Events
Mobile Literary Festival
The Mobile Writers’ Guild and the Mobile Public Library present the
1st Mobile Literary Festival!
October 15, 2016
9AM – 4PM
Ben May Main Library, 701 Government Street
The Mobile Literary Festival will offer readers and writers a day packed with literary entertainment including a local author showcase, workshops, a panel discussion on the publishing industry with leading literary professionals, and an author chat with author, actor, and athlete Thom Gossom, Jr.
For more information, including how to submit as an author, click here.
Festival Schedule: All events will be held at the Ben May Main Library
9AM - 4PM: Local Author Book Sale & Signings in the Reading Room
9AM - 4PM: Barnes & Noble Booksellers Area in the Reading Room near lower level interior entrance
9:15AM - Noon: Workshops (Open to the public, no registration required)
Workshop Schedule:
9:15 – 9:55AM: Self-publishing in a Nutshell with award-winning author TK Thorne
10:00 – 10:40AM: Kid Lit 101 with Carrie Dalby, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Local Liaison
10:45 - 11:25AM: Plot Development with Angela Quarles, 2016 RITA Winner
11:30 – 12:00PM: Character Development with Joyce Scarbrough, author of adult and YA fiction with five novels to her credit
Key Note Address:
1:00 - 1:45PM: Author chat with Thom Gossom in Bernheim Hall
Publishing Panel Discussion:
2:00 - 3:00PM: Featuring Thom Gossom and facilitated by award-winning author Jodie Cain Smith, this panel discussion will explore the different paths to being published, publishing standards and expectations, and advice from both traditionally published and self-published authors.
The Mobile Writers’ Guild and the Mobile Public Library present the
1st Mobile Literary Festival!
October 15, 2016
9AM – 4PM
Ben May Main Library, 701 Government Street
The Mobile Literary Festival will offer readers and writers a day packed with literary entertainment including a local author showcase, workshops, a panel discussion on the publishing industry with leading literary professionals, and an author chat with author, actor, and athlete Thom Gossom, Jr.
For more information, including how to submit as an author, click here.
Festival Schedule: All events will be held at the Ben May Main Library
9AM - 4PM: Local Author Book Sale & Signings in the Reading Room
9AM - 4PM: Barnes & Noble Booksellers Area in the Reading Room near lower level interior entrance
9:15AM - Noon: Workshops (Open to the public, no registration required)
Workshop Schedule:
9:15 – 9:55AM: Self-publishing in a Nutshell with award-winning author TK Thorne
10:00 – 10:40AM: Kid Lit 101 with Carrie Dalby, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Local Liaison
10:45 - 11:25AM: Plot Development with Angela Quarles, 2016 RITA Winner
11:30 – 12:00PM: Character Development with Joyce Scarbrough, author of adult and YA fiction with five novels to her credit
Key Note Address:
1:00 - 1:45PM: Author chat with Thom Gossom in Bernheim Hall
Publishing Panel Discussion:
2:00 - 3:00PM: Featuring Thom Gossom and facilitated by award-winning author Jodie Cain Smith, this panel discussion will explore the different paths to being published, publishing standards and expectations, and advice from both traditionally published and self-published authors.
1950's Cocktail Party with Melanie Benjamin
Come Meet Melanie Benjamin
Thursday March 3, 2016
5:30 PM until 8:30 PM
1950's Cocktail Party with Melanie Benjamin
Join the Mobile Writers Guild and the Friends of the Mobile Public Library for a sizzling 1950’s New York style cocktail party celebrating New York Times bestselling author Melanie Benjamin.
Ms. Benjamin, author of The Aviator’s Wife returns with a triumphant new novel, The Swans of Fifth Avenue, about New York’s “Swans” of the 1950s—and the scandalous, headline-making, and enthralling friendship between literary legend Truman Capote and peerless socialite Babe Paley.
Cocktails and refreshments begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by Ms. Benjamin’s presentation at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are $25.00 or $40.00 per couple.
For more information or to reserve your space, please call 251-208-7097.
Location: West Regional Branch
2016 Young Authors' Conference
2016 Young Authors’ Conference For Students in Grades 3-6
Sponsored By First Community Bank, Metro Mobile Reading Council, and the Mobile Public Library,
West Regional BRANCH Library, 5555 Grelot Road
Saturday, April 2, 2016, 9:00 – 12:00
Guest Author: Heather L. Montgomery (www.heatherlmontgomery.com),
Her books include: How Rude! Wild Wacky Animals! Unsolved Mysteries of Nature, and more! She is fascinated by bugs and rocks and things that seem gross. As a child, she climbed trees, caught crabs and played sports, but was petrified of spiders, but now she lets spiders crawl up her arm! Why? Knowledge! The more you learn, the less you fear. Ms. Montgomery has a B.S. in Biology and a M.S. in Environmental Education. Her presentation to students and families will demonstrate how much fun you can have connecting science (and gross animals) with writing!
