2010 talk schedule
10AM
Panel Discussion
Authors: Donna Aviles, Joseph Anthony, Martha Hamlett
Moderator: Terri Kelly
Topic: Writing and illustrating books for children
Description: This talk is certain to be a great one for children and adults of all ages! If you are a parent, a teacher or a child, you will want to make sure you attend this talk!
Auditorium
Jonathan Queen
The Need to Read ‘Inspiring the Next Generation of Young Readers’
Author, Mentor, and Motivational Speaker Jonathan Queen presents a powerful dialogue with parents, teachers, mentors and anyone involved with today’s youth about the positive influence of reading and writing. Jonathan shares candidly about how reading ‘saved his life’ and helped him turn from a lifestyle of drugs and crime to the positive man he is today. This is an interactive discussion designed to answer some of your questions on how to inspire young people to read more.
Classroom # 1
Dirk Robertson
Title: The Art of Storytelling
Content: Characterization, plotting, things to avoid,
commercial as opposed to artistic composition of stories, in print.
Classroom #2
Sofie Couch
It’s All in the Perspective: Square Pegs in Round Holes
Whether you’re a writer, a teacher, a parent, or a young adult you will enjoy
this fast paced presentation about perspective in writing, in reading, in the
way we view the world, and in recognizing that sometimes a disability is
actually a gift in disguise. We will look at the left-brain/right-brain writing
process, the “rules”, and discuss how some writers are challenging those rules.
11AM
Panel Discussion
Authors: Carol Chapman, PMH Atwater, Al Leichter and Catherine
Gillispie
Moderator: Chief Doug Davis
Topic: How did these 4 authors find inspiration for their book?
Description: These 4 authors will discuss how
they became inspired to write the types of books they write. You’ll be
fascinated to hear what they say. This talk may help to inspire you to become a
writer!
Auditorium
Taylor LeBaron
How Big Is Your Dream?
From starting his first business at 13 to losing 152 pounds … from carrying the Olympic Torch to having a book published and appearing on the Today Show … 17-year-old Taylor LeBaron has some secrets for success that anyone can duplicate.
Classroom # 1
Barbara Stremikis
Misfits, Bullies, and Fish Out of Water
Ever had that “I don’t fit in” experience? Social isolation is particularly painful for teens. What are the causes of exclusion and what steps can be taken to ease the discomfort? Join educator, psychologist, Barbara Stremikis as she explores universal loneliness and the inspiration for change; themes incorporated into her young adult novel, March Misfit.
Classroom #2
L. Diane Wolfe
How To Publish Your Book Now!
Have you always dreamed of publishing a book, but don’t know where to begin? Author L. Diane Wolfe walks you through the steps, from creating a marketable product to distribution. All options available will be outlined, including the incredible potential of the Internet as a resource and platform for your work and eBooks. Anyone serious about writing and publishing is encouraged to attend!
12:00
Panel Discussion
Authors: Jonathan Queen, Eddie Jones, Kathryn Lively, S. Paul
Klein
Moderator: Tony Gonzalez
Topic: The Writing Challenge
Description: These 4 authors are going to discuss the writing challenge in regards to their writing and books. This is a good discussion for any prospective writer to attend.
Auditorium
Carrie Jones
Zip! Zap! Zop!
Bestselling author Carrie Jones will talk on using the tools of comic improve to improve your writing.
Classroom # 1
Lynn Coffey
Local Appalachian Culture
For 25 years, Lynn ran a little newspaper called “Backroads.” She talked to
hundreds of mountain people during this time and wrote stories dealing with
mountain recipes, interviews with local people, churning butter, butchering hogs
and much, much more. Lynn will share some of these stories and how she put them
in her book.
Classroom #2
Mike Dellosso
Fiction for Family
Mike Dellosso, suspense novelist, will talk about how to incorporate reading and fiction into your family life, getting your kids interested in books, what to look for in each story, and how to find things to talk about.
1PM
Panel Discussion
Authors: Sarah Albee, Carrie Jones, Taylor LeBaron, Jean
Keating, Sofie Couch
Moderator: CJ Hill
Topic: Five authors, including 2 that are bestsellers, so far, share all!
