Women inspire others through ‘Chicken Soup’ series

Two Southern Nevada residents recently had stories published in the latest "Chicken Soup for the Soul" book series. "Chicken Soup for the Soul: Celebrating Mothers and Daughters" was released in March.

Georgia Hubley's "A Perfect Fit" tells the story of a mother buying her young daughter a pair of shoes for the first day of school. Las Vegan Donna Savage's "A Perfect Legacy" has a mother teaching her daughter that being a perfectionist is not the way to have a happy life.

The "Chicken Soup for the Soul" book series, created by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, has 145 titles in more than 37 languages.

Hubley, 67, also had a story in "Chicken Soup for the Dieter's Soul: Inspiration and Humor to Help You Over the Hump," released in December.

The Henderson resident, who began writing when she was 8 with the encouragement of her father, George Baldwin, has so far contributed stories to five "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books in print, with her sixth story set to appear in the upcoming "Chicken Soup for the Soul: Celebrating Brothers and Sisters," which is due out in October.

Hubley managed a credit union in Silicon Valley, Calif., and retired to write her memoirs. But instead, she found herself writing stories and sending them to magazines and the San Jose Mercury News, among other publications. Hubley joked that one day she decided to "submit them to be paid."

"I was so excited when I was in the first one," Hubley said of the "Chicken Soup" series.

Hubley said she believes the books are popular because "the stories seem to inspire people."

She recently gave a copy of "Chicken Soup for the Soul: Celebrating Mothers and Daughters" to a friend of hers, and the friend told Hubley she was moved by the stories to the point of tears.

"People just seem to like them," she said.

Hubley receives feedback from readers on her stories, with most of the comments referring to the two stories she wrote about her mother, Anna Baldwin.

The first story Hubley submitted was on her mother's green thumb when it came to growing roses. It was published in 2001 in "Chicken Soup for the Gardener's Soul: 101 Stories to Sow Seeds of Love, Hope and Laughter."

Her second story selected for the series, which told of her mother's Alzheimer's disease, was for "Chicken Soup to Inspire a Woman's Soul."

The feedback, said Hubley, "makes you feel good."

Besides writing short stories for several magazine and book series, Hubley eagerly is awaiting word on the results of the 2007 Erma Bombeck Writing Competition, which she entered with a story on "re-gifting and what can happen."

"Erma Bombeck is my idol," Hubley said. "I would love to do well in that."

The competition's winners will be announced later this spring.

In other news:

The paintings of Las Vegas artist Marty Walsh will be on display in the Legislative Building, 401 S. Carson St., in Carson City as part of the Legislative exhibition series sponsored by the Nevada Arts Council. Hours to view the exhibition are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday through April 27.

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