Kristine Kahanek, Michael Price, Lori Wilde, Mary Rogers, Dave Lieber among those scheduled to appear
Added event: Arts & Crafts Fair

With so many inviting and interesting cultural events springing up in Weatherford, it's not too early to start thinking about Weatherford College's annual book festival, "Books 'n Authors 'n All That Jazz" scheduled for Saturday, April 24, and mark your calendars for the event that will feature more than 45 authors, 19 writing workshops and, of course, …"'n All that Jazz" and new this year, a companion event, WC's inaugural Arts & Crafts Fair.

"I know that I say this every year, but I truly believe it every year - this is the 'biggest and best' one yet," said Linda Bagwell, WC director of communications and public relations and coordinator of the event. "And the greatest thing about it - it's absolutely free admission, thanks to the College's support and the generous underwriting of community sponsors, not to mention the dozens of volunteers from all over our terrific community, who enable us to keep our event running so smoothly each year.

"And we think the addition of the Arts & Crafts Fair will be a good draw for both events. We are hoping people will enjoy the opportunity to shop for books and beautiful hand-made crafts and enjoy some good food, too. Several food vendors will be on hand to make sure no one goes hungry!"

Texas Hall in the Alkek Fine Arts Center will become TEXAS AUTHORS HALL, filled with about four dozen authors, waiting to meet and greet their reading public. Among those scheduled to appear are Mary Rogers, Michael Price, Kristine Kahanek, Mike Kearby, Mary Kemp and Leon Tanner, Ellen Driscoll, Ken Ingle and many more. More information about each will be coming in future articles and will be posted on line, too. A complete list of participating authors also will be posted on the College Web site, www.wc.edu/calendar.

"Suffice it to say, we have a marvelous group of popular writers this year, some whose work you will recognize and some whose work you will want to become acquainted with," said Bagwell. "The original intent of our event is to draw attention to our talented Texas authors, and no one will want to miss the opportunity to meet them, up close and personal."

The agenda for the day has expanded this eighth year to include not only more authors but 19 writing workshops scheduled throughout the day, as well, covering topics from writing family memoirs; engaging dialogue; horror/thriller basics; researching and writing about music; self-publishing; children's stories and poetry to how to promote and sell a book. There is no charge to attend, but participants must register to be assured of a place in the class. The entire schedule and on-line registration forms will be posted on the WC Web site in mid-March, www.wc.edu/calendar.

Of special note for children, back by popular demand will be workshops geared especially for children.

"We have two really special sessions for children, five and up," said Bagwell. "First, at 9 a.m., Laurel Iakovakis will present her "Puppet Plays Plus," a wonderful session where she will guide the children through puppet-making and then an improvised play for the parents. At 10 a.m., a very well-known person around this area - Kristine Kahanek, KTVT Channel 11 meteorologist, will read aloud her popular children's book, Katie and the Magic Umbrella. "

"We are so fortunate to have these two children's authors here. Absolutely, neither are to be missed," Bagwell said.

Local award-winning romance author, Lori Wilde, has once again provided her generous underwriting of the cash awards for the winners of the writing contest. She will be on hand during the program to present the awards for poetry, fiction and creative non-fiction and to recognize one, in particular, with the second annual Lori Wilde Fiction Award.
Wilde, a WC alumna and author of 53 novels published by four major publishers, said, "I remember what it was like, first starting out, and not knowing if my work was good enough to be read. I am happy to be a part of this writing program at WC where we are able to reinforce and encourage reading and writing."

Also, author Mary Rogers will bring attendees the opportunity to hear about many famous and infamous Texans up close and personal, as she will kick off the afternoon Canis Latran Awards Program with a presentation based on her current best-seller, Dancing Naked, Memorable Encounters with Unforgettable Texans.

"Not only will we hear some great jazz during the program and then have the honor to recognize up-and-coming-authors as winners of our annual writing contest, but we'll get to hear two truly great authors speak about their work and encourage all the aspiring writers who will be here. What's not to like about that?" said Bagwell.

Below is the complete agenda for the day. For more information, contact Bagwell at 817-598-6274, or co-organizer Evelyn Payne at 817-598-6273.

Agenda
Books 'n Authors 'n All That Jazz VIII
Weatherford College Alkek Fine Arts Center
April 24, 2010
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
FREE!

Admission is free! Workshops are free!
~ No admission charge for attendees! More $$ to spend on books! ~

9 a.m. - 3 p.m. - All Day

Meet 'n Greet more than 45 Texas Authors in Texas Hall, waiting to share their stories and their books with you! Buy autographed copies of their books!

Workshops:

• 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
  • Laurel Iakovakis: Children's Workshop for 5 and up - Puppet Plays Plus
  • Sherri Knight w/James Pylant: Pros & Cons of Self-Publishing
  • Laurie Moore: Writing Snappy Dialogue: How to Avoid the Pitfalls to Boredom
  • Cairol Dawson: Writing the Horror/Thriller Novel
• 10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
  • Kristine Kahanek - Children's Storytime: Katie and the Magic Umbrella
  • Dave Lieber: Inject Humor into Your Writing - Even If You're Not Funny!
  • Laurie Moore: Writing Snappy Dialogue: How to Avoid the Pitfalls to Boredom
  • Robyn Conley: Beyond the Branches: Writing and Scrapping Your Complete Family Tree
• 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
  • Dave Lieber: The Best-Kept Secret of Writing: How "New Journalism" Techniques Make You a Better Writer
  • Steve Sanders: Writing Poetry: Rhyme or Reason?
• 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
  • Kyle White: Writing Short Stories: Training Ground or Time Waste?
  • C.J. Critt: The Write Stuff
  • Cairol Dawson: Writing Fiction: Beginnings, Middles and Endings
  • Michael Price: Indigenous North Texas Music

• Lori Wilde, award-winning author of more than 53 romance and adventure novels, underwriter of the cash awards given to the winners of the Writing Contest; and
• The Weatherford College Jazz Combo; and
• Keynote Speaker: Mary Rogers: author of Dancing Naked, Memorable Encounters with Unforgettable Texans
An award winning journalist and former newspaper columnist, Mary Rogers is a Texas-based storyteller whose narrative style cuts to the marrow making her character profiles, essays and memoirs throb with a universal truth.

• David Ciambrone: Mystery Writing: Books That Bite
• Roland "Pete" Peveto: Developing Characters for Horror-Thrillers
• Michael Price: Texas Folklore and Commercial Storytelling
• Mike Kearby: Fast Writing, Slow Writing - Keeping Your Reader Turning the Page
• Lori Wilde: Q&A Chat Session - In It For The Long Haul: Secrets to Getting and Staying Published