I am happy to announce my first “self published” book, Missus Henry’s Muse, a collection of my poems. I first put this little chapbook together in 1996 with the help of my daughter who did the layout. I gave copies to family and friends and pretty much forgot about it after that. But, recently I have joined my friend, Jackie Dove-Miller, in renting a vendor space in a local shop. The shop owner highlights her vendors with little “openings” and our turn is coming up for a book signing and reading. So putting my desktop publishing software to good use I reprinted Missus Henry’s Muse, adding a few poems and illustrating them with some of my drawings and graphics. It’s 28 pages are printed on recycled paper. If you live to far away to buy your copy at GC5 Vintage and Gifts I’ll be happy to mail you a copy for $10, shipping and handling included. Just drop me an email at donnacsmith_1@homtail.com.

Jackie Dove-Miller is a poet who is well known in the Raleigh area for her poetry recitations. She and I will be reading from our “hot-off-the-press” poetry collections and signing copies of my books and Jackie’s CD, A Spoken Word for Women Who Can, on Sunday afternoon, November 29^th.

The day after that event I leave for the Outer Banks. While there I will visit Moyock Elementary School to talk with some second graders about the history of the wild horses of the Outer Banks, and share with them how these horses inspired me to write Pale as the Moon and An Independent Spirit. Also on my agenda is a photo trip up the beach to photograph the Corolla Wild Horses, and then to Ocracoke, again to photograph the wild horses there.

On the way home Friday I will stop in Plymouth for my book signing and photo exhibit at Cheryl’s Floral Designs and Antiques. She will be having an open house and grand opening of her new store.  I will be there from 2-4PM.

Saturday, back home again, I am thrilled to be part of a fund raising event at Tractor Supply Company in Youngsville to benefit 1in 8 Foundation. That group’s primary thrust is funding mammograms for those who cannot otherwise afford them as well as breast cancer awareness. In addition to my book signing, featuring my latest release, The Book of Mules, there will be a barbeque, live music by Sourwood Mountain Band, a silent auction. Cover mule, Sadie Mae, and Rocky the trick mule, plus the miniature horse, Rambo will be on hand as well. It is going to be a fun time and I hope we’ll attract a big crowd.