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April 4-6, 2008 Presented By Little Rock River Market District ArkansasLiteraryFestival.org al Welcome to the fifth annual Literary Festival y Festiv We invite you to join in a celebration of literacy, language, and the written word. Author sessions offer something for readers of all ages and interests: from mysteries to thrillers to politics to religion and other genres. The kids’

s Lite rar area features authors, hands-on literacy activities, puppet a shows, black stallion horses, and more. The photos and quotes throughout this program reflect on our first four years. We deeply appreciate the authors, all of whom donated their time; and the scores of volunteers, without whose tireless efforts this event would not happen. And, of course, we thank YOU—your attendance, book purchases, and donations have generated proceeds to 2008 A r k a ns benefit adult literacy programs through Arkansas Literacy Councils, Inc. Each year, thousands of adult Arkansans receive one-on-one tutoring from volunteers throughout the state. Together, we are making a difference.

Enjoy!

Jean Block, Festival Chair Katie McManners, Festival Director Kaye Gibbons - 2004, William F. Buckley - 2005, John Hope Franklin - 2006, Nikki Giovanni - 2007

table of contents Ticketed Special Events ...... 1 Adult Sessions: At a Glance 10 Free Special Events ...... 2 Festival Map ...... 12 Adult Session Descriptions ...... 3 Professional Development Workshops . 13 Writing Workshops ...... 7 Author Biographies 14 Activities for teens 7 Arkansas Literacy Councils ...... 20 Sessions for Kids ...... 8 Credits ...... 21 tickete d Sp eci al events

FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2008 Festival AUTHOR PARTY 7:00 p.m. Lafayette Building, 6th & Louisiana Streets, Little Rock Advance Tickets: $50 per person, $90 per couple After April 2: $55 per person, $100 per couple Reserve tickets with your credit card at (501) 907-2490

Celebrate our fifth anniversary and help support adult literacy programs in Arkansas by attending the Author Party, which is the place to mingle with Festival authors and to have your books signed. Enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine, and the Festival’s signature pomegranate martinis.

SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2008 LET us EAT CAKE Featuring Former White House Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier 12:30 p.m. River Market Clark Room, above Boulevard Bread Company Advance Tickets: $12 per person After April 2: $15 per person Reserve tickets with your credit card at (501) 907-2490

Back by popular demand! Roland Mesnier returns to the Arkansas Literary Festival, this time to present his new cookbook Basic to Beautiful Cakes. Listen to Mesnier talk about his experiences at the White House, where he served five U.S. presidents, and then sample his Upside Down Cake (courtesy of The Capital Hotel and Blue Cake Company). All three of Mesnier’s titles will be available for purchase and autographing: his cookbooks Basic to Beautiful Cakes and Dessert University, and his memoir, All the Presidents’ Pastries.

SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2008 “FOOD–SHELTER–STORY” Featuring Crescent Dragonwagon 3:00 p.m. River Market Clark Room, above Boulevard Bread Company Advance Tickets: $12 per person After April 2: $15 per person Reserve tickets with your credit card at (501) 907-2490

We all want a safe place, a full belly, and quenched thirst. But we are driven by another need—to tell, hear, write, and read our stories. Listen as Crescent Dragonwagon talks about why and how these needs are intertwined and how her cookbooks provide more than just recipes. Sample cornbread from recipes in her latest cookbook Cornbread Gospels.

1 2 Free Special events With Jan BucknerW Presented by Festival andlocalauthors. thepodium. adrinkwhileauthorsgrab Grab readingsby Free-form FREE, noreservationsrequired. 7:00 p.m. The Peabody LittleRock PUB OREISH Little Rock). the Refreshmentsprovidedby Arkansas Arts Council. Council), Universityof Contest(presentedby andEssay Arkansas at Reader’s Theatre, OutLoud (presentedby Poetry Arkansas Arts Join us to honor teens participating in these 2008 Festival competitions: FREE, noreservationsrequired. 2:00 -4:00p.m. MainLibrary, Board Room(3rd Floor) RECEPTION F are welcome. thought-provoking cluesandbrightstickers. Word-lovers ofallages Parents Down millionsoffamiliesnationwide. traditionfor a family Since theirlaunchin2004, Walker’s become crosswordshave weekly Contact [email protected] or(501)907-2490. FREE, butreservationsare encouraged. 2:00 p.m. Historic Arkansas Museum, Trinity (2ndFloor) Gallery CR Presented by them in. signupnow.appraisal—but arelimitedand Seats “The Guys” pack rarebooksfor tobringoddorpossibly members areencouraged Book Guyswillrecordtwoshowsandyoucanparticipate. Audience behindbooks. knowingthehistory and fun—andaknackfor The appraisers. Allan StypeckandMikeCuthbertcombineintelligence theirfifthvisit:Back for NPR’s popularbookhistoriansand wildly Contact [email protected] or(501)918-3032. FREE, butreservationsare required. Two Shows: 6:00 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. Main Library, Darragh Center N A TION OSS W AL PUBLICRADIO’S“THEBOOKGUYS” ORD PUZZLESF THUR S S S is Walker’s puzzleswith offer seriesofbooksthat A A A TURDA TURDA TURDA OR TEENLITERAR SDA Y Y Y Y alker , APRIL5,2008 , APRIL5,2008 , APRIL5,2008 , APRIL3,2008 OR ALL

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Cat In the Hat IntheHat Cat Sarah, Plainand Tall CELEBRA authors’ worksat: Listen to Dorothy from Johnny Appleseed photosandautographs. tomeetyoufor happy historic charactersstrollingthroughtheFestivalgrounds. willbe They heart):Attention kids(andat and storybook yourfavorite Lookfor LITERA reading by the2008Studentof reading by Year. and the Arkansas Bar Association. willendwitha The ceremony Testing Sectionofthe Arkansas Departmentof Workforce Education, Literacy Councils, Inc., the Arkansas Reading Association, theGED literacy andlifelonglearning. Awards willbepresentedby Arkansas honors inthequestfor andreceiveservices Arkansans whogive April is “Celebrate Literacy Month” in Arkansas. This awards ceremony 10:30 a.m.StateCapitolRotunda 2008 AWARDS CEREMONY or (501)324-9769. information, [email protected] contactCynthiaat Festival Literary Teen ChampionsReception. Literary For the2008 All contestantswillbeacknowledgedat Arkansas inNorthLittleRock.Public Library theLaman acompetitionheldat championwasselectedat state andperformance. throughmemorization poetry great about The Finals. highschoolstudentstolearn This contestencourages Recitation Out LoudState hold thethirdannual2008Poetry Council, oftheDepartment anagency Arkansas Heritage, to partneredwiththe Foundation and thePoetry Arkansas Arts On Saturday, March 1, the Endowmentfor theNational Arts • • Literature Live! Literature TURE LIVE! Rock Street, infrontoftheMainLibrary River Market, EastPavilion TE LITERA S TUESDA The Wizard ofOz A TURDA S 2008 Poetr t a te Recit Street Performers readfromFestival StreetPerformers MONTH CY Y , APRIL22,2008 Y

