Ash, author of Life Touches Life: A Mother’s Story of Stillbirth and Healing, and Kennedy, a Vietnam veteran and author of the novel, Blood and Country: A Soldier's Call, will address the NJ Creatives Network on Wednesday, April 13, at the Bergen Museum of Art and Science, located on the lower level of the Bergen Mall in Paramus, NJ.

Networking begins at 7:30 p.m. and the meeting and program begin at 8 p.m. The meeting is free for members, $10 for non-members and $5 for students who show proper identification. Refreshments are available during the networking portion of the meeting.

Ash, 46, is a full-time daily newspaper journalist at The Daily Record, in Parsippany, NJ. She is also a published playwright and essayist. Her book, Life Touches Life: A Mother’s Story of Stillbirth and Healing, was published by NewSage Press in May 2004. She also teaches workshops on the art of the memoir and writing to heal the spirit and overcome loss. Kennedy, 60, is a full-time builder and novelist by night. His novels, Heroes or Something and Blood and Country: A Soldier's Call reflect and honor his experiences as a combat veteran in the Vietnam War.

Together they will present various themes, and how each is reflected in their works. Then they will open the floor to questions from the audience. “I’m interested in directly addressing the concerns of participants and the projects they might have in mind,” Ash relates. “Brad and I are concerned with honesty in the telling of stories, and how the big themes of life play out in ordinary lives and what it really, really takes to write a book--or smaller literary work--and get it into the world.” Ash and Kennedy will also share tips on how a book can reach the readers who need it most and make a positive difference in their lives.

Ash and Kennedy present both a male and female perspective on the writing process and bring their respective experiences from the worlds of non-fiction and fiction. Part of the evening will address how to determine whether a personal story should be presented as a memoir or novel. “Participants with a literary dream can expect an approach that embraces excellence as a goal and also offers in-the-trenches practical advice--from how to present a manuscript to where to look for a reliable agent,” Ash promises. Both authors will bring copies of their books and will be available for signing them.

Begun in 1984, NJ Creatives Network, formerly known as S.W.A.N., has grown into a successful non-profit organization that boasts a diverse membership of talented professionals. Members include writers, designers of print and web media, illustrators, photographers, video producers, public relations specialists and other creative professionals.

For more information on the current meeting, please contact NJ Creatives Network President Stan Cohen at 201-384-9784 or visit the Meeting Section of the website. To find out more about joining NJ Creatives, please contact Membership Director George Kamper at 973-394-9974 or visit the Membership Section of the website.

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