If you're looking for an educational and inspirational writing event this month, the Unbound Book Festival should be on your list. Festival founder and director, author Alex George, has done a brilliant job planning and organizing this literary event, which celebrates literature of all kinds.
Note: While all events are free, festival organizers have requested that attendees bring gently used books to deposit in bins that will be placed outside the doors of the meeting rooms. These donated books will be distributed throughout the community after the event.
Friday evening, April 22, the Missouri Theater in Columbia will be the site for a conversation with internationally renowned bestselling author of The English Patient and many other exceptional novels, memoirs, and books of poetry -- Michael Ondaatje.
The main event will be Saturday April 23 on the campus of Stephens College in Columbia, MO. The schedule includes programs for Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, and Children's Events. Senator Claire McCaskill is among the score of top-notch speakers who will be featured during the day. You can find a complete list of speakers here.
A variety of panels will also be held during the day, including the First Page Rodeo, where an expert panel (New York literary agent Margaret Sutherland Brown, Unbridled Books senior editor Greg Michalson, and New York Times bestselling authors Eleanor Brown and George Hodgman) will share their thoughts on a selection of first pages of novels submitted in advance of the festival by the general public.
Five first pages have been selected, from authors as far away as Texas to Massachusetts. The panelists will discuss what works and what does not, as well as what will grab the attention of industry professionals.
Note: At least one of the first-page selectees is from Missouri, and she will be in the audience hoping the panel isn't too harsh on her one-page submission.
You can find a complete schedule, list of authors, and more details on the Unbound Book Festival site. Hope to see you there! And don't forget to bring your gently used books to donate.
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I'm pleased today to host award-winning writer Jan Morrill to Donna's Book Pub. Jan was born and (mostly) raised in California.... -
Recently I finished reading Geese to a Poor Market , written by L. D. Whitaker and published by High Hill Press. The book's setting is i... -
I'm in shock. This afternoon I received a call from the Erma Bombeck Contest Coordinator at the Washington Centerville Public Library ...
This sounds like a wonderful event! And free is a good thing too!
ReplyDeleteHi Claudia,
DeleteFree is a good thing! Maybe you can make the trip?
I will be in Columbia Saturday evening, but not for this festival. My son is being honored on Sunday as one of the Missouri Scholars 100. No wonder my first choice hotel had no rooms available when I tried to reserve one a few weeks ago. Lots of things going on in that town that weekend.
ReplyDeleteHi Val,
DeleteHUGE CONGRATULATIONS! That is so wonderful. Is this Genius 1 or Genius 2? I know both of your sons are super smart.
Thanks. It's Genius 2, aka The Pony, the one you met at the All Write Now conference last summer. He's graduating from high school this year.
DeleteSounds like a wonderful event! Perchance might the writer from Missouri be DV? If so, I hope for glowing responses from the panel. May it be so.
ReplyDeleteHi Clara,
DeleteYou have guessed correctly. Even if the panel doesn't have a glowing response about my first page, I'm hoping to learn from their expertise. Hope all is well with you.
Donna
Congratulations! How exciting that they chose your work. And nerve-wracking. (Once when I worked at a call-in center I was asked for permission to use one of my calls as a tool in a teaching orientation class. Apparently, I was an example of what not to do. LOL)
DeleteI don't think I can make it, but hooray for you! Can't wait to hear all the details on what the panelists have to say.
ReplyDeletePat
Critter Alley
Hi Pat,
DeleteWish you could make it, but I'll be sure to share the details about the panelists' comments.
Hi, Donna. It sounds like a great time. And, good luck!
ReplyDeleteI love that 1st page assessment by the pros. I attended one of those workshops at a SLWG conference, and learned so much. I am certain yours is one of the "must do it this way" selections. Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteHi Janet,
ReplyDeleteThanks. I'm looking forward to it, but a bit nervously.
Hi Linda,
Thanks. I'm hoping to get some good feedback.
Sounds like a great conference. And congrats on having your piece chosen!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dianna. I'm excited/nervous about it.
Delete