Women Who Write

On May 25th, 60 dynamic women gathered in Vicki Abelson's living room for the fun-filled fest called Women Who Write. Yours truly was one of the authors invited to read. I was in wonderful company--Lisa Rae Page Rosenberg, Vicki Abelson herself, April Winchell & Betsy Hammer--and it was the kind of experience authors live for. WWW is also a potluck brunch so we were treated to an array of delicious cuisine. I brought my "famous" tabbouli and this group of enthusiastic women bought a load of copies of Siren's Feast. I have to say that April Winchell is one of the funniest women I've ever encountered. What a day! I can't wait until next month to see who Vicki has put together.

For a taste of Women Who Write, check out the YouTube video.

New York State of Mind

Even though the weather was mostly lousy, I love New York. After a brief stop in the city, to catch Herman Leonard's show at Jazz At Lincoln Center, In The Best Possible Light, I headed out to Woodstock with long time friend Lola Cohen. What a great place to wait out the storm. In Woodstock I met Martha Frankel, fellow author of one of the best memoirs I've ever read, Hats and Eyeglasses. Martha runs the Woodstock Writer's Festival and I'm invited next year!

My trip ended with one of the main reasons I was there, Lola's book launch party at Elaine's. The party was packed with well-wishers, actors, acting students and friends. Lola edited the definitive book on Lee Strasberg and the Method, The Lee Strasberg Notes. Now, when Lola and I get together, we compare our Amazon listings. Of course, on my last day in NY, the weather was spectacular, perfect for a stroll through Central Park.

Memoir Nights

Everyone has a story to tell. With that in mind, Tristine Rainer, author of YOUR LIFE AS STORY, Ray Elizondo, author of THE LAST PACHUCO, Paul Krehbiel, author of SHADES OF JUSTICE, and yours truly with SIREN'S FEAST, AN EDIBLE ODYSSEY have been appearing at libraries around Los Angeles, offering tools for creating the structure of one's own story along with tales of our own literary journeys and the world of self-publishing.

Judging from the turnouts and from the interest from our audiences, everyone does have a story to tell and many are eager to do so.

Revolutionary Mama Meets B'steeya

I was delighted to get an email from Layla Rose, gorgeous, enchanting Hollywood Mom and life coach extraordinaire, telling me she loved Siren's Feast and asking if I would consider being Revolutionary Mama of the Month, a feature of her website Revolutionary Mama. When Layla told me she was going to attempt to make one of my recipes from Siren's Feast, B'steeya, I insisted she come for dinner and we'd make one together. The result: a fabulous evening and a perfect b'steeya. Layla posted the recipe on Revolutionary Mama. And I now have a new little soul sister.

I've said it before, B'steeya has to be one of the world's best dishes and only someone stoned on hashish could create an extravaganza like it.

Encino Park Book Club

Another month, another book club. I didn't have to go far since it was close to my neighborhood. The Encino Park Book Club is a group of dynamic young women who all became friends when they were neighbors and meet every month to share food and books. I was honored to be chosen to participate with them. Everyone brought a recipe from Siren's Feast and we shared some good laughs and some good food.

Janet Billig Rich, producer of the Tony winning musical Rock of Ages, found Siren's Feast and brought it to Alegre Ramos, owner of the "green" store Green and Greener in Valley Village, who was already a friend and Jin Shin Jyutsu client I have known for several years. Another "small world" story. And Voila! I was able to attend another book club. I have enjoyed myself at every single one. What could be better for an author to meet readers over food and spirits?

Sur La Table

I took the Feast on the road again, this time to my home turf of Phoenix, Arizona where I had been asked to be guest chef at Sur La Table, the fabulous cookware stores located all over the country. Their Scottsdale location had a kitchen big enough for the 16 students who participated (a sell-out) and nearly everyone bought a copy of Siren's Feast. Morocco Memories was the theme, even though I snuck in one of my Armenian specialties, Cheese Beorag. I had a blast and didn't realize beforehand that the students did all the cooking, while I supervised.

Carol Blonder, quite the chef herself, is the culinary director in Scottsdale and she loved the copy of Siren's Feast I sent her so much it was chosen for her culinary book club, a true honor. Two members of her book club were also participants in a fun-filled afternoon.

Westside Ararat Guild Luncheon

The afternoon could not have been more beautiful in Granada Hills and I have to admit to being delighted that so many Armenian women showed up to hear me talk about my family, my wild childhood and food at the Westside Ararat Guild luncheon. Not only did the event raise money for the Ararat Home but I managed to sell nearly 50 copies of Siren's Feast, An Edible Odyssey, while warning some of the older women about the content. And talk about food!!! The food, as usual, was truly divine, prepared by many of the women who attended, including myself. I rolled another 150 grape leaves for the occasion.