UNCC Atkins Library, Mason Talks on Rare Books: "Keeping it Real; How a Novelist Finds Inspiration and Authenticity in Archived Material"
Mar
19
4:00 PM16:00

UNCC Atkins Library, Mason Talks on Rare Books: "Keeping it Real; How a Novelist Finds Inspiration and Authenticity in Archived Material"

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(THE MASON TALK WILL BE RESCHEDULED IN THE FALL OF 2020, HEALTH CONCERNS PERMITTING.)

In the Halton Room at the Atkins Library the writer will share her techniques for using archived material to create the detailed world and craft the authentic voices of characters for a novel set in the past. Q & A to follow. The public is welcome.

Contact: Dawn Schmitz

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Read It @ Rosedale; Historic Fiction Discussion Group At Historic Rosedale Plantation in Charlotte NC
Sep
28
11:00 AM11:00

Read It @ Rosedale; Historic Fiction Discussion Group At Historic Rosedale Plantation in Charlotte NC

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In this unique presentation, members of the Rosedale Book Club will discuss the novel THE SECOND MRS. HOCKADAY with the author and will take part in a specially designed house tour of the historic plantation home built in 1815. This tour will bring literary connections to life by spotlighting artifacts from the archives and sharing oral histories of residents from the past who, like Placidia Hockaday, faced unimaginable challenges. Lunch is included.

Contact Read It @ Rosedale coordinator, Kathryn Freeman, for details: 704-335-0325.

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Upstate Writing Month 2019 Craft Workshop and Reading, Spartanburg SC
Jun
20
6:00 PM18:00

Upstate Writing Month 2019 Craft Workshop and Reading, Spartanburg SC

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?  How to Craft Authentic Voices for Characters From the Past

Readers of historical fiction know that a novel must be based in sound, accurate details of the time and place involved if it's to be convincing. Most importantly, they recognize that a novel sinks or swims by virtue of the authenticity of its characters' voices, whether shared through a 1st or 3rd person narrator.

In this hands-on workshop, Rivers will share her methods for creating compelling and believable voices from the past, methods she employed while writing her Civil War-era novel, The Second Mrs. Hockaday (Algonquin Books, 2017) as well as her early 20th century milltown novel, Troublefield, which will be published in 2021. These techniques involve intensive research digs for primary source material including letters, newspaper stories, inquest reports, memoirs, journals, diaries, and oral histories.

Bring a character profile with you if you're currently working on an historical novel, or a specific period of time in a particular region. And don't forget your notebooks!

Rivers will read from The Second Mrs. Hockaday and sign books from 5:00 pm-5:50 pm, prior to class. The workshop will be held in the same room from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.

ALL EVENTS AND WORKSHOPS AT UPSTATE WRITING MONTH ARE FREE! However, you are asked to register in advance for workshops. Log on to the Upstate Writing Month website to register, and contact Brock Adams, badams@uscupstate.edu for more information. No registration is required for the 5:00 reading and signing. https://www.uscupstate.edu/academics/college-of-arts-humanities-and-social-sciences/languages-literature-and-composition/upstate-writing-month/

To park free at The George, turn off E. St. John’s on N. Liberty, turn left to enter garage. Coming out on ground floor, enter building through Entrance, take elevator to second floor. Come out of elevator to rotunda, turn right into the long hallway and follow it to Room 280 on the left.

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Fall Conference 2018, North Carolina Writers Network, Charlotte NC
Nov
3
11:00 AM11:00

Fall Conference 2018, North Carolina Writers Network, Charlotte NC

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WRITER'S WORKSHOP:  "YOU TALKING TO ME?" Text and SUB-text -- How Less Really Can Mean More When Writing Dialogue

Fiction can get bogged down in an excess of description and exposition  -- 'telling' rather than 'showing.' In filmed and staged texts, no description is possible, and dialogue must do the heavy lifting: providing exposition, character and plot development, and showing conflict. Dialogue can function just as effectively in fiction, while engaging the reader more fully, if it works on multiple levels to define relationships and objectives and is authentic to the character's time, setting and situation.  Rivers will share techniques with writers for pinpointing the goals of individual speakers in a scene and maximizing the power of subtext, helping participants to turn up the dramatic power in their dialogues.

FACULTY READINGS: 4:30 p.m. Sat. Nov. 3;  Rivers joins other featured authors to read from their works and sign books.

Read a piece on the NCWN website about what kind of publisher I’d create if given tons of money.

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Wake Forest Lit Fest; Renaissance Centre and Page 158 Books in Wake Forest NC
Oct
20
1:00 PM13:00

Wake Forest Lit Fest; Renaissance Centre and Page 158 Books in Wake Forest NC

The first literary festival ever held in the historic town of Wake Forest kicks off on Friday, Oct. 19 with events for younger readers, including a performance by the ArtsPower National Touring Theatre. On Saturday, Oct. 20, workshops and readings by nationally-known authors are scheduled throughout the day at different venues in town.

Susan will lead a workshop on historical fiction writing from 1-4 at the Wake Forest Historical Museum at 414 Main Street: "Transforming 'Then' Into 'Now;' Crafting Compelling Historical Fiction." (Bring your notebooks -- you'll be writing in class!) Tickets for the 3-hour class are $45 and can be purchased through the website: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/transforming-then-into-now-writing-compelling-historical-fiction-with-susan-rivers-tickets-48893263066

The author will also take part in the Author Speed Dating Dinner at 6:30 p.m. that Saturday which concludes the festival. To reserve tickets for the dinner or for other events at the WFLF, click on this link: https://www.page158books.com/litfest

For more information, contact Suzanne Berube Lucey at Page 158 Books: 919-435-1843

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Tryon Chapter American Association of University Women (AAUW) Scholarship Tea 2018, Tryon NC
Oct
13
2:00 PM14:00

Tryon Chapter American Association of University Women (AAUW) Scholarship Tea 2018, Tryon NC

The AAUW's mountain chapter holds a fundraiser annually at the historic Sunnydale building in Tryon NC, one of Appalachia's prettiest and most vibrant towns. Funds raised from the event assist local high school graduates who are college-bound.

Contact: Sidney Gooding

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Author Luncheon in Charleston's Historic District
Jun
29
11:30 AM11:30

Author Luncheon in Charleston's Historic District

Blue Bicycle Books of Charleston is sponsoring this luncheon, produced by Hall's Signature Events at 5 Faber Street in the Historic District (just off East Bay Street). Tix through Brown Paper Tickets, 32$, or $50 with signed hardcover of The Second Mrs. Hockaday.

Link to ticket reservation site: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3487668

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