WLT and The Texas Book Festival

Thanks to everyone who stopped at our booth this weekend during the Texas Book Festival! For all those new faces, it was a pleasure getting to meet you, and for all of our members and friends who came by, it was great seeing you again!

This weekend was a huge success, especially for our author members who signed books at the booth and for our two staff members, Cyndi Hughes and Bethany Hegedus, both of whom participated in some panels! The Bookish Brunch also was a hit! Authors H.W. Brands, S.C. Gwynne, Bethany Hegedus, James McGrath Morris, and René Saldaña, Jr. were wonderfully entertaining and the food provided by Frances Townsend, Ted Gilman, and Kerbey Lane Cafe was delicious. Many thanks to BookPeople for selling books at the event as well.

As promised, here are the best of the writing prompts that we featured at our booth this weekend.

  • She passed over a crumpled page that said, “That’s the beginning of the end of my career as a writer.” – Tom Dalton
  • He stood quietly, as if waiting, and I pondered whether to tell him his fly was down. – Jeanna
  • She passed over a crumpled page that said, “Do not fold, spindle or mutilate.” She laughed.  – Caitlin Kinkade
  • He stood quietly, as if waiting, and I was suddenly aware of my sweaty palms; there was an awkward and tense silence that hung in the air like a blade above a guillotine. – Amellia
  • The craft landed in front of me and Larry, the eerie blue glow of its underside illuminated his face where I saw trepidation and excitement at what awaited us.
  • He stood quietly, as if waiting, and I watched as he began to sweat bullets. He realized I knew who he was and what he’d done.
  • I was aware all along of the menace looming behind me, waiting for me, yet I continued onward out of the cave and toward the daylight, determined and sweat soaked. – Caitlin Conran
  • He stood quietly, as if waiting, and I said, “Last year your mother lost her underwear while we were crossing the Fort Sam Quadrangle, and if you think I’m taking her to another Veteran’s Day parade, you’re crazy.” – Kathy Waller
  • I was aware all along of how unaware I was. – Kari Rosenfeld
  • I was aware all along of the passing absurdity of writing prompts. – Ken Jones

–Ashley

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It’s a Festival of Authors!

Michael Cunningham

The Texas Book Festival is marking its 15th year, and the lineup of authors for the big event Oct. 16-17 at the State Capitol in Austin is another powerhouse list. Among the highlights:

  • Former First Lady Laura Bush, the Festival’s honorary chair
  • Pulitzer prize-winners Eugene Robinson and Michael Cunningham
  • The Food Network’s Alton Brown
  • NPR’s Michele Norris
  • Novelists Jennifer Egan and Joyce Maynard
  • Children’s authors T. A. Barron, Michael Buckley, Meg Cabot, Matt de la Peña, and Cynthia Leitich Smith
  • Texas authors Justin Cronin, Jake Silverstein, Robert Bryce, Debra Monroe, Antonya Nelson, and S.C. Gwynne — among many more!
  • And someone WLT members will recognize: Our very own Bethany Hegedus will be debuting her new middle-grade novel, Truth with a Capital T.

Joyce Maynard

That’s just a few of the 226 authors! For the full lineup, click here. And be sure to tell us which authors YOU’RE most excited about!

The Writers’ League is sponsoring a few of the visiting authors and hosting a couple of special events — stay tuned for news on who and what!

Attention, Screenwriters!

Screenwriters won’t want to miss a free event in Austin on February 17: “Hollywood vs. New York: Three Writers’ Perspectives,” with Shauna Cross, Owen Egerton, and Stephen Harrigan.

The event is presented by the Future Forum and the Texas Book Festival. For details and information on reservations, here’s a link.

The Bookish Brunch on Nov. 2

The Writers’ League of Texas presents
The Bookish Brunch
Honoring Texas Book Festival Authors
Sarah Bird, Bill Bishop, Bill & Cheryl Jamison, and Marion Winik
And the 2008 Violet Crown and Teddy Award Winners

10 a.m. to noon Sunday, November 2
At the home of Michele Kay & Robert Schultz in Austin

$50 per person (advance reservations required)
Signed books by authors will be available at the event.

Proceeds benefit the Writers’ League of Texas

Reservations may be made online.

The Writers’ League of Texas is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations. All deductions are tax-deductible as allowable by law. Fair-market value of the brunch is $25 per person.