Children’s book festival, writers’ workshop coming soon
Sometimes just for fun I wander through the websites of Shreve Memorial, Bossier Parish, Webster Parish and DeSoto Parish libraries to be inspired by the array of free activities for all ages. Sure, you think it sounds nerdy, but do it when you have a few minutes. I can almost guarantee you’ll find something in April or May that you want to participate in — including tons of craft and reading activities for children and adults and programs on such diverse topics as managing open lands or getting to know area nonprofits or chair exercise.
In this month when our country celebrates libraries and librarians, pop into your favorite branch and participate in an activity and say thanks to a librarian. They’re changing lives every single day.
Children’s Book Festival set for May 6
One of the biggest area library events is just around the corner: Shreve Memorial’s Children’s Book Festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 6 on the grounds of LSUS—with an outstanding lineup of authors. Please take your children, grandchildren or the neighborhood to this free annual event, a family-friendly, daylong literary celebration featuring children’s book authors and illustrators, costumed characters and interactive games and activities.
Caldecott Honor winner and bestselling author and illustrator Brian Lies will headline the festival. Lies has illustrated nearly 30 books, including his 2019 Caldecott winning “The Rough Patch” and his New York Times bestselling Bat series featuring titles such as “Bats at the Beach,” “Bats at the Library” and “Bats at the Ballgame.”
Also at the festival: New York Times bestselling authors Kwame Mbalia, author of the middle-grade series “Tristan Strong” and editor of the anthology “Black Boy Joy;” Dhonielle Clayton, author of the YA series “The Belles,” “Shattered Midnight” and co-author of “Blackout;” award-winning cartoonist and screenwriter Judd Winick, creator of the “HILO” graphic novel series; and John Gallagher, author and creator of the “Max Meow” graphic novel series, will also be on hand. A big thank you, by the way, to Clayton for her work with “We Need Diverse Books.” (See www.diversebooks.org.)
Fest attendees will have an opportunity to meet these authors, get autographs and see them bring stories to life on stage. This is a terrific way to introduce your children and grandchildren to the joy of reading—for free.
There’s also a spot for local authors, organizations
The festival’s deadline is April 20 for local authors and illustrators to reserve booth space. To sign up, call Emily Horan at (318) 226-4980 or email ehoran@shreve-lib.org. Community groups, organizations and businesses are invited to join Literacy Lane, an area where community partners promote a love of reading and lifelong learning in an interactive way. Organizations are encouraged to sign up for free booth space to provide a free activity or game for festival attendees. If you are interested, contact Samantha Bonnette at (318) 213-4992 or email sbonnette@shreve-lib.org.
Writing group plans workshop for aspiring authors
If you have a story to tell, don’t miss this gift to the creative community: American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) Louisiana chapter is holding its eighth Annual Aspiring Writers Workshop at 9 a.m. April 29 at Barksdale Baptist Church, 1714 Jimmie Davis Highway, Bossier City. This annual free conference allows aspiring authors to connect with a community of multi-published authors and receive getting-started advice.
A panel of local writers will provide instruction on story-crafting theory and techniques and help attendees write their own short stories. New for this year is a presentation on screenwriting by writer, producer, actress and filmmaker Priscilla Adams. Bring a sack lunch and prepare for hands-on work. The program ends at 3:40 p.m., followed by an opportunity to talk with published authors and have them sign books.
The workshop centers around the group’s 2023 anthology, “Our Abiding Heritage,” with 10 short stories about adventures. The collection is available for free as an eBook at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1333355 or in paper format at https://www.amazon.com/dp/1937366375. Copies will also be available at the workshop. Authors in the anthology are C.D. Sutherland, Priscilla Adams, Jann Franklin, Marguerite Martin Gray, Carole Lehr Johnson, Beverly Flanders, Tina Ann Middleton, Calvin Hubbard, Mary Lou Cheatham and Susan Hiers Foster.
For additional information on the workshop, email Charles Sutherland at realcdsutherland@gmail.com.
Columnist Judy Christie is the author of 18 books, including the fictional “Gone to Green” series and the nonfiction “Before and After: The Incredible Real-Life Stories of Orphans Who Survived the Tennessee Children’s Home Society.” Co-authored with Lisa Wingate, it is the true sequel to Wingate’s bestselling novel “Before We Were Yours.” For more about Christie, see www.judychristie.com or follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JudyChristieAuthor.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Children’s book festival, writers’ workshop coming soon
