Writing Workshops
Friday, October 21
10 - 11:30 a.m. Room 202 |
Lo Patrick
Becoming Your Narrator Lo Patrick’s debut novel, The Floating Girls, follows the journey of a twelve-year old protagonist through the labyrinth of family turmoil, youthful angst, and hidden mysteries in her backwater hometown. Patrick will discuss how to write from the perspective of a child while telling an adult story and how to create a distinct voice for a narrator, specifically how to write like a character that has nothing in common with the author. Getting into character is not just for actors, and Patrick will share techniques for losing oneself in narrator and how that can more deeply connect readers both with a story and a setting.
About Lo
Lo Patrick is a former lawyer and current novelist living in the suburbs of Atlanta. The Floating Girls is her debut. |
Friday, October 21
1 - 2 p.m. Room 202 |
CANCELLED
A. S. Drayton Inspiring Introspection Through Extrospection A. S. Drayton’s writing focuses on the idea of expanding one's horizons and thorough introspection and self reflection. Through presenting the themes in his nonfiction memoir Are You Okay? The Carryover of Kindness and his upcoming fiction novel Through the Eyes of the Beholder, A. S. Drayton will discuss the importance of writing stories that inspire deep thought and consideration of differing perspectives.
About A.S.
A.S. Drayton Books was formed after its founder, Anthony S. Drayton III, rediscovered his love for writing and weaving tales while working on his award-winning memoir Are You Okay? The Carryover of Kindness. What began in 2019 as a one-off project, dedicated to his future children, grew into something more. Through the process, Anthony found his passion, and (with the collaboration of his talented friends) A.S. Drayton Books was born. The goal is simple: promote personal growth through books, short stories, art and games that foster a mindset of both introspection and the expansion of one’s horizons. Drayton's next book, Through the Eyes of The Beholder, is intended to release late fall/winter 2022.
Awards and Honors:
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Friday, October 21
3:30 - 5 p.m. Room 202 |
Sarah Loudin Thomas
Stitching Stories with History When writing historical fiction, how much history does an author include and when is it alright to “just make stuff up?” Thomas’ last three novels center on actual historical events/places in West Virginia. Join her for a lively discussion touching on how she embroiders her fiction with truth. You might even learn something new about Thurmond, West Virginia (the Dodge City of the East); Beverly, WV (on of the state’s three New Deal Subsistence Homesteads); and Hawks Nest, WV (location of the Hawkes Nest Tunnel Disaster).
About Sarah
Sarah Loudin Thomas grew up on a 100-acre farm in French Creek, WV, the seventh generation to live there. Her fiction is set in West Virginia and celebrates the people, the land, and the heritage of Appalachia. Sarah holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Coastal Carolina University and is the author of the acclaimed novels The Right Kind of Fool–winner of the 2021 Selah Book of the Year–and Miracle in a Dry Season–winner of the 2015 Inspy Award. Sarah has also been a finalist for the Christy Award, ACFW Carol Award and the Christian Book of the Year Award. She and her husband live in western North Carolina where she is the director of Jan Karon's Mitford Museum. |
Saturday, October 22
9 - 10:30 a. m. Room 202 |
Ashley Belote
Stories Through Words and Pictures: How to Craft a Children's Book Ashley Belote, a native West Virginian from Preston County, will discuss the fundamentals of a good picture book narrative, including narrative structures, voice, tension, character development, and drafting and revising manuscripts. Belote will also incorporate elements of picture book illustration, including layout and design, composition, what constitutes a good page turn, and character development in art. Big picture themes will include the overall picture book process from idea to publication and her perspectives of working among the independent publishing world and with major publishing houses.
