S.A.S.E.: Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope

This fictionalized memoir at 31,985 words draws the reader in with Anna's letters to "The Answer Lady." Sadly, the advice she receives doesn't keep pace with all that life has in store for Anna. Alone, she perseveres. In time, we see her change from confused widow to a woman unafraid of adversity. Arlene Seiden Leshtz, the author, is primarily a playwright and this is her debut book. In 1981 she was hired by Ann Landers to help her answer her readers' letters. A traditional wife and mother, Arlene Seiden Leshtz learned over time to fight for her life and to rise up. S.A.S.E. begins with a dialog, interrupted only by laughs, as we identify with the trials of Anna. For example, in a chapter titled: "I'm Missing My Tonsils, My Appendix, One Kidney, Two Breasts, And One Earring Which I've Been Looking For Since Last Week," Anna was aiming to find a compassionate soul mate, with fewer problems than her own. S.A.S.E. is a roller coaster ride through the second half of Anna's life, written with integrity and humor. There are many lessons for readers to learn from her experiences.

I am the mother of four grown children and a grandmother of seven. With a professional acting background, I now find acting a bit too stressful (those senior moments, you know! I can't always remember what I had for lunch!) So for sure I wouldn't be able to remember my lines anymore. Instead I have written plays and now I have written my first book, a "slightly" fictionalized Memoir because I also can't remember everything about my life! . Married for 23 years, then, suddenly a widow at age 44, with little money and needing to earn what I had always called a "man's living!" I went back to college where I got a degree in Psychology. Half way through a Master's Degree in Guidance and Counseling, I began working at a hospital as a Neuro-Psychology technician, and then became a Biofeedback Therapist, and later a Senior Research Assistant on a four year Stroke Study. My specialties were Recovery from Loss, Stress Management and Relaxation Training. I continue to work now, even as a very" senior" citizen. I do volunteer work and also have a private practice, mostly seeing cancer patients, their families and other clients with mental health issues. I am grateful to be a two time cancer survivor. One of my favorite games as a child was Hide and Seek ...but, I never wanted to be found. I also never would have chosen some of my life experiences. However, because somewhat like the game of 'hide and seek," "I felt lost" but "I got found" and my life has been richer because of some of those more difficult experiences. I continue to study my craft. I am a Network Playwright with Chicago Dramatists; I am a member of Off Campus Writer's Workshops, and attend many lectures and other classes to learn and improve my writing skills. However, I simply write and write and write. I once asked if I could call myself a writer even if I wasn't published yet. The teacher asked me, "do you write?" "Oh, yes, a lot," I answered. "Then you are a writer," she said. I found my passion and it is writing!