Welcome to the First Annual Indy BookTalk Conference
The Education Department of Indiana estimates that 700,000 Indiana adults are functionally illiterate. Another 850,000 Hoosiers over the age of 25 do not have a high school diploma.
The City of Lawrence and Community Health Network have joined forces with WriteStuff Writers to create the first-of-its-kind celebration of reading in central Indiana: Indy BookTalk.
October 11th, 2008
National best-selling authors Susan Crandall, Margo Hammond, Ellen Heltzel, and Norbert Krapf headline this inaugural event to benefit the Lawrence Township Continuing Education program. Designed to appeal to readers, writers, and book clubs, Indy BookTalk will make a positive step towards helping students and adults overcome literacy problems.
Saturday Morning Program
Join WIBC-FM morning talk show personality Terri Stacy as she hosts special guests, celebrity authors and Indiana artistic talent in the entertaining and informative morning program of the popular “WriteStuff Studio!”
Author To Author Morning Presentations Include:
- J. Andy Murphy, in conversation with authors Margo Hammond and Ellen Heltzel, prize-winning journalists, contributing columnists and book critics (USA Today, Chicago Tribune, Atlanta Monthly, Seattle Times and Wall Street Journal) with their new book, “Between The Covers: The Book Babes’ Guide to a Woman’s Reading Pleasures.”
- Brenda Hiatt Barber in conversation with national best-selling, award-winning, fiction author Susan Crandall as she shares her thoughts on her newest, book, Pitch Black (Published by Warner). Additional Warner books include: Back Roads, The Road Home, Promises to Keep, Magnolia Sky, On Blue Falls Pond and A Kiss in Winter.
- Reid Dufffy, in conversation with historical fiction author, James Alexander Thom (St. Patrick’s Brigade/revised).
- Ray Boomhower, in conversation with Pulitzer prize nominated author/poet and Indiana’s new Poet Laureate, Norbert Krapf (The Ripest Moments: A Southern Indiana Childhood).
- Jean Deeds, in conversation with Ray Boomhower (Robert F. Kennedy and 1968 Indiana Primary).
Closing the morning program, CBS WISH-TV personality Dick Wolfsie will host a super fun WriteStuff Game Show: “Wait! I Know The Answer!” Celebrity contestants will match wits to win special door prizes for guests in the audience.
Register Now for the General Admission Pass >
Saturday Workshops
WriteStuff All Access Pass participants will enjoy afternoon workshops designed for aspiring authors, book clubs, and published authors. Choose from any of the following:
- So You Want To Write? (more)
- Fixing a Flat Tire on the Internet Super Highway (more)
- What’s New in Publishing? (more)
- Show Me The Money! (more)
- The Secrets of Fun Book Clubs! (more)
- From An Idea to a Finished Book! (more)
- The Crafting of a Story (more)
- There are Mountains to Climb! (more)
This premier event will also host a community exhibit area for sponsor and vendor participation, including author book signings and conference book store supported by Castleton Borders Books and Music, Inc. – Borders Books will host the Author’s Book Signing Table for invited conference authors.
Register Now for the WriteStuff All Access Pass >
Featured Speakers
Romance Writer Brenda Hiatt
Brenda Hiatt began writing in 1988, an Army wife at home with two preschool children. She promised herself...
Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso
One of the bestselling authors in the world of spiritual books for children that are nonsectarian, written...
Book Babes, Hammond and Heltzel
With tongues firmly planted in cheeks, “The Book Babes” are the prizewinning journalists...
Best-Selling Author Susan Crandall
Meet award-winning women’s fiction author Susan Crandall as she shares her thoughts on her newest,...
Dick Wolfsie
For the past 15 years on WISH-TV’s Daybreak, Dick Wolfsie has lent his unique brand of wit and humor...
Norbert Krapf
Norbert Krapf, author of Invisible Presence and the forthcoming Bloodroot, was recently named Indiana...
Reid Duffy
Reid has been in Indianapolis since 1971 working as a statehouse, political,...
James Alexander Thom
James Alexander Thom is an American author, most famous for his works in the Western genre. Born in Gosport,...
Terri Stacy WIBC Radio
Join WIBC-FM morning talk show personality, Terri Stacy as she hosts special guests, celebrity authors...
Tom Britt
Tom Britt is currently the President and founder of atGeist.com, a local publishing company based in...
Contests
Short Story Competition
Showcase your writing talent and WIN! Announcing the new Indy BookTalk Short Story Competition! Enter...
Lawrence Artists’ Book Competition
Encompassing a wide range of media, artists’ books are works of art that are sometimes realized in...
Schedule of Events
Patron’s Wine & Cheese ReceptionMeet celebrity authors, view art exhibits, watch a short documentary film created by Indiana filmaker Dan Hall, and rub elbows with...



