Aug 25, 2015 - MIDLAND LIBRARY TO HOST REGIONAL WRITERS'. WORKSHOP SEPTEMBER 18 & 19. Midland, Texasâ The Midland
August 25, 2015
PRESS RELEASE
109 N. Main Midland, Texas 79701 800.624.6435 432.683.3381 fax 432.686.3556 www.VisitMidlandTexas.com Follow us for daily news and updates:
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For Immediate Release For more information contact: Edward McPherson, Education and Program Coordinator, Midland County Public Libraries (432) 742‐7438|
[email protected]
MIDLAND LIBRARY TO HOST REGIONAL WRITERS’ WORKSHOP SEPTEMBER 18 & 19 Midland, Texas— The Midland County Public Library is hosting the first professional writers’ workshop in the Permian Basin in recent memory on Sept. 18 and 19 at the Midland Centennial Library and Midland College. Sponsored by the Midland County Public Library Foundation, the Permian Basin Writers’ Workshop (#PBWW) will feature four presenting authors, agents and editors from around the country during the day and half workshop at the Centennial Library and Midland College’s Carrasco Room. The workshop is an opportunity for West Texas authors to engage in high level professional development, and networking, without traveling too far from home. Permian Basin Writers’ Workshop presenters include keynote speaker Sarah Cortez with: Kay Ellington & Barbara Brannon, Seth Fishman, and Stephen Graham Jones. Participants will be able to choose from a diverse set of breakout sessions including: How to Write a Query Letter and Find an Agent, Circles of Desire: Six Steps to the Heart of a Stronger Story, Metadata Madness: How to Make Sure Your Book is Discoverable in a Digital World, and First Lines: Creating a Killer First Page just to name a few. Sarah Cortez, is a Councilor of the Texas Institute of Letters, winner of the PEN Texas Literary Award in poetry, recipient of an International Latino Book Award, and recognized by the Border Regional Librarians Association with the Southwestern Book Award. Kay Ellington & Barbara Brannon – Kay Ellington, a native West Texan, has worked in newspapers from New York to California to the Carolinas—and back again to her home state. Barbara Brannon, formerly led the Publishing Laboratory at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, but got to Texas as soon as she could. Seth Fishman ‐ Seth Fishman is a native of Midland, Texas and a graduate of Princeton University and the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England. He spends his days as a literary agent at The Gernert Company, and his nights (and mornings) writing. Stephen Graham Jones ‐ Stephen Graham Jones, a Stanton Texas native, has over 24 books, and a couple hundred short stories published. He has been an NEA Fellow, a Texas Writers League Fellow, and has won the Texas Institute of Letters Award for Fiction and the Independent Publishers Multicultural Award. A full schedule of events, and additional information about the workshop presenters, can be found at www.permianbasinwritersworkshop.org. Advanced registration is required, and a fee of $35 is being charged to cover the cost of a dinner and lunch. Or, for more information call the library’s Education and Program Coordinator, Edward McPherson at (432)742‐7438. ‐continue‐
Directed by the Texas Library Associations’ 2014 Librarian of the Year, the Midland County Public Library system defines mid‐size library excellence. The library system is one of a few in Texas to have transitioned to a fine‐less borrowing policy. The library system contains the largest Genealogical research collection in Texas west of I‐35, and the only free audio and video recording studio in West Texas’ over 86,000 square miles. The Centennial Library is the winner of the American Library Association and International Interior Design Associations’ bi‐annual Interior Design award for Public Libraries over 30,000 square feet, and is distinguished as the “tech‐iest” library in Texas. Technological components in the Centennial Library are complemented by an exhibit space that has premiered numerous Texas, United States and International exhibits, and broken nationally touring exhibit attendance records. Midland County has the only public libraries with American Alliance of Museum membership in the state of Texas. The above information has been provided by the Midland County Public Libraries and distributed by the Midland Convention & Visitors Bureau. The mission of the Midland Convention & Visitors Bureau is to encourage economic growth by developing, promoting, enhancing and supporting Midland as a vibrant visitor destination. For more information on the Midland Convention & Visitors Bureau or to request a free Midland Experience Guide and Map, call (800) 624‐6435 or visit www.visitmidlandtexas.com/Guides‐and‐Brochures. ###
Great Interviews: In addition to being an award willing author and editor, Sarah Cortez is a police officer in Houston, TX. She’s articulate, inspiring, and has combined two incredible passions. (713)304‐8969
[email protected] Homegrown native Seth Fishman, made it big working as an agent on the east coast, and currently represent a number of authors. He also just signed a 3 book deal with HarperCollins. (212)838‐7777
[email protected]