?The Pen Wins,? Northeast Texas Writers? Organization?s annual conference, is set for Saturday, April 28, 2018, at Northeast Texas Community College, near Mt. Pleasant, Texas, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Humanities Building. †Speakers include Rural Fantasy Author Arianne ?Tex? Thompson, Editor Steve Townley and Publisher Jodi Thompson of Fawkes Press.† An added session includes a ?Q&A †One-On-One Illustrator-Author Round Table? with artists Jared Chapman, Syrena Seale and David Lopez.
Arianne Thompson earned a bachelor?s degree in history and a master?s in literature and says she channels her passion ?for exciting, innovative, and inclusive fiction.? She is a multi-published author, including an internationally-published epic fantasy Western series from Solaris, Children of the Drought†.† She also is a professional speaker and writing instructor at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.
Steve Townley will present ?To Speak Forsoothly: Common Mistakes, Tricks of the Trade and Getting It Right.? †His degrees are in history and educational research, and he teaches science and social studies with Winfield ISD. Over the last twenty years, Steve has worked with a variety of authors as a researcher, critique partner and developmental editor. The variety of work includes family memoirs, biographical novels and historical romance for mainstream publication. Townley?s area of expertise is Medieval England.
Jodi Thompson is founder of Fawkes Press, a traditional, royalty-paying publishing company. She will present ?9,879 Easy Steps to Publishing Success.? Ms. Thompson will meet with scheduled, conference attendees and says, ?I am interested in what I think I can sell. There is serious potential for writers of middle-grade readers.? The company is open to New Adult and Literary Fiction, as well. Additionally, Fawkes Press is working on their first serialization project.
Illustrator Jared Chapman has written and illustrated picture books and has worked for Walt Disney Television Animation, Nick Jr., Hallmark, Jib Jab, and other notable clients. †Syrena Seale is the Art Director at Ferocity Unbound Core Studios, LLC, in Cushing, Texas. She graduated from Ringling School of Art and Design and does freelance work with various companies, such as Wolf Publishing, SunArt Design, and Dancing With Bear Publishing. David Lopez is an East Texas illustrator specializing in design layouts and comic art, including coloring books. He also illustrates for local authors and storytellers of nonfiction genre, such as the Dupree Park Nature Trail Guide, Stitchin? Together: A Guide to the Christine Hughes Hicks Quilt Collection, and Angels Ruling the Heavens.
Conference fees are $35 for students and $55 for all others. Walk-ins may attend, but lunch will not be included.† Registration forms can be printed from the Website Netwo.org and mailed in with payments to P.O. Box 962, Mt. Pleasant, Texas 75456.
Established in 1986, NETWO is an educational, non-profit organization that is open to anyone interested in writing, marketing, publishing, or illustrating literary works. Agent Karen Hardin of Priority PR Group & Literary Agency is unable to make the conference, but she will accept ?high quality? queries. For more information about that or other questions concerning the conference, contact Jeanie at†903-305-8023†or Galand at†903-563-1352.
Note: This conference is hosted at NTCC, but is not sponsored by the college.†
April 19, 2018
