7:00 pm to 8:30 pm, Friday, November 3, 2023 SURELY YOU CAN’T BE SERIOUS: THE TRUE STORY OF AIRPLANE!David Zucker, Interviewed by Gino SalomoneIn the Lunt-Fontanne TheatreOpen to the public but registration is required When Airplane! premiered on July 2nd, 1980, it changed the face of comedy. With a budget Read more…
7:00 pm to 8:30 pm, Friday, October 13, 2023 C’MON, GET HAPPY: THE MAKING OF SUMMER STOCKDavid Fantle and Tom JohnsonIn the Hub Film historians David Fantle and Tom Johnson will give an in-person talk on their latest book: C’mon, Get Happy: the Making of Summer Stock. Summer Stock is Read more…
9:00 am to 10:00 am, November 4, 2023 THE HOPEFULNESS OF THE LONG-DISTANCE WRITERRobin Hemley in conversation with Jim HigginsIn the Hub Hemley talks about being an older writer and being in it for the duration, as well as how to retain ambition and drive while managing expectations. Hemley will Read more…
3:15 pm to 4:15 pm, November 4, 2023 ANIMALS! ANIMALS! ANIMALS!Mel Sobolewski, Jon M. Sweeney, and Nigel RothfelsRoom C101From the wisdom of cats to rescuing alpacas to studying elephants, these three authors will talk about writing about animals and their experiences with the animals themselves. WAUKESHA READS: TAKING AIM AT BUTLER’S Read more…
1:45 pm to 2:45 pm, November 4, 2023 NATIVE NATIONSStephen Kantrowitz and Dr. Carol CorneliusRoom C101The Indigenous life and experience is discussed by these two writers and explored through their work. JOURNEYS OF SELF-DISCOVERYBlythe Roberson and Elisa BernickRoom N125Physical journeys and experiences often lead to self-awakening and knowledge. Two writers Read more…
12:15 pm to 1:15 pm, November 4, 2023 IMPORTANCE OF PLACEAlison Townsend, Tom Montgomery Fate, and Robert MiltnerRoom N125Often, the place in which a book is set becomes a character itself. Three authors discuss how specific places affected their work. AFRICAN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE FROM PAST TO PRESENTBryan Cherry and Camille Read more…
10:15 am to 11:15 am, November 4, 2023 QUEER VOICESJohn D’Emilio, Brice D. Smith, and R. B. SimonRoom C101Three writers of different genres speak about how the LGBTQ+ experience influences their writing. EXPLORING THE MIDWESTPamela J. A. Fullerton, Christopher Chambers, and Jim LandwehrRoom N125Living in the Midwest brings with it Read more…
TIM AKERS splits his writing time between roleplaying games and novels. He has earned credits with White Wolf, Wyrd Games, Paizo, and Kobold Press. His Knight Watch series has been described as Men in Black at the Ren Faire. His most recent novel, Wraithbound, starts a new epic flintlock fantasy adventure Read more…
The Century Fence Middle and High School Essay and Poetry Contest entries have closed. All winners will be announced at the 2024 Southeast Wisconsin Festival of Books Awards Ceremony at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee at Waukesha. The ceremony will take place during a reception on Friday, November 8 at 7 Read more…
2023 Century Fence Writing Contest Guidelines 2023 Century Fence Writing Contest Topic: The famous Wisconsin writer Laura Ingalls Wilder said, “A good laugh overcomes more difficulties and dissipates more dark clouds than any other one thing.” So, for this year’s contest, we challenge you to dissipate dark clouds! For essays: Read more…