STUDENT POETRY SLAM

Hear student poets from Sevier County schools compete in the Appalachian WordFest Student Poetry Slam. Students have the option to compete only in the local competition or to use their composition as an entry into the National Youth Poet Laureate® Competition.

Ballroom A | 8am-9:45am

PRODUCING YOUR AUDIOBOOK

Presented by Kelley Griffin & Amanda Marr

Kelley Griffin and Amanda Marr ventured into the world of producing audiobooks after connecting at Rose Glen Literary Festival a few years ago. Kelley is a prolific author of romantic suspense novels while Amanda provides the voice for her characters. Learn the basics of creating your own audiobook during this informative and fun session.

Room 1 | 9am-9:45am

Room 1 | 10am- 10:45am

WHY I WRITE WHAT I WRITE

Presented by Stanford Johnson

Healing happened, subconsciously and serendipitously as it were, while I wrote my debut novel Our LITTLE Secret. Writing, and specifically writing dialogue between the father and son characters, was the key that unlocked the storehouse of a self-defeating self-image and opened a wellspring of potential that released me from my past and allowed me to regain my life.

Room 1 | 11am-11:45am

Room 1 | 1pm- 1:45pm

PATH TO PUBLISHING

Presented by Amanda Lamkin

International publisher, Amanda N. Lamkin, will discuss the three most viable paths to publication, the pros and cons of each, and the steps each author must take to pursue their chosen route. She is also eager to answer any questions about publishing.

Room 2 | 9am-9:45am

Room 2 | 10am- 10:45am

CHASING YOUR DREAMS

Presented by Naomi Miller

Naomi Miller finally gave in to her desire to write around the time most people are planning for retirement. Instead of simply giving up on her dream, she decided to chase it. Now she has written seven novels, co-written four others and collaborated on three children’s stories! Learn how she got the gumption to go for it – and how you can, too!

Room 2 | 11am-11:45am

Room 2 | 1pm- 1:45pm

THE DEEP AS A CHARACTER: CREFTING STORIES STEEPED IN CULTURE AND ATMOSPHERE

Presented by Fayla Ott

Fayla creates tales of American history, mostly set in the south, that capture the heart and challenge the spirit. She writes historical fiction and historical suspense. Her 2018 release, Afflicted, won the Redemptive Fiction award and received high praise from Publisher’s Weekly.

Room 3 & 4 | 9am-9:45am

Room 3 & 4 | 10am- 10:45am

FINDING SCHIFRAH: THE JOURNEY OF A DUTCH HOLOCAUST CHILD SURVIVOR

Presented by Sonja Dubois

Sonja DuBois was born in Rotterdam on October 19, 1940. She became a Holocaust child survivor in July 1942 when her parents were deported to Auschwitz. She was raised by a Dutch foster family who immigrated in 1952 without being told about her biological family and true identity. Her book, Finding Schifrah: The Journey of a Dutch Holocaust Child Survivor, chronicles her lifelong search for understanding and has led her to be a powerful witness and public speaker about the Shoah.

Room 3 & 4| 11am-11:45am

AN APPALACHIAN GAMEKEEPER’S SOLILOQUY OF HUMOROUS TALES

Presented by R. L. Pete Wyatt

Join retired game warden Pete Wyatt for a hilarious romp through the woods of Upper East Tennessee. His book series, An Appalachian Gamekeeper’s Soliloquy of Humorous Tales, introduces the colorful characters and unbelievable situations he encountered in his decades long career with the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency. Come spend some time with an Appalachian Gamekeeper.

Ballroom A | 10am-10:45am

Ballroom A | 11am- 11:45am

CORMAC MCCARTHY PANEL: THE LITERATURE & LEGACY OF MCCARTHY

Join professors Bill Hardwig and Wes Morgan plus graduate student Sarah Yancey as they discuss the Appalachian roots and legacy of the late American author Cormac McCarthy’s work.

Ballroom B | 9am-9:45am

CORMAC MCCARTHY PANEL: CELEBRATING THE

Professor Bill Hardwig and graduate student Sarah Yancey will delve into the critically acclaimed McCarthy novel, Blood Meridian. Published in 1985, the book has become recognized as one of the greatest American novels of all time.

Ballroom B | 10am-10:45am

THE WRITER’S ROADMAP: FINDING YOUR PATH TO PUBLICATION

Presented by Victoria Winifred

Join Victoria Winifred as she shares her inspiring journey and insights into self-publishing success, including working with illustrators. This engaging presentation also covers the traditional route: crafting query letters and finding publishers. Victoria offers practical strategies and answers your questions to empower your writing journey.

Ballroom B | 11am-11:45am

THE ELEMENTS OF NOIR FICTION

Presented by Thomas A. Burns, Jr.

Award-winning author Thomas A. Burns Jr. will discuss noir fiction from its inception in the early 20th century to the neo-noir writers of today. Examples of classic noir books and films will be provided, and modern noir will be illustrated by examples from Tom’s Natalie McMasters series and other modern neo-noir authors. Audience questions and discussion will be welcomed.

