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San Diego Decameron Project

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In October 2020, inspired by The Decameron written in the 14th century during one of the worst plagues in history, San Diego Public Library and partner organizations, Write Out Loud, the La Jolla Historical Society, and San Diego Writers, INK invited San Diego County authors to submit previously unpublished stories for the San Diego Decameron Project.

 

The top 100 winning stories are published on the four websites (25 per site). Visit our three partners to read the other winning stories.

 


 






Top 10 Winners


 

Presentation of the Top 10 stories of the San Diego Decameron Project including a Q&A discussion with the authors hosted by KPBS arts and culture reporter Beth Accomando. The program begins at 5 minutes in.

 



 







 






Photo of Nancy Alvarado


Nancy Alvarado

Story: Rest

 

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Nancy Alvarado is a local teacher and former columnist for the Chula Vista Star-News.






Author ShuJen Askew


ShuJen Walker Asker


 

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ShuJen Walker Askew explores a variety of genres. Her works are published in literary magazines at Mesa College, Grossmont College, and the San Diego Writers & Editors Guild. She is a journalist for Image Seed Magazine, writes scripts, and participates in the San Diego Writers Meetup Group. ShuJen completed her first novel, Across All Skies. She is a mother of two and enjoys writing. Visit: http://sywalker.com






Author Libby Brydolf


Libby Brydolf


 

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Libby Brydolf writes and hikes in San Diego.






Author Kristin Helms


Kristin Helms


 

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Kristin Helms is the author of Grace + Oak: Inspiration in Poetry and Photographs from Dover Publications, March 2020, and From Boardroom to Baby from Career Press/RedWheel Weiser, 2018. Kristin’s soulful prose and inspiring thoughts have been published in Literary Mama, PopSugar, Home & Garden Magazine, Motherly, and The Huffington Post. Visit: KristinHelms.com | Instagram: @KristinHelms_Writer






Author J.A. Jensen


J.A. Jensen


 

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J.A. Jensen is a member of the Mystery Writers of America and the Horror Writers Association.






Photo of Jeff Meyer


Jeff Meyer

Story: Escape

 

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Jeff Meyer, who has lived in San Diego for all but six years of his life, teaches English at Morse High School and participates in the San Diego Writer’s, Ink Memoir Read & Critique group facilitated by Danielle Baldwin. When not spending time with his family (wife Alex, children Jackson and Gabriella), he plays bass guitar in a yet-to-be-named local hard rock band and runs with the Silverfish Athletic Club.






Author Ona Russell


Ona Russell


 

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Ona Russell holds a PhD in literature from UC San Diego, where she has also taught for many years. She is the author of three award-winning historical mysteries and numerous published essays, academic, and legal articles. Her most recent book, Son of Nothingness: A Novel of Appearances, was released in Sept. 2020. Ona is also a credentialed mediator and book club facilitator. Visit: www.onarussell.com






Photo of Barrie Sands


Barrie Sands


 

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Dr. Barrie Sands is an Emergency Critical Care, Integrative Holistic Veterinarian. She is a publish author, journalist, and national and international speaker. She is a certified coach and trainer from the Institute of HeartMath facilitating emotional intuitive guidance, stress management and resilience building.  As founder of Illumina Sciencia, her mission is to bridge the gap between science and spirituality and co-create optimum wellness for both humans and animals. Visit: www.drbarriesands.com






Author Rick Seidenwurm


Rick Seidenwurm


 

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Rick Seidenwurm is a retired San Diego attorney who always wanted to write. His first book, Mostly Untrue Stories is available on Amazon.com.






Photo of Marivi Soliven


Marivi Soliven


 

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Marivi Soliven has authored 17 books, including The Mango Bride (Penguin, 2013), winner of the San Diego Book Awards and the Palanca Awards, the Philippine counterpart of the Pulitzer Prize. Her day job as a phone interpreter enriches her stories even as it allows her to support her immigrant community. Information about her creative projects can be found at https://marivisoliven.com/ and on Instagram @marvisoliven.






Stories


 



Photo of Robert Arends



Robert Arends


 

Robert Arends is a lifelong San Diegan and man of many hats: PR professional, travel writer, photographer. He was even once a radio DJ and nightlife columnist. An avid traveler, he enjoys road trip adventures, the tropics of Hawaii and The Philippines, and the desert-scapes of the Southwest. When he’s not caring for his silkie chickens (on Instagram @NutmegAndLadies), he delves into sci-fi, anything tiki, and the simple joys of gardening (@Groovestar).







