Stephen Harrigan
Stephen Harrigan is a New York Times bestselling author of ten books of fiction and non-fiction, including the award-winning The Gates of the Alamo and Remember Ben Clayton, which was praised by The Wall Street Journal and awarded the prize for best work of historical fiction by the Society of American Historians. His latest novel, A Friend of Mr. Lincoln, a work of fiction centering on Abraham Lincoln’s early career as a lawyer and state legislator, was hailed by Publishers Weekly as “superb” and, in the judgment of Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Joseph J. Ellis, “historical fiction at its very best.” We will be treated to a review of his not-yet-released book They Came from the Sky in our Frazier Performance Hall after lunch. Mr. Harrigan has also written many movies for TNT, HBO, and the Hallmark Channel. Currently in development is The Which Way Tree, which will star Robert Duvall. Mr. Harrigan resides in Austin with his wife. They have three daughters and five grandchildren.
Ann Weisgarber
Ann Weisgarber is the author of three historical novels. Adults will enjoy her review of The Personal History of Rachel DuPree set in the South Dakota Badlands in 1917. It was the winner of the Stephen Turner Award as well as the Langum Prize for Historical Fiction and is currently being made into a major motion picture, starring Viola Davis. Her newest, The Glovemaker, will be published later this year and is set in Utah in the winter of 1888. Ann currently resides in Galveston, Texas, with her husband, Rob. In addition to her book review, she will conduct one of our writers workshops on Saturday, focusing on the necessary elements for the first three pages, character bios, and 25 common plots.
Lisa Wingate
Author Lisa Wingate is returning! For our writers workshop she will take questions from the audience, so come prepared. Lisa will also review Before We Were Yours, which has now been distributed in over 35 countries and has been on the New York Times bestseller list for over six months. She was named the 2017 Goodreads Choice winner for Historical Fiction.
Karen Blumenthal
Our young adults will enjoy hearing Karen Blumenthal review her biography, Bonnie and Clyde, the Making of a Legend. Karen retraces their early lives, two-year crime spree, and subsequent transformations into doomed pop-culture antiheroes. Karen is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author writing nonfiction books for young adults.
Anna Mitchael
Adults will laugh out loud while enjoying author, Anna Mitchael. Co-Author of Copygirl which Publisher’s Weekly describes as “wickedly funny and smartly sweet” lives outside Mosheim, Texas. When not writing, she can be found on the ranch attempting rural activities way out of her league….that her four year old could do with his eyes closed.
Tom McDermott
Tom McDermott is an award-winning storyteller and speaker and will delight our readers. While reviewing his books, he accompanies himself on guitar, ukulele, flute, and drums. His books include One by One, Cooperation Garden Time, and The Ghouls Come Haunting. Tom is a one-man orchestration of story, laughter, and song.
Scott Sutton
Everyone young and old will enjoy Scott Sutton. Scott is the author and illustrator of several series, including The Family of Ree, now in its sixth edition. This time he will teach us art through his book How to Draw Stuff. Drawing supplies will be available to all, so come prepared to have fun and learn.
Kari Rich
Kari Rich is the author of Heaven Help Us and Lighten Up and Laugh. She enjoys exposing the hidden hilarity that lurks in everyday life. Kari is the mother of three and spends her time reading, biking, designing, and quilting, when she is not loading the dishwasher.
Reavis Wortham
Reavis Wortham is the author of the Red River historical mystery series and the Sonny Hawk contemporary thriller series. Reavis will serve as our keynote speaker after Friday night's dinner. He will review Hawke’s War, which is the sequel to Hawke's Prey and was released this spring. He will also conduct a session for our writers workshop on Saturday titled “Lessons on Writing” and discuss pitfalls, dialogue, and proper setting.
Michelle Staubach Grimes
Michelle Staubach Grimes (and, yes, she is the daughter of the famous Roger Staubach) has two books that our young readers will enjoy. Her first, Where Is Pidge, along with her second just released book, Pidge Takes the Stage, center around Pidge, the middle child of seven siblings. Michelle is married to John Grimes and began journaling years ago when she decided to leave the corporate world and stay at home with their three children. She then began taking classes at SMU in their creative writing program and the rest is history.
Jan Peck
Jan Peck-- author of the bestselling children’s books Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea, Way Far Away on a Wild Safari, and Way Up High in a Tall Green Tree, just to name a few--will entertain our very young book lovers with her books. Jan’s awards include Best Children’s Books of the Year and she is a contributor to the magazine Highlights for Children and freelance editor for Boy’s Life magazine. Jan currently lives in Dallas and will be one of our morning speakers so our youngest may get home for their afternoon naps and sweet dreams about the adventures they have enjoyed in the morning.