Students in Grades 3-6 are invited to participate in the 2016 Mobile Young Authors’ Program and to submit work to the Young Authors’ Anthology. This is not a contest, but a chance for students to showcase their work. Entries must be no more than 1 page. Entries can be poems, short stories, fiction or non-fiction, appropriate for students of all ages. All entries must be emailed by March 2, 2016 to [email protected]. Registration fees must be mailed in by that date, to ensure that students receive their anthology (book of student work) at the conference.
All students are invited to attend the program, but only students who are registered receive an anthology and have their work included in the anthology. All work must be appropriate for students of all ages to read.
Stories will be posted to our website: www.metromobilereadingcouncil.wikispaces. You can also view stories and video from previous years on our website!
Registration with Anthologies: $8.00 T-Shirts: $12.00
(Please pre-order T- Shirts and Anthologies. We order very few extras!!!)
All checks should be made out to Metro Mobile Reading Council.
Registration/Anthology* _______ x $8.00 = $ __________
Number of additional anthologies _______ x $8.00 = $ __________ ($12 at the Conference)
Number of Shirts ordered _______ x $12.00 = $ __________
Youth Medium ___Youth Large ____Adult Small ____ Adult Medium ____Adult Large ___ Adult XL _____)
Total $ __________
Student __________________________________ Home phone: ______________
School :____________________ Email :__________________ Cell phone: ___________
Grade:____________ Teacher:___________________________
Title of Story/Poem:___________________________________________________
My child has permission to participate in the Young Authors’ Program and have his/her writing in the anthology. Pictures may be taken at the program.
Parent Signature: ______________________________________________________________
Each year we have a special Parent/Teacher session with our guest author at the Young Authors’ Conference. There is no fee for parents or teachers who attend with their children. Educators will receive credit through SARIC.
Email all entries to [email protected] and send registrations forms/fees to
Elizabeth Gillespie, 4200 Winchester Dr., Mobile Al 36693 or to Aneesha Watson at Maryvale Elementary School. (For more information call 251-391-5376 or email [email protected]) Form revised 12/29/15
Young Authors’ Program
Sponsored by First Community Bank, Mobile Public Library, & Metro Mobile Reading Council
Submit your writing to the 2016 Young Authors’ Anthology!
hOW: Send an electronic copy of your writing to: [email protected]
All writing must be in Microsoft Word or pasted into the body of an email. Writing can be poetry or prose, no longer than one page.
WHO: Students in grades 3-6
What: Short story, essay, or poetry.
When: Writing will be accepted from December 1, 2015 – March 2, 2016
Students must send a registration form to be published (on reverse side of this flyer).
The 2016 Young Authors’ Anthology will be unveiled at the 2016 Young Authors’ Conference
When: April 2, 2016
West Regional Branch Public Library
555 Grelot Road, Mobile, Alabama
Where:
West Regional Branch Public Library
555 Grelot Road, Mobile, Alabama
discussionS, Student workshops, parent/teacher workshops, and refreshments!
for more information: [email protected] or Call Elizabeth Gillespie at 391-5376
Revised 11-17-15
Sponsored By First Community Bank, Metro Mobile Reading Council, and the Mobile Public Library,
West Regional BRANCH Library, 5555 Grelot Road
Saturday, April 2, 2016, 9:00 – 12:00
Guest Author: Heather L. Montgomery (www.heatherlmontgomery.com),
Her books include: How Rude! Wild Wacky Animals! Unsolved Mysteries of Nature, and more! She is fascinated by bugs and rocks and things that seem gross. As a child, she climbed trees, caught crabs and played sports, but was petrified of spiders, but now she lets spiders crawl up her arm! Why? Knowledge! The more you learn, the less you fear. Ms. Montgomery has a B.S. in Biology and a M.S. in Environmental Education. Her presentation to students and families will demonstrate how much fun you can have connecting science (and gross animals) with writing!
