Postscripts

UT's Center for Mexican American Studies sent news via their Noticias de CMAS newsletter that they, along with the Texas State Historical Association and the Center for Studies in Texas History, will sponsor a panel disscussion on Thursday, October 30, 6pm, at the Bass Lecture Hall in the LBJ School entitled "Mexican American History and the New Handbook of Texas: Honoring Women's Contributions." The New Handbook of Texas is a six-volume, multidisciplinary encyclopedia of Texas history, culture, and geography, published in 1996 with funding from the NEH and the Texas Committee for the Humanities, among other foundations and educational institutions...In other UT book news, UT Press and Martha Menchaca, associate professor of anthropology, can celebrate due to the Outstanding Books on Human Rights in North America award Menchaca's book The Mexican Outsiders: A Community History of Marginalization and Discrimination in California has won from the Gustavus Myers Center for the Study of Human Rights in North America. The title has also won the Outstanding Academic Book award from Choice.

Mixed Notes

Deadly Women is the name of a new anthology from Carroll & Graf of articles about and by such noted female mystery writers as Mary Higgins Clark, Patricia Cornwell, Joan Hess, and Carolyn G. Hart. Notably, it is edited by Austin's Jan Grape with Dean James and Ellen Nehr. To promote it, they sent us a rubber jar-gripper that announces, "The Best of Jan & Dean: The major surfers and not a `li'l ole lady' among them!" We love the swag but can't wait for the book -- it will doubtless be featured at Grape's Mysteries and More bookstore... Like a recent film comedy, Ann Richards has been in and out of her Austin Writers' League commitment to their Big Hair Follies event October 26 (not the 22nd as we erroneously printed last week). But when Hillary Rodham Clinton calls and asks you to attend her birthday party, it's hard to refuse. Fortunately, though, Hillary rescheduled her party and Ann is now back in the event, now to also feature Cactus Pryor and Liz Carpenter. Their rumored roles? George and Barbara Bush. Call 499-8914 to order tickets.

Ongoing:

The Cultural Center of the Mexican Embassy in Costa Rica is accepting submissions for its Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz Hispanic American poetry prize. The prize amounts to a $3,000 award and a trip to Costa Rica for the awards ceremony. Deadline for submissions is October 24; submit to: Centro Cultural de la Embajada de Mexico, Los Yoses 41 entrada 250 S, San Jose, Costa Rica 10107-1000.

Half Price Books is taking entries until December 31 for their fourth Bedtime Story Contest; accepted stories will be published in Say Goodnight to Illiteracy, to be published in spring 1998. Stories should be no longer than 300 words and previously unpublished. Say Goodnight will be a children's book, but writers of all ages are encouraged to submit. Pick up entry forms at any Half Price Books location. Proceeds from the sale of Say Goodnight will benefit literacy and education projects.

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