Writers share insights: Bosque Arts Center’s Books on the Bosque conference Oct. 28 features NYT bestselling author Charlaine Harris, children’s picture book author K.D. Huxman along with local authors Boyd & Ferguson
CLIFTON -- Books contain within themselves wisdom, knowledge, information and entertainment, and have the magical ability to transport the reader to other worlds, the past, the future or within their own psyche. Immersing yourself in a book is the best way to lose yourself while sitting in your favorite chair. And it’s the authors that create these worlds for the readers.
For the third time, Bosque Arts Center offers the Books on the Bosque Readers & Writers Conference on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. — an enjoyable and educational day full of interesting speakers for those who love the written word, authors and those that dabble in writing. Reservations are required for the conference. The registration fee of $30 per person includes breakfast and lunch provided.
Doors open at 8:30 a.m. for registration and a continental breakfast sponsored by Clifton’s Tolstoy & Co. Bookshop. The keynote begins at 9:30 a.m. The day closes with a reception and awards ceremony for the Second Annual Books on the Bosque Writing Contest beginning at 3:45 p.m. The ceremony will be open to the public with no charge for admission.
Keynote speaker Charlaine Harris speaks at 9.30 a.m. The New York Times bestselling author specializing in mysteries and thrillers has been a published author for 42 years with an impressive list of books, short stories, plays and even graphic novels to her name.
Her best known novel series which have also been adapted into TV series like “Aurora Teagarden” (Hallmark), “Midnight Texas” (NBC 2017-18), and the “Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire Series” (HBO’s True Blood 2009-14). Born and raised in the Mississippi Delta, she and her husband now live on a cliff overlooking the Brazos River with their rescue dogs.
Books on the Bosque also features K.D. Huxman of Colorado Springs. Her children’s picture book “Grizzelda Gorilla,” won an EPPY for Best Children’s/YA Ebook. Huxman also writes non-fiction for children, adult romance and poetry. Her first novel, "Virtual Heart," was published in 1999 by New Concepts Publishing, followed by eight more novels and novellas.
At an early age, books became her best friends. Her mother always admonished her to “get your nose out of that book and go outside.” So she explored the forests around the house, played sports with her siblings, rode horses and played field hockey in high school. But books were always her passion.
Last year’s essay category winner Thelizabeth (“Theo”) Boyd will be on hand with her newly-released nonfiction book “My Grief Is Not Like Yours,” which details her journey through tragic loss and finding her way to hope and healing. Theo’s topic: “Unleash Your Superpower: LISTEN to EMPOWER yourself and those around you.”
Boyd was born and raised on a farm in the small town of Whitney, Texas. Her unique name is derived from her grandmothers—Thelma and Elizabeth. In middle school, her classmates nicknamed her Theo and it stuck. Theo grew up writing poems with her father, learned faith through hardship from her momma, and finished college late in life to become a high school English and Creative Writing teacher. She was awarded Rookie Teacher of the Year her first year in the classroom while continuing to write as a guest columnist for several local newspapers.
Local writer Grant Ferguson offers guidance about the process of self-publishing. Grant is the author of the "Cliftopolis" books, a middle-grade adventure series, in addition to multiple workbooks on developing the different aspects of your book, like character, plot, and theme. At October’s books conference, he shares his knowledge to help those who dream of writing and publishing.
Paula Perschke of Tolstoy & Co. Bookshop in Clifton is providing coffee and sponsoring breakfast from Corner Drug. Perschke will have a selection of books available for sale. For tickets and more information, visit the Bosque Arts Center website at http://www.bosqueartscenter.org or call 254-675-3724.
Photos by SIMONE WICHERS-VOSS & courtesy of BOSQUE ARTS CENTER
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