NWG president, 402.758.1262
The Nebraska Writer’s Guild together with the University of Nebraska at Kearney will present the Western Literary Festival on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 27 and 28, at UNK.
The festival combines Nebraska’s oldest writer’s organization with the student population and facilities at UNK. In addition to a variety of sessions offered, there will be a combination poetry slam and social, poetry readings and a book fair.
Registration begins Friday at 9:30 a.m. and continues throughout the day into Saturday morning. The first session, a poetry reading, begins at 11 a.m. on Friday. The event concludes Saturday with a book fair and networking from 2:15-4 p.m.
Speakers include Carolyn Scheidies, author of numerous books and a columnist for the Kearney Hub ; Marcus Galloway, author of Man From Boot Hill, a western series; Julie Hothan, editor for Fence Post Publications; cowboy poet R.P. Smith; and freelance writer Stephanie Geery-Zink.
Jim Bunstock and representatives from iUniverse and the University of Nebraska Press will contribute a session geared toward the publishing aspect of writing.
“From the nuts and bolts of formatting your manuscript to the finer points of magazine article writing, the speakers will provide insights to new and experienced writers,” said NWG president Stan Struble. “The program will feature tips on writing and getting published from magazine writers, novelists, poets, editors and publishers.”
General admission is $40 for the two-day session, $30 for one day and $15 for UNK students. Past members of the Nebraska Writer’s Guild, founded in 1925, include Willa Cather, John G. Neihardt and Bess Streeter Aldrich.
