Writing workshop set

Writing workshop set

YOUNGSTOWN

From 7 to 9 p.m. the fourth Thursday of every month, Jim Villani facilitates a writing workshop at Pig Iron Literary & Art Works, 26 N. Phelps St., downtown.

This month’s workshop will take place Thursday. There is a $3 donation.

Cortland author releases novel

CORTLAND

“Saving Diana,” a coming-of-age novel by J. Lennington of Cortland, has been published by Dorrance Publishing Co. Inc.

The book examines the life of Diana Lewis, the oldest of six daughters who has known nothing but a difficult life while living in the forests of Pennsylvania. Lennington’s setting depicts young America, when early settlers occupied the land to make a life for themselves.

The author was born in Ellwood City, Pa., which is three hours west of the area in the book. Her fascination with the Civil War period, along with visits to family who lived in that area, inspired her to write the story.

For information, visit the virtual pressroom at www.dorrancepressroom.com or the online bookstore at www.dorrancebookstore.com.

‘Ticked Off’ author blogs on Almanac

Janet L. DeCesare, author of “Ticked Off,” a book about her battle with Lyme disease, is announcing her presence on www.farmersalmanac.com.

Farmers Almanac has added her to its blog to raise awareness and help others stricken with Lyme disease.

Kitty Kelley to do ‘heartwarming’ essay

NEW YORK

Kitty Kelley’s next book project will be “heartwarming.” Really.

The author of gossipy best-sellers about Frank Sinatra, Jacqueline Kennedy and others is providing the text to “Capturing Camelot,” a collection of photographs by her friend Stanley Tretick.

Tretick, who died in 1999, covered the White House for Look magazine while John F. Kennedy was in office. He took pictures of the president and his children that helped define JFK’s image as a family man.

Thomas Dunne Books is releasing “Capturing Camelot” in November. The publisher said Kelley, who manages Tretick’s estate, would contribute an “insightful, heartwarming essay” about Tretick and the president.

Author faces suit over ‘Three Cups of Tea’

GREAT FALLS, MONT.

The attorney for Greg Mortenson’s publisher says the “Three Cups of Tea” author can exaggerate or even lie in a memoir, and it’s still constitutionally protected free speech.

Penguin Group (USA) attorneySFlbJonathan Herman and attorneys for Mortenson, co-author David Oliver Relin and the Central Asia Institute asked a federal judge recently to dismiss a lawsuit by four people who bought Mortenson’s books.

The lawsuit claims Mortenson and the others committed fraud by lying about how he came to build schools in Central Asia so they could sell more books.

Herman and other attorneys say there was no fraud because there was no injury to the plaintiffs.

U.S. District Judge Sam Haddon did not make a ruling yet, saying he wants to consider the arguments further.

Vindicator staff/wire reports