Doris Lessing Wins Nobel Prize
        When 87-year-old British author Doris Lessing was named the recipient of the 2007 Nobel Prize for Literature, she  became the oldest person to be so honored. Lessing has published more than 50 books, beginning with The Grass Is Singing in 1950, and covering over half a century to her most recent novel, The Cleft , published in 2007.
        Lessing was born to British parents who raised her in Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe. In awarding the prize, the Swedish Academy
cited her as "that epicist of the female
experience, who with skepticism, fire and
visionary power has subjected a divided
civilization to scrutiny."
Holiday Gifts for Writers
        It’s THAT time of year—the gifting
season. It started about a week after the
last bathing suit was sold (July?) Here
are a few ideas for gifting a writer. Don’t
know a writer (besides yourself)? In that case, highlight your favorites and leave Calliope open to this page in hopes that your family or friends will get the hint.
 
        1.  A good fountain pen. There is something
             so soothing about watching liquid ink
             flow from the tip of a fine writing
             instrument. Try www.Levengers.com
             for pens, ink, pen holders, and many
             other writer’s gift ideas.
 
        2.  A leather journal. Next to a good pen,
             great paper is a must. Do posterity a
             favor, and record your observations in
             a fine journal.
             See www.nostalgicimpressions.com/
        3.  How about a calendar? 2008 The
             Writer's Desk Weekly Engagement
             Calendar
by Jill Krementz contains photos
             of contemporary authors and plenty of
             space to jot down thoughts on that work
             in progress. http://search.barnesandnoble.
             com/booksearch/results.asp?WRD=cale
             ndar%2C+writer&z=y
  
                   4.  A lap desk is a handy space for
                        writers to work while sitting in an
                        easy chair. These are available from
                        Barnes and Noble, Amazon, or
                        almost any other bookstore.
 
                   5.  My personal favorite is a boon to
                        author trying to find their way
                        through a tricky plot. That perennial
                        favorite, the Magic 8-Ball. For
                       only $7.95, you will have the answers
                       at your fingertips. Try Toys ‘R Us --
                        http://www.toysrus.com/product/
                        index.jsp?productId=22657144
  
        6.  And don’t forget the magazine
             subscriptions. The two most popular
             ones are The Writer, and Writer’s Digest,
             but a beginning writer might enjoy Byline
           
 with its many contests and how-to articles.
  
        7.  So what else does the writer on your list
             need? How about a Starbuck’s Gift
             Card so he or she can hang out in a
             coffee shop and people-watch while
             getting caffeinated. 
Calliope
A Writer's Workshop By Mail