Great American Book Festival Brings Agent Pitch Sessions to Rapid City

-Rapid City, SD

As anyone who has ever dreamed of becoming an author can attest, the world of publishing can be quite intimidating.  First, there’s the task of crafting a manuscript.  Then there’s the oft-told tale of trying to find an agent and publisher.  Then, once the book is ready for production, there’s the chore of promotion.  All in all, the prospect can be as exciting as it is unnerving.  The Great American Book Festival, now in its second year, is bringing the GABfest Writers’ Conference to downtown Rapid City once again.  Free and open to the public, local authors, aspiring authors, and those who are just curious to learn more about the world of publishing are invited to attend a full day of conferences in May. 

The GABfest Writers’ Conference will be held on Friday, May 10th at the Dahl Arts Center, in the John T. Vucurevich Center.  There are a variety of sessions to appeal to those in all stages of their writing career.  There will be an authors’ round table session in which attendees are invited to participate in a Q&A with seasoned authors, all of whom are recognized in their field.  Other sessions include topics on self-publishing, book marketing, writing tips and strategies, and how to find an agent and get published.  There will even be a session by local author, Dorothy Rosby, on writing and revising for humor.   

One exciting new addition to this year’s conference will be the opportunity for authors and aspiring authors to attend live agent pitch sessions.  Pitch sessions allow individuals to meet one-on-one with agents to propose a completed manuscript.  This is a rare opportunity and not to be missed by those seeking representation.  Quressa Robinson of Nelson Literary Agency from New York, and Jennifer Flannery of Flannery Literary in Chicago will offer private sessions throughout the day of the conference on Friday, May 10th.  Because space is limited, these sessions are by reservation only and include a small participation fee. 

In addition to the writers’ conference, other events include the 2nd Annual GABfest Lit Walk, a literary-themed pub crawl which begins at Firehouse Wine Cellars and ends with live music and literary readings at Hay Camp Brewery the evening of May 10th.  The main event is, of course, the Great American Book Festival which takes place on Saturday, May 11th at downtown Rapid City’s Main Street Square.  Featuring nearly forty authors (local and from around the world), Great American Book Festival events include readings, book signings, performances, kids activities, and food vendors. 

Jennifer Flannery, Flannery Literary

Quressa Robinson, Nelson Literary Agency

As a 501c3 nonprofit organization, the Great American Book Festival is funded in part by the generous support of the following organizations: i2i Technologies, Literary Classics Book Awards & Reviews, Author.Pub, Firehouse Brewing Company, Denny Menholt Rushmore Honda, Denny Menholt Toyota, Firehouse Wine Cellars, Hay Camp Brewery, Who’s Toy House and Wobbly Bobby British Pub.  To learn more visit GABfest.info.

LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org

Pterodactyl Show and Tell, by Thad Krasnesky, earns the Literary Classics Seal of Approval

Pterodactyl Show and Tell, by Thad Krasnesky, is the tale of a young boy who brings his pterodactyl to school.  As the day progresses, his pet unwittingly frightens everyone in the third grade . . . students and teachers alike.  Crazy antics ensue, from the playground to science class, and everywhere in between.  This wonderfully imaginative book is sure to incite riotous laughter as it entertains readers of all ages.  Comical illustrations by Tanya Leonello are a perfect addition to this book which is sure to become a favorite for kids and adults.

Altogether whimsical, and utterly delightful, Pterodactyl Show and Tell is recommended for home and school libraries and has earned the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.

LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org

My Afrikah Hair, by Melanie L Houston, earns the Literary Classics Seal of Approval

My Afrikah Hair, by Melanie L Houston is a wonderfully empowering book which promotes a healthy love of self and one's heritage. Going beyond self-acceptance, to embracing pride in the traits that make one unique, this book is beautifully written and gloriously illustrated.   Told in verse, My Afrikah Hair helps readers of all ages find strength in their lineage as they are reminded of the beauty in a majestic African mane, along with all that entails.  This book has many lovely layers, all of which point to the fact that God's creatures are fearfully and wonderfully made in his image.

Recommended for home and school libraries, My Afrikah Hair has earned the Literary Classics Seal of Approval. 


LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org

Author Gregory A. Fournier on his award-winning book

HOW DID YOU GET THE IDEA FOR YOUR AWARD WINNING BOOK? 

The Ypsilanti, Michigan Historical Society asked if I would take on a Depression era cold case that has troubled Ypsi residents for over sixty years.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LINE FROM YOUR AWARD WINNING BOOK AND WHY? "Always remembered. Nerver forgotten. May it be so." The last line encapsulates the book's intention.

WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HOPE READERS WILL GLEAN FROM YOUR AWARD WINNING BOOK? 

Sometimes police know who a guilty party is, but without evidence, justice is short-circuited.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A WRITER? 

James Hilton's novel Lost Horizon.

WHO HAS HAD THE GREATEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR WRITING STYLE? 

Stephen King and his only nonfiction--On Writing. It's one of the best how-to books about the craft because it is realistic and accessible.

TELL US SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A WRITER: Meeting my readers often includes people with personal connections to my nonfiction topics.

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR WRITING PROCESS: 

I start with paper and pen and gravitate to the keyboard. Usually I choose the lynchpin chapter and chunk other chapters fore and aft. Then it takes five or more revisions and edits before I start liking it.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST CHALLENGE AS A WRITER? 

Managing details and continuity. With nonfiction, it is easy to get lost in the details.

IF YOU COULD BE COMPARED TO A WELL-KNOWN AUTHOR WHO WOULD YOU MOST WANT THIS TO BE AND WHY? 

I've worked hard to develop my own voice. I'd rather not be compared to anybody else.

HOW DID YOU GET PUBLISHED? 

I'm a self-published, independent author with a good working relationship with Wheatmark Inc. in Tucson, Arizona. We've both made money.

CAN YOU OFFER ANY ADVICE FOR WRITERS ON HOW BEST TO PROMOTE THEIR BOOK? 

Start building an audience with a blog long before you have a book coming out. Blogging is a good way to develop your writing voice. Mine is fornology.com and I'm edging towards a million hits.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST LITERARY ACCOMPLISHMENT? 

Restoring lost history.

WHAT ARE YOUR GREATEST LITERARY ASPIRATIONS? 

Seeking truth and sharing it with appreciative readers.

TELL US SOMETHING PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU THAT THEY MIGHT FIND INTERESTING: 

I like to West Coast Swing and Zydeco dance.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH OUR READERS? 

I write for a popular and not an academic audience. It's the story of history that people like and not the pendantrophy of footnotes and padded bibliographies.

WHAT OTHER BOOKS HAVE YOU PUBLISHED? 

Zug Island: A Detroit Riot Novel 

Terror In Ypsilanti: John Norman Collins Unmasked

All of my books are paperbacks and come in all ebook formats. 

Terror In Ypsilanti has an audiobook too.

DO YOU HAVE ANY NEW BOOKS IN THE WORKS? 

Currently, I'm working on a historical fiction on Detroit's Depression era Kosher Nostra--The Purple Gang.  I expect my next book to be finished in 2020 if not before. I'm hoping to broker a distribution deal for this book because it has longer legs than my other books

LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org