East Texas Book Fest 2011

With eight brilliant novels, including a new one out this year, Jane Roberts Wood really knows how to move a novel from a creative idea to book stores shelves. She will share her key insights about writing and publishing with you today

Called one of America’s most outstanding young novelists, David Haynes heads the creative writing program at SMU. He will give readers and writers an overview of how writers develop their narrative designs.

Rene Saldana is not only an outstanding writer about the Hispanic culture, he is also an avid reader. It didn’t come easy, and he is ready to share with children, teachers, and parents how he came to love reading.

Jan Peck and David Davis have each written best-selling books for children; they have also co-authored The Green Mother Goose. They bring their excitingly interactive presentation about the wonders of books, complete with costumes, music, and madcap fun for children and teachers to the Book Fest.

Taylor Stevens is already a best-selling author with her first novel. How did this happen? Could it happen to any writer? Why does her engage her readers and impress her publisher with its promise? She will share it all with her fans and soon to be fans.

Bruce Foster is undoubtedly the master of pop up books, with Harry Potter, kids sports, the movie enchanted, and many more successes on his resume. He’s bringing some of his work to share and pictures of many more. He’ll also tell you how he got into this creative engineering business and what it takes to stay on top.

No one writes and tells ghost stories better than Tim Tingle. His workshop today will empower children to create and write their own scary stories and help teachers use these secret doors to help their students write stories that will have their friends and family shaking in their boots.

Rene Saldana is renowned for the way he writes into the heart of the Hispanic culture, especially the young adults. You will discover for yourself the ways he makes his culture, religion, and experience speak to his readers in this discussion session.

Carlton Stowers was a journalist for the Dallas Morning News for years, and he has the awards to prove it. But his writing did not stop with his assignments. He has a long list of books, mostly about sports and crimes to his credit. Today, he’ll share the best ways to research and write about truly about crimes.

Lelia Meachum asked this question of herself and found the answer to be yes with the publication of her recent, best-selling saga about East Texas, Roses. She will guide you through the seven qualities that make it possible for all to give an affirmative answer to that question.

A man of many skills and much knowledge, David Ciambrone has had many careers, but now he’s devoting himself to writing. His study of poisons led him to write a handbook of poisons just for writers. He’ll tell you how he uses poisons in ways that enhance books.

Known as the Choctaw Storyteller, Tim Tingle has a vast repertoire of Native American stories and frequently is the storyteller at large and small tribal meetings. He’ll share this richness in this discussion session.