Photo of Kelly Bargabos



Kelly Bargabos

Story: Revolution

 

Kelly Bargabos, author of Chasing the Merry-Go-Round: Holding on to Hope & Home When the World Moves Too Fast, writes as a witness to the spectrum of human experience in order to connect, share, shift paradigms, inspire, and ultimately expand our universe through words. Her writing has been published in literary journals, anthologies, and news publications. Chasing the Merry-Go-Round was a Nautilus Book Award winner and a finalist in the National Indie Excellence Awards. Visit: www.kellybargabos.com






Photo of Brett Bookser


Brett Bookser


 

Brett Bookser and his wife live in Carmel Valley, where they raised two children. Brett got his Ph.D. in chemistry from UCSD where he learned to surf at Black’s Beach. He did a postdoc at UCSB, partly because of the proximity of the lab to a surfing beach. He returned to San Diego to work in Biotech. His main experience is with scientific writing. He has published more than 20 articles in chemistry journals.






Photo of Yubeen (Amy) Cho


Yubeen (Amy) Cho


 

Yubeen (Amy) Cho is a passionate writer who advocates for change and spreading awareness through her writing.






Photo of Lynda Felder


Lynda Felder


 

Lynda Felder grew up in Michigan and still points to her hand when she wants to show someone a location on a map. She taught college writing classes and has published Writing for the Web and The Web Writer’s Toolkit. After learning to make gorgeous hats, she discovered she had two great aunts and a grandmother who were also milliners.  She lives in San Diego with her husband and a sensitive yellow lab named Dennis.






Photo of Cornelia Feye


Cornelia Feye


 

Cornelia Feye is an art historian, publisher, and author of four mystery novels. Spring of Tears won the San Diego Book Award in 2011. House of the Fox, Private Universe, and Death of a Zen Master followed. She published two anthologies, Magic Mystery & Murder – a SDBA winner - and Modern Metamorphoses. She founded Konstellation Press, an indie publishing company of genre fiction. Publications include art historical essays and reviews in English and German. Visit: konstellationpress.com






Photo of Aaron Garretson


Aaron Garretson


 

Aaron Garretson grew up in San Diego. He attended UC High School and received a BS in biochemistry from UCSD and an MFA in fiction from Columbia University in New York. His writing has appeared in Carrier Pigeon, SLAB, Opium, Night Train, The Village Voice, and Mexico City's Hermano Cerdo (in translation), among others. He has been twice nominated for the Pushcart Prize and was shortlisted for the Best American Nonrequired Reading. He currently works in an infectious diseases lab at UCSD.






Photo of Robert Gilberg


Robert Gilberg

Story: Stardust

 

Robert Gilberg is a retired executive from computer and communications microelectronics who has received an Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Emmy for television anti-piracy systems. He is the author of four books: his memoir, The Last Road Rebel and Other Lost Stories,  novels Alice Chang, A Simple Twist of Fate, and Starvation Mountain, two of which were SDBA finalists. Visit: www.facebook.com/RobertGilbergBooks/  | www.kirkusreviews.com/author/robert-gilberg/






Photo of Shannon Haynes


Shannon Haynes


 

An unpublished author, most of Shannon Haynes’ printed work has been in advertisements, newsletters, customer materials for marketing, and the like. She's decided to take her creative writing seriously. Short stories are fun, and good practice!






Photo of Connie Henry


Connie Henry


 

Connie Henry grew up in a nomadic military family that left her with persistent wanderlust. Formerly a teacher, she writes, makes quilts, and battles procrastination in La Mesa, California.






Photo of Barbara Javor


Barbara Javor

Story: Menagerie

 

Barbara Javor, Ph.D., is a biologist, animal lover, and writer in San Diego who weaves her scientific background into fictional stories. Published books include Antoine, Sprints, Stone’s Throw, and Violet and Jellybean.






Photo of Carolyn Kinnare


Carolyn Kinnare


 

Carolyn Kinnare holds a B.A. in English from UCLA and an M.A. in Communications (majoring in Screenwriting) from Loyola Marymount University. She is a married mother of three living in Encinitas with three rescue dogs and working in Athletics at Canyon Crest Academy High School in Carmel Valley. She is currently working on a novel in her spare time.






Photo of Jeannie Meigs


Jeannie Meigs


 

A Native American writer and artist, Jeannie Meigs has experience ranging from editing an anthology to exhibiting artwork in the Cherokee Heritage Museum to co-teaching a graduate class on collaborative writing and indie publishing. She earned a master’s in English and Writing. Memberships include San Diego Writers Ink, Sisters in Crime, Academy of American Poets, Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers, California Watercolor Association, and Society of West Coast Artists. Visit: http://www.jeanniemeigs.com | Twitter: Jeannie Meigs.






