 2233.

The Third Annual Summer Read is will take place June 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Clark’s Corner. Jake Guidi will play the piano. A wine and cheese plate will be available.

Kathy Fellure can be reached at Kathyfellure2@jun.como or by phone at 274-0205.