Students in Grades 3-6 are invited to participate in the 2016 Mobile Young Authors’ Program and to submit work to the Young Authors’ Anthology. This is not a contest, but a chance for students to showcase their work. Entries must be no more than 1 page. Entries can be poems, short stories, fiction or non-fiction, appropriate for students of all ages. All entries must be emailed by March 2, 2016 to [email protected]. Registration fees must be mailed in by that date, to ensure that students receive their anthology (book of student work) at the conference.
All students are invited to attend the program, but only students who are registered receive an anthology and have their work included in the anthology. All work must be appropriate for students of all ages to read.
Stories will be posted to our website: www.metromobilereadingcouncil.wikispaces. You can also view stories and video from previous years on our website!
Registration with Anthologies: $8.00 T-Shirts: $12.00
(Please pre-order T- Shirts and Anthologies. We order very few extras!!!)
All checks should be made out to Metro Mobile Reading Council.
Registration/Anthology* _______ x $8.00 = $ __________
Number of additional anthologies _______ x $8.00 = $ __________ ($12 at the Conference)
Number of Shirts ordered _______ x $12.00 = $ __________
Youth Medium ___Youth Large ____Adult Small ____ Adult Medium ____Adult Large ___ Adult XL _____)
Total $ __________
Student __________________________________ Home phone: ______________
School :____________________ Email :__________________ Cell phone: ___________
Grade:____________ Teacher:___________________________
Title of Story/Poem:___________________________________________________
My child has permission to participate in the Young Authors’ Program and have his/her writing in the anthology. Pictures may be taken at the program.
Parent Signature: ______________________________________________________________
Each year we have a special Parent/Teacher session with our guest author at the Young Authors’ Conference. There is no fee for parents or teachers who attend with their children. Educators will receive credit through SARIC.
Email all entries to [email protected] and send registrations forms/fees to
Elizabeth Gillespie, 4200 Winchester Dr., Mobile Al 36693 or to Aneesha Watson at Maryvale Elementary School. (For more information call 251-391-5376 or email [email protected]) Form revised 12/29/15
Young Authors’ Program
Sponsored by First Community Bank, Mobile Public Library, & Metro Mobile Reading Council
Submit your writing to the 2016 Young Authors’ Anthology!
hOW: Send an electronic copy of your writing to: [email protected]
All writing must be in Microsoft Word or pasted into the body of an email. Writing can be poetry or prose, no longer than one page.
WHO: Students in grades 3-6
What: Short story, essay, or poetry.
When: Writing will be accepted from December 1, 2015 – March 2, 2016
Students must send a registration form to be published (on reverse side of this flyer).
The 2016 Young Authors’ Anthology will be unveiled at the 2016 Young Authors’ Conference
When: April 2, 2016
West Regional Branch Public Library
555 Grelot Road, Mobile, Alabama
Where:
West Regional Branch Public Library
555 Grelot Road, Mobile, Alabama
discussionS, Student workshops, parent/teacher workshops, and refreshments!
for more information: [email protected] or Call Elizabeth Gillespie at 391-5376
Revised 11-17-15
Teen Writing Fair & Magazine Submission Forms
Teen Writing Fair & Magazine Submission Forms
Sponsored by First Community Bank, Mobile Public Library & Metro Mobile Reading Council
On April 2, 2016, from 1:30-3:00, we will have our Third Teen Writing Fair and Workshop at the West Regional Branch Library, 5555 Grelot Road. Students will get the opportunity to meet published authors, and talk with people who make their living from writing for newspapers, magazines, websites, and as published authors. Like a Career Fair, students will rotate from table to table, meeting and holding discussions with authors. Refreshments will be served and there will be an open mic for Teen Writers. The third edition of the Both Sides of the Bay Teen Literary Magazine will also be unveiled at this program.
Literary magazine submissions are open to students in grades 7-12 as of the 2015-2016 school year. Poetry, essays, short fiction, drawings and digital photography are all eligible for publication and must be submitted electronically to [email protected]. All photography will be printed in black and white and will be used to illustrate other students’ published submissions. The deadline for submissions is March 2, 2016. Students are limited to one submission.
Guidelines for submission: Essays and fiction should be no longer than 2 typed double-spaced pages in 12 point Times New Roman or Arial font. Students should edit their work to avoid misspelled words and grammatical errors. Submissions will be printed as is. We will not be responsible for errors in submissions. All work submitted must be original and/or written by or drawn/taken by the student who submits it for publication. Writing must be appropriate for students of all ages. Photography should be high resolution if possible. For questions, contact [email protected] or call 391-5376.