Description: This is bound to be a fascinating talk from 5 great authors. Two of them have already reached the pinnacle of being a bestseller, with one writing numerous children’s books and the other writing about fairies: Another author wrote an amazing book about cutting his weight him half from age 14 to age 17, one will thrill you with her books about her paw prints and one warns you about Angels Unawares.
Auditorium
Carol Chapman
2012 and the End of the World
The media buzzes with 2012 and the end of the world. A 2012 Google search
brought up 353 million listings! After seeing the 2012 movie, some people
wondered about euthanizing their pets before the fatal date. What is going on!
Will the world really end on December 21, 2012? This prediction is based on
ancient Maya prophecies. While in Yucatan researching my books, When We Were
Gods and Arrival of the Gods in Egypt, as well as filming my
documentary, Yucatan Travel: Cancun to Chichen Itza, I interviewed Maya
people, including shamans. Come out to my talk and find out what the Maya really
have to say about 2012 and the end of the world.
When Dead Men Tell No Tales Their Treasure Remains Lost Forever. In this pirate yarn you’ll hear how one captain’s diabolical scheme to hoard earthly treasures cost him his crew, treasure chests of gold and ultimately his life. Join author Eddie “Davy” Jones as he reveals the exact location of scattered coins and hidden jewels in this gripping (and true!) pirate story set on the Caribbean shores of the West Indies.
Classroom #2
Nikki Leigh
Use Creativity to Make Your Book Stand Out in the Social Media
Networking Jungle
Are you overwhelmed by the mass amount of social media
opportunities? Have you started a social media presence, but you aren't sure how
to use it? Join Award Winning Author and Social Media Publicist Nikki Leigh for
this talk, where she shares examples of creative and targeted ways she
has helped clients promote their books and other products online. If you would
like a chance for your book to be used as an example in this talk - contact
nikki@nikkileigh.com and put "Book Em" in the subject line.
2PM
Panel Discussion
Authors: Jack Branson, Mary Branson, Fredric Almond, Carol
Maureen DeHart
Moderator: Cindy Correll
Topic: Fact or Fiction?
Description: These 4 authors all have written books based on fact. How did they decide to write non-fiction versus fiction? Do they also write fiction or have any fictional works planned. This is bound to be a talk you will not want to miss!
Auditorium
Sarah Albee
The Scoop on Poop
Children's author Sarah Albee talks about her book
POOP HAPPENED! A HISTORY OF THE WORLD FROM THE BOTTOM UP, and takes kids and
adults on a tour through the history of toilets and sanitation, from Biblical
times to present-day. She'll discuss what people wore, poop-related diseases,
how knights went to the bathroom, how astronauts go to the bathroom, and how
societies have had to confront the vexing problem of how to deal with their
"waste." For kids and adults, 8 and up.
Classroom # 1
K. Michael Crawford
How to Draw and Create a Scarilly Monster!
Boo! Author and Illustrator K. Michael Crawford will teach children how to draw and create their own scary and silly monster as they draw along with Michael. They will get to use their imagination in helping to create the monster. Children and parents who attend the presentation will need paper and pencil in order to draw. Ages 7 and up.
Classroom #2
PMH Atwater
Thirty-three Years Investigating the Near-Death Experience
Near-death states can occur to anyone at any age,
including newborns and infants, and remain vivid and coherent lifelong. Come
explore with one of the original researchers in the field of near-death studies.
P.M.H. Atwater will talk on her 33 years of investigating NDEs.
3PM
Panel Discussion
Authors: Marcy McCann, Willie Tee, Nikki Leigh, Dirk
Robertson, Denise Jeffries
Moderator: Greg Bruno
Topic: The Road to Publication.
Description: These 5 authors all have similar, yet very different experiences in getting their books published. This is bound to be a great talk for everyone interested in the writing process as these authors can share with you how they write and get published.
Auditorium
Fredric Almond
Determined to Win!
There are many challenges that one most go through in order to reach his/her
goals. Many times we tend to give up not knowing what to do. I've learned that
one can accomplish their goals. I will discuss the strategic plan I use.
Classroom #2
Jack and Mary Branson
Finding and Working with a Literary Agent
This workshop will help the beginning and experienced writer learn when to use a
literary agent, how to find a good agent, and how to work effectively with an
agent.