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AD U L ADULT SESSION descriptionS T SESSION d esc r i p tion S FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2008 SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2008 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. WRITING ABOUT RELIGION DOGS AND THEIR PEOPLE FOR A POPULAR AUDIENCE Sonny Brewer, Cormac: The Tale of a Dog Gone Missing and Cecil Murphey, 90 Minutes in Heaven (presented by University Beth Finke, Hanni and Beth: Safe & Sound (Animal/Fiction) Dogs can be heroes or troublemakers—or a combination of both. of Arkansas at Little Rock) and Robert L. Short, The Parables of Brewer’s novel, based on real events, tells the story of a beloved Dr. Seuss (Religion/Philosophy) Golden Retriever who runs away and ends up in the suburbs of Writing about theological matters for a wide audience can be . Finke’s beautifully illustrated book teaches us about the daunting; Murphey and Short approach the challenge differently, but unique bond between a blind person and her Seeing Eye dog. with abundant creativity. Short’s conversational book will delight the Seuss fan in all of us and Murphey’s work will hold us spellbound as Moderator: [TBD] we follow one life-changing experience. Venue: Main Library, Darragh Center Moderator: Mike Cuthbert GET IT WRITE…OR ELSE Venue: Main Library, Darragh Center Elise Blackwell, Grub and Tito Perdue, The Fields of Asphodel (Fiction) FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2008 Blackwell’s book features a cast that discovers success involves marketing, not talent. The San Francisco Chronicle says, “Blackwell 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. moves into the front rank of American satirists.” Perdue, born in RETHINKING RELIGION AND POLITICS Chile, raised in , is becoming a cult favorite. The Press wrote that Perdue is, “one of the most important contemporary Presented by the Clinton Library and School of Public Service Southern writers we have—and should certainly be considered E.J. Dionne, Jr., Souled Out: Reclaiming Faith and Politics After among the most important American writers of the early 21st century.” the Religious Right (Politics/Religion) FREE, but reservations are required. Moderator: [TBD] Contact Nikolai at [email protected] Venue: Cox Creative Center or (501) 683-5239 The religious and political winds are changing, at least according DELTA ROOTS to Post columnist Dionne. He explores Christianity’s Margaret Jones Bolsterli, During Wind and Rain: contributions to American politics and calls for a new bond between The Jones Family Farm in the Arkansas Delta, 1848-2006 religious conservatives and liberals based on shared values. Whether (Arkansas History) you think that’s possible or impossible, Dionne’s writing “bristles In telling the story of five generations of her family on a farm in the with moral insight,” says the Boston Globe and “informs as well Arkansas Delta, Bolsterli combines research, historical perspective, and as enrages.” family lore. The result is a saga that is at once universal and personal. Moderator: Warwick Sabin Moderator: Bill Worthen Venue: Clinton School of Public Service, Venue: Main Library, East Room Choctaw Building Lobby Saturday, April 5, 2008 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. FALLING IN LOVE WITH THE CRESCENT CITY Sara Roahen, Gumbo Tales: Finding My Place at the New Orleans Table (Cooking) Eating and cooking her way through New Orleans, Roahen finds a home—and then Katrina. With humor and hope, she conjures up a city that reveled in its food traditions before the storm and has been saved by them since. Roahen offers recipes for New Orleans’ signature dishes (gumbo, po-boys, red beans and rice) and its lesser- known gems (Pho anyone?). Makuchi - 2004 Moderator: Linda Caillouet Venue: River Market, Clark Room 2008 Arkansas Literary Festival 3 SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2008 SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2008 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 P.M. 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. GIRL EMPOWER MOM-OIR M. Gigi Durham, The Lolita Effect: The Spectacle Kelly Corrigan, The Middle Place (Memoir) of Girls’ Sexuality in an Era of Globalized Media Corrigan’s memoir intertwines her own story with that of her father, a (Media Studies/Sociology) larger-than-life, Irish-American born-salesman. The book illustrates How do we raise young women in an environment with alarming both an unbelievably powerful and healing father/daughter relationship media images? Durham offers eye-opening insights into media myths and the unbreakable bonds of family as they each—successfully, for and spectacles of sexuality. She also provides strategies for adults to now—battle cancer. navigate this media world without censorship or moralizing so that Moderator: [TBD] they can help girls do the same. Venue: Main Library, Darragh Center Moderator: [TBD] Venue: Main Library, Darragh Center WHY PEOPLE BEHAVE BADLY Barbara Oakley, Evil Genes: Why Rome Fell, Hitler Rose, t session d esc r i p tions RISING STAR Enron Failed and My Sister Stole My Mother’s Boyfriend Tony Earley, The Blue Star (Fiction) (Psychology/Sociology) Seven years ago, readers and critics fell in love with Jim Glass, the Borne out of a quest to understand her sister’s lifelong aberrant precocious ten-year-old at the heart of Earley’s best-seller Jim the behavior, Oakley sets out on an exploration of evil individuals—and ad u l Boy. Newsweek called the book “a dazzling first novel about boyhood.” “evil genes”—from Slobodan Milosevic to Mao Zedong. Professor Jim, now a teenager, returns in another tender and wise story of Steven Pinker of Harvard University calls Evil Genes “A fascinating young love on the eve of World War II. scientific and personal exploration of the roots of evil, filled with Moderator: Kevin Brockmeier human insight and telling detail.” Evil Genes is a tour-de-force of Venue: Cox Creative Center writing that brilliantly melds scientific research with intriguing family history and puts both a human and scientific face to evil. THE TRUE STORY OF RECONSTRUCTION Moderator: Dan Greenberg Presented by Hendrix College Pericles Project Venue: Cox Creative Center Douglas A. Blackmon, Slavery by Another Name: The Re-Enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN EXPERIENCE IN Fiction to World War II (History) Tina McElroy Ansa, Taking After Mudear and Solon Timothy Blackmon brings to light the “Age of Neoslavery” that thrived from Woodward, Cadillac Orpheus (Fiction) the aftermath of the Civil War through the dawn of World War II. This Two novelists from the South with both style and substance: Ansa, stunning exposé of a shameful and little-known chapter in American from , whose fiction “crackles and sings with life” (Jill McCorkle) history covers six decades of injustice against African-Americans. and debut novelist Woodward, from Florida, whose highly original prose Early readers of the book are praising its exhaustive reportage and inspired one critic to call him “the love-child of Toni Morrison and Miles revelations. Bill Cosby calls it “urgent, definitive, powerful. The most Davis for the depth, color, power, and grandness of vision he brings important work of history published in a very long time.” to American Letters.” When they’re not writing, they’re busy with Moderator: Jay Barth other jobs: Ansa recently started her own publishing company and Venue: Pyramid Art, Books & Custom Framing Woodward is a practicing physician. Moderator: Constance Sarto Venue: Pyramid Art, Books & Custom Framing There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them. “ - Mahatma Gandhi or Ray Bradbury ” 4 ArkansasLiteraryFestival.org AD U L SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2008 SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2008

2:00 - 3:00 p.m. 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. T SESSION d esc r i p tion S BEING THE QUEEN MOTHER THE NEW MASTER OF NOIR Presented by Central Arkansas Library System Patrick McGrath, Trauma (Thriller) Darragh Lecture Series McGrath, “our most celebrated writer of the psychological thriller,” Jill Conner Browne, The Sweet Potato Queens’ Guide to Raising has had three of his books turned into major motion pictures (Asylum, Children for Fun and Profit (Humor/Parenting) Spider, and The Grotesque). One critic says each new McGrath You might want to have a nap, or a stiff drink, because the Queen is thriller is a “source of untrammeled delight.” Think of the British-born coming to town. Browne brings her Sweet Potato brand of parenting McGrath as “Hitchcock on paper.” His newest noir, Trauma, is being advice for the hair-raising, child-raising journey. You won’t find these called his most “addictive and enthralling novel yet.” tips anywhere else. Moderator: Philip Martin Moderator: Natalie Canerday Venue: Main Library, Darragh Center Venue: Main Library, Darragh Center WILLIE NELSON, american legend MEN AND THEIR NOVELS: DOES GENDER MATTER? Joe Nick Patoski, Willie Nelson: An Epic Life (Biography) Brad Land, Pilgrims Upon the Earth; David Prete, Say That to My Patoski draws on over 100 interviews with Willie and his family, Face; and Trenton Lee Stewart, Flood Summer (Fiction) band, and friends to tell Willie’s All-American story, from his humble Three emerging literary superstars have fast-paced debut novels that Depression-era roots to his ascension to national icon. will tell you all you need to know about young men and the travails Moderator: Rod Bryan they face these days. These characters suffer the usual afflictions Venue: Cox Creative Center of manhood—violence, love affairs, bad choices, and cross-country road trips gone awry. It’s the eloquent writing that crosses the gender SCI-FI ALIVE divide and makes you care. Land focuses on a teenager in South Suzette Haden Elgin, Ph.D., Ozark Trilogy (Science Fiction) Carolina; Prete, a young man in Yonkers, N.Y.; and Stewart, a blue- Elgin will discuss the controversial question of whether science fiction collar fellow in Arkansas. is recognized as “real” literature. Moderator: Carol Ann Fitzgerald Moderator: Sally Hawkes Venue: Cox Creative Center Venue: Main Library, East Room IT’S A MYSTERY Ace Atkins, Wicked City and Carolyn Hart, Death Walked In SUNDAY, APRIL 6, 2008 (Fiction/Mystery) 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Wicked City is Atkins’ most personal book to date, set in a vice-ridden Alabama town 20 miles from where he attended high school and ARKANSAS FICTION I college. Critics hail him as “clearly an emerging star” (Minneapolis Norris Church Mailer, Cheap Diamonds (Fiction) Star-Tribune) and a “fresh voice that dazzles and delights with its Arkansas native Mailer’s second novel, Cheap Diamonds, is a energy and ability” (Boston Globe). Hart’s newest title is Death Walked “dazzler,” says the writer Adriana Trigiani. “[Mailer] has created a In, 18th in the Death on Demand series. She is the “reigning monarch funny, beautiful, and unforgettable character in Cherry, a girl from of the amateur sleuth mystery” (Cleveland Plain Dealer) who “truly Arkansas who moves to New York City to become a fashion model. understands the human heart” (Mystery Scene). Talk about pluck! Vivid, real, and written with heart and scope, Cheap Moderator: Sharon Lee Diamonds is anything but–it’s the real deal.” Venue: Main Library, East Room Moderator: Mary Gay Shipley Venue: Main Library, Darragh Center

