Writing Workshops
Room 202-3 | 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
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Phil Oakley
Little Hatchet: How to Write a Novel in 50 Short Years Oakley will track the progress of his novel Little Hatchet from its inception in the spring of 1964, through it's rebirth in 1991, it's near miss with a major New York publisher in 1999, to its eventual publication in a very different form and under a different title as an Amazon book in 2014, and up to it's successful launch as a traditionally published novel before the Texas State Historical Association annual meeting on the Campus of Texas A&M University in College Station.
About Phil
Phil Oakley is a writer, educator, filmmaker, journalist and executive. He signed a three book publishing contract with The Stoney Creek Publishing Group and Texas A&M University Press, parts of the Texas Book Consortium in 2023. Little Hatchet, the first installment of that three book series, was published March 1, 2024. On that date, Phil debuted Little Hatchet at the Texas State Historical Association annual meeting on the campus of Texas A&M University. He is scheduled to appear at the Texas Book Festival in Austin, the Louisiana Book Festival in Baton Rouge, and the Lubbock Book Festival, all in the late summer and fall of 2024. Prior to signing this contract, Phil had published eight novels. Those books are out of print. Phil served as Director of the Louisiana Film Commission, was a regional executive of The Walt Disney Company, supervising coverage for ABC News in the southwestern United States and Latin America. He also was an editor/producer for The Dallas Morning News. As a journalist, Phil won national awards from Columbia University, the Radio-Television News Directors' Association and a National Headliners Award. He covered presidents and presidential campaigns, beginning with Lyndon Johnson, and extending through the terms of George W. Bush. Phil began working on his first novel in the spring of 1964, while a freshman at The University of Texas at Austin. That book finally reached publication fifty years later in 2014. In addition to writing, Phil currently works as a paraprofessional educator at Kennedale High School. He was born in Austin during the last days of World War II. Phil and his wife Nancy live in Arlington, Texas. Both are graduates of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. They have two adult sons, and one adorable granddaughter. |
Room 202-3 | 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
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Andrea Pitzer
Finding an Agent and Writing a Nonfiction Book Proposal Is there a story only you can tell? If you're writing nonfiction-from history to memoir-and you want to find a publisher, you'll need an agent and a book proposal. I'll discuss how to find an agent and outline what should be in your book proposal section by section, as well as addressing the key questions you'll need to be able to answer to define your story and convince a publisher to acquire
your book. About Andrea
Andrea's books have been on the cover of the NYT & WSJ book sections, & on year-end best-of lists. She's spoken at state & international festivals, the 92nd St. Y, & Smithsonian Associates. |
Presentations
Room 204-5 | 9 a.m. - 10 a. m.
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Clint Bowman
If Lost reading with Q&A, and the Importance of Poetry Community Join Clint Bowman for a reading of his collection of poetry, If Lost forthcoming to publication by Loblolly Press September 5, 2024. Clint has for the past eight years has worked with free and accessible poetry groups throughout the state of North Carolina.
About Clint
Co-founder and facilitator of the Dark City Poets Society. Host monthly critique sessions and public readings in Black Mountain, NC. Published by Bottlecap Press, YNST Magazine, and elsewhere. |
Mark Hendricks & Erika Howsare
Appalachian Creatures: The Human-Wildlife Connection
Appalachian Creatures: The Human-Wildlife Connection
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Two authors of the mid-Atlantic discuss their books dealing with the richness of the natural world in our region, and the relationship between humans, places, and wildlife here. Mark Hendricks’ book The Central Appalachians: Mountains of the Chesapeake is a photographic odyssey through the Appalachian highlands of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Erika Howsare’s book, The Age of Deer: Trouble and Kinship with Our Wild Neighbors, examines the relationship between people and deer throughout history and in our modern moment. Mark and Erika will read briefly from their books and then discuss their creative processes, their own connections to the Appalachian world, and much more. Audience Q&A will follow.
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Room 202-3 | 11 a.m. - Noon
About Mark
Mark Hendricks is an award winning natural history author and photographer. His first book, Natural Wonders of Assateague Island, was a FOREword Reviews award winner. His images and essays have been featured in many publications including National Geographic, The Guardian, The Washington Post, Living Bird, Audubon and many more. Mark is a faculty member at Towson University where he serves as lecturer in the Department of Psychology, adjunct in the Department of Biological Sciences, and co-directs the Animal Behavior Program. He has led presentations for numerous public and private organizations including the Annapolis Book Festival, the National Park Service, and the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center. He is a fellow in the International League of Conservation Writers and member of the ethics committee for the North American Nature Photography Association. |
About Erika
Erika Howsare's first nonfiction book, The Age of Deer, came out in 2024. She is a poet, journalist and teacher in Virginia. She's given numerous readings, including at the VA Festival of the Book. |
Word Play
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Victoria Crall
Jumpy Chunky Monkey and YOUR Very Best Day Word Play | 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Bring an item that's essential to your every best day. A book, a toy, a family member and so on. We will have a Storytime and activity sheets to draw/describe their best day!
About Victoria
All Victoria ever wanted growing up was to be a mom. After struggling with infertility, she was given the greatest gift of all, a son. Since then, it's been nothing but laughter, chaos, and love. Watching her parents become grandparents has been an unbelievable joy. This book is dedicated to them. |
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Bright Start Children's Theatre
Winnie the Pooh
Winnie the Pooh
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Word Play | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
The beloved literary classic comes to life in this sweet and charming production. Join Pooh and all of your favorite characters from Hundred Acre Wood as they find themselves in the playful predicaments first imagined by writer A.A. Milne in 1926. Christopher Robin, Owl, Eeyore and more bring this classic work to life. (PK-5) Click Here for the Study Guide!
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West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Celebrate and Create: WVPB Children's Writers'
Celebrate and Create: WVPB Children's Writers'
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Word Play | 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Attend West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s children’s writers’ workshop and listen to selected winners from their 2024 Writers Contest.. The WVPB children’s authors will read their award-winning stories that earned them a visit to Charleston in May to celebrate. Learn basic writing fundamentals to become your own author and maybe you’ll be one of the next Writers Contest winners in 2025! We encourage children in grades K-5 to stop by and join!
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Fun Fitness Kids Club
Word Play | 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
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ContactWest Virginia Book Festival
123 Capitol Street Charleston, WV 25312 [email protected] (304) 343-4646 x1287 |
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