New Mexico Book Association Celebrates 30th Anniversary at Summer Gala

Shirley with other NMBA Board Members: (L to R) Dan Fallon, Anna Sochocky, Miguel De La Cruz, Jordan Jones, Me

In late August, a record turnout – eighty NMBA members and guests – enjoyed complimentary drinks and sumptuous hors d’oeuvres on the patio of Las Campanas Santa Fe, overlooking vistas of rolling hills. Playing in the background was New Mexico Platinum Award winner guitarist Nacha Mendez.

As NMBA Co-President, I kicked off the program with highlights of NMBA’s 30-year history, citing its unusual founding and its mission, which remains intact today: To preserve and perpetuate the BOOK as a repository of the wisdom of the past, the essence of the present, and a guide to the future.

After I delivered NMBA’s annual report of accomplishments, my co-president, Miguel De La Cruz, emceed the Southwest Book Design and Production Awards (SWBDA). This year’s awards – in thirteen categories – judged by a panel of book industry experts, recognized creativity and quality in book design and production.

At the NMBA 2024 Summer Gala, I delighted in presenting Dorothy Massey with a beautifully engraved plaque, recognizing her nearly 30-year ownership of Collected Works Bookstore, which "nourishes the souls of both readers and writers."

Perhaps the biggest treat of the evening was best-selling author Hampton Sides. Back home from a whirlwind tour promoting his latest book, The Wide Wide Sea, Hampton sat down with me for a conversation. I told the audience that when I asked Hampton if he wanted to see questions I might ask ahead of time, he said, “No, I like to be surprised!” Afterwards, Hampton thanked me for being his “Grand Inquisitor,” saying, “you asked terrific questions and kept the conversation moving organically and seamlessly.” With those few words, he made my night!

An invitation to an on-the-spot book signing by Hampton Sides, sponsored by Santa Fe’s oldest independently owned Collected Works Bookstore, capped off our memorable 2024 Summer Gala.

A couple of Hampton nuggets:


“I start writing before I’ve completed my research because not writing (before completing research) can be a procrastinator’s excuse for never writing!”

When asked how he balances his deep research with the need to keep the story moving, he talked about rabbit holes: “There are lots of rabbit holes – it’s important to evaluate a rabbit hole before going down it and getting involved in voluminous technical detail that might derail the story or keep it from moving.”

Conversing with best-selling nonfiction author Hampton Sides was wonderful!

Perhaps the biggest treat of the evening was best-selling author Hampton Sides. Back home from a whirlwind tour promoting his latest book, The Wide Wide Sea, Hampton sat down with me for a conversation. I told the audience that when I asked Hampton if he wanted to see questions I might ask ahead of time, he said, “No, I like to be surprised!” Afterwards, Hampton thanked me for being his “Grand Inquisitor,” saying, “you asked terrific questions and kept the conversation moving organically and seamlessly.” With those few words, he made my night!

An invitation to an on-the-spot book signing by Hampton Sides, sponsored by Santa Fe’s oldest independently owned Collected Works Bookstore, capped off our memorable 2024 Summer Gala.

A couple of Hampton nuggets:

“I start writing before I’ve completed my research because not writing (before completing research) can be a procrastinator’s excuse for never writing!”

When asked how he balances his deep research with the need to keep the story moving, he talked about rabbit holes: “There are lots of rabbit holes – it’s important to evaluate a rabbit hole before going down it and getting involved in voluminous technical detail that might derail the story or keep it from moving.”

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Hampton Sides