The presentation will include physical examples of good picture books that demonstrate the fundamentals above. She will discuss her creative process by showing sketches and manuscript drafts from her picture book projects. She will also answer questions about craft and the publishing industry in general. In closing, Belote will lead a couple of hands-on activities to get the participants' ideas flowing and learn fun ways to brainstorm. She looks forward to sharing her passion for picture books with those who share the same love of creating works for children to enjoy. About Ashley
Ashley Belote is from Terra Alta, WV. She is the illustrator of FRANKENSLIME (Feiwel & Friends, 2021) and VALENSLIME (Feiwel & Friends, 2021). She is the author-illustrator of her solo debut early reader THE ME TREE (Penguin Workshop, 2021) and her solo debut picture book LISTEN UP, LOUELLA (Feiwel & Friends, 2022). She studied traditional animation under the direction of Don Bluth. Ashley earned her BA from Alderson Broaddus University and her MA in Arts Administration from the University of Kentucky. Her graduate study included a children’s literature and illustration course, The Whole Book Approach, through Simmons College at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. She also serves as the Illustrator Coordinator for the Carolinas chapter of SCBWI. Ashley is represented by Moe Ferrara of BookEnds Literary Agency. Visit AshleyBelote.com to learn more. |
Presentations
Friday, October 21
10 - 11:30 a.m. Room 204-5 |
A Celebration of Kevin Locke: Visionary Storyteller and Artist
Friends and family look back on the life of preeminent Lakota (Hunkpapa band) and Anishinaabe hoop dancer, flute player, traditional storyteller, cultural ambassador, recording artist, and educator. Locke had been scheduled to appear, but died unexpectedly on September 30. A memorial tribute will be offered by Marylou Miller, board member of the Patricia Locke Foundation, which will include Locke’s memorial video, The Hoop of Life, and a recording on the origins of hoop dancing.
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Friday, October 21
1 - 2 p.m. Room 204-5 |
Ashley Blooms
Appalachian Magic Ashley Blooms is the author of two novels, Where I Can’t Follow and Every Bone a Prayer, both of which depict a modern Appalachia with a speculative twist. Blooms will discuss how she approaches blending the realistic elements of her world with the fantastical, how her world-building is influenced by Appalachian folk tales and superstition, and how she deals with themes like trauma and healing through a speculative lens.
About Ashley
Ashley Blooms has published short fiction in The Year’s Best Dark Fantasy & Horror, Fantasy & Science Fiction, Strange Horizons, and Shimmer, among others, and her essay "Fire in My Bones" appeared in The Oxford American. Ashley is a graduate of the Clarion Writer's Workshop and the Tin House Winter Workshop and received her MFA as a John and Renee Grisham Fellow from the University of Mississippi. She was raised in Cutshin, Kentucky, and now lives in Berea, Kentucky. |
Friday, October 21
3:30 - 5 p.m. Room 204-5 |
John Billheimer
Hitchcock and the Censors John Billheimer's multi-media presentation traces the rise of movie censorship in Britain and the U.S. It documents Alfred Hitchcock’s interactions with a variety of censors as he fought to protect his creation, by bargaining with bluenoses and sidestepping censorship, to create a lifetime of memorable films.
About John
John Billheimer, a native West Virginian, lives in Portola Valley, California. He holds an engineering PhD from Stanford University and is the author of the “funny, sometimes touching,” Owen Allison mystery series set in Appalachia’s coalfields. The Drood Review voted his first book, The Contrary Blues, one of the ten best mysteries of 1998. Five subsequent novels, Highway Robbery, Dismal Mountain, Drybone Hollow, Stonewall Jackson’s Elbow, and Primary Target explore road-building scandals, strip mining, phony insurance claims, bank fraud, and election rigging in the Mountain State. A second series featuring a Midwest baseball writer with a gambling problem includes the titles Field of Schemes and A Player to be Maimed Later. He has also written two non-fiction books; Baseball and the Blame Game, a look at scapegoating in the major leagues, and Hitchcock and the Censors, which traces Alfred Hitchcock’s battles with bluenoses and won an Edgar Award in 2020. www.johnbillheimer.com |
Saturday, October 22
11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Room 204-5 |
Dr. Philip Hatfield
The Other Feud: William Anderson 'Devil Anse' Hatfield in the Civil War Dr. Philip Hatfield is the author of The Other Feud, which provides an in-depth study of the Confederate service of the post war feud chieftain, William Anderson “Devil Anse” Hatfield. Despite some authors claiming the Civil War had little to do with later feud violence, the isolated killings, ambushes and raids he participated in became his education in violence. Dr. Hatfield dispels many of the longstanding myths and misrepresentations about the legendary feudist’s wartime exploits and provides a well-researched glimpse of wartime conditions in the mountainous region.
