A True Friend and a Good Writer: Collected Work of the Sandia Writers

Why read the collected work of five women who have met for the last fifteen years to discuss writing? Because this collection, A True Friend and a Good Writer, is filled with savvy, insightful essays, haunting poetry, lovely memoir, and the full-blown humor of women who have lived and loved well, raised children, built lives and careers and have a lot to say! This highly enjoyable trip through some of their favorite work is sometimes moving, often thought-provoking, and at times, downright hilarious. A True Friend and a Good Writer is a visit with five good friends. So find a sunny spot, pour a cup of tea, open this book and join them.

Barbara Johnson, a native of Detroit, Michigan, has enjoyed a career serving American International Schools in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Her administrative experience includes Superintendent of Cairo American College in Egypt and Vice-President/Dean at the United World College in New Mexico. Barbara and her family have enjoyed rich experiences in international living. Carol Jordan is a retired social worker with years of experience in oncology and hospice. She depended on writing for maintaining sanity when her oldest child, diagnosed with schizophrenia, was lost to a car accident. It continued to be helpful when she was diagnosed with cancer. She has shared writing with hospice medical staff, those who were bereaved, and many oncology patients. Carol has been married to Jay for 48 years, has two grown children and two granddaughters. Faye Couch Reeves began writing professionally soon after graduating from Minnesota State University/Moorhead. Faye’s books for children include Howie Merton and the Magic Dust (Random House) and Birthday Wish Mystery (Troll). Ten of Faye’s plays, published by Pioneer Drama Service, are performed annually around the world. Faye and husband Ron have two daughters and are grandparents to three boys. Hilda Peterson Wales was born in Durango, CO, She graduated from Cornell College in Iowa, married Don Wales and they spent ten years in three Latin American countries. While living in San Antonio, TX, Wales received her Master’s Degree in Bicultural Studies. Moving to Las Vegas, NM, Hilda lived her “dream job” as counselor and student services coordinator at the United World College in Montezuma, NM. Hilda is published in Sage, Adobe Walls, Persimmon Tree, Gifts of the Great Spirit, Encore, Galaxy of Verse, Along the Rio Grande, among others. Yvonne Post Wise has been writing professionally since 1980, first as the Public Relations and Advertising Manager for 135 Military Banks in Europe and, after retirement, with the Sandia Writers Group. She earned a Bachelors Degree from City Colleges of Chicago, Frankfurt, Germany where she graduated in her 50s with President’s Honors. Wise is a Board Trainer with the New Mexico Coalition for Literacy and an avid supporter of ReadWest’s Adult Literacy Programs in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Yvonne resides in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains with her Engineer husband, James.