Ballroom B | 1pm-1:45pm

ROUND ROBIN WITH WRITERS – SESSION #1

Like speed dating for book lovers, this Round Robin gives you a seat at the table with variety of authors for a quick overview of their latest books. Get ready for a fun session – and maybe even meet your next favorite author!

Participating authors in session #1 include: Lynn Cahoon, Victoria Winifred, Katherine Parr, Bobbi Chapman, Gayle Curtin, R.L. Pete Wyatt, JC Morrows, Naomi Miller, Thomas Burn, and Leanne Tyler.

Ballroom C | 9am-9:45am

ROUND ROBIN WITH WRITERS – SESSION #2

Like speed dating for book lovers, this Round Robin gives you a seat at the table with a variety of authors for a quick overview of their latest books. Get ready for a fun session – and maybe even meet your next favorite author!

Participating authors in session #2 include: Sisters in Crime East TN, Macy Morrows, Brooke Gilbert, Sharon Griffiths, Dennis Deeb II, Brenda Prater Sellers, Mary Jane Capps, Stanford Johnson, Michael Westmoreland, and Karen Hall.

Ballroom C | 10am-10:45am

THE OTHER HALF: EVERYTHING YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT PUBLISHING A NOVEL

Presented by Michael Westmoreland

Explore the world of literature with Michael Westmoreland, local fantasy author, as he delves through key details that will aid you while publishing a book. Learn everything there is to know in this field from querying agents and houses, creating eye-catching covers, and marketing your brand. Ask any and all questions you have–especially about self-publishing and what it takes to do so successfully.

Ballroom C | 11am-11:45am

SISTERS IN CRIME EAST TENNESSEE

Presented by The Smoking Guns

The Smoking Guns is the East Tennessee Chapter of the international writers’ organization, Sisters in Crime. The organization is a collective of mystery writers (Sisters and Misters) with several members writing in multiple genres including murder mysteries, non-fiction, romance, cozy mysteries, Christian suspense, supernatural and physiological thrillers.

Be inspired by this moderated panel of authors in a variety of genres speaking on the topic of their writing methods and motivation while gaining helpful insights and tips to apply to your own writing habits.

Ballroom C | 1pm-1:45pm

PRINT ON DEMAND: HOW TO PRODUCE AFFORDABLE BOOKS WITHOUT FILLING YOUR GARAGE WITH UNSOLD COPIES

Presented by Paul James of the Knoxville History Project

Join Paul James as he shares his experiences as Director of Publishing for the Knoxville History Project, which has published 20 books with renowned historian Jack Neely, including Historic Knoxville: The Curious Visitors Guide and Downtown Knoxville. He’ll also discuss working with local designers and print shops to publish affordable Trade Paperback books, particularly using blurb.com – the latest title being Knoxville Beer: A Short History of the City’s Breweries.

Ballroom D | 9am-9:45am

Ballroom D | 10am-10:45am

WHO ARE YOU WALKING ON?

Presented by Arthur M Bohanan

Arthur M. Bohanan is an internationally award-winning patented inventor, researcher, lecturer, author and Certified Latent Print Examiner – of which there are only 980 in the world. With over 55 years in the study and practical application of forensics in thousands of violent crime scenes, Bohanan shares his insights and inspirations in his latest book Who Are You Walking On? Divinely Inspired Graveyard Forensics.

Ballroom D | 11am-11:45am

BEHIND THE SCENES

Presented by Mike Maden

Mike grew up working in the canneries, feed mills and slaughterhouses of California’s San Joaquin Valley. A lifelong fascination with history and warfare fortuitously led to a Ph.D. in political science focused on conflict and technology in international relations. While in grad school, he happened upon Tom Clancy’s magnificent, The Hunt for Red October. Not surprisingly, Mike’s first foray into fiction was a four-book techno-thriller series centered around drone warfare. After that series ended, he received the thrilling but wholly unexpected invitation to join the Tom Clancy franchise. Mike also writes for The Oregon Files series, part of the Clive Cussler franchise, and was the author of its latest release, Ghost Soldier.

In his presentation, Mike will cover his journey as a writer and share some of the stories behind the stories in his incredible career.

Ballroom D | 1pm-1:45pm

SYLVIA DOE AND THE 100-YEAR FLOOD

Presented by Robert Beatty

Robert Beatty is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of the Serafina Series, the Willa Series, and Sylvia Doe — all published by Disney-Hyperion. Join Robert as he presents the book trailer for his new novel, Sylvia Doe and the 100-Year Flood, which is the story of a young, horse-loving orphan who must fight to survive when a hurricane causes catastrophic flooding in her Blue Ridge Mountains home.

Amazingly, Robert had been working on this hauntingly timely book for several years. Its publication occurred in September/October 2024—precisely when Hurricane Helene unleashed a real-life 100-year flood on the area in which the book is set (and where Robert currently lives). He is now donating 100% of his earned royalties from Sylvia Doe to help those impacted by Hurricane Helene. In his presentation, he’ll be discussing how he came up with the idea for his new book and how he felt when the disaster described in his book actually happened.

Loved by both young readers and adults alike, Robert’s books are being taught in over a thousand classrooms nationwide and have been translated into over twenty languages across the world. Over ONE MILLION of his books have been sold.

Ballroom D | 2pm-2:45pm