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| Kate Forsyth |
Australian author Kate Forsyth lives her
own fairy tale. She dreamed of becoming a writer from childhood and is now the
author of dozens of bestselling books. Many of them are based on retellings of
fairy tales -- only fitting, given that she holds an academic degree in fairy-tale studies. Among these fairy tale-themed books: The Beast’s
Garden -- a beauty and the beast set in the underground resistance to
Hitler. And Beauty in Thorns -- out this summer, the tale of a love affair amid a 19th century circle of
artists and poets. And of
course, like a perfect fairy tale heroine, Forsyth fell in love at
first sight. And married him.
Next week, June 15-17, Forsyth
brings her magic to Dallas, in a whirlwind tour. As with any good fairy tale,
readers (and writers) will have three chances to get their wishes granted.
There’s the Friday, June 16 talk, with signed copies of Bitter
Greens (winner of the American Library Association’s award for Best
Historical Fiction) at 6:30 p.m. in the Half Price Books flagship store, 5803 E.
Northwest Highway in Dallas.
her Rapunzel-inspired novel
Saturday, June 17, Forsyth will
teach a morning writers’ workshop from 9 a.m.- noon on “Keeping the Reader
Turning the Pages: The Importance of Pace, Suspense, & Surprise”; and an
afternoon workshop, 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. on “Building the Fictional World,” both at
the Richardson Woman’s Club, 2005 N. Cliffe, in Richardson. Workshop attendees
will have a choice of two Forsyth novels, Bitter
Greens or The Wild Girl, inspired
by the true story behind the Brothers Grimm’s collection of fairy tales.
(Forsyth urges workshop attendees
to come prepared with plenty of questions to ask, and be answered.)
Finally, those who buy all
three of these wishes (book talk/signing, and both workshops) will receive the
special prize awarded to superfans, an invitation to a small
meet and greet session with Forsyth Thursday, June 15.
Of course, there is a cost. After
all, this spinner of tales has a long way to go to reach the fabled city of
Dallas, Texas. Fortunately, the cost to us is far less onerous than being
exiled to a tower to watch your hair grow. Or taking a really, really long nap. Or even spinning straw into gold.
The June 16 talk/book signing will
set you back $10. Other local authors will be present with books of their own
to sell, and raffle tickets for more goodies. Space is limited.
Cost for each of the workshops is
$60 (or $110 for both, with lunch included). Again, space is limited.
Or buy all three events for $125
and get that Thursday, June 15, meet and greet as a bonus. See the WORD writers site for details and
ticket purchases.
But, you say, you don’t believe in
fairy tales. Maybe you prefer kids’ chapter books. Or young adult fantasy. Or
even poetry. Forsyth has done those too, plus she’s a former journalist and an
accredited performance storyteller with The Australian Guild of Storytellers.
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