The Las Vegas Writer's Conference was here this weekend and I enjoyed meeting and learning from each and every one of our authors, agents and publishers including:

New York Times Best-Seller Bob Mayer, Author of over 40 books including Warrior Writer: From Writer to Published Author & Chasing the Ghost

Dennis Griffin, Author of 10 books including Cullotta: the biography of former Chicago and Las Vegas mobster Frank Cullotta

Judi Moreo Motivational Speaker & Author of 9 books including You are More Than Enough: Every Woman's Guide to Purpose, Passion, and Power

Maxwell Alexander Drake, Author Farmers & Mercenaries

Megan Edwards, Author Roads from the Ashes: An Odyssey in Real Life on the Virtual Frontier

Dan Decker, Author Anatomy of a Screenplay

Geoff Schumacher, Author Howard Hughes: Power, Paranoia & Palace Intrique

Maralys Wills, Author of 12 books including Manbirds: Hang Gliders & Hang Gliding

Margaret Dalrymple, Author & Publisher

Leslie Hoffman, Writer & Editor

Brandi Bowles, Literary Agent (Foundry Literary & Media)

Ginger Clark, Literary Agent (Curtis Brown, LTD)

Jami Carpenter, ghostwriter and editor (Stephens Press & American Book Publishers)

Lynn Pisar, Director of Operations (Books in Motion).

Thank you to all of the authors, agents and publishers and especially to Jo A. Wilkins, President of the Henderson Writer's Group and all the members who made it possible.

To Learn More:

http//www.hendersonwritersgroup.com

http//www.lasvegaswritersconference.com

"Writing is the author's vehicle into your world..."

Sandy Kastel, Author Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths 'Detours'

When I was a little girl my mom played Tammy Wynette records on our phonograph player and we sang along. Stand by Your Man and D-I-V-O-R-C-E were the two songs I remember the most. I would belt out the lyrics when I sang, just like Tammy.

She was a huge influence on me growing up, the way she sang she represented a strong woman, who set an example for women everywhere, both by 'standing by her man' to 'standing up for herself' when the times got rough.

I'll always remember her in my heart and in my songs that reflect a woman's feelings of frustration, defiance and determination, a few of which will be on my new album "Indiana Rain", due out this May.

Sandy Kastel, Author and Recording Artist

Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths 'Detours'

Tammy Wynette
May 5, 1942 – April 6, 1998

As Seen on The Music's Over (but the song lives on)

"The first time I meet Buddy Rich was when my dad, Dick Kastel was playing with the Harry James Band. My father had moved us from Mesquite, TX to Las Vegas, where he would be joining the group. They were going to Disneyland to play on one of the stages and my dad brought my sister, Linda and me along with him. My mom couldn’t go because my youngest sister, Crystal, was less than a year old.

We stayed at the Rip Van Winkle Motel across from Disneyland. All the band members went swimming in the pool along with my sister and me. Buddy was funny, always joking with all the guys, picking us up out of the water and throwing us back in the pool. We would hold our noses to keep the water out. We had so much fun that day. Then at night we went to Disneyland with Dad. We got to go on some of the rides, but mostly we watched the band set up and practice before the performance that night. Lots of people sat or stood around to watch the band. The stars were shining in the sky and the music went everywhere in the open air.

I’ll never forget that trip to Disneyland with the Harry James Band and Buddy Rich."

Sandy Kastel, Recording Artist and Author Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths 'Detours'

Sandy Kastel Blog talks about meeting Ruth Brown on The Music's Over (but the songs live on)

March 21, 2010 at 1:45 pm

When I met Ruth we were both appearing on the Dennis Bono Show. She was gracious and funny and I could tell she was ‘bawdy’ in her day. She was a special person and it was such a joy to listen to her sing even when she had to sit in the chair on stage due to weakness. I was happy that they did the tribute to her in Nashville, cause as she told the story she had been performed once when she was a lot younger.

Years later, after her show, a couple of women approached her for an autograph. They pulled out a cd that referenced her performances in Nashville. She said I never even knew that record had been made! Apparently it was made without her permission or knowledge and released in Europe. “That’s the way the music business goes”, she said, “You never know who’s making money off you even if it ain’t you!” Then she told me, “Keep singing. Do what you love and don’t worry about what anyone else does. Just keep doing what you love, ‘cuz that’s the only thing that really matters in the end.”

I saw Ruth perform a few more times after that at the Bootlegger. She sat in the chair most of the performance, but when she sang, the whole room knew who was in charge. We miss you, Ruth.

Sandy Kastel, Recording Artist and Author, Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths ‘Detours’