Second annual Permian Basin Writers' Workshop slated for Midland Sept. 16–18
The Permian Basin Writers' Workshop returns to Midland this fall, with a diverse lineup of presenters, speakers, agents, editors, and authors. The event kicks off Friday evening, Sept. 16, 7:30–8:30 p.m. at Midland's historic Yucca Theatre and continues throughout Saturday and Sunday on the campus of Midland College.
Billingsley is the national bestselling author of more than forty books. She writes adult and teen fiction as well as nonfiction. Several of her books have been optioned for movies, including her sophomore novel, Let the Church Say Amen, directed by actress Regina King, and produced by TD Jakes and Queen Latifah. Billingsley made her on-screen movie debut in the film, which aired in August 2015 and was one of BET’s highest rated original programs. TV One recently released the TV version of her book The Secret She Kept on July 10, 2016 and will be airing The Devil is a Lie in fall 2016.
Billingsley is also publisher, with Victoria Christopher Murray, of the new imprint Brown Girl Books.
Other presenters include editors and agents Jennifer Canzoneri, Katie Morford, Mark Falkin, Tricia V. Skinner — all authors in their own right. Kay Ellington and Barbara Brannon of Lone Star Literary Life and coauthors of the Paragraph Ranch series of West Texas novels will talk about aspects of the writing craft and the publishing industry. Poet Sawnie Morris; novelist and nonfiction author Jimmy Patterson; romance novelist Laura Drake; novelist Maria V. Snyder; and novelist Amy Williams round out the workshop's programming.
Registration is open now at www.permianbasinwritersworkshop.org
(From organization's website)
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Kidder to Headline Friends of Dallas Public Library Gala Nov. 10
The dinner will be held in O’Hara Hall, part of the newly renovated seventh floor of the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library in downtown Dallas.
Kidder is the author of ten books, including The Soul of a New Machine, an absorbing tale of the development of a new computer, which won the 1982 Pulitzer Prize for nonfiction and the National Book Award. His latest work, A Truck Full of Money, scheduled for release September 20, is being praised by Kirkus Reviews as “more engrossing work from a gifted practitioner of narrative nonfiction.”
The new book profiles Paul English, an unconventional billionaire entrepreneur who, among others things, founded Kayak.com, established a chain of schools in Haiti, and worked as an Uber driver to seek inspiration.
Kidder, 70, was born in New York City and served in Vietnam before becoming a writer. His book topics have ranged from a man who survived the Burundi genocide to become a doctor and a portrait of a small Massachusetts town to an elderly couple facing their end of their lives and a family building their first house.
The annual banquet benefits Friends of the Dallas Public Library (FODPL), the nonprofit organization that raises financial support and advocates for the city’s 29 libraries and their educational programs. Tickets are $175, and sponsorships are still available.
“Tracy Kidder is one of our most important writers, and we’re delighted to bring him to Dallas,” said Kate Park, FODPL executive director. “This year is the 100th anniversary of the Pulitzer Prize, and having a Pulitzer winner join us is especially significant.”
At the gala, FODPL will present the second annual May Dickson Exall Award, honoring outstanding contributions to the library system and named for the longtime civic leader who spearheaded the campaign to open Dallas’ first public library in 1899. The recipient will be announced later.
Among the highlights of the evening will be the silent auction of 16 table centerpieces created by Dallas artists inspired by literary themes. FODPL will receive half the proceeds from the auction, coordinated by the Creative Arts Center of Dallas. The sculptures are currently on display on the Central Library’s 4th floor.
“It’s only natural to have this collaboration,” said Dr. John Marcucci, a member of the center’s advisory board who is co-chairing the gala along with David DeSalvo. “The Dallas Museum of Art actually had its genesis in the library, and the library today has a lot of wonderful art. We hope to do this every year.”
For more information, log on to www.fodpl.org or call 214-670-1458.
(Information from organization’s press release)