2008 Arkansas Literary Festival 5 6 adult session descriptions ARKANS Venue: MainLibrary, Darragh Center Moderator: NathaniaSawyer fantastical totheconcrete, therangeofthiscollection is startling. herlife. yearbooksandcontemplates school classmates’ From the honestthingsshewroteinherhigh woman rememberstheoddly collection ofstories. Inthehauntingtitlestory, astrangeyoung voiceandvisiontohislatest Brockmeier bringshisremarkable Kevin Brockmeier, Venue: MainLibrary, Fribourgh Room(2ndFloor) Moderator: [TBD] blues and gospel music, folktales and country preaching. Brownderville draws from his upbringing in the Arkansas Delta: sexuality with tender reflections on personal and cultural histories. revelations that dwell there. Madden delves into topics of race and defines it. Richardson deals primarily with the domestic realm and the of the American South, and they explore the idea of home and what These young poets are deeply rooted in the landscapes and legacies on Walnut Street and Poems Greg Brownderville, A POETICTRIo:HOMEISWHETHEAR Venue: MainLibrary, EastRoom Moderator: Amos Lassen The Leleux’s book “hilarious, thereader.” heartbreaking...apurejoyridefor hilarious.and theimprobably The mother, Leleuxproveshe’s one-liner alreadyamasterofthesnappy upinEast growing about Texas ofaneccentric underthetutelage In Robert Leleux, GR Venue: CoxCreative Center Moderator: [TBD] fromourcollectivememory.disappeared more thanenmityandwar: hasallbut history theirrichcooperative Muslims,but throughouttheages Christians, shared andJewshave betweenIslamandthe confrontation West news, hasbecomedaily theeditorof says “ (Religion/History) Muslim, Christian, andJewishCoexistence inthe MiddleEast Karabell,Zachary IS PE Peace BeUpon You The MemoirsofaBeautifulBoy O New York Times WING UPPRETTY A CE INTHEMIDDLE A ; EdMadden, II S FICTION SUNDA The MemoirsofaBeautifulBoy Newsweek International (Poetry) Peace BeUpon You: FourteenCenturiesof The View from the Seventh Layer called it a story.” coming-of-age giddy “frantically remindsusofthepossibilityabetterfuture,” Deep Down intheDelta: Folktales 3:00-4:00p Y Signals , APRIL6,2008 , hisrollicking, bitter-sweet debut New Orleans Times-Picayune ; Alex Richardson, A ST POSSIBLE? . ofconflictand The story .m (Memoir) (Fiction) T IS Porch Night

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ARKANS Mohja Kahf, MUSLI INTHEDWEST Venue: MainLibrary, EastRoom Moderator: Marc Smirnoff onadietofRamennoodles. solely or survive of buildingsuccessfulcareers, todeclarebankruptcy withouthaving being afreelancerarethesame. Three writerssharetheirexperience sports,Whether writingabout science, ormusic, thechallengesof Jay Jennings, JoeNick Patoski, andRebeccaSkloot FREELANCING A Venue: CoxCreative Center Moderator: Amos Lassen tobecomeasignificantpartofthestate’sstayed andculture. history the Tapestry A comprehensivestudyofourstate’s Jewishcommunity, (Arkansas Jewish History) of theJewishExperience in Arkansas (1820s-1990s) Carolyn LeMaster, ARKANS Venue: MainLibrary, Darragh Center Moderator: BobRazer expect wit, style, andplentyofsurprisingadventure. man andwhat, exactly, ishedoingthere? withHarington,As always he does—intothewildernessofOzarkMountains. Who isthis museumwhodecideshewantstovanish. ahistory at the curator So novel, suretobeamasterpiece, is himself,Arkansas Literature DonaldHarington. Harington’s newest pleasuretowelcomebacktheFestivalChiefof It isourgreat Donald Harington, Venue: Pyramid Art, Books&CustomFraming Moderator: Craig Powell Garry identity. herown intheworld andsearchesfor as Khadramakesherway in1970sIndianapolis.a devoutMuslimfamily Cultureclashesensue ofKhadraShamy,tells thestory aSyrianimmigrant, upin whogrows doesitmeantobean What Inherfictiondebut,Arab-American? Kahf A A is the story of the Jews who helped to settle Arkansas and III S FICTION S HISTOR The Girlinthe Tangerine Scarf SUNDA A Corner ofthe A Corner Tapestry: A History Farther Along S AC 4:30-5:30p Y Y , APRIL6,2008 AREER OPTION (Fiction) Farther Along ArkansasLiteraryFestival.org .m (Fiction) , on whichfocuses

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Presented by W r iting w Writing Workshops SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2008 Main Library, Fribourgh Room (2nd Floor) 12:00 - 12:50 p.m. FREE, but reservations are encouraged. p s / a o r ksho Contact Katie at [email protected] or (501) 907-2490. NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN: LYRICS TOGETHER With Wade Derden, M.A. and Angie Macri, M.F.A. 10:00 - 10:50 a.m. Lyrics, in the form of song and in poetry, have both influenced and reflected cultures for centuries. This session will introduce ways to HAMMER AND NAIL: BUILDING BETTER WRITING create the lyric, both in written and sung form, and will include time With Joey Cole, M.F.A. for demonstrations and practice. Come express yourself with song. Beginning writers (and some experienced writers) often think they know what they need to produce successful writing. This may not 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. always be the case. This session will cram the basics of creative AS IS PAINTING, SO IS POETRY: A CONVERSATION

writing into a 45-minute extravaganza. Appropriate for beginning f ctivities and experienced writers. BETWEEN A POET AND A PAINTER With Antoinette Brim, M.F.A. and David Warren, M.F.A. 11:00 - 11:50 a.m. Dialogue among the arts occurred long before 20 B.C. when Horace GETTING IT OUT THERE wrote “Ut pictura poesis,” or “As is painting so is poetry.” This session will explore the solitary experience of creating paintings and poetry, With Caroline C. Lewis, M.F.A. and Sandy Longhorn, M.F.A. and the collaboration of the artists as they respond artistically to each Sometimes the hardest part is getting started. Using writing prompts other’s work. and exercises to generate the beginning of new poems and stories,

we will emphasize putting pen to paper and breaking writer’s block. o r teens Appropriate for beginning and experienced writers.

Activities for teens Saturday, April 5, 2008 Saturday, April 5, 2008 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 P.m. 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. ANTI-BULLYING WORKSHOP FOR TEENS READER’S THEATRE competition Hear high school students showcase their talents in oral interpretation INTRODUCTION TO VERBAL SELF-DEFENSE: of the written word. Categories include storytelling, solo acting, NO BULLYING ALLOWED (ALOUD) humorous/dramatic interpretation, reader’s theatre, and duet acting. Suzette Haden Elgin, Ph.D. The Gentle Art For more information, contact Alexandra at (479) 263-3919 or of Verbal Self-Defense series [email protected] or Jessie at (479) 466-6239. FREE, but reservations are encouraged. Venue: Willy D’s Restaurant Contact Katie at [email protected] or (501) 907-2490. From texting to e-mail to altercations in the hallway, young people are bombarded with hostile language. Linguist Elgin will teach young adults aged 14 and up a set of basic terms and concepts of verbal self-defense, plus some simple and effective verbal self-defense strategies and techniques. Today a reader, Venue: Historic Arkansas Museum, Cromwell Hall (2nd Floor) tomorrow a leader. “ - Margaret Fuller

2008 Arkansas Literary Festival ” 7 8 sessions for kids STORY WHICHWANTEDTOBETOLD… Ottenheimer Theater (1stFloor) into theupcomingsequel. the for Very Enlightened(L.I.V.E.). asneak peek Stewartwillalsogive Go onanundercovermissionwithstudentsfromtheLearningInstitute (Fiction, ages9+) Trenton LeeStewart, ADVENTURES BOUND a.m. 11:00 Trinity (2ndFloor) Gallery welcome toobserve. tofinishlater.of spacetoillustrate) Teachers, librarians, andparentsare (withplenty ofthestory incomplete andeachchildwillreceiveacopy Dragonwagon’s help, story. willwriteagroup The endingwillbeleft who, andfifth-graders fourth- This sessionisdesignedfor with Crescent Dragonwagon ONCE UPONATIMETHEREWS Ottenheimer Theater (1stFloor) family.own childhoodexperienceinaNavy more timesthanshecancountononehand. Basedontheauthor’s Meet PiperReed, aspunkynine-year-old kidwhohasmoved military Kimberly Willis Holt, NO BRATSLLOWED a.m. 10:00 Sessions for Kids Sessions Historic ArkansasMuseum Sessions for Kids Sessions Piper Reed, Navy Brat The MysteriousBenedictSociety Trinity (2ndFloor) Gallery inBraille. also available with theauthorandherdog, Hanni. This bookis aSeeingEyedog? blind andtohave Then visit itisliketobe youeverwonderedwhat Have Safe &Sound Beth Finke andHanni, DOG TALES a.m. 11:30 (Fiction, ages4-10) (Fiction, ages4-12) Hanni andBeth:

earth science. coverstopics suchasforensics,series (6th-12thgrades) chemistry, and cranes, dump trucks, etc.) performing powerful activities. The colorful, offers grades) equipment(bulldozers, real-lifephotosofheavy everyone! Something for The Linda D. Williams, various non-fictiontitles SCIENCE, MACHINES,ANDMORE! Ottenheimer Theater (1stFloor) the prey? to getdeeperthantheboycanhandle. andwhois Who isthepredator boy’sA teenage teacherstarts withhismucholderhistory relationship Lurlene McDaniel, PREY 1:00 Trinity (2ndFloor) Gallery chores. theboredomofeveryday into aworldofadventuretoavoid friendsescaping KevinBakerandhisimaginary about this excitingstory School’s Elementary See howJefferson FifthGrade Art Clubillustrated (Fiction, ages4+) Steve Whisnant, WHOOOOOA, DOMINO! Ottenheimer Theater (1stFloor) robbers, likeBubba, andfolks pan. abigmanwhowieldsfrying in school. towrangleskunks, he’llhave Heneverguessesthat bobcats, Young Rosalie, Richarddreamsofbuyingaredscarffor theprettiestgirl Richard Mason, MAKING DREAMSCOMETRUE 3:00 Ottenheimer Theater (1stFloor) town celebrity. contestandthenbecomesthe Festivalchicken-judging Island Dairy Schmidt, whenhebecomestheyoungestkidevertowinHorse livingonachickenfarmisn’t sobadafterall,”“Maybe thinksDon Jacques Couvillon, A NEW 2:00 Trinity (2ndFloor) Gallery . Saturday,April5,2008 p p p “ .m. PECKING ORDER .m. .m. The RedScarf Domino Prey The Chicken Dance (Fiction, ages13+)

