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Positive Reviews, Awards for Debut Novel!
California Author Project Adult Fiction Winner, 2021 (a project of America's libraries)
Gold Medal Winner! Fiction - Western, from Readers' Favorite Awards, 2021
IPPY Award Winner, Bronze! Best Regional Fiction - E-book, from Independent Publisher Book Awards, 2021
Finalist, Family Saga and Historical Fiction categories, American Fiction Awards, 2021
Shelf Unbound Best Indie Top 100 Notable Book, 2020
Gold Medal Winner! Fiction - Western, from Readers' Favorite Awards, 2021
IPPY Award Winner, Bronze! Best Regional Fiction - E-book, from Independent Publisher Book Awards, 2021
Finalist, Family Saga and Historical Fiction categories, American Fiction Awards, 2021
Shelf Unbound Best Indie Top 100 Notable Book, 2020
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Historical Novel Society Magazine Review, February, 2021 edition
"…the characters (are) emotionally complex. Most poignant are the conflicts of the female ancestors, forced to sacrifice for the well-being of their families, and the fates of the natives of the area, all but eradicated.…the prose is smooth and the research strong.
Smathers’ novel offers a nuanced and appreciative illustration of a complicated past, threaded through with hope for unity and understanding. A rewarding and enriching read."
"…the characters (are) emotionally complex. Most poignant are the conflicts of the female ancestors, forced to sacrifice for the well-being of their families, and the fates of the natives of the area, all but eradicated.…the prose is smooth and the research strong.
Smathers’ novel offers a nuanced and appreciative illustration of a complicated past, threaded through with hope for unity and understanding. A rewarding and enriching read."
Delighted for book to be featured at the stunning, historic Alta Bakery, Monterey, CA
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WRITING COACH FOR DEL MAR ACADEMY INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMA PROGRAM
NOSARA, COSTA RICA, 2017 TO 2019
NOSARA, COSTA RICA, 2017 TO 2019
I'm extremely proud of Oceanna
Ord-MacMillan who was Del Mar Academy's first IB graduate in June, 2018. It was an honor to serve as her writing coach. |
What a fantastic group of Del Mar grads in 2019. I loved being a writing coach to help them succeed as Bilingual International Baccalaureate Diploma recipients.
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CENTRAL COAST WRITERS AND INDIE AUTHOR DAY SPEAKER
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA, OCTOBER, 2018
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PRESIDIO BOOK CLUB SAN FRANCISCO, OCTOBER, 2018 The Presidio Book Club ladies invited me back to read an early chapter from In This Land of Plenty. They encouraged me to keep on writing and come back with the complete book! |
PRESIDIO BOOK CLUB READS FERTILE SOIL--GUEST SPEAKER AT DISCUSSION
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, OCTOBER 6TH, 2017
Thanks to the Presidio Book Club for selecting my book and then talking it over with enthusiasm. I loved being invited to join the club meeting where the ladies peppered me with questions and opinions. They were good sports about me doing my California history trivia questions for raffle prizes!
OAKLAND MUSEUM FRIDAY NIGHTS--ARTIST BOOTH
OAKLAND, CA, MAY 12TH, 2017
Great weekly event in downtown Oakland which promotes history, the arts, culture and learning. It was awesome to try delicious food truck fare, listen to the music, talk to lots of interesting folks and sell some books.
HOMETOWN AUTHOR EVENT--READING AND BOOK SIGNING
LOS ALTOS PUBLIC LIBRARY, LOS ALTOS, CA, MAY 4TH, 2017
What fun it was to have childhood friends and their parents, who all meant so much to be growing up in Los Altos, show up to listen to some stories and share the memories. I loved the hometown interest and support. Coming full circle was pretty cool.
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AUTHOR EVENTS AT BOOK PASSAGE IN MARIN AND OLD CAPITOL BOOKS OF MONTEREY 2017 |
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NOSARA BOOK CLUB GUEST SPEAKER, NOSARA, COSTA RICA, MARCH 7TH, 2017 Thanks to the Nosara Book Club ladies for selecting my book to read and inviting me to be a guest speaker during the discussion. Great questions and fun conversation. I so appreciate their interest in my characters and stories. |
BOOK LAUNCH AND AUTHOR EVENT
OLO ALAIA SURF AND BREW, NOSARA, COSTA RICA, FEBRUARY 16TH, 2017
About 60 friends, neighbors and tourists showed up to celebrate the book's launch, listen to some stories, drink great craft beer and eat delicious treats in the cool Olo Alaia surf shop, beer and coffee bar. Friends from 5 to 90 joined in! Thanks for the support and enthusiasm, Nosara. You've all been amazing supporters!
OLO ALAIA SURF AND BREW, NOSARA, COSTA RICA, FEBRUARY 16TH, 2017
About 60 friends, neighbors and tourists showed up to celebrate the book's launch, listen to some stories, drink great craft beer and eat delicious treats in the cool Olo Alaia surf shop, beer and coffee bar. Friends from 5 to 90 joined in! Thanks for the support and enthusiasm, Nosara. You've all been amazing supporters!
GUEST READER AND SPEAKER FOR 4TH AND 5TH GRADES
DEL MAR ACADEMY, NOSARA, COSTA RICA
JANUARY 20TH, 2017
DEL MAR ACADEMY, NOSARA, COSTA RICA
JANUARY 20TH, 2017
GUEST SPEAKER, BOOK CLUB, PELADA HEIGHTS, NOSARA, COSTA RICA
DECEMBER 8TH, 2016
I joined members of the Pelada Heights Book Club in Nosara, Costa Rica for a lively discussion on the stories, characters and publishing.
FEATURE STORY
Weekend Arts Spotlight, The Tico Times,
Costa Rica's legendary English language newspaper
Sunday, November 6th, 2016
Weekend Arts Spotlight, The Tico Times,
Costa Rica's legendary English language newspaper
Sunday, November 6th, 2016
OFFICIAL BOOK LAUNCH
BOOKSMART, MORGAN HILL, CA, OCTOBER 1ST, 2016
About 30 friends, family and community members joined me for my book launch celebration and author signing event.
BOOKSMART, MORGAN HILL, CA, OCTOBER 1ST, 2016
About 30 friends, family and community members joined me for my book launch celebration and author signing event.
