APW Typerider February 2026
Reginald Manning is the artist behind APW’s logo when we were Arizona Press Women. He was an American artist and illustrator, best known for his editorial cartoons. The Arizona Republic hired Manning as a photographer and artist in 1926. “Hats” won him the Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning in 1951. (Thanks to Cheryl Kohout for his name.)
Blazing New Trails
Arizona Professional Writers Conference
Book Club
Meeting via Zoom 4th Saturday of every month at 10 AM
Zoom link will come in an email nearer the date of the event!
Email Karen Lateiner if you would like to have the link.
From rural Illinois farm roots to Phoenix community theater and TV commercials, Bobbie Bennett has collected three marriage certificates, two death certificates, and one divorce decree—a paper trail that taught her more about resilience than any self-help book. Her writing earned first place in Arizona and second place nationally from the National Federation of Press Women in 2024. Bobbie transforms life's unexpected plot twists into unforgettable stories. Her philosophy? "If you can't be a good example, at least be a colorful one." Fair warning: keep spare underwear handy. Her tales of marriage, mayhem, and moving forward will leave you laughing until it hurts.
Summary
This heartfelt and candid memoir serves as an essential guide for anyone navigating life after loss. It recounts one woman's journey through three marriages, two funerals, and one divorce, while offering valuable insights and practical wisdom for others on similar paths.
The personal narrative begins in the shadowy world of organized crime, where the author’s first husband, Tony, brought a sense of danger into Bobbie’s life. Dinner guests had to check their firearms at the door. She recalls one night, while Tony was away on business, a violent storm masked the gunshot that killed his prized quarter horse in the stable. At dawn, the terrified ranch hand delivered the devastating news. By morning, the front page featured a photo of Tony's prized quarter horse, shot between the eyes in its stall.
A few years after losing her first husband, we’ll explore Bobbie’s brilliant decision to fall head over heels for Danny, a man ten years younger than her. Although he was often carded when they went out, Danny brought many years of fun and adventure into Bobbie’s life. Danny’s wandering eye eventually strained on their marriage, and they each went their separate ways.
The core of the story centers on Clayton, the author’s third husband and true soulmate. He’s a methodical engineer who fell in love with a free-spirited former go-go dancer and entertainer. They say opposites attract, and their relationship was living proof. While he kept busy recalibrating his 3D milling machine, she was rehearsing her lines for an upcoming stage role or television commercial.
What makes this book unique is its collection of shared wisdom. Fellow widows and widowers share their personal journeys, offering diverse perspectives on how to navigate grief and discover new paths. The self-help sections provide clear and useful advice addressing important questions, such as:
To Date or Not to Date: Navigating relationships after loss
Eliminating Skeletons: Cleaning out the closet
Taking Care of Business: Managing legal and practical matters during bereavement.
This all-in-one guide, blending heartbreak and humor, shows that every ending can lead to a new beginning. It provides both emotional support and practical advice for anyone looking to write their next chapter after widowhood.
This book would make an excellent gift for someone you know who is navigating their personal journey of starting over.
Shape the Future!
The terms of APW’s slate of elected officer expire on June 30. You can submit your name or nominate another member by February 21.
I will post nominees on APW’s website and send out an anonymous, electronic voter form to the membership via Survey Monkey. You will have a week to vote.
Elected:
President - a 2-year term from July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2028
These are 1-year terms from July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027
First Vice President
Second Vice President, Membership
Treasurer
Secretary
Automatic:
Immediate Past President: Carol Baxter (term expires 6-30-28)
Voted on by respective chapters:
Phoenix/Tucson Chapter President
Rim Country Chapter President
White Mountain Chapter President
The new officers will be installed during the brief business meeting at the annual conference on April 25.
Book Club
Meeting via Zoom fourth Saturday of every month at 10 AM
Zoom link will come in an email nearer the date of the event!
Email Karen Lateiner if you would like to have the link.
From rural Illinois farm roots to Phoenix community theater and TV commercials, Bobbie Bennett has collected three marriage certificates, two death certificates, and one divorce decree—a paper trail that taught her more about resilience than any self-help book. Her writing earned first place in Arizona and second place nationally from the National Federation of Press Women in 2024. Bobbie transforms life's unexpected plot twists into unforgettable stories. Her philosophy? "If you can't be a good example, at least be a colorful one." Fair warning: keep spare underwear handy. Her tales of marriage, mayhem, and moving forward will leave you laughing until it hurts.
Summary
This heartfelt and candid memoir serves as an essential guide for anyone navigating life after loss. It recounts one woman's journey through three marriages, two funerals, and one divorce, while offering valuable insights and practical wisdom for others on similar paths.
The personal narrative begins in the shadowy world of organized crime, where the author’s first husband, Tony, brought a sense of danger into Bobbie’s life. Dinner guests had to check their firearms at the door. She recalls one night, while Tony was away on business, a violent storm masked the gunshot that killed his prized quarter horse in the stable. At dawn, the terrified ranch hand delivered the devastating news. By morning, the front page featured a photo of Tony's prized quarter horse, shot between the eyes in its stall.
A few years after losing her first husband, we’ll explore Bobbie’s brilliant decision to fall head over heels for Danny, a man ten years younger than her. Although he was often carded when they went out, Danny brought many years of fun and adventure into Bobbie’s life. Danny’s wandering eye eventually strained on their marriage, and they each went their separate ways.
The core of the story centers on Clayton, the author’s third husband and true soulmate. He’s a methodical engineer who fell in love with a free-spirited former go-go dancer and entertainer. They say opposites attract, and their relationship was living proof. While he kept busy recalibrating his 3D milling machine, she was rehearsing her lines for an upcoming stage role or television commercial.
What makes this book unique is its collection of shared wisdom. Fellow widows and widowers share their personal journeys, offering diverse perspectives on how to navigate grief and discover new paths. The self-help sections provide clear and useful advice addressing important questions, such as:
To Date or Not to Date: Navigating relationships after loss
Eliminating Skeletons: Cleaning out the closet
Taking Care of Business: Managing legal and practical matters during bereavement.
This all-in-one guide, blending heartbreak and humor, shows that every ending can lead to a new beginning. It provides both emotional support and practical advice for anyone looking to write their next chapter after widowhood.
This book would make an excellent gift for someone you know who is navigating their personal journey of starting over.
The National Federation of Press Women's 2026 conference will be held September 24-26 at the Turf Valley Resort in Maryland.
2026 NFPW Professional Communications Contest
Work must be published between Jan 1 and Dec 31, 2025.
Early deadline: January 21, 2026
(Entries by this deadline avoid a $25 late-entry fee.)
All books deadline: February 4, 2026 Final deadline: February 18, 2025
HINT: Judges read author statements. The information in them can help determine who wins the top awards. Make sure you answer the questions specific to the category you are entering. Answer thoroughly but write concisely.