SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 2023

Join us for our 2nd annual celebration of books and authors.  
The event features workshops for writers, an author fair with traditionally and independently published WI authors, and a keynote address with best-selling author Michael Perry.

The evening concludes with a Friends of HPL Author Reception with Mr. Perry at The Venue. Tickets are just $10 for Friends Members. Not a Friend?Never fear! The non-member price of $30 includes a 2023 Friends membership. Stay tuned for details.

Writing Workshops - 9:30-10:30 a.m

Elevated Writing: 15 Dialogue Techniques Create Masterful Prose
Presenters: Christine DeSmet and Peggy Joque Williams
PROGRAM ROOM
Registration Recommended
Are you a discerning reader or reviewer? Are you a writer ready to sharpen what’s on the page of your manuscript? Many of today’s books and stories are dialogue-driven. Of course what’s on the screen is, too. What creates dazzling and dynamic dialogue versus lazy and lame? Effective writers use dialogue techniques to bring excitement and plot to the page. And what if the page or screen they face is empty? A writer need only grab a dialogue technique to re-boot the creativity. Two experienced, award-winning writers and professional writing coaches share proven techniques in this hour.

Fearless Truth-Telling: The Power of Owning Your Story
Presenters: R.B. Simon and Lisa Marie Brodsky
WOODRUFF ROOM
Registration Recommended
This workshop will focus on the premise that drawing from your own life makes for potent storytelling. When writing their unflinching truths, poets are often assumed to be "confessional poets”, yet we believe that drawing on specific, personal observations and experiences lends itself to crafting more universally human and powerful poetry. In our session, we'll discuss how to turn one’s own subjective truths into a specific, yet relatable narrative by becoming conscientiously vulnerable. We'll discuss what details to share, how to craft the "world of the poem", and how to practice self-care when diving deep into sensitive topics.

So You Want to Write A Children's Book!
Presenter: Gayle Rosengren
LAB 316
Registration Recommended
Good for you! Writing for children is especially satisfying, but it's also highly competitive and comes with its own unique standards and guidelines--from subject matter to vocabulary, from characters to dialog, and more. I will condense the fundamentals into this one-hour class so you will leave with a head start down the road to writing a strong middle grade novel.

Writing Workshops - 10:45-11:45 a.m.

Seeing Characters and Their World: Filtering Details through Point of View
Presenter: Ann Angel
PROGRAM ROOM
Registration Recommended
How do we use the details of a scene to enrich a story or deepen a character? A teaching writer once told me that every detail of setting becomes a prop for the primary character. Details as props are important elements in each and every scene. They help readers know where your character focuses, what your character's likes and dislikes or fears and safe spaces are, and what your character is thinking about action, desire, and need. When these details are filtered through your primary character's emotional sensibilities, they enrich our understanding of characters and provide more depth of experience. They shape and mold the tone of the story. They can be used to show a character's change in perspective and understanding as well as the character's emotional growth. This workshop will help you move a character, either in first person or close third person (also called third person personal), through a scene in a way that enriches your writing and develops your character in clear but unexpected ways.

A 10-Step Plan for Self-Editing
Presenter: Nick Chiarkas
WOODRUFF ROOM
Registration Recommended
Never do your self-editing all at once. As you begin the rewriting process, you also start the editing process. This is the art and the heart of it; this is when you begin to build castles and rewrites you can share with your writing group or your initial reader. A poorly edited manuscript is certain death for any legitimate agent or publisher. And it is one of the things within control along the journey to publication. Learning how to edit your manuscript will not only reduce costs but will improve your skill as a writer. Please do it. Take Away: Learning how to edit your manuscript will not only reduce cost but will improve your skill as a writer.

A Six-Month Marketing Road Map for Launching Your Book
Presenter: Maggie Smith
LAB 316
Registration Recommended
The reality is that most of the marketing for your book, both in terms of time and money, will fall to you. In this class, we'll review a six-month time table for a comprehensive marketing plan, tips for garnering reviews, why you might consider hiring a publicist, low to no-cost promotions, the social media quagmire, the holy trinity of appearances (book clubs, podcasts, and book events), swag (what's worth it, what's not), and the question that underlies it all: what's your marketing goal and how will you get there?

Author Fair - 12:30-2:30 p.m.
Stroll through the library to visit with local authors. Grab an Author Passport and get 10 signatures to be entered into our Book Fest prize drawing!

Click for a list of participating authors.

Keynote: Michael Perry - 3 p.m.
Michael Perry is a New York Times bestselling author, humorist, playwright, and radio show host from New Auburn, Wisconsin.

Perry's bestselling memoirs include Population: 485 (recently adapted for the stage), Truck: A Love Story, Coop, Visiting Tom, Million Billion, Peaceful Persistence, and Hunker. Among his other dozen titles are The Scavengers (for young readers) and his novel The Jesus Cow.

Raised on a small Midwestern dairy farm, Perry put himself through nursing school while working on a ranch in Wyoming, then detoured into writing. He lives with his wife and two daughters in rural Wisconsin, where he still makes an occasional call with the local volunteer fire and rescue service. He hosts the nationally-syndicated "Tent Show Radio," performs widely as a humorist, and tours with his band the Long Beds. His three live humor albums include Never Stand Behind A Sneezing Cow and The Clodhopper Monologues. He can be found online at www.sneezingcow.com. Michael also hosts a subscription audio newsletter at www.michaelperry.substack.com.

Friends of HPL Author Reception - 5 p.m.
$10 for Friends Members / $30 Non-Friends Members
THE VENUE / 37 S. Water Street

Join Michael Perry for a private reading while enjoying delicious food catered by Genisa.
A cash bar will be available.