September 27, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Sara Pitman/Kris Darnall
Nevada Humanities
(702) 895-1878

Vegas Valley Book Festival to Feature Free Workshops for Aspiring Authors

LAS VEGAS - The 4th annual Vegas Valley Book Festival, Oct 13-22, 2005, will open with two days of free workshops for budding local writers. Workshops on the publishing industry, book publicity and marketing, as well as screenwriting and writing for children will be presented. The workshops will be held at the Paseo Verde Library in Henderson, and are free and open to the public.

Thursday, October 13, 2005
* Local authors will learn creative methods for publicizing their work from nationally known marketing expert Penny Sansevieri. This workshop will elaborate on the techniques described in Sansevieri's bestselling books Get Published Today! and From Book to Bestseller.

* Jay MacLarty, author of the award-winning thrillers Bagman and The Courier, will provide a glimpse into the writing process from the decision to write to joining a writers' group and - eventually - getting published.

* Henderson novelist and marketing executive Brian Rouff, author of Dice Angel and The Money Shot, will discuss the traditional publishing industry and the pros and cons of self-publishing.

Friday, October 14, 2005
* Author Michele Veillon (Shelby and the Shifting Rings) will present a workshop entitled "The ABCs of Writing for Children," covering the unique issues involved in writing for young readers. * Las Vegas public relations guru Ned Barnett of Barnett Marketing Communications will provide his insights into the role of publicists, and when to know if you need one.

* Emmy award-winning screen writer John Hill will give a seminar on the realities of the marketplace for screenplays, based on more than 30 years of experience in the film and TV industries.

* Members of the Las Vegas Quill Keepers writer's group will offer a special workshop on the opportunities offered to writers by several local writer's groups.

The Vegas Valley Book Festival runs from Oct. 13 -22, 2005. The festival is presented by Nevada Humanities, the City of Las Vegas Cultural Affairs Division, Clark County Parks and the Henderson Libraries.

For additional program information, visit vegasvalleybookfest.org.