2008
University Of Missouri -
St. Louis Author Tent
Admission to all author appearances are free.
Seating is limited and filled on a “first-come
first-served” basis.
Book Signings immediately following each event.
|
10-10:45 am
|
“Is Cooking School for You?”
Is cooking school for you? Or, are you thinking about pursuing your lifelong dream? Join L’Ecole Culinaire Director, John Womick in a discussion with writer and journalist, Kathleen Flinn, author of The Sharper Your Knife, The Less You Cry: Love, Laughter and Tears in Paris at the World’s Most Famous Cooking School. Her memoir is a touching and humorous story of Flinn’s transformation as she makes her way though the venerable Le Cordon Bleu cooking school. Booksigning to follow.
|
11-12:00 pm
|
“The Art of the Memoir: How to Write and Sell Your Life Stories”
Do you have a story to tell? Writer David Henry Sterry had a story to tell – and now it is published. Master of Ceremonies: A True Story of Love, Murder, Roller Skates and Chippendales is Sterry’s compelling and often tender story of being a struggling actor who first big break results in a two year stint at the world’s most famous and hedonistic strip club. David Henry Sterry discusses with arts and food columnist of Sauce magazine, Byron Kerman, “The Art of the Memoir.” For everyone who purchases a copy of Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Sterry will provide a FREE 10 minute consultation about how to get your book edited and published.
|
12:15-1:00 pm
|
“ Missouri’s First Poet Laureate”
The Big Read Festival is honored to have Walter Bargen, Missouri’s 2008 First Poet Laureate, read from his new collection of poems, Theban Traffic. “Theban Traffic testifies that Walter Bargen is America’s best sociopolitical poet with a marvelous gift of lyricism,” Debra Di Blasi, author. Author and director of the Missouri Center for the Book, Mark W. Tiedemann, joins Walter Bargen on stage to discuss Missouri’s new poet laureate program and the activities happening at the Missouri Center for the Book.
|
1:15-2:15pm
|
“The Big Mystery”
Joanna Campbell Slan, president of the local Sisters in Crime chapter and author of Paper, Scissors, Death, introduces three outstanding female mystery writers of today, Tess Gerritsen, Julie Compton and Emilie Richards. Prolific and bestselling author Tess Gerritsen reads from and discusses her new thriller, The Keepsake, Julie Compton, a St. Louis native, debuts with her mysterious tale, Tell No Lies, and much loved Emilie Richards reads from her intelligent “who-dunnit,” Beware False Profits.
After the discussion and booksigning, join Joanna Campbell Slan at the Sisters in Crime booth for free cupcakes, in celebrating of the tenth anniversary of St. Louis’ Sisters in Crime chapter.
   |
2:30-3:45pm
|
“Our Favorite Fiction”
Wicky Sleight, co-founder of the Kate Chopin Literary Society and Director of the Kirkwood Public Library, introduces our favorite voices in contemporary fiction, Jennifer Chiaverini, Judy Larsen, and Margaret Cezair-Thompson. Relax and listen to the fun, insightful stories written by these authors. Jennifer Chiaverini introduces us to her latest Elm Creek Quilt novel, The Quilter’s Kitchen. Judy Larsen returns with her family’s story, All The Numbers: A Novel. And, Margaret Cezair-Thompson takes us to the shores of Jamaica in the 1940s in her new novel, The Pirate’s Daughter.
Wicky Sleight concludes with a discussion with the authors about what makes a great novel. She also publicly announce the 2009 ReadMOre book selection. Booksigning to follow.
  
|
4-5:00 pm
|
KEYNOTE FINALE
Scott McClellan
Meet former White House press secretary, Scott McClellan, author of the “much talked about” national bestseller, What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington’s Culture of Deception. Mr. McClellan will read from his book, discuss what he learned as Bush’ press secretary/ why he wrote the book, and answer questions from the audience. A booksigning will follow.
In What Happened, with unprecedented candor, Scott McClellan, one of George W. Bush's closest aides, takes readers behind the scenes of the Bush presidency, and what exactly happened to take it off course.
Scott McClellan was one of a few Bush loyalists from Texas who became part of his inner circle of trusted advisers, and remained so during one of the most challenging and contentious periods of recent history. Drawn to Bush by his commitment to compassionate conservatism and strong bipartisan leadership, McClellan served the president for more than seven years, and witnessed day-to-day exactly how the presidency veered off course.
In this refreshingly clear-eyed book, written with no agenda other than to record his experiences and insights for the benefit of history, McClellan provides unique perspective on what happened and why it happened the way it did, including the Iraq war, Hurricane Katrina, Washington's bitter partisanship, and two hotly contested presidential campaigns. He gives readers a candid look into who George W. Bush is and what he believes, and into the personalities, strengths, and liabilities of his top aides. Finally, McClellan looks to the future, exploring the lessons this presidency offers the American people as we prepare to elect a new leader.
Scott McClellan served as White House press secretary from 2003 to 2006. Before that he served as the principal deputy White House press secretary and as traveling press secretary for the bush-Cheney 2000 campaign. Earlier in his career, Mr. McClellan served as deputy communications director in the Texas governor's office and campaign manager for three successful statewide campaigns. He is now a senior adviser to a global technology firm and communications strategist. Born in Austin, Texas, he now lives near Washington, D.C.
|
| |
|
