Frances Altman

FRANCES ALTMAN My latest book Destiny's Daughter will be published by Apprentice House Press in April. It caps a career of writing in several genres from children to middle grade thru young adult to adult. Newspapers, magazines, essays and a little bit of poetry.

"Writing for Fun" and helping others to write has always been my goal. Now retired, I apply about 50 years of experience to my writing.

Published Lately: this month my article "Learn to Listen) was published by Teachers in Education magazine. In January 2023 an essay "Lyric Essay" appeared in "Pen in Hand" of the Maryland Writers Association. In June 2018 I was a finalist in the Baltimore Dept. of Aging's Essay contest which set me on a new direction. I have visited several senior centers where I have urged many "want-to-be" writers to try writing mini-memoirs. What's that? Just short vignettes from their lives or activities that they might want to pass on to their relatives.

Award winning! My book "Escape to Freedom" and published as an Indie, received an award in the National Federation of Press Women's 2018 contest. Through the years I have received numerous awards for my news articles from National Federation of Press Women, National League of Anmerican Pen Women and Northern Illinois Library.

Long Ago: Began formally writing in the newspaper business, first with small suburban newspapers. When I moved to Chicago in the 60s I began writing for Field Enterprises and The Chicago Sun Times. From there I went on to do public relations for the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council for 15 years, and other companies: Teepak, Allied Signal now Honeywell, McDonald's, and Virginia Commonwealth University where I also taught as an adjunct professor for seven years.

I always advise people to write what they know about. If you would like to leave little stories for your family, start jotting them down. Not long ones, but just for fun and their memory book.

Sometimes retirement gets depressing. So I start writing! I have probably written a few hundred articles about community, processed foods, finance and just fun stuff. Along the way I've managed to sell a little here and there. But writing is not all about selling your writing, it can be a therapeutic exercise. And you can often help others to find that same joy or relaxation.

Keep Writing! And Reading!