Magazines can be pre-ordered for $12.00. (Cost of printing) Magazines will be published at the end of March and available at the Teen Writing Fair. We will also have some magazines available to purchase at that time, but we cannot guarantee a copy to anyone except those who pre-order.
All checks MUST be made out to Metro Mobile Reading Council and mailed to: Elizabeth Gillespie, 4200 Winchester Drive, Mobile, AL 36693-4867.
Magazine (pre-ordered) _______ x $12.00 = $ __________
Magazine at Teen Writing Fair _______ x $15.00 = $ __________
Total $ __________
Student __________________________________ Cell phone: ____________________
School: ____________________ Email :__________________ Hm. phone: _________
Grade:_______________ Teacher:______________________________________
Title of Story/Poem:___________________________________________________
My child has permission to participate and have his/her writing in the magazine. Pictures may be taken at the program and published in the newspaper or magazine.
Parent Signature: __________________________________________________________
Send submissions to: [email protected]
For more information: Elizabeth Gillespie: [email protected]
*Drawings may be mailed to: Elizabeth Gillespie, 4200 Winchester Dr. Mobile, AL 36693
Sponsored by First Community Bank, Mobile Public Library & Metro Mobile Reading Council
On April 2, 2016, from 1:30-3:00, we will have our Third Teen Writing Fair and Workshop at the West Regional Branch Library, 5555 Grelot Road. Students will get the opportunity to meet published authors, and talk with people who make their living from writing for newspapers, magazines, websites, and as published authors. Like a Career Fair, students will rotate from table to table, meeting and holding discussions with authors. Refreshments will be served and there will be an open mic for Teen Writers. The third edition of the Both Sides of the Bay Teen Literary Magazine will also be unveiled at this program.
Literary magazine submissions are open to students in grades 7-12 as of the 2015-2016 school year. Poetry, essays, short fiction, drawings and digital photography are all eligible for publication and must be submitted electronically to [email protected]. All photography will be printed in black and white and will be used to illustrate other students’ published submissions. The deadline for submissions is March 2, 2016. Students are limited to one submission.
Guidelines for submission: Essays and fiction should be no longer than 2 typed double-spaced pages in 12 point Times New Roman or Arial font. Students should edit their work to avoid misspelled words and grammatical errors. Submissions will be printed as is. We will not be responsible for errors in submissions. All work submitted must be original and/or written by or drawn/taken by the student who submits it for publication. Writing must be appropriate for students of all ages. Photography should be high resolution if possible. For questions, contact [email protected] or call 391-5376.
Magazines can be pre-ordered for $12.00. (Cost of printing) Magazines will be published at the end of March and available at the Teen Writing Fair. We will also have some magazines available to purchase at that time, but we cannot guarantee a copy to anyone except those who pre-order.
All checks MUST be made out to Metro Mobile Reading Council and mailed to: Elizabeth Gillespie, 4200 Winchester Drive, Mobile, AL 36693-4867.
Magazine (pre-ordered) _______ x $12.00 = $ __________
Magazine at Teen Writing Fair _______ x $15.00 = $ __________
Total $ __________
Student __________________________________ Cell phone: ____________________
School: ____________________ Email :__________________ Hm. phone: _________
Grade:_______________ Teacher:______________________________________
Title of Story/Poem:___________________________________________________
My child has permission to participate and have his/her writing in the magazine. Pictures may be taken at the program and published in the newspaper or magazine.
Parent Signature: __________________________________________________________
Send submissions to: [email protected]
For more information: Elizabeth Gillespie: [email protected]
*Drawings may be mailed to: Elizabeth Gillespie, 4200 Winchester Dr. Mobile, AL 36693
Home for the Holidays
Home for the Holidays: November 18, 2015
Readings, Booksignings, Door Prizes & Hoiliday Treats!
The Mobile Writers Guild and the Mobile Public Library invite you to a celebration of local and regional writers.
Meet up-and-coming writers; sample wonderful literature, door prizes and tasty treats; enjoy readings and shop for special people on your gift list.
There is something for everyone!
Here's the Home for the Holidays 2015 Featured Authors/Guests List:
• Joyce Scarbrough
• Fred Marchman
• Becky Brunson
• Charlotte March
• Karen & Mark Kurtz
• Steven Moore
• Theresa Jensen Lacey
• Brendan Kirby
• N. L. Snowden
• Craig A. Price, Jr.
