Pagoda Writers Circle

Past Events (current year)

January 10, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Yocum Institute

John Symborski on Self-Publishing, the Old-Time Way

Many people have at least one book in them, or so it seems with nearly 1 million new titles released through traditional publishers (<1% odds for new authors), and over 2 million on-line self-published titles (averaging <250 total copies - skewed by many with zero). Since a vanity press is a losing proposition, is there another avenue to publish? The familiar book - or codex - has been around since the first century AD, and was a manual process until the mid 19th century. John reviewed a step-by-step method (with examples) for producing a bound hardback book with a minimum of tools. Did you know that one can get a U.S. copyright without bothering with an ISBN number, sell handmade physical copies of the book through an on-line store (e.g. ETSY), and still retain unpublished status for the work? This leaves all other options still open, and an author can self-promote through craft honing, audience building, networking and research.

John Symborski earned a Bachelor of Sciences in Industrial Technology at the University of Maryland in 1976, and worked 29 years as an Industrial Engineer for a several manufacturers until outsourced. Trained as a Certified Hospital Pharmacy Technician in 2005 (CPhT, Lincoln Tech), he has served Pottstown Hospital for 20 years and continues at the Pharmacy part-time in semi-retirement.

Bookbinding is a relatively recent interest, and rather than make books of blank pages it was necessary to write a book worth binding - and then produce it from scratch based on traditional techniques (with a few modern conveniences). John's Copyrighted book is titled "Old Dobbin", and presents two historic novellas under one cover (50,000 words in all) set in 1909 and 1910 from Spring City/Royersford through Pottstown to Reading PA and back.

With a passion for traditional crafts, John learned and demonstrated rope making, candle dipping, woodworking, gunsmithing, and harpsichord performances on self-made instruments for many Historic Sites in southeastern Pennsylvania. John assembles Colonial Soldiers' hats on commission for a retailer of military supplies for re-enactors.

Other interesting facts about John: He is the past president of the Delaware Valley Amateur Astronomers, he designed and built 3 Newtonian telescopes, 2 prize winning parabolic mirrors and lectured on the Antikythera Mechanism. John and his wife Lynn have taught historic dancing since 1976, and continue to appear with their dance troupe - the Tapestry Historic Dancers - at historic venues and special events. John is also a Monday night "Sunday school" teacher at his parish in Limerick, PA.

February 14, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Yocum Institute

Jan E. Indigo on Love Letters To My Grandchildren, Turned Into a Book

Jan shared how a family move filled her with a desire to ease her grandchildren's adjustment to a new home, leaving behind their familiar surroundings, particularly the trees. It became a labor of love, filled with photographs she took herself, and tree personalities who impart wisdom and encouragement. The love continues to grow, and so a second volume has begun.

Jan is a devoted grandmother, spiritual seeker, and lifelong nurturer of love, family, and healing. Through decades of personal growth, hard won wisdom, and deep connection with her children and grandchildren, she has come to understand that life's most meaningful lessons are found in presence, forgiveness, and the quiet beauty of everyday moments. Writing is a reflection of her heart – gentle, honest, and grounded in grace. With each page, she offers the legacy of her love, a testament to resilience, and an invitation to live with compassion, curiosity, and unwavering faith.

For the second half of the workshop we embraced the Valentine's spirit of the day. As we take a peek at love letters from history's famous and infamous couples for inspiration, we can discuss how authors and poets have shaped what we perceive as the "language of love." Come away from our time with your own personal expression of love to share with someone special.