About Philip
Philip Hatfield, PhD, is a native West Virginian with family roots in the Logan and Mingo County areas. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and history, two master’s degrees in psychology, and a doctorate in Clinical Psychology. He has written five books and numerous scholarly articles on the Civil War and is a member of the Company of Military Historians. Dr. Hatfield is also the great-great-great grandson of Alexander (Alec, Ale) Hatfield, a cousin of Devil Anse Hatfield. Alec Hatfield, who was from Pike County, Kentucky, served in the 12th Kentucky Infantry (US), 1861-1865, and participated in Major General William T. Sherman’s famous march through Georgia and the Carolinas. |
Saturday, October 22
1 - 2 p.m. Room 204-5 |
Bill Bitner
Wrestling with Appalachian Horror Enjoy an afternoon of readings and discussion with author and former professional wrestler William Bitner, who will speak on the many ways in which his horror fiction has been influenced by Appalachia. Bitner will also talk about wrestling as a form of storytelling and share tales of his experiences inside the ring.
About Bill
William Bitner is the author of twenty books in the horror, science fiction and crime genres. His work has been adapted into graphic novels, movies, live theater dramas and podcast performances. As the masked Death Falcon Zero he wrestled over eight hundred matches and won twenty two championships in the United States and Mexico. His latest book is the horror short story collection, Face Eater. |
Off-Site Event
Thursday, October 20
7:30 p. m. University of Charleston Geary Auditorium |
Deborah & James Fallows
McCreight Lecture in the Humanities The Board of Directors of the West Virginia Humanities Council established the annual McCreight Lecture in the Humanities to honor the leadership of Betsy Keadle McCreight, who died in 1985. McCreight was a founding board member, serving the Council as treasurer, vice president, and president. She believed that the humanities were at the heart of a democratic society, a necessary source of wisdom and vision.
Presented each October, the McCreight Lecture affords West Virginians the opportunity to hear nationally respected scholars and public intellectuals on a variety of humanities topics. McCreight Lecturers have included Ken Burns, Joyce Carol Oates, Joseph Ellis, Sylvia Nasar, Henry Louis Gates, Elaine Pagels, Gordon Wood, James McPherson, Edmund Morris, Annette Gordon-Reed, and others. About Deborah & James Fallows
Award-winning journalists and bestselling authors James and Deborah Fallows will be the featured speakers at the Betsy K. McCreight Lecture in the Humanities, presented by the West Virginia Humanities Council at 7:30pm on Thursday, October 20, 2022, in the Geary Auditorium at the University of Charleston. The event returns this year after a hiatus due to COVID in 2020 and 2021. It is free and open to the public, with a book signing to follow the lecture. The Fallows are also the minds behind the new HBO documentary, “Our Towns,” which premiered in 2021. In the film, a spiritual sequel to their 2018 New York Times bestselling book, Our Towns: A 100,000-Mile Journey into the Heart of America, the couple revisit eight of the towns across America that were featured in the book—including Charleston, West Virginia. While in Charleston, the Fallows spoke to local entrepreneurs, community leaders, and artists. More details about the book can be found on the "About Us" page at www.ourtownsfoundation.org. The Our Towns Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit "founded on the idea and belief that the sources of American renewal are mainly at the community level," and was created from the experiences of the Fallows during the writing of their book and the filming of the documentary. The documentary is available now on HBO and HBO Max. |
Performance
Saturday, October 22
10 - 11 a.m. Room 203 |
Bright Star Touring Theatre
A Tell-Tale Tale: The Stories and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe (Best for Grades 4th - Adult)
No one tells a story quite like the great Edgar Allan Poe! In A Tell-Tale Tale, these spooky and clever stories and poems come to life before your very eyes. With a mastery of language that few can match, Edgar Allan Poe's stories and poems are as impactful today as they were in the 19th century when they were written. This show blends rich language with expert storytelling to produce a rich language arts experience for middle grades. Stories include "The Tell-Tale Heart," "The Raven," "The Bells" and more! About Bright Star Theatre
Bright Star Touring Theatre is a national touring theatre company based in Asheville, NC. |