The Gist: 7th Annual Writers Conference

North Roanoke city and county residents have access to arts and other events at Hollins University
North Roanoke city and county residents have access to arts and other events at Hollins University

Novelist Sheri Reynolds of Cape Charles is the keynote speaker for the Roanoke Regional Writers Conference, 7th Edition at Hollins University Jan. 24-25.

Also on hand: more than two dozen Virginia writers and authors who will teach at the conference.

Reynolds is the author of the play, “Orabelle’s Wheelbarrow,” and the novels “Bitterroot Landing,” “The Rapture of Canaan” (an Oprah book club selection and New York Times bestseller). She teaches creative writing and literature at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, where she serves as the Ruth and Perry Morgan Chair of Southern Literature.  

She joins a lineup that includes Rod Belcher, author of the new “Six-Gun Tarot,” and who will speak on opening night about “Perseverance.” Belcher is a long-time freelance writer and writer of short fiction whose first novel is published by heavyweight Thor.

Others who will teach include Keith Ferrell (more than a dozen books), Roland Lazenby (60 books and a new bio of Michael Jordan due in the spring), popular young adult sci-fi writer Tiffany Trent, award-winning e-book author Brooke McGlothlin, YA author and poet Mary Hill and novelist/non-fiction author Judy Ayyildiz.

Register at roanokewritersconference2014.eventbrite.com. Costs is $65 and includes about 24 classes, lunch, wine reception and coffee. 540-556-8510.

Author

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