Photo of Jeff Meyer


Jeff Meyer

Story: Escape

 

Jeff Meyer, who has lived in San Diego for all but 6 years of his life, teaches English at Morse High School and participates in the San Diego Writer’s, Ink. memoir read and critique group facilitated by Danielle Baldwin. When not spending time with his family (wife Alex, children Jackson and Gabriella), he plays bass guitar in the local hard rock band “Ablyss” and runs with the Silverfish Athletic Club.






Photo of Leah Ollman


Leah Ollman


 

Leah Ollman has been writing about art for the Los Angeles Times, Art in America and other publications for more than 30 years. She has contributed to numerous books and exhibition catalogues, and has recently completed a project exploring the intersection of poetry and photography. Visit: www.leahollman.com | @leahollman






Photo of Cynthia G. Robertson


Cynthia G. Robertson


 

A photographer and journalist for more than 30 years, Cynthia G. Robertson is the author of a blog, Shutterbug Angel, a unique visual devotional attesting to the everyday miracles and beauty she sees in nature around her. She has also written a novel, Where You See Forever, which was published last year. The novel’s settings include both Kansas and San Diego. Find out more about Cynthia and her work at www.cynthiarobertson.com.






Photo of Barrie Sands


Barrie Sands


 

Dr. Barrie Sands is an Emergency Critical Care, Integrative Holistic Veterinarian. She is a publish author, journalist, and national and international speaker. She is a certified coach and trainer from the Institute of HeartMath facilitating emotional intuitive guidance, stress management and resilience building.  As founder of Illumina Sciencia, her mission is to bridge the gap between science and spirituality and co-create optimum wellness for both humans and animals. Visit: www.drbarriesands.com






Photo of K.C. Sherwood


K.C. Sherwood


 

K.C. Sherwood is the author of Midnight At Moonglow's and The Sword Of Destiny, a middle grade adventure series with a bit of magic. She lives in Bonita, CA. When she's not writing, you can find her hiking, mountain biking, or going on her own fantastic road trip adventures with her daughter, Sadie. Follow on Facebook at Midnight At Moonglow's.






Photo of Tim Simmons


Tim Simmons


 

Tim Simmons is an administrator at a charter school in San Diego, an amateur writer and a proud member of San Diego Writers, Ink.






Photo of Marivi Soliven


Marivi Soliven


 

Marivi Soliven has authored 17 books, including The Mango Bride (Penguin, 2013), winner of the San Diego Book Awards and the Palanca Awards, the Philippine counterpart of the Pulitzer Prize. Her day job as a phone interpreter enriches her stories even as it allows her to support her immigrant community. Information about her creative projects can be found at https://marivisoliven.com/ and on Instagram @marvisoliven.






Photo of Scott Tinley


Scott Tinley


 

Local college professor, Scott Tinley really doesn’t like writing contests but feels that the element of competition has always and already catalyzed the innate artfulness in all of us.






Photo of Allen Tu


Allen Tu


 

Allen Tu is a 12th-grade student at La Jolla Country Day School. Born and raised in San Diego, he is looking forward to college, wherever he may go. Allen is passionate about the liberal arts, particularly fine arts, history, and literature.






Photo of Jennifer Whitelaw


Jennifer Whitelaw


 

Jennifer Whitelaw lives in La Mesa, California with her husband, two kids, and possibly too many pets. She has owned a communications firm for over 20 years and writes humorous essays, social media posts, and children’s books for fun. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from UCLA and a postgraduate degree in Urban Planning at UCSD. She has won multiple awards for her business and news writing. She’s a past recipient of SD Metro’s 40 Under 40 and Best Marketing Professionals awards.






Photo of Janet F. Williams


Janet F. Williams


 

Janet F. Williams provides editorial services, development, critique, and private coaching for fiction and non-fiction. She teaches creative writing and speaks at writers’ groups. Williams authored the triple award-winning self-help book You Don’t Ask You Don’t Get (2010), and used her pen name, Zoe Amos, for lesbian romances Superior (2013) and Talk To Me (March 2021). In her spare time she writes the stories she likes to read. Visit: www.janetfwilliams.com and www.GoodDayMedia.com.






Photo of Wilda Wong


Wilda Wong


 

Wilda Wong’s family left Hong Kong shortly after the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. Her family came to San Diego, where Wilda joined her high school paper as a features editor, later earning a film degree as a first-generation college student. She has since traveled to six continents and lived or worked in four. Wilda is lucky to have spent the pandemic in University Heights with her roommate, Rox, and cat, Steve.





