Workshops and Panels
Behind the Scenes of a Mystery Novel
Moderator: Beth Wasson, Sisters in Crime. Panelists: Laura Bradford, Denise Osborne, and Eleanor Sullivan
1 p.m.-2 p.m., Mystery Stage
Each mystery writer finds her own way to creating a story. Three writers describe how they use their own experiences to craft realistic scenes, create villains, exact the retribution that readers expect, and turn the first story into a series. Finally, they'll tell what the life of a mystery writer is really like.
Mark Bouton and Esther Luttrell
Noon-1 p.m., Mystery Stage
Veteran mystery writers discuss their experiences in starting, finishing, selling, and promoting a mystery novel. From amateur sleuths to veteran detectives, these writers cover the waterfront. These writers' published books cover investigations dealing with the mob, the movies, racism, and cybercrime. Learn how to start your novel. Q&A session.
From Ethiopia to Kansas: The Power of Books to Change Lives
Jane Kurtz
10 a.m.-11 a.m., Lawrence Public Library Auditorium
Children's book author Jane Kurtz mostly grew up in Ethiopia, a place she couldn't talk about for years after that. She will talk about how writing gave her a voice and opened doors for her to reconnect with the land of her childhood. She is the award-winning author of 25 books and co-founder of Ethiopia Reads, a nonprofit described in October Good Housekeeping and celebrated in a May CNN Heroes program.
Graphic Novels: Beyond Superman and Wonder Woman
Chantel Guidry and Lynn Koenig
Noon-1 p.m., Lawrence Public Library Gallery
Graphic novels are fun for the entire family. Learn what Lawrence Public Library has to offer children, adolescents, and adults. From fiction to non-fiction, stories to history, graphic novels have evolved into more than just super heroes.
Lawrence Public Schools students
1 p.m.-2 p.m., Lawrence Public Library Auditorium
National History Day is an annual competition that encourages students to engage in an in-depth analysis of a historical event. Each presentation must conform to the year's chosen theme, which in 2007-2008 was "Conflict and Compromise in History." The students may choose one of five formats--exhibit, performance, documentary, historical paper, or Web site--to communicate their findings. Lawrence students have frequently distinguished themselves at the state and national competitions and have brought national commendations back to their home city. Come see what these budding historians have learned!
Hog's Heaven for Editorial Cartoonists: 20 Years of Crowson's Kansas Toons
Richard Crowson, Cartoonist, Wichita Eagle
3 p.m.-4 p.m., Lawrence Public Library Auditorium
Richard Crowson will present a PowerPoint show of 20 years' worth of cartoons he's drawn about Kansas and Kansas politics for the Wichita Eagle. Five governors, four senators, and the evolution and devolution of umpteen state school board characters will be chronicled. Altogether, evidence will be presented for changing our state's slogan to "Kansas: God's gift to editorial cartoonists."
Sarah Niileksela
Session 1: 1:30 p.m.-2 p.m., Lawrence Public Library Children's Room
Session 2: 2 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Lawrence Public Library Children's Room
Two 30-minute sessions will be filled with opportunities for both children and adults to experience literacy through music. We will have fun movement activities, books, puppets, and lots of singing!
KU Libraries Preservation Department
1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m., Lawrence Public Library Gallery
Join members of the KU Libraries Preservation Department in sewing a single-section pamphlet with a decorative cover. The pamphlet features simple tips you can implement to preserve your book collections. A come-and-go activity. All ages welcome. Children 9 years old and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
KU Libraries Preservation Department
10 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Lawrence Public Library Gallery
Make your own pet book snake and save wear and tear on your books. Join members of the KU Libraries Preservation Department and learn how to make a fun book snake. These friendly little snakes serve as a weight designed to gently keep books open on their own without damaging the spine or pages. A come-and-go activity. All ages welcome. Children 9 years old and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
Off the Top of My Head: Teens Creating Spur of the Moment Poetry
Chantel Guidry
1 p.m.-2 p.m., Poetry Stage
In this workshop for young adults, we will write and speak our words, individually and in groups, hoping and striving for the creative inspiration that turns mere sounds into poetry. We will work quickly and save revision for another day.
The Tom Waltz Stories by John Gronbeck-Tedesco
Doug Weaver and Cheryl Weaver, Kansas Theatre Project
3 p.m.-4 p.m., Mixed Genres Stage
These are some stories of a true cowboy, a drover name of Tom Waltz. They are told by his friend and buddy from childhood, Jinx. I reckon most of them are true... course, them that ain't are probably the best of 'em. Anyways, they mostly take place in Kansas... though some take place in Texas. Oklahoma plays a part, as well. Ah hell, who cares. Cowboy stories ain't so much about the where, anyways. They is mostly about the who... and this who is Tom Waltz. The Kansas Theatre Project is dedicated to the excavation of Kansas history. We attempt to place the ghosts of the past in front of their contemporary progeny and let the sparks fly. Performed by Doug Weaver and directed by Cheryl Weaver.
The William Allen White Book Awards
Lisa Harkrader, Cynthia Akers, and Sue Willoughby
Noon-1 p.m., Lawrence Public Library Auditorium
Cynthia Akers, instructor of library services and reference/electronic services librarian at Emporia State University and coordinator of the William Allen White Children's Book Award program; Sue Willoughby, teacher at Raintree Montessori School in Lawrence; and Lisa Harkrader, author of the William Allen White Award-winning Airball: My Life in Briefs, discuss the WAW Award and what it means to readers and writers.