Mighty Machines (Fiction, ages9+) ArkansasLiteraryFestival.org ” (Fiction, ages9+) series(pre-Kto2nd Demystified

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Arkansas Reading CROSSWORD PUZZLES association presents: FOR THE FAMILY HANDS ON LITERACY Saturday, April 5, 2:00 p.m. Trinity Gallery (2nd Floor)

ACTIVITIES Since their launch in 2004, Walker’s weekly crosswords have become a o r ki d s Saturday, April 5, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. family tradition for millions of families nationwide. Kids Across Parents Hands on History Room (1st Floor) Down is Walker’s series of books that offer puzzles with thought-provoking Create a book and bookmark, participate in a reader’s theater, clues and bright stickers. Word-lovers of all ages are welcome. write a history timeline, and enjoy more activities. the Black Stallion Map of activities Literacy Project Presents: Historic Arkansas Museum READ TO A STALLION 1. Black Stallion 6. Restrooms Saturday, April 5, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Literacy Project 1850’s Farmstead (Corner of 2nd and Cumberland Streets) 7. Ottenheimer Drop by to meet and read to a real black stallion from The Black 2. North Entrance Theater Stallion Literacy Project. The project, conceived in 1999 by author 3. South Entrance 8. Hands On Walter Farley’s son, is designed to instill the joy of reading through 4. Gallery History Room the magic of live horses and Black Stallion books. 5. Gift Shop T Trolley Stop BLACK STALLION RIDES AGAIN Saturday, April 5, 12:00 - 12:30 p.m. 1850’s Farmstead (Corner of 2nd and Cumberland Streets) Tim Farley, son of Walter Farley, who wrote the Black Stallion book 1850’s series, will talk about his father’s classic children’s books. Musician FARMSTEAD Jeff Glover will share original songs. Come meet a real live black stallion. 1 STORYTIME WITH T SECOND STREET THE CHARACTERS Saturday, April 5, 2008 2 Hands on History Room (1st Floor) 4 HISTORIC Mother Goose 11:00 - 11:15 a.m. and 2:00 - 2:15 p.m. GROUNDS Sarah, Plain and Tall 10:30 - 10:45 a.m. and 1:30 - 1:45 p.m.

PUPPETRY 6 5 Trinity Gallery and Saturday, April 5 • Sturgis Gallery (2nd Floor) Sturgis Gallery on the 2nd floor. Snow White in the dog house SCOTT STREET MUSEUM 10:00 - 10:20 a.m. and 1:00 - 1:20 p.m. CUMBERLAND STREET Get a sneak peek of the upcoming show at the Heights Toy Store Theater. 8 7 Fairytale Theater 3 11:00 - 11:20 a.m. and 2:00 - 2:20 p.m. Puppeteers April Ross and Jan Wolfe transport us to the world THIRD STREET of fairytales. PARKING

9 2008 Arkansas Literary Festival 10 Adult sessions: schedule at a glance

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, Pula GET ITWRITE… OR EL THEIR PEOPLE 9:30 -10:30 (Fiction) Tito Perdue Elise Blackwell, 9:30 -10:30 (Animal/Fiction) Beth Finke Sonny Brewer, S 9:30 -10:30 (Arkansas History) Bolsterli Margaret Jones DOGS AN DEL 9:30 A T TURDA A R ski Technic SE OOTS on

children C THE CRESCENTCITY FALLING INLOVE WITH 10:00 - 11:00 (Cooking) Sara Roahen 10:00 - 10:50 Joey Cole WRITING R BUILDING ETTE HAMMER AND 10:00 a.m a.m a.m schedule

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11:00 (History) Douglas A. Blackmon 11:00 (Fiction) Tony Earley RISING ST 11:00 Sociology) (Media Studies/ M. GigiDurham GIRL EMPO 11:00 -11:50 Sandy Longhorn Caroline C. Lewis, ITOUTTHERE GETTING RECONSTR THE TR 11:00 a a a UE STOR . . . m m m AR . - 12:00 . - 12:00 P.M. . - 12:00 P.M. UCTION WER

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p . m . 12:00 - 12:50 Angie Macri Wade Derden, TOGETHER THE SUN:L NOTHING NE 12:00 YRICS W UNDER beha Tina McElroy Ansa, Fiction EXPRIENCE IN AMERIC THE AFRIC 12:30 -1:30p (Biology/Sociology) Barbara Oakley Why people 12:30 -1:30p (Memoir) Kelly Corrigan MOM-OIR 12:30 -1:30p Woodward (Fiction) Solon Timothy Special Ticketed Event 12:30 -1:30p Roland Mesnier(Cooking) Let use 12:30 p .

m . ve badl AN a ArkansasLiteraryFestival.org t c AN- AND PAINTER 1:00 -2:30p David Warren Antoinette Brim, CONVER A 1:00 ake

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QUEEN MOTHER 2:00 -3:00p Stewart (Fiction) Prete, Trenton Lee Brad Land, David MA NOVEL MEN ANDTHEIR 2:00 -3:00p (Humor/Parenting) Jill ConnerBrowne BEING THE 2:00 -3:00p (Fiction/Mystery) Carolyn Hart Ace Atkins, IT’S AMYSTER 2:00

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Special Ticketed Event 3:00 -4:00P.M. Crescent Dragonwagon (Cooking) “Food-Shel 3:00 ter americ 3:30-4:30p (Biography) Joe Nick Patoski WILLIE NEL 3:30 -4:30p (Thriller) Patrick McGrath the ne 3:30 -4:30p (Science Fiction) Suzette HadenElgin SCI-FI ALIVE of noir 3:30 -S tor w ma an legend y” SON, ster 4:00 .m .m .m

SUNDA 1:30 -2:30p (Religion/History) Karabell Zachary IS PE 1:30 -2:30p (Fiction) Norris Church Mailer ARKANS 1:30 -2:30p (Poetry) Alex Richardson Ed Madden, Greg Brownderville, 1:30 -2:30p (Memoir) Robert Leleux GR IS WHERETHEART A POETICTRIo:HOME POSSIBLE? MIDDLE 1:30 O WING UPPRETTY A CE INTHE A A I S FICTION Y ST

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2:30 3:00 -4:00p 3:00 -4:00p History) (Arkansas Jewish Carolyn LeMaster ARKANS 3:00 -4:00p (Fiction) Kevin Brockmeier ARKANS Rebecca Skloot Joe Nick Patoski, Jay Jennings, C FREELANCING A 3:00 -4:00p Mohja Kahf(Fiction) MIDWEST MUSLI INTHE 3:00 AREER OPTION A A S HISTOR II S FICTION 3:30 .m .m .m .m

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Y 4:00 4:30-5:30p (Fiction) Donald Harington ARKANS 4:30 A III S FICTION 5:00 .m A d u l

