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

Fayla Ott | faylaott.com

Fayla Ott examines the deep South’s culture, history, and haunting atmosphere as integral characters in her latest novel, The Setting Time. Explore the allure of Southern Gothic and regional fiction, and its role in crafting tales that captivate and transport readers.

Room 1 | 9am-9:45am

Room 1 | 10am- 10:45am

WISDOM AT A COST

John Mathews | johnmathews.com

Wisdom at a Cost is a memoir confronting the harsh realities of opioid addiction, incarceration, and the hard-fought path to redemption, a loving family, and career success.

Room 1 | 11am-11:45am

THE INFLUENCE OF THE APPALACHIAN REGION AND CULTURE IN LITERARY & HISTORICAL FICTION

Chuck Walsh | chuckwalshwriter.com

Explore how Appalachian traditions, landscapes, and social dynamics have shaped narrative themes, character development, and storytelling techniques in works of fiction.

Room 1 | 1am-1:45am

WRITER’S ROADMAP

Victoria Winifred | victoriawinifred.com

Victoria coaches aspiring writers to pursue their dreams of writing from creativity to print: the process, queries, art, & publishing.

Room 2 | 9am-9:45am

KILLING ME SOFTLY – WHEN HALLMARK MEETS MURDER

Ten steps to determine if writing a cozy mystery is in your wheelhouse.

Lynn Cahoon | lynncahoon.com

Learn the requirements of a cozy mystery –a story low on gore, low on sex, and high on fun – and the importance of a cozy setting, quirky secondary characters, and the why behind a good series.

Room 2 | 10am-10:45am

GOALS, MOTIVATION, AND CONFLICT

Ernest Lancaster | ernestlancaster.com

In a character driven story, clearly defined goals motivated by compelling incentives and hindered by realistic obstacles to achieving those goals are a must. Delve into how to build rich characters and stories with an experienced crime fiction author.

Room 2 | 11am-11:45am

INSPIRED BY MOUNTAIN TALES

Sharon Griffith | sharongriffith.net

The southern Appalachian Mountains hold a host of inspiring tales passed from generation to generation. Sharon’s presentation will explore how to transform those personal recollections, newspaper articles, and historic research to spark fascinating narratives.

Room 2 | 1am-1:45am

RESTLESS SPIRITS: GHOSTS, WITCHES & CRYPTIDS OF EAST TENNESSEE, SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA, AND WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA

R. L. Pete Wyatt

Join retired game warden Pete Wyatt for a haunting romp through the woods of Appalachia as he chronicles the ghosts, witches, and cryptids that roam these mountains.

Room 3 | 9am-9:45am

Room 3| 10am- 10:45am

A SPIRITUAL PASSAGE: HIKING THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL

Rand Timmerman | randtimmerman.com

A Spiritual Passage chronicles the challenges and humor as Rand and his brother, both Vietnam War combat veterans, hike the Appalachian Trail in their 70s. As one brother recovers from alcoholism the other struggles with the grief of his wife’s death in this story meant to inspire those who feel too old or too burdened to take on new challenges and enjoy life again.

Room 3 | am-am

WHO ARE YOU WALKING ON? AND WHO WE FOUND

Arthur M. Bohanan | artbohanan.wordpress.com

Renowned forensic researcher and author Art Bohanan shares stories and insights from his latest two books, Who Are You Walking On? and Who We Found, including methods to determine where graves and located and determining whom is within in seconds…without disturbing the ground.

Room 3 | 1pm-1:45pm

QUANTUM TEMPEST

Mike Maden | mikemaden.com

Loren Ipsum

Main Lobby | Featured Book Signing 1pm

Room 3 | 2pm-2:45pm

APPALACHIAN WORDFEST YOUTH POETRY SLAM COMPETITION

Listen in as student poets from Sevier County schools compete in the Appalachian Wordfest Youth Poetry Slam for a chance to highlight their talent and win scholarship dollars.

Room 4 | 9am-10:30am

BOSS BROOKS: FRAUD, FAMILY & FORGIVENESS FROM TN TO TX

Kathy Bingham Turner & Leon Alligood | utpress.org

In 1931, Tennessee banker Boss Bingham staged his death and fled west, reinventing himself as Marvin Brooks in Texas. Boss Brooks: A True Story of Fraud, Family, and Forgiveness uncovers his deception, explores its impact on two families, and reveals a legacy of secrets, resilience, and redemption.

Room 4 | 11am-11:45am

Room 4 | 1pm-1:45pm