• Deloris B. James
• cj petterson
• Ron O’Gorman
• Mahala Church
* Frances Roberts
• Janet G. Brantley
• Elizabeth Denham
• Mavis Jarrell
• Carlotta Russell
• Regina Woodard Cannon
• Oliver F. Chase
• Arthur L. Mack
• Shirley L. Geer
• Lee Ann Ward
• Faye Nunnelee Byrd
• Rachell Jackson
• R. Eugene Jackson
• William L. Walker
• Debra Bell Vanzant
• Tyrone Lea
• Moody Connell
• Metro Mobile Reading Council
• Barnes & Noble
The schedule of authors reading from/speaking about their books is listed below. (Subject to change.)
Each presentation will be followed by a door prize. Must be present to win, but there are plenty of opportunities to be a winner throughout the day.
Be sure to tell your friends!
10:15am Karen B. Kurtz
10:30am Steven Moore
10:45am Joyce Scarbrough
11:00am Craig A. Price, Jr.
11:15am N. L. Snowden
11:30am Janet G. Brantley
11:45am Brendan Kirby
12:00pm Shirley L. Geer
12:15pm Eugene R. Jackson
12:30pm Elizabeth Denham
12:45pm Fred Marchman
1:00pm Theresa Jensen Lacey
1:15pm Arthur L. Mack
1:30pm cj petterson
Readings, Booksignings, Door Prizes & Hoiliday Treats!
The Mobile Writers Guild and the Mobile Public Library invite you to a celebration of local and regional writers.
Meet up-and-coming writers; sample wonderful literature, door prizes and tasty treats; enjoy readings and shop for special people on your gift list.
There is something for everyone!
Here's the Home for the Holidays 2015 Featured Authors/Guests List:
• Joyce Scarbrough
• Fred Marchman
• Becky Brunson
• Charlotte March
• Karen & Mark Kurtz
• Steven Moore
• Theresa Jensen Lacey
• Brendan Kirby
• N. L. Snowden
• Craig A. Price, Jr.
• Deloris B. James
• cj petterson
• Ron O’Gorman
• Mahala Church
* Frances Roberts
• Janet G. Brantley
• Elizabeth Denham
• Mavis Jarrell
• Carlotta Russell
• Regina Woodard Cannon
• Oliver F. Chase
• Arthur L. Mack
• Shirley L. Geer
• Lee Ann Ward
• Faye Nunnelee Byrd
• Rachell Jackson
• R. Eugene Jackson
• William L. Walker
• Debra Bell Vanzant
• Tyrone Lea
• Moody Connell
• Metro Mobile Reading Council
• Barnes & Noble
The schedule of authors reading from/speaking about their books is listed below. (Subject to change.)
Each presentation will be followed by a door prize. Must be present to win, but there are plenty of opportunities to be a winner throughout the day.
Be sure to tell your friends!
10:15am Karen B. Kurtz
10:30am Steven Moore
10:45am Joyce Scarbrough
11:00am Craig A. Price, Jr.
11:15am N. L. Snowden
11:30am Janet G. Brantley
11:45am Brendan Kirby
12:00pm Shirley L. Geer
12:15pm Eugene R. Jackson
12:30pm Elizabeth Denham
12:45pm Fred Marchman
1:00pm Theresa Jensen Lacey
1:15pm Arthur L. Mack
1:30pm cj petterson
Writing Contests
The Fifth Annual
Tracy Hurley Memorial
Writing Contest
Brought to you by:
Mobile Writers Guild
Tracy Hurley Memorial
Writing Contest
- SHORT STORY contest open to all students grades 6-12th in Mobile and Baldwin counties.
- Entries must be between 500-2500 words, and will be rated based on plot structure, grammar/spelling, and originality.
- No foul language, adult content, or unnecessary violence permitted.
- Include your name, grade, school/homeschool covering, and story in the body of an e-mail (paste your story in the e-mail below your information), mark “WRITING CONTEST” in the subject line, and send to [email protected]. Deadline for entries is midnight, on Sunday, March 13, 2016.
- Failure to follow all directions will result in disqualification.
- Finalists will be notified via e-mail, and winners will be awarded their prizes as part of the Metro Mobile Reading Council’s Teen Writing Fair on Saturday, April 2, 2016 at 1:30pm in the meeting room of the West Regional Library.
- Two categories for judging: Middle School (6-8th grades) and High School (9-12th grades), with first, second, and third place winners in both categories.
- Prizes include cash ($25 first place, $15 second place, and $10 third place), a professional critique of the short story, on-line publication for winners in both categories (with parental permission), and other assorted goodies.
Brought to you by:
Mobile Writers Guild