SATURDAY SUNDAY t sessions: S che d u l e a 9:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 1:00 1:30 2:00 2:30 3:00 3:30 4:00 1:30 2:00 2:30 3:00 3:30 4:00 4:30 5:00 Main Library, DOGS AND GIRL EMPOWER MOM-OIR BEING THE the new master ARKANSAS FICTION I ARKANSAS FICTION II ARKANSAS FICTION III Darragh Center THEIR PEOPLE M. Gigi Durham Kelly Corrigan QUEEN MOTHER of noir Norris Church Mailer Kevin Brockmeier Donald Harington Sonny Brewer, (Media Studies/ (Memoir) Jill Conner Browne Patrick McGrath (Fiction) (Fiction) (Fiction) Beth Finke Sociology) 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. (Humor/Parenting) (Thriller) 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. (Animal/Fiction) 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Cox Creative Center, GET IT WRITE… RISING STAR Why people MEN AND THEIR WILLIE NELSON, IS PEACE IN THE ARKANSAS HISTORY Meeting Room OR ELSE Tony Earley behave badly NOVELS: DOES GENDER american legend MIDDLE EAST Carolyn LeMaster Elise Blackwell, (Fiction) Barbara Oakley MATTER? Joe Nick Patoski POSSIBLE? (Arkansas Jewish Tito Perdue 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 P.M. (Biology/Sociology) Brad Land, David (Biography) Zachary Karabell History) (Fiction) 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Prete, Trenton Lee 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. (Religion/History) 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Stewart (Fiction) 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Pyramid Art, Books THE TRUE STORY OF THE AFRICAN- MUSLIM IN THE & Custom Framing RECONSTRUCTION AMERICAN MIDWEST Douglas A. Blackmon EXPERIENCE IN Mohja Kahf (Fiction) t a g la nce (History) Fiction 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 P.M. Tina McElroy Ansa, Solon Timothy Woodward (Fiction) 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Main Library, DELTA ROOTS IT’S A MYSTERY SCI-FI ALIVE GROWING UP PRETTY FREELANCING AS A East Room Margaret Jones Ace Atkins, Suzette Haden Elgin Robert Leleux CAREER OPTION Bolsterli Carolyn Hart (Science Fiction) (Memoir) Jay Jennings, (Arkansas History) (Fiction/Mystery) 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Joe Nick Patoski, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Rebecca Skloot 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Main Library, Pulaski Technical College Writing Workshops A POETIC TRIo: HOME fribourgh Room HAMMER AND NAIL: GETTING IT OUT THERE NOTHING NEW UNDER AS IS PAINTING, SO IS POETRY: A IS WHERE THE ART IS BUILDING BETTER Caroline C. Lewis, THE SUN: LYRICS CONVERSATION BETWEEN A POET Greg Brownderville, WRITING Sandy Longhorn TOGETHER AND A PAINTER Ed Madden, Alex Richardson Joey Cole 11:00 - 11:50 a.m. Wade Derden, Antoinette Brim, (Poetry) 10:00 - 10:50 a.m. Angie Macri David Warren 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. 12:00 - 12:50 p.m. 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. River Market, FALLING IN LOVE WITH Let us eat cake “Food-Shelter-Story” Clark Room THE CRESCENT CITY Roland Mesnier (Cooking) Crescent Dragonwagon (Cooking) Sara Roahen 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. 3:00 - 4:00 P.M. (Cooking) Special Ticketed Event Special Ticketed Event 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 4, 2008

WRITING ABOUT RELIGION RETHINKING RELIGION AND POLITICS FOR A POPULAR AUDIENCE Presented by the Clinton Library Cecil Murphey, Robert L. Short and School of Public Service (Religion/Philosophy) E.J. Dionne, Jr. (Politics/Religion) Friday, April 4, 2008, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Friday, April 4, 2008, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Venue: Main Library, Darragh Center Venue: Clinton School of Public Service, Choctaw Building Lobby

2008 Arkansas Literary Festival 11 Once you learn to read,

you will be forever free. ARKANSAS RIVER

- Frederick Douglass oun d s “ East Pavilion Activities Book Sales Food Vendors

al g r Exhibitors & Vendors

P Information ” ‘

PEABODY 1 E MARKHAM A bookstore is one of the HOTEL 3 2 4 PRESIDENT CLINTON

SCOTT only pieces of evidence we I-30 8 ‘ CLINTON ROCK 6 PRESIDENTIAL have that people are still 2ND 9 CUMBERLAND 5 7 P LIBRARY COMMERCE P “ M ap o f estiv SHERMAN thinking. 10 2ND - Jerry Seinfield 3RD 1. East Pavilion Book Fair and Pavilion P 2. Clark Room (3rd Floor) ” 3. Willy D’s Restaurant Adult Session Venues 4. Pyramid Art, Books & Custom Framing 5. Marriott Hotel Children/Teen Venues 6. Cox Creative Center 7. Main Library Parking 8. Darragh Center Trolley Line 9. 1850’s Farmstead 10. Historic Arkansas Museum

Exhibitors & VENDORs* LITERACY INFORMATION STATION Support these exhibitors and vendors who offer the best in books and Learn more about these education/literacy services and programs: merchandise—and who also support adult literacy. Arkansas Educational Telecommunications Network (AETN): AY Magazine Read to Succeed Program A book is the most effective Bearhead’s Publishing Arkansas Library Association Blue Cubicle Press Arkansas State Library weapon against intolerance The Book Adventure Heifer International: Read to Feed Program Cone Creations, Brenda Iannacone Pulaski Technical College and ignorance. Friesens Printing Corporation “ Kid’s Book World CONCESSIONS - Lyndon Baines Johnson Liberty Press Publishing, John Patrick Contini Link & Rosie, LLC The Oxford American Red Barn Press Rockon Publishing Funnel Cakes & more! St. Louis Publishers Association Open Saturday 100% of Yarnell’s ” & Sunday in the sales benefit Arkansas Press River Market! Literacy Councils, Inc. * Confirmed as of February 11, 2008

12 ArkansasLiteraryFestival.org pr

Professional development workshops o f ession SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2008 SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2008 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

CULTURAL COMPETENCE: HOW TO TRAVEL TO TEXAS l o pm ent w al d eve CRITICAL TIMES, CRITICAL ISSUES WITHOUT LEAVING YOUR SCHOOL With Donna Elam, Ph.D. With Kimberly Willis Holt FREE, but reservations are encouraged. FREE, but reservations are encouraged. Contact Kathleen at [email protected] or (501) 244-2704. Contact Katie at [email protected] or (501) 907-2490. How can educators work effectively across the cultures represented Holt will share how teachers, literacy specialists, librarians, and in their classrooms? This workshop will explore the concept of cultural anyone who works with children can motivate kids to read with her competence and how it relates to student achievement. Elam will also engaging book When Zachary Beaver Came to Town, for ages 10 present her book Why They Marched: The Struggle for the Right to and up. When “the fattest boy in the world” rolls into Antler, Texas, in Vote and its accompanying curriculum materials. a trailer, 13-year-old Toby’s perspective changes. Publishers Weekly Venue: Clinton Presidential Library, Classroom (1st Floor) praised the “well-developed characters, all fantastic and flawed in their own ways, [who] add plenty of spice.” Holt will provide examples of literacy activities and curriculum guides for her other books. SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2008 Venue: Historic Arkansas Museum, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Peg Smith Room (2nd Floor) p s o r ksho BLACK STALLION-INSPIRED LITERACY IN THE CLASSROOM With Larry Bramblett FREE, but reservations are encouraged. Contact Katie at [email protected] or (501) 907-2490. This lively session is designed for educators, literacy specialists, librarians, and anyone who works with children. You will explore how the Black Stallion Literacy Project can visit your first grade classroom to inspire children to read through the magic of horses. Bramblett will review The Black Stallion series of books as well as other book titles that will encourage literacy and motivate even the most apathetic reader. Workshop participants will receive an excerpt from the intensive curriculum guide. Venue: Historic Arkansas Museum, Peg Smith Room (2nd Floor)

Literacy is not a luxury; it is a right and a responsibility. If our world is to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century, we “ must harness the energy and creativity of all our citizens. - President Bill Clinton ” 2008 Arkansas Literary Festival 13 14 Author bios Main Library, EastRoom Saturday, April 5, 9:30a.m. 1848-2006 MAR Cox Creative Center, MeetingRoom (3rd Floor) Saturday, April 5, 9:30a.m. such as latest, “sensitive andbeautiful” by ELISE BLA Pyramid Art, Books&CustomFraming Saturday, April 5, 11:00a.m. DOUGLA Main Library, EastRoom Saturday, April 5, 2:00p.m. Oxford, . the 1950s. onahistoricfarmoutside Atkins liveswithhisfamily murderof intoaforgotten seriesbasedonhisinvestigation feature A Pyramid Art, Books&CustomFraming Saturday, April 5, 12:30p.m. and the Ugly Ways Ansa’s fifthnovel, TIN CE A New York Times You KnowBetter A MCELR G Grub TKINS ARET JONESBOL Witness . Sheisalsotheauthorof A. BLA S A. . inpublications appeared have Herstoriesandessays ,

Atkins is the author of six mystery novels,Atkins istheauthorofsixmystery includinghis Ansa isanovelist, publisher, filmmaker, teacher, and and Rain: Farminthe The JonesFamily Arkansas Delta, Chicken Bread of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and the editor of theUniversity Bolsterli isprofessoremeritaofEnglish at 2003), the (selected by , istheauthorofthreenovels: Blackwell, theUniversityof teachesat whocurrently lives indowntown Atlanta withhiswifeandchildren. and American society. RaisedintheMississippiDelta, he Journal Blackmon isthe Atlanta BureauChiefofthe Tribune as acrimereporterinthenewsroomof latest, African-. DownSouthPresspublished on focuses that an independentpublishingcompany journalist. In March 2007, she launched DownSouth Press, is a story spanning five generations of herfamily’s spanningfivegenerations is astory farm. CK , OY ANS WELL Quick Fiction Taking After Mudear Wicked City as a Notable Bookof2003), asaNotable The Unnatural History of Cypress Parish , a for heearnedaPulitzerPrizenomination . onrace, Hehaswrittenextensively theeconomy, . CKMON A and Washington PostBook World L.A. Times , . journalistwhocuthisteeth A former STERLI A Remembrance of Eden Topic Baby oftheFamily Baby , and , asequeltoherbest-selling asoneofthebestbooks Global CityReview Author Biographies The HandIFan With Vinegar Pie and (chosen by (chosenby . Tampa ), andher Wall Street During Wind Hunger (called .

