Although the book fest is not part of 4RV Publishing and 4RV is not a sponsor, 4RV Publishing is registered for the Heartland New Day BookFest, along with four other publishers, sixty-five authors, seven illustrators, and three literary groups.
I'm personally one of the organizational committee members, and we're meeting weekly now that the festival will be April 9 and 10. However, our meeting today had to be canceled. The first day of spring brought a winter storm with already over seven inches of snow.
Here are a few photos of our last meeting: Suzy Koch and Bill VanOsdol discuss the football (signed by OU Heisman winners) which is a door prize for the festival. Other door prizes include two $25 savings bonds from Citizens' Bank of Edmond and a Day of Beauty, provided by Lynn M. Center and Hair by Shad.
Shirl Yancey is secretary of the committee, and she took the opportunity to show off the cover of her book, which will come out later this year, if all goes well. More information can be found on her website, vehoae conscience.
Committee member John LaGroue and festival director Suzy Koch discuss plans.
Friday, April 9, several attending authors and illustrators will visit schools in the area and will speak to students about writing and illustrating. Then that evening, a dinner will be held starting at 6:30. Jordan Dane will be the keynote speaker, and awards will be presented to students who placed in the essay contest and to authors whose books placed in the published book competition. Reservations for the dinner can still be made. Details can be found on the Heartland New Day BookFest website, on the Dinner page.
Saturday, April 10, the book festival is open to the public from 9 AM - 3 PM. Of the sixty-some authors present with their books, several are best-selling and/or award-winning authors. Two of the publishers will take pitches from writers hoping to have books published. See the Publishers page on the website for information.
All but a couple tables are reserved for the book festival itself, two slots per table. Anyone wanting to register need to do so quickly.
I hope everyone in or near Oklahoma will make a trip to the Heartland New Day BookFest and meet us.
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