Houston Writers wraps up annual conference May 1

The 2016 Houston Writers Guild annual conference will be held April 29–May 1, 2016 at the Marriott Houston Westchase, 2900 Briarpark Drive, Houston, Texas 77042. Registration and event times vary each day.

Friday night, April 29, the HWG Press will hold a Book Launch/Cocktail Reception. Conference attendees will be entertained by guest speaker Jay Asher. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served along with cash bar. The main event on April 30 will begin with keynote speaker Jamie Ford, followed by one-hour breakout sessions. In addition, there will be an opportunity for writers to pitch their work, in ten-minute sessions with agents and editors.

Sunday, May 1, there will be a full0day workshop presented by guest speaker Pamela Fagan Hutchins.

Sign up before April 1, 2016, to receive the Early Bird Special 3-Day Pass discount. Critiques and pitch sessions require additional charges. The Houston Marriott Westchase offers a discounted lodging rate to HWG Conference Attendees. When calling for a reservation, please reference the HWG event. Marriott, 713-978-7400.

Questions: info@houstonwritersguild.com

More information and sign-ups: www.houstonwritersguild.org

(From organization’s press release)

Sachse Author Con accepting author applications for May 21 event

SACSHE—Authors looking for an opportunity to promote their books are invited to apply for the upcoming Sachse Author Con event at the Sachse Public Library. The event, sponsored by the Sachse Public Library, is set for Sat., May 21, 2016, from noon to 4 p.m.

The event, which is free to the public, is designed to showcase local Texas authors. Each author will be provided an individual table to display and sell books and mingle with the reading public.

Library staff are searching for a variety of authors of fiction genres. Authors who write for children, young adult, and adults are encouraged to participate in this showcase event.

Interested authors should submit an application, along with one of their published books for review, no later than February 5, 2016. Contact Mignon Morse, Library Manager, for more information and to request an application. Authors who are selected to attend will be notified of their acceptance no later than March 1.  If accepted, a $30 registration fee will be required no later than March 15 to be included in publicity. Lunch will be provided for each author.

Download the application at www.cityofsachse.com/library

Mignon Morse, Sachse Public Library, 3815 Sachse Road, Building C, Sachse, TX 75048; mmorse@cityofsachse.com, 972-530-8966.

(Information from organization’s press release)

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Tell us about your favorite Texas bookstore!

There are more than two hundred bookstores in the Lone Star State. Indies, large chains, speciality stores, used & rare, and more. (Check out our list here, on our Read page.)

What’s your favorite—and why?

If you’re an email newsletter subscriber, we’ll be sending you a ballot  this week. If you’d like to vote—and you’re not a newsletter subscriber—simply send us your email at info@lonestarliterary.com

And tell us about your favorite bookstore, like this LSLL reader did this week: “Front Street Books, Alpine TX. Since 1994 this store has been the best! For a small town, it has plenty of new bestsellers, whether fiction, nonfiction, nature, or regional. And is has a used book section, too. Coffee, newspapers await the visitor. But watch it. A sign on the front door advises against talking on your cell phone.” —Vivian Morrow Jones

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