, Ace Atkins - 2004 - Atkins Ace Saturday, April 5, 9:30a.m. work onbothanovelandchildren’s book. Fairhope, Alabama, whereheliveswithhisfamily. at Heiscurrently SONNY BRE Historic Arkansas Museum, PegSmithRoom(2ndFloor) Saturday, April 5, 10:30a.m. withtheBlackStallionLiteracyProject.collaborating afteritbegan Reservation school ontheNavajo School hadthehighestgainintestscoresofany in NewHampshireand . LeuppElementary in 2003. asSuperintendentofSchools Heserved Bramblett joinedtheBlackStallionLiteracyProject LARR Main Library, Darragh Center Sunday, April 6, 3:00p.m. Novelists in2007. HelivesinLittleRock. Brockmeier wasnamedoneof and BR KEVIN Main Library, Darragh Center The View fromtheSeventhLayer Y BRAMBLETT Café Dog GoneMissing Park Brewer istheauthorofnovels and the story collections and thestory novels of theDead Brockmeier istheauthorofnovels OCKMEIER WER , and the founder of andthefounder A SoundLike Thunder City ofNames and The Truth About Celia . Heistheeditorof Granta and Over the Transom Bookstore . Winner ofcountlessawards, Things FallfromtheSky That ’s Best Young American ArkansasLiteraryFestival.org Grooves: A KindofMystery , and Cormac: The Tale ofa The Poetof Tolstoy , thechildren’s The Brief History The BriefHistory Blue Moon , in

a utho r b ios JACQUES COUVILLON Couvillon was born and raised on a farm in Cow Island, Louisiana. Although he has lived in different cities, he will always consider Cow Island as his home. Couvillon will not say which, but some of the events in his book The Chicken Dance may actually have happened to him. Saturday, April 5, 2:00 p.m. Historic Arkansas Museum, Ottenheimer Theater (1st Floor) E.J. DIONNE, JR. Dionne is a syndicated columnist for the Washington Post, a regular political analyst on National Public Buzz Bissinger - 2004 Radio, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, and a professor at Georgetown University. His books GREG BROWNDERVILLE include the best-selling Why Americans Hate Politics, which won the Brownderville, of Pumpkin Bend, Arkansas, is the author Los Angeles Times book prize, and was nominated for the National of Deep Down in the Delta: Folktales and Poems. Book Award. His controversial new book is called Souled Out: Recently chosen for the 2007 Porter Prize, Brownderville Reclaiming Faith & Politics After the Religious Right. was the youngest person ever to receive the award. He is Friday, April 4, 5:30 p.m. currently pursuing an M.F.A. in Creative Writing at Ole Miss. Clinton School of Public Service, Choctaw Building Lobby Sunday, April 6, 1:30 p.m. Main Library, Fribourgh Room (2nd Floor) CRESCENT DRAGONWAGON Dragonwagon’s 41 published books include children’s JILL CONNER BROWNE books (Half a Moon and One Whole Star, a Coretta Scott Browne is a multiple #1 New York Times best-selling King Award-winner), cookbooks (The Cornbread Gospels, author of The Sweet Potato Queen books and is a named among ten best cookbooks of 2007 by “Good monthly contributor to Arkansas’ AY Magazine. She is Morning America”), and novels (The Year It Rained, a New York Times collaborating with Melissa Manchester, Sharon Vaughn, Notable Book). A former Arkansawyer, she now lives in . and Rupert Holmes on a Broadway musical. When she’s not writing or Session 1: Saturday, April 5, 10:00 a.m. (Children’s Session) speaking, Browne contributes to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Historic Arkansas Museum, Trinity Gallery Saturday, April 5, 2:00 p.m. (2nd Floor) Main Library, Darragh Center Session 2: Saturday, April 5, 3:00 p.m. (Special Ticketed Event) River Market, Clark Room KELLY CORRIGAN Corrigan is the author of the New York Times best-selling M. GIGI DURHAM memoir The Middle Place, of which the San Francisco Durham is an associate professor of journalism and mass Chronicle says, “Rarely has someone described the communication at the University of and a former infinite small moments of parenting so imaginatively yet journalist. Her research on adolescent girls and the so precisely.” Corrigan has appeared three times on “Oprah” to media has appeared in various journals. A passionate discuss her work. She is also a newspaper columnist and the wife advocate for children’s rights and social justice, she lives in Iowa City, of Edward Lichty, a proud Central High School grad. Iowa, with her husband and two young daughters. Saturday, April 5, 12:30 p.m. Saturday, April 5, 11:00 a.m. Main Library, Darragh Center Main Library, Darragh Center

2008 Arkansas Literary Festival 15 16 Author bios Session 2: and CumberlandStreets) Historic Arkansas Museum, 1850’s of2nd (Corner Farmstead Saturday, April 5, 12:00p.m. Black StallionReturns Award. hascontributed tothefilms Farley Stallion LiteracyProject, PointofLight whichwontheprestigious inOrlando, Nightsorganization Arabian Florida, theBlack co-founded which hassoldover100millioncopies. HeandMarkMillerofthe isthesonof Farley Walter Farley, whowrote Tim F Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense thescience-fictionwork notably HADENEL SUZETTE Cox Creative Center, MeetingRoom(3rd Floor) Saturday, April 5, 11:00a.m. Professor ofEnglishat Vanderbilt University. , whereheistheSamuelMiltonFleming Associate Somehow FormaFamily istheauthorof Earley TONY E Session 1:

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John T. Edge - 2004 ARLEY

Association andistheauthorofmultiple titles,Association most still resides. theScienceFictionPoetry Shefounded then retiredin1980tothe Arkansas Ozarks, whereshe Universityand SanDiegoState taughtlinguisticsat Elgin Main Library, EastRoom Saturday, April 5, 3:30p.m. (AdultSession) (2nd Floor) Historic Arkansas Museum, CromwellHall Saturday, April 5, 10:30a.m.(Teen Session) , andtheIMAXfilm, Jim theBoy . inNashville, Heliveswithhisfamily GIN Ozark Trilogy series. , Here We Are inParadise The Young BlackStallion The BlackStallion The BlackStallion andthenon-fiction , and ,

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Heasley Prize,Heasley andthePorterPrize. Achievement inLiterature Award, theRobertPenn Warren Award, the DON of thememoir andhandlesstardominstride.presentations Finkeisalsotheauthor perspective of her Seeing Eye dog, Hanni, who guidesBethto BETH FINKE KIMBERL Main Library, EastRoom Saturday, April 5, 2:00p.m. C Main Library, Darragh Center Sunday, April 6, 4:30p.m. Waiting Gregory for Session 2: Session 2: Session 1: Session 1:

AR OL ALD HARINGTON YN HAR

Y WILLISHOL novels andhaswonthe Novelist” by Fame andhasbeencalled “America’s Unknown Greatest Harington wasinductedintothe Arkansas Writers’ Hallof heart but without the mush.” The book is written from the the first children’s book Finkepresentsher PublicRadiocommentator National Award, Cameto Beaver Town Brat Children’s authorHolt’s bookis latest times. Hernewesttitleis the nine timesfor Agatha Award andhaswonthree sold almost three million books. Hart has been nominated Hartistheauthorof39novels.Mystery-writer Shehas Long Time, NoSee Historic Arkansas Museum, PegSmithRoom (Professional Development Workshop) (2nd Floor) (2nd Floor) Ottenheimer Theater (1stFloor) Saturday, April 5, 1:00p.m. Historic Arkansas Museum, Trinity Gallery Main Library, Darragh Center Saturday, April 5, 11:30a.m.(Children’s Session) Saturday, April 5, 9:30a.m.(AdultSession) Saturday, April 5, 10:00a.m.(Children’s Session) Historic Arkansas Museum, Chicago Sun-TimesChicago . Herothertitlesincludethenovels and T Keeper oftheNight Skinny BrownDog Skinny Entertainment Weekly T Hanni &Beth: Safe&Sound . , Book winneroftheNational calls “a wonderful story, from the The Oxford The Oxford American Death Death Walked In ArkansasLiteraryFestival.org , andthepicturebooks .

