Spring literary events start to flow in Texas

Yes, it’s still winter, but sap is rising in the trees, the days are getting longer, and so is the list of spring literary events across Texas! I’ll run a later post on contests, but here’s a sample of festivals and conferences to get your writing juices flowing.

Now – January 31: OK, I said no contests, but the Writers’ League of Texas Manuscript Contest is a biggie, with multiple categories, and first prize in each being FREE admission to the League’s 2019 Agents & Editors Conference, June 27-30, in Austin. Also, chances to meet one on one with a top literary agent in your genre and public recognition at the conference for winners and finalists. All participants also can opt to receive specific written feedback on their work. Fees are $55 for WLT members, $65 for nonmembers, or if you wish to opt out of feedback, $25 for members and $35 for nonmembers. See the site for details.

January 27-May 13: The Dallas Museum of Arts Arts & Letters Live programs run for their 28^th season, with dozens of acclaimed authors, performers and artists. See the site for events, locations and tickets.

February 6-11: Pitch Wars agent showcase isn’t in Texas, but aren’t you curious what the winners look like? Here’s a chance to pick your favs on Twitter from the comfort of your sofa! See the site for details.

February 15-17: Science fiction/fantasy convention ConDFW, Radisson Hotel Fort Worth Fossil Creek, 2540 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth. ConDFW welcomes back guests of honor Charlaine Harris and Yoon Ha Lee. Harris’s bestselling novels have inspired the TV series True Blood and Midnight, Texas; as well as Hallmark movies. Lee’s books have garnered awards and recognition from Locus, Nebula, Hugo and Clarke awards. (By the way, he returns to North Texas for the North Texas Teen Book Festival later this spring.) Three-day registration is $40 for adults (plus online service charge) through January 31. Add $5 for at-door entry. Discounted registration is available for accompanied children, students, and military members. See the site for program details.

February 21: Couldn’t get enough Black Panther? Check out the Highland Park Literary Festival, whose keynote speaker Nnedi Okorafor wrote the book. Literally. An author of Africa-based science fiction and fantasy for children and adults, Okorafor wrote Black Panther: Long Live the King for Marvel comics, among other award-winning volumes. Hear her keynote address at 7 p.m., followed by a book signing at Highland Park High School, 4220 Emerson, Dallas. Free and open to the public. 

sap buckets: pixabay

March 18-April 24: Author DL Hammons’ WRiTE CLUB returns for its 8^th season. Yes, I’m sneaking in another contest, but partly because Hammons has already put out a request for judges (aka, slushpile readers) to winnow the expected 200-250 entries down to 30 for the readers’ favorite writing bouts. Please note that judges may not be WRiTE CLUB contestants. Interested? Check the site, and if you’re game, contact Hammons at writeclub2019@gmail.com. (And stay tuned for more on this fast and fun contest!)

March 22-23: North Texas Teen Book Festival, Irving Convention Center, 500 Las Colinas Blvd, Irving. Not just dozens but (and I love a chance to use this word) SCORES of middle grade and young adult authors make appearances. March 22 is Educator Day, March 23 is the free and free-for-all public festival day. Go, bring your kids (or your parents) and marvel at how enthusiastic young readers can be! Check the site for complete lists of authors (so far) and program details. 

March 23-24: WORDfest/WORDfield, Tarrant County College Northeast Campus, (Student Union Building), 838 Harwood Dr., Hurst. This year, WORDfest, that inspirational, informational gathering of writers from dozens of North Texas writing organizations will also include presenters from last October’s Writers in the Field event. Due to epic fall rains, many WITF presenters weren’t able to well, present. So they’ll return at the combined WORDfest/WORDfield event. It’s all free but register to reserve a place. And check out the site for extra for-fee goodies!

March 26: Authors LIVE! returns for its spring season with Gretchen Rubins’ Outer Order/Inner Calm, 7 p.m., in Wesley Hall of the Highland Park United Methodist Church, 3300 E. Mockingbird, Dallas. Free, or register for a meet-the-author preview (including signed book copy) for $30. See the site for details.

May 27-June 2: Writefest, the week-long festival presented by the Houston Writers’ Guild and Writespace, returns with workshops, panels, agents and editors, and more. Much is still in progress, including costs and sites of the May 27-30 workshops. Weekend festival and book fair will be at the Anderson-Clarke Center, Rice Glasscock School of Continuing Education, 6100 Main St., Houston. Check the site for upcoming information.

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Something seems to be missing? Sad to report, the weekend-long, lollapalooza Dallas Book Festival is no more, due to lack of sponsorship. However, stay tuned for smaller events in conjunction with the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture and Friends of the Dallas Library.