Organizing a Writers Conference and Book Fair

If you've ever wondered what is involved in organizing a Writers Conference and Book Fair, pop on over to Elizabeth Spann Craig's blogspot, Mystery Writing is Murder, to see what it's taking to get the Inaugural Book 'Em North Carolina event off the ground!

This event would not have happened without the vision, commitment, energy and efforts of so many in the community, including:

Katie Huneycutt, who has truly been my right hand through the entire process;

L. Diane Wolfe, who has been the author liasion for the schools' participation;

Dencie Lambdin, Executive Director for Communities In Schools;

Mickey Gregory from the Lumberton Visitors Bureau, whose boundless promotional energy has done wonders in spreading the word;

Robeson County Public Library and the Friends of the Robeson County Public Library, who will be out in force to help with everything from food for the authors to hospitality committees to moderating panels and working in every area of the event;

Wanda Aguirre, who agreed to chair The Children's Corner, and all the volunteers working in that area to provide readings, special activities and events for children;

Faculty from the Robeson County Public Schools who have volunteered to do everything from art work for The Children's Corner to music in the cafeteria to providing student volunteers to help in every area, as well as promote reading and writing through short story contests;

Faculty and staff at Robeson Community College, who have opened two entire buildings for this event, provided faculty and staff to serve as an Executive Volunteer Committee, and who have engaged the students in reading and writing and serving as volunteers;

The dozens of sponsors throughout the community who have given us monetary donations and donations-in-kind to make this event a great success, and who continue to work on promotional efforts;

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, who have worked tirelessly in promoting the event, engaging their students in promoting literacy, providing volunteers, and helping at every corner;

Robeson County Arts Council, who is handling all of the treasury functions and working to promote the literary arts and this event;

The City of Lumberton, who has been supportive every step of the way and who has helped make this entire process seamless;

And so many, many others throughout the community.

This is going to be an exciting, successful, electric event due to the dozens upon dozens of people committed to making it work.

And the best part of all... every single person has done it with a smile and true Southern hospitality.

To all the authors and attendees coming to Lumberton: you are in for a monumental treat! It's the friendliest place on earth!

Trish Terrell
http://www.pmterrell.com/

Are You Still Writing?

“Are you still writing?” is a question that Denise Sutton hears quite often. 

"That's like asking me am I still breathing!" she says. "Writing for me is a passion, not an option."  She admits that she has had moments that she has thought about quitting, but at her most vulnerable times, something compels her to continue. "Writing is one of the main reasons that I exist." she says.

Her earliest remembrance of writing was in grade school when she wrote rhyming slogans while campaigning for junior high school office.  “I love the way that poetry teaches a lesson or conveys a feeling. It usually sticks with you because of it’s rhythm." For years, Denise wrote what she could not speak out loud. "All my secret wishes, disappointments, and feelings can be found in the words that I write. I also love to inspire others. It enlightens me when someone reads something that I have written and says to me, 'This is exactly how I feel but didn't know how to put it into words!'  If what I say encourages others to think or act differently, then 'Bingo!', I have done my job for that day." 

Although poetry is her first love, she has begun testing her motivational skills through her first inspirational book, Seizing Opportunities That Propel You Forward, published through Dancing Lemur Press (2011).  Denise believes that her love of motivational books and her work as a mental health nurse over the last 14 years have strengthened her knowledge of what it takes to become successful in life. 

Before Seizing Opportunities, she self-published two poetry books, My Words and Me and Do You Know Him? and produced several CD's, including   "Word's Can't Tell" and "Decade of Hope." Her last CD, "Decade of Hope",  consists of two Relay for Life theme songs, a patriotic song, and several songs about belief in oneself. 

Denise's music and poetry can be heard almost daily on WEGG radio station 710 AM AND 95.9 FM in Eastern North Carolina. She also publishes her poetry and other words of inspiration on her website, blog, and facebook pages. Denise' work can be found in local stores in both Duplin and Wayne Counties.

She hopes that her writing continues to inspire those around her. Denise is a past participant of Bookem in both Waynesboro, Va and Charleston, SC and will be a speaker in the 2012 "Poetry in Motion" segment at this year's Bookem North Carolina.

"I am a writer, a writer am I.

Why I am, why I started, I don't know.

It's in my blood, it will always be

Inseparable, untouchable, my words and me!"

You can learn more about Denise from any of the sites below:

www.mywordsandme.com

http://cd-sutton.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/mywordsandme

http://twitter.com/#!/ccddsutton

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/denise-sutton/37/8a1/b6a

http://dancinglemurpress.com/id29.html