The San Diego Decameron Project


 

The San Diego Public Library, Write Out Loud, the La Jolla Historical Society, and San Diego Writers, INK invited San Diego County authors to submit stories for the San Diego Decameron Project. This project is inspired by The Decameron, a book written shortly after the Black Death overtook Florence in 1348, and a collection of novellas structured as a frame story by Italian author Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-1375). The book contains 100 stories told by a group of seven young women and three young men sheltering in a secluded villa. They fled Florence to quarantine themselves for two weeks from the pandemic that ravaged Europe between 1347-1351. To pass the evenings each member of the party tells a story each night, except for one day a week for chores and one for religious observance, resulting in ten nights of stories over the course of two weeks.

 

For the San Diego Decameron Project, local authors were invited to submit previously unpublished fiction or nonfiction narratives based loosely around the theme of the current pandemic. Twenty-five judges read all submissions and chose the top 100 stories. Winners will have their stories posted on one of the partners’ websites beginning in February 2021 (25 per site). The top 10 most compelling stories will be read by Write Out Loud actors and presented in a virtual presentation also premiering in February. All stories submitted will be digitally archived with the San Diego Public Library and La Jolla Historical Society.

 

The importance of this project is threefold. First, there is every intention to let creative writers comment on the present experience; to help all of us unpack and understand this moment; to reflect on what it means to live through the COVID pandemic as related through the written word. Second, during this time we’re all staying at home more, and as a result, people are reading more. So, to some degree, there’s been a rediscovery of the narrative form, the written word, and this project very much relates to that notion. Finally, there is this idea that we’ve been here before and survived. The 14th century Decameron was written during one of the worst plagues in history. Yet humanity survived, the human condition recovered, civilization re-emerged, and the early traces of the Renaissance resulted only a few years later and then carried on for two centuries.

 

A list of related resources including books and web links is available.



Congratulations to the Authors!


The following authors will be included in the San Diego Decameron Project Anthology!





Nancy Alvarado

Lisa Ambler

Robert Arends

ShuJen Askew

Kelly Bargabos

K.A. Bergan

Cory Blancet

Brett Bookser

Helen Broady

Kevin A. Brown

Libby Brydolf

Taffy Cannon

Jim Caputo

Thelma Virata de Castro

Yubeen Cho 

Leslie Clark

meghan conley

Madeleine Cowee

Janice Coy

Lauren Cross

D.B. Cunningham

Lydia Cutler

Sarina Dahlan

Martha K. Davis

Susan Delgado



Jeff Duclos

Lynda Felder

Cornelia Feye

Clara Frank

Claudia Torres Garibay

Aaron Garretson

Robert Gilberg

Anna Glynne

Kelley Gusich

Raymond Hardie

Shannon Haynes

Kristin Helms

Connie Henry

Janis Heppell

Anastasia Hipkins

Peter Hodsdon

Jonathan Horn

Barbara Huntington

Barbara Javor

J.A. Jensen

Louise Julig

Melissa Karolides

Aditi Kavi

jack keane

Cherie Kephart



Janelle Kim

Carolyn Kinnare

​Daina Krigens

Ondine Brooks Kuraoka

William Lamb

Lisa Lampert-Weissig

Diane C. Lowrie

Robert Thomas Lundy

Melissa Mandel

Ross Mann

Irene A. Márquez

Chau Master

Brenna McKee

Michael Jude McMahon

Maureen Meadows

Jeannie Meigs

Jeff Meyer

Nancy Nygard

Leah Ollman

Barrie Owens

Elizabeth S. Pappas

Marilyn A. Pate

J. R. Quirk

Opal Reinbold

Cynthia G. Robertson



Kyle G. Roesler

Natasja Rose

Ona Russell

Barrie Sands

Karen Scanlon

Ainsley Schafer

Rick Seidenwurm

K. C. Sherwood

Tim Simmons

Marivi Soliven

Kara Stevens

Mike Stewart

Victoria Tenbrink

Scott Tinley

​Nancy Tomich

Aimee Truchan

Allen Tu

Thomas Waldron

Mary Lindenstein Walshok

Karen Waters

Jennifer Whitelaw

Janet F. Williams

Lisa Witz

Cora Womble-Miesner

Wilda Wong

Marilyn Woods





Resources


 

What's So Special About SDPL's Special Collections: The Decameron of Giovanni Boccaccio

 



 







 





Behind the Desk: Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio

 



 







 






 

 

San Diego Decameron Project partners' logos

 

Funding has been provided by California Humanities and the State of California through the California State Library.