. Hehaspublished14 Piper Reed, Navy When Zachary When Zachary . Lifetime , which

a utho r b ios JAY JENNINGS CAROLYN LEMASTER Jennings’ journalism, humor, and essays have appeared LeMaster, a journalist and historian, has been writing and in The New York Times Book Review, Travel & Leisure, speaking on biblical and Jewish history for more than 35 Sports Illustrated, and Vogue. Jennings lives in Little years. She has received numerous grants and awards and Rock and is working on a book about Little Rock and is a native of Little Rock. Central High’s 2007 football season. Sunday, April 6, 3:00 p.m. Sunday, April 6, 3:00 p.m. Cox Creative Center, Meeting Room (3rd Floor) Main Library, East Room ED MADDEN MOHJA KAHF Madden, who currently teaches at the University of South Kahf, born in Syria and raised in the U.S., is professor of Carolina, grew up on a farm in Northeast Arkansas and is comparative literature at the University of Arkansas at a graduate of Harding University. His first book of poetry, Fayetteville. Her novel, The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf, is Signals, won the South Carolina Poetry Book Prize. the story of Khadra Shamy, a Syrian girl transplanted to Madden’s work was selected for Best New Poets 2007. the American Midwest in the ‘70s. She writes an online column on Sunday, April 6, 1:30 p.m. sexuality and Islam and is the author of several poetry collections. Main Library, Fribourgh Room (2nd Floor) Sunday, April 6, 3:00 p.m. Pyramid Art, Books & Custom Framing NORRIS CHURCH MAILER Mailer, raised in Arkansas, is the author of Windchill ZACHARY KARABELL Summer and, most recently, Cheap Diamonds. Her late Karabell received a master’s degree in modern Middle husband of thirty-three years is Norman Mailer. In the Eastern studies from Oxford and earned his Ph.D. from ‘70s, she was a Wilhelmina model and an actress. Mailer Harvard. He has taught at Harvard, the University of is also a painter, a playwright, and a screenwriter. at Boston, and Dartmouth. He is the author Sunday, April 6, 1:30 p.m. of several books, including The Last Campaign, which won the Chicago Main Library, Darragh Center Tribune’s Heartland Prize for best non-fiction book of the year. Sunday, April 6, 1:30 p.m. Cox Creative Center, Meeting Room (3rd Floor) BRAD LAND Land is the author of the novel Pilgrims Upon the Earth. His previous book, the best-selling memoir, Goat, will be turned into a movie by Jeff Nichols, the Little Rock-born filmmaker. Land’s writing has appeared inGQ , Third Coast, Quarter After Eight, and Rivendell. Saturday, April 5, 2:00 p.m. Cox Creative Center, Meeting Room (3rd Floor) ROBERT LELEUX For nearly thirty years, Leleux has remained internationally unknown as a celebrated bon vivant, fashion icon, and man about town. He is known not to have been portrayed by Julie Christie in John Schlesinger’s Oscar-winning filmDarling . He does not currently reside at Swinbrook House in the Cotswolds. His book is The Memoirs of a Beautiful Boy. Sunday, April 6, 1:30 p.m. Main Library, East Room

John Hope Franklin - 2006

2008 Arkansas Literary Festival 17 18 AUthor Bios Main Library, Darragh Center Friday, April 4, 12:00 p.m. 2008. released inJanuary copies. Murphey’s book, latest threemillion best-seller listsinceOctober2006 andhassoldnearly CECIL MURPHEY River Market, ClarkRoom (Special Ticketed Event) Saturday, April 5, 12:30p.m. competitionsaroundtheworld. pastry received numerous honors and awards, including20goldmedalsin of12inBurgundy, theage job in1956at France. Mesnier has R Main Library, Darragh Center Saturday, April 5, 3:30p.m. New York CityandLondonismarriedtoactressMaria Aitken. Tales other titlesinclude PA Historic Arkansas Museum, Ottenheimer Theater (1stFloor) Saturday, April 5, 1:00p.m. Love LURLENE MCDANIEL Historic Arkansas Museum, Ottenheimer Theater (1stFloor) Saturday, April 5, 3:00p.m. who is coming of age in the rural south. back to1944 oftwelve-year-oldArkansas throughtheeyes Richard, wife in El Dorado. In his debut novel, RICHARD MA OLAND MESNIER TRICK MCGRA , , I’ll beSeeing You The Grotesque 90 MinutesinHeaven ghost-written morethan100books and700articles. speakerwhohaswritten,international co-written, or isa Murphey All thePresidents’Pastries Beautiful Cakes Chef andistheauthoroftwocookbooks, fiveU.S.Mesnier served presidentsasExecutivePastry a medicalsuperintendent. bookis Hislatest Broadmoor Hospital, was yearshisfather many wherefor Reviews McGrath, called master”“a contemporary by is withjuvenilediabetes.diagnosed Hermostrecentnovel whenhersonwas facing life-alteringsituations teenagers novelsfor McDaniel beganwritinginspirational a smallfarminSouth Arkansas andnowlives with his Arkansas Wildlife Federation. As ayoungboy, helivedon collector,an antique-map presidentofthe andtheformer CEOofGibralterEnergy,Currently Masonisageologist, Prey SON Port Mungo . Herothertitles, allbest-sellers, are , upnear wasborninLondonandgrew , TH Spider , and New York Times and Till DoUsPart Death , and , Everybody LovedRogerHarden Everybody Asylum Dessert University Dr. Haggard’s Disease (withDonPiper)hasbeenonthe The Red Scarf , . Hebeganhisfirstpatisserie Blood and Water andOther best-sellingauthorand . , Mason takesus , andhismemoir, Basic to Don’t Die, My . Helivesin Trauma Kirkus , was . His

Session 1: Session 2: Cox Creative Center, MeetingRoom(3rd Floor) Saturday, April 5, 9:30a.m. Alabama Agriculture Library. Hisothertitlesinclude BinghamtonLibrary,at and University DirectorofEmory Associate University,State UniversityofNew Assistant DirectoroftheState York Rock andRoll Selena andacontributortothe ofStevieRay co-author andauthorofbiographies Vaughan and JOE NICKPA Cox Creative Center, MeetingRoom(3rd Floor) Saturday, April 5, 12:30p.m. Times fromthe ranging inpublications Her workhasappeared Bering Seain book. inthe ShechronicledheradventuresonSovietfishingboats BARBARA O TITO PERDUE to

Janis Kearney - 2004 Transactions on Nanobioscience

Tempo Rolling Stone has worked as Social Sciences Bibliographer at Iowa at has workedasSocialSciencesBibliographer titlesare His latest Genius”Literary wasborninChileandraised Alabama. Perdue, whothe for publications suchas publications for hasbeenwritingabout Patoski 35years Willie Nelsonfor Sister StoleMyMother’s Boyfriend Genes: Why RomeFell, HitlerRose, EnronFailedandMy insystemsengineering.women toholdadoctorate Oakley, “a femaleIndianaJones,” isoneofthefew Hair oftheDog: Tales from Aboard aRussian Trawler and Saturday, April 5, 3:30p.m. (MusicBiography) Main Library, EastRoom Cox Creative Center, MeetingRoom(3rd Floor) Sunday, April 5, 3:00p.m. (Freelancing) AKLEY TOSKI Conjunto , andthe , and , The Sweet-ScentedManuscript Country Music Country . livesinthe Patoski Texas HillCountry. Austin American-Statesman New York Press The New Austerities Rolling Stone Illustrated History of History Rolling StoneIllustrated The Fieldsof Asphodel No Depression ArkansasLiteraryFestival.org . , TV Guide called “America’s Lost ishermostrecent , , , Opportunities in Texas Monthly Picking Upthe and New York . Heisthe . Lee . He Evil . , a utho r b ios DAVID PRETE TRENTON LEE STEWART Prete is a writer, actor, and readings coach from New Stewart is the author of the adult novel Flood Summer, York City. His first book, a coming-of-age story set in New set in fictional Lockers Creek, Arkansas, and the best- York, is Say That to My Face. He is currently at work on a selling children’s novel The Mysterious Benedict Society. novel called Bones of His Bones. The sequel, The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Saturday, April 5, 2:00 p.m. Perilous Journey will be published in May. He lives in Little Rock with Cox Creative Center, Meeting Room (3rd Floor) his wife and two sons. Session 1: Saturday, April 5, 11:00 a.m. (for young adults) ALEX RICHARDSON Historic Arkansas Museum, Ottenheimer Theater Richardson’s first book of poetry isPorch Night on Walnut (1st Floor) Street. His poetry has appeared in such places as Free Session 2: Saturday, April 5, 2:00 p.m. (for adults) Lunch, Barrow Street, Birmingham Poetry Review, The Cox Creative Center, Meeting Room (3rd Floor) Southeast Review, Snake Nation Review, and The Southern Poetry Anthology. He is chair of the English department at JAN BUCKNER WALKER Limestone College, where he teaches creative writing, film history, Walker is the creator of Kids Across Parents Down, called modern poetry, and Shakespeare. “the original crossword puzzle for kids and their favorite Sunday, April 6, 1:30 p.m. adults” by Tribune Media Services. Walker is also an Main Library, Fribourgh Room (2nd Floor) attorney working as a consultant in employment law. She lives with her family in suburban Chicago. SARA Roahen Saturday, April 5, 2:00 p.m. In Gumbo Tales: Finding My Place at the New Orleans Historic Arkansas Museum, Trinity Gallery (2nd Floor) Table, native Roahen embraces the diverse cuisine of her adopted city, New Orleans, and combines it STEVE WHISNANT with her own unique cooking style. Roahen’s work has Whisnant’s most recent book, Domino, was illustrated by appeared in Tin House, The Oxford American, and Food & Wine. She Little Rock’s Jefferson Elementary Fifth Grade Art Club. and her husband own a home in New Orleans. He is past President of Fiction Writers of Central Saturday, April 5, 10:00 a.m. Arkansas and state representative for ByLine Magazine. River Market, Clark Room Saturday, April 5, 3:00 p.m. Historic Arkansas Museum, Trinity Gallery (2nd Floor) ROBERT L. SHORT Short speaks at churches across the United States and is LINDA D. WILLIAMS the author of numerous books on religion and popular Williams has written non-fiction books for children of all culture. His most recent title is The Parables of Dr. Seuss. ages, including contributions to the series Mighty His book The Gospel According to Peanuts has sold more Machines, Navigational Aids, and Demystified. A NASA than ten million copies worldwide. scientist for many years, she now lives in Little Rock with Friday, April 4, 12:00 p.m. her husband, daughter, and two rescued cats. Main Library, Darragh Center Saturday, April 5, 1:00 p.m. Historic Arkansas Museum, Trinity Gallery (2nd Floor) REBECCA SKLOOT Skloot is a contributing editor at Popular Science SOLON TIMOTHY WOODWARD magazine, correspondent for the National Public Radio Woodward studied philosophy and biology at Harvard show “RadioLab,” and the author of a monthly Pets University and holds a degree in medicine from the Mayo column for Prevention magazine. She writes feature Clinic College of Medicine. His short fiction has been stories, essays, and reviews for the New York Times and New York nominated twice for the Pushcart Prize. The writer Times Magazine, and O: The Oprah Magazine. Skloot specializes in Padgett Powell says “to keep an eye” on Woodward. A practicing writing about science and medicine, but is known to cover a wide physician, Woodward lives with his family in Jacksonville, Florida. range of topics, from food politics to goldfish surgery. Cadillac Orpheus is his first novel. Sunday, April 6, 3:00 p.m. Saturday, April 5, 12:30 p.m. Main Library, East Room Pyramid Art, Books & Custom Framing

