Blue Ridge Bookfest Set For April 25 and 26

Blue Ridge Community College, 180 W. Campus Dr, Flat Rock, NC, 28731, will be the scene of the annual Bookfest, April 25 & 26, 2014. The Bookfest offers free admission to speakers and exhibits. 

Every year the Bookfest features themed workshops on Friday afternoon. The focus is on those topics of interest to writers and those considering becoming writers. (Interested readers often show up too.)

This year's theme is "Tell Us Your Story". 

Friday April 25, 2014 Workshops for Writers and Would Be Writers
Time	Workshop and Author	Workshop and Author
1:30 - 3:00 pm	How to Tell Your Story with Poetry - Given by Nancy Dillingham and Karen Paul Holmes
3:30 - 5:00 pm	How to Tell Your Story and Actually Get it Published By Yourself. 'The art and craft of self publishing' Given by Joe Perrone, Jr.	Making Your Story Come Alive. 'Your life is a story worth reading' Given by Georganne Spruce
5:30 - 7:30 pm	Opening Reception - Drinks and Appetizers.  Featuring BEYOND THE PALE the Story of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and author Ken Grossman This is a ticketed event. Click here to purchase a ticket ($25) for the opening reception.

On Saturday, the doors open to the public at 8:30 AM. The bookfest runs from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM and the children's events start at 10 am.

Over 30 authors will be present in the Technology Building for book signing and will be happy to meet you, autograph your books, and answer your questions.

Saturday's schedule 

Saturday April 26, 2014 Author Presentations Children's events start at 10 am
Time	Workshop and Author	Workshop and Author
9 - 9:45 am	Charlie One Five Nicholas Warr The Viet Nam War through the eyes of a valiant Army company	In Pursuit Sharman Burson Ramsey Historical fiction based on the author's personal story
10 -10:45 am	Beyond the Pale Ken Grossman The story of Sierra Nevada from the Founder	Out Across the Nowhere Amy Willoughby Burle A collection of short stories of places and people of the Blue Ridge
11 - 11:45 am	Me Now - Who Next? Angela Leigh Tucker, Bill Ramsey An inspiring story of survival after great personal tragedy	PERSONAL POETRY SELECTIONS Nancy Dillingham The noted North Carolinapoet's selected works
12:15 - 2:00 pm	Lunch with Featured Speaker Cassandra King (ticketed event $10)Click here to purchase a box lunch and ticket to the event   Moonrise The best selling author's latest book set in Highlands, North Carolina
2:15 - 3 pm	Das Haus in East Germany Art Heise and Melanie Kuhr The true story of two famiies: one Jewish, one Gentile, both German and the house they both thought was theirs	Ben Bones Mysteries Michael Havelin A mystery series that draws on the author's interest in genealogy and anthropology
3:15 pm	Wrap Up and Drawing for Prizes (Sorry, we cannot send the gifts; you must be present at the drawing.)

A word about editing from Bill Ramsey

A recent conversation with a forty year veteran of independent book store
ownership focused upon the difference between books from publishers versus
those from  self-published authors. I started the conversation by telling
him that I was trying to force myself to finish reading a new book about our
thirtieth president, Calvin Coolidge. The book was written by a
well-regarded author of history and published by a well-recognized name in
the publishing business.

This book appears to have had no real editing. Spelling and punctuation
mistakes were not the issue. However, long and awkward sentences made the
reading a chore. Inclusion of historic facts that had nothing to do with
Coolidge made the book 500 pages instead of the 300 pages that would have
given it focus and pace.

Narrow Gap Now

My book seller friend observed that the wide gap between high quality
self-published books and books from publishers has grown narrow. Even major
publishers are not providing the quality of editing they once did.

Let the writer beware. Using a publisher does not assure that quality
editing is going to be a part of the package. Of course, if the writer
decides to self-publish, the writer must pay for a quality editing. Editing
really makes a difference in the reading experience. We should not let our
hard work be hurt by failing to get a proper editing.

Bill Ramsey 
Bill heads up the Blue Ridge Bookfest in Henderson County, NC at Flat Rock Community College. 

A MESSAGE FROM NC POET AND WRITING INSTRUCTOR NANCY SIMPSON

Hello Fellow Writers and Students of Poetry Writing,

It’s becoming one of my busiest teaching years for me after all.  Choose a class, or at least please pass the info on to others who may be interested.

Thank you, Nancy Simpson

(1) Write Poems Your Reader Can "See"

at John C. Campbell Folk School. This probably will be my last week long poetry class at the folk school. It is intense for sure.  If you can afford to give yourself a week for writing and organizing your poetry, this is the class most likely to change your writing life.

April 10-16, 2011

Instructor: Nancy Simpson

Tuition: $546.00 (half price for local students)

Pre register now.  (828)837-2775 or 1-800 FOLK-SCH

(Class description)

Write Poems Your Reader Can "See"

Time to stop asking your reader to play a guessing game. Learn to put your poem on the page so that the reader gets the picture and says, "Yes, I see." Instruction covers how to encapsulate truth, emotion, and music in poems. Learn the two rules of poetry that cannot be omitted - not even in writing free-verse. Share your work and get helpful feedback; we'll also discuss publication. All levels welcome.

(Nancy Simpson with former student Monica Henson)


Note: This class only. TO MY FORMER POETRY STUDENTS,  I’m OFFERING YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH MY GUIDENCE DURING THE WEEK ASSEMBLING YOUR POETRY MANUSCRIPT.

(2)        POETRY WRITING WORKSHOP 
Beginning May 9th, 2011.

INSTITUTE FOR CONTINUING LEARNING AT YOUNG HARRIS COLLEGE

(Description) Workshop method

The focus will be on your poems. If you are a practicing poet and want to share your writing with other poets and get constructive comments, sign up. Each week you will bring copies of one of your poems to be read and discussed.  There will be instruction as we discuss your writing but no lecture. We will talk about the publication process. A  list of markets will be given. Poetry Writing Workshop will meet at Young Harris College, Institute for Continuing Learning   1:00-3:00 four weeks, for two hours each meeting.  May 9, May 16, May 23, June 6  (no class on Memorial Day.) Fee. $13.00

(3) A FREE POETRY WRITING WORKSHOP

 You are Invited to the second annual Blue Ridge Bookfest featuring forty authors.  When is the event? Friday May 20 and Saturday June 21 , 2011.

POETRY WRITING WORKSHOP WILL BE TAUGHT BY POET NANCY SIMPSON

 at 1:00 - 3:00 Friday May 20,  2011.

Other workshops and events will be held also.

Where is it held  in East Flat Rock near Hendersonville, NC just off I-26 on the campus of our hosts, Blue Ridge Community College. The space is abundant as is the parking. Map-It on website.   www.BlueRidgeBookfest.org WS(see

More info on classes taught by Nancy Simpson in fall, 2011 will be announced. One to one coaching will be available. Stay tuned.

The Place to Be May 8 - 9

BLUE RIDGE BOOK AND AUTHOR SHOWCASE

When: May 8-May 9

Where: Technology and Education Development Center at Blue Ridge Community College

The event will feature more than fifty authors and their works as well as displays, book signings, group conversations, readings, socializing, and a meet-and-greet reception.

One hour sessions will be held Saturday, May 9 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Topics will include poetry, fiction, nonfiction, plays, and Appalachian literature.

Sharyn McCrumb and Robert Morgan are two of the fifteen presenters. For more information go to http://www.blogger.com/ or call Robert Greenwald at 828-698-1550.