Authors and Writing Programs

Upcoming Author Visits (2021)

• Saturday, October 9, 2021, 2 PM to 3:30 PM Central – Virtual Romance Panel with authors Laura Castoro (also writes as Laura Parker and D. D. Ayres), Christie Craig (also writes as C.C. Hunter), Diane Kelly, Nancy Naigle, Sasha Summers, and Jamie Pope (also writes as Sugar Jamison, Ginger Jamison, and Evelyn Jordan). From heartbreaks and hunky heroes to writing for the Hallmark Channel, these romance authors will share their insights about the most popular fiction genre. This program will be held on Zoom (registration required; follow the direct link or go to zoom.us/join and enter meeting ID 870 4917 3341). Contact Kendra (kperkins@bryantx.gov) or Alexys (amaliga@bryantx.gov) for more information or if you do not receive a passcode from Zoom.
• Future Visits: Please contact Kendra Perkins at kperkins@bryantx.gov or (979) 764-3416 if you are interested in discussing a possible author visit. At this point, we are doing virtual visits that patrons can access from home (Zoom, etc.) and hybrid programs that can be accessed via Zoom or from the library. All programs are free to participants.

Recent Author Visits (2020-2021)

• Wednesday, July 14, 2021 – Diane Kelly, mystery author, special guest at the Meyer Book Club (Zoom meeting) to discuss her cozy mystery, Dead as a Door Knocker (House-Flipper Mysteries, #1). Hybrid meeting (guest speaker on Zoom, librarian at Ringer Library, participants could get a Zoom link or attend at Ringer Library). Contact Kendra (kperkins@bryantx.gov) for more information or to sign up.
• Saturday, June 5, 2021 – Sisters in Crime, virtual Mystery Authors panel, with authors Diane Kelly, Melissa Bourbon / Winnie Archer, Lynn Chandler Willis, VM (Valerie) Burns, and Lawrence Kelter; Zoom webinar, free registration required, or watch on Ringer Library’s TV. Contact Kendra (kperkins@bryantx.gov) or Alexys (amaliga@bryantx.gov) for more information.
• Saturday, May 8, 2021 – Martha Wells – best-selling, award-winning science fiction and fantasy author (Fugitive Telemetry, newest Murderbot Diaries novella), Virtual visit using Zoom webinar, free registration required. Contact Kendra (kperkins@bryantx.gov) or Alexys (amaliga@bryantx.gov) for more information.
• Monday, November 23, 2020 – Stephen J. O’Shea, From the Land of Genesis (adult short story collection, published 11/17/20) and exclusive trailer of Hell or High Seas (documentary); Virtual author visit using Zoom webinar
• Friday, November 13, 2020 – TEENS Publish Virtual Author Party to release the 2020 anthology The Isolated Generation – multiple authors, virtual, over Zoom
  • Virginia Adams, Debkonya “Koli” Banerjee, Devkumar Banerjee, Nathaniel Cowles, Yaneth K. Dharmasena, George Ignatius, Claire Jade, Sashi Kulatilaka, Olivia MacArthur, Logan Meadows, Julie Morgan, Faith Ocon, and Gloria Tao
• Saturday, May 30, 2020 – Martha Wells – best-selling, award-winning science fiction and fantasy author (Network Effect, Murderbot Diaries novel), Virtual visit using Zoom, details at www.bcslibrary.org/virtual-author-visit-martha-wells

Library Programs for Authors and Aspiring Authors

• TEENS Publish, summer creative writing program for teens, led by author Molly Blaisdell and librarian Kendra Perkins, Ringer Library, summer 2021 program was virtual. Inquire in May 2022 for the summer 2022 program. See bcslibrary.org/teens-publish or contact Kendra at kperkins@bryantx.gov for more information.

Links

• BCS Wrimos (B/CS regional NaNoWriMo group)
• Brazos Valley SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) – currently meeting via Zoom
  
• Brazos Writers
• Clara B. Mounce Public Library Facebook page
• Events Calendar, Bryan+College Station Public Library System
• Larry J. Ringer Public Library Facebook page
• Mystery Writers of America
• NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month)
• Romance Writers of America
• Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America
• Sisters in Crime

BCSPLS Writing Contests

• SUMMER 2021 CONTESTS
  • View our most recent contests at www.bcslibrary.org/summer-reading-program/#writing-contest
  • 150th Writing Bee for Children and Teens, ages 7-18, June 4-18
    • Winner, ages 7-8 = Emma, age 8
    • Winner, ages 9-10 = Lily, age 10
    • Winner, ages 11-14 = Yawei, age 12
    • Winner, ages 15-18 = Elizabeth, age 18
  • City of Bryan 150th Anniversary Writing Contest for Adults, June 3 – July 1
    • WINNERS (click links to read their stories):
      1. “Home Again” by Jodie Smith-Hawkins
      2. “Frozen Memories” by Cyndi Owens
      3. David Holbrook (story not included at author request)
  • Creative Writing Contest for Adults, July 2-30
    • WINNERS (click links to read their stories):
      1. “Over the Rainbow” by William Wright
      2. “The Search for Life” by Kiki Hayden
      3. “The Darkwing Heir” by Brittney Duenes
• RECENT (2020) CONTESTS
  • Fall 2020 Writing Contest for Adults (Topic: Writer’s Choice)
    • WINNERS (click links to read their stories):
      • “My Momma’s Curse” by Tam Jackson
      • “Stacks” by Mike Downey
      • “Windblown” by Josh Shelton
      • “Backwater Planet Blues” by Lauren Huff
  • Fall 2020 Spooky Writing Contest for Kids and Teens
    • Age groups: 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-18; one winner per age group
    • Read the stories at www.bcslibrary.org/spooky-writing-contest-entries; winners are noted.
  • Summer 2020 Writing Contest for Adults, Round One: Ghost Stories
    • WINNERS (click links to read their stories):
      1. Rebecca Waronoff – “Ghost Story”
      2. Dawn Husted – Girl Gone Ghost, Chapter 1
      3. William Wright – “Inventory Adjustment”
  • Summer 2020 Writing Contest for Adults, Round Two: Memoirs
  • • WINNERS (click links to read their stories):
      1. Kristin Bryant – “Let Freedom Sing”
      2. William Wright – “Miracle”
      3. Rachel Brown – “My Messy Poem of Life” (story not included at author request)