2008 Arkansas Literary Festival 19 20 Literacy Councils of Arkansas Literacy CouncilofIndependence County, Batesville Literacy CouncilofHotSpringCounty, Malvern SWADC LiteracyProject(HempsteadCo.) Literacy CouncilofGrantCounty, Sheridan Literacy CouncilofGarlandCounty, HotSprings Franklin andLoganCountiesLiteracyCouncil, Ozark Faulkner CountyLiteracyCouncil, Conway Drew CountyLiteracyCouncil, Monticello Dumas LiteracyCouncil(DeshaCo.), Dumas Dallas CountyLiteracyCouncil, Fordyce Cross CountyLiteracyCouncil, Wynne Literacy CouncilofCrittendenCounty, West Memphis County Crawford Volunteers Literacy, for Van Buren Craighead/PoinsettCounties, Serving Literacy League CountyLiteracyCouncil,Conway Morrilton CountyLiteracyCouncil,Magnolia/Columbia Magnolia Little RedLiteracyCouncil(CleburneCo.), HeberSprings Carroll CountyLiteracyCouncil, Berryville Chicot CountyLiteracyCouncil, PineBluff Dogwood LiteracyCouncil(BentonCo.), SiloamSprings Literacy CouncilofBentonCounty, Bentonville Twin LakesLiteracyCouncil(BaxterCo.), MountainHome Literacy Councilof Arkansas County, Stuttgart Jonesboro litera cy councicy l

contact Arkansas Literacy Arkansas contact Councils, Inc. at(501)907-2490 orgo to T The LearningCenterofNorthLittleRock(PulaskiCo.), Pope CountyLiteracyCouncil, Russellville Polk CountyLiteracyCouncil, Mena Pike CountyLiteracyCouncil, Murfreesboro Literacy CouncilofPhillipsCounty, Helena Ouachita-Calhoun CountiesLiteracyCouncil, Chidester Literacy CouncilofNorthCentral Arkansas Literacy CouncilofMonroeCounty, Brinkley Mississippi CountyLiteracyCouncil, Blytheville Literacy CouncilofBowieandMillerCounties, Texarkana Marion CountyLiteracyCouncil, Summit Literacy CouncilofLonokeCounty, Lonoke County,Learning CenterofLafayette Texarkana County,Literacy CouncilofJefferson PineBluff Yell CountyLiteracyCouncil, Dardanelle Woodruff CountyLiteracyCouncil, Augusta Literacy Councilof White County, Searcy Ozark LiteracyCouncil(Washington Co.), Fayetteville Van BurenCountyLiteracyCouncil, Clinton Literacy CouncilofUnionCounty, ElDorado Literacy CouncilofSt. FrancisCounty, ForrestCity Sharp CountyLiteracyCouncil, Cherokee Village Literacy Councilof Western Arkansas (SebastianCo.), Literacy Action ofCentral Arkansas (PulaskiCo.), LittleRock s ofarkans tutor at oneoftheselocations, o learnmore a aboutbecoming (Boone, Newton, Stone, andSearcyCos.), Leslie Fort Smith NorthLittleRock ArkansasLiteracy.org. a s ArkansasLiteraryFestival.org

Cr e d its Arkansas Literacy Councils, Inc. Arkansas Literary Festival The Arkansas Literary Festival benefits the cause of adult literacy STEERING COMMITTEE in Arkansas through Arkansas Literacy Councils, Inc. (ALC), the Janet Cathey, Honorary Chair statewide literacy organization dedicated to Empower Arkansas Jean Block, Chair through Literacy. Olivia Cary, Co-Chair Mary Gay Shipley, Book Sales and Talent Recruiter, Since 1971, ALC has supported 50 literacy councils that recruit Children/Young Adult Division and train volunteer tutors to help adults improve their basic reading, Marc Smirnoff, Talent Recruiter, Adult Division writing and math skills. All services are free of charge to students. Katie Eisenhower McManners, Festival Director Literacy councils and ALC are saving Arkansas nearly $6 million in Ginny Blankenship, Outreach/Grassroots Marketing services that it doesn’t have to pay to hire teachers to tutor adults. Rachel Elliott, Promotion Graeme Ellzey, Children’s Activities Jan Emberton, Moderator Liaison, Adult Division ALC STAFF Philip Less, Logistics Marie Clinton Bruno, Executive Director Alex Marshall, Young Adult Activities Katie Eisenhower McManners, Jessie Miller, Young Adult Activities Development Director and Festival Director Amanda Moore, Outreach/Grassroots Marketing Grace Morrissey, Office/Finance Manager Eric Paxton, Logistics Katherine Wyrick, Festival Assistant Nikki Paxton, Volunteer Management Kathy Roche, Media Lauren Weintraub, Special Events ALC Board Of Directors Katherine Wyrick, Festival Assistant Barbara Hanley, President Steve Brawner, Vice President SPECIAL THANKS Dr. Kathy Lease, Secretary We are deeply appreciative of the festival authors, all of whom Slocum Pickell, Treasurer generously waived speaking fees and honoraria. Jean Block We also thank: Kirk Bradshaw The Capital Hotel Jan Emberton Department of English (UCA) Marti Hampton Festival Guides Kelly Hight Literacy Action of Central Arkansas Lloyd Huskey Moderators and Introducers Gina Kokes National Student Speech Language Association (UCA) Cathryn Reagan Pyramid Art, Books & Custom Framing Warwick Sabin Subcommittee Members Dr. Peggy Sissel-Phelan University of Arkansas Alumni Association James H. Smith, Jr. University of Arkansas at Little Rock Jim Allen, Representative, Volunteers Willy D’s Restaurant Council Membership Advisory Committee (non-voting) Marie Clinton Bruno, Executive Director (non-voting) Jessica Allgaier Klaus Neu Karyl Bearden Glenda Nugent Carol Ann Fitzgerald Jennifer Owens Madelyn Ganos Kathleen Pate Marti Hampton Bobby Roberts Brandi Hinkle Tricia Spione Patti Hornbeck Louise Terzia James McManners Jane Thompson Reita Miller Erin Waller Starr Mitchell Wendy Wood

2008 Arkansas Literary Festival 21 2008 Event Sponsors

Empowerment Level

In Memory of Lt. Governor Rockefeller

Achievement Level Media sponsors

knowledge Level official bookseller

Opportunity Level Podcast sponsors Brain Child Press Pulaski Bank Courtyard by Marriott

Patron Level Arkansas Arts Council CenterPoint Energy Slocum Pickell Transamerica Worksite Marketing

We gratefully acknowledge those listed above who have pledged their support as of February 11, 2008.