Virtual Tour
To the 2024 McKinney Literary Festival
From August 17-19, 2024, the McKinney Public Library held its first ever Literary Festival at the Roy and Helen Hall Memorial Library.
During the two-day event, the Library hosted 60 formally registered authors and 450 attendees...
Now, however many days after the event, you can be the 451st!
Scroll through and check out the festival itinerary!
Saturday, 10AM
Let's begin with the local author gallery. There are so many authors to meet!
Alex Aaronson is a science and military fiction author known for his Soviet Endgame trilogy and Monroe Doctrine series. Access the first novel in the Soviet Endgame trilogy, Advance to Contact: 1980, in the McKinney Library catalog!
Beth Turner Ayers is a member of the North 40 Storytellers and author of two works of poetry. Access her poetic memoir from 1950s-60s Harlem, Georgia, Tracks Through Harlem*: *The One in Georgia, on the McKinney Library catalog!
When Brittany Hancz isn't working as a software marketing lead, she's working on children's literature. Her debut book, The Forest's Song, is available on the McKinney Library catalog!
Inspired by his upbringing in rural Michigan and the stories of his grandmother, Carl Reinelt is now the author of poetry and three novels. Access The River of Souls and The Butchers of Prague on the McKinney Library catalog!
As a bilingual teacher who saw the need for Spanish books in her classroom library, Claudia Alonso now writes children's books in both English and Spanish.
Poet Catherine L'Herisson's The Limping Mermaid is the winner of the 2020 William D. Barney Memorial Chapbook Contest. Her other work, Roller Coaster, is a book of poetry that explores the journey of her first grandchild's struggle for life.
Dave Lieber is "The Watchdog" columnist for the Dallas Morning News, the founder of Watchdog Nation, and the author of several books. His books, Searching for Perot: My Journey to Discover Texas's Top Family and Dandy Don Meredith: The First Dallas Cowboy, are available on the McKinney Library catalog!
After surviving the London Blitz of WWII, David Huntley has gone on to become a successful engineer, company owner, guest speaker, and author of articles, commentary, and the highly reviewed Death Watch Beetle. His newest book, The B-17 Tomahawk Warrior: A WWII Final Honor, is available on the McKinney Library catalog!
David Nos is an author of middle grade fantasy books with a particular interest in wizards and dragons. He enhances his stories with the integration of music composed specifically for the story. His debut novel, Kordan the Wizard, is available on the McKinney Library catalog!
Frank Hiri, currently a real estate professional and substitute teacher, has served also as the assistant consul to the Imperial Consulate General of Iran in Houston, Texas and has expertise in law, political science, and public administration. His book, Great a Gain. Version of the Nation: Vol. 2, is available on the McKinney Library catalog!
Gay Ann Kiser has been writing for fifteen years and has published a dozen books in the mystery genre with a special emphasis on her passion for music. She has numerous publications under Gay Ann Kiser as well as her pen name, Tessa Gray.
Immanual Joseph is the author of multiple books in both the fiction and nonfiction genre, and Nila Joseph is an upcoming children's book author. Immanual Joseph's novel, The Road to Kedarnath: Everyone is Entitled to Improbable Gifts of Grace, is available on the McKinney Library catalog!
Jalyn Fiske, formerly writing as J.N. Powell, serves as Fiction Editor for James Gunn's Ad Astra magazine and specializes in speculative fiction ranging from dragons to ghosts to AI.
A member of the Tejas Storytelling Association, Jaye McLaughlin loves to share stories on the history of Texas, the United States, and of Native Americans along with folklore of animals and people.
Jan Sikes is an author of biographical fiction, poetry, short stories, paranormal romance, and historical fiction who integrates special music compositions to accompany her stories. Her works, Jagged Feathers, Ghostly Interference, and Discovery: Poetry & Art, are available on the McKinney Library catalog!
John Alexander is an author of fiction and children's books whose goal is to help elementary-aged children discover a love for reading. His books, The Christmas Gift and The Velveteen Rabbit: Lyrical Rendition, are available on the McKinney Library catalog!
Jessica Jones is an upcoming children's book author. Her debut work, Mommy, Will You Rub My Feet?, is available on the McKinney Library catalog!
Jolene Whitten is an author of numerous books ranging from general fiction to cozy mysteries. Along with some of her other publications, two of her newer works, Artful Illusion and The Archer's Mark: A Tale of Hope and Renovation, are available on the McKinney Library catalog!
Judy Ann Lowe is an author of numerous children's books and founder of JS Pathways publishing which specializes in inspiring books for children of all ages.
As a longtime executive for Sony Music Entertainment, Laura Bull has brought her expertise to her debut, Amazon bestseller book, From Individual to Empire: A Guide to Building an Authentic and Powerful Brand. Her book can be accessed through the McKinney Library catalog!
Lisa Hammett is a coach and mentor in the direct selling industry, wellness coach, and founder of her Success Coaching practice. She brings her expertise and experiences overcoming burnout in the corporate world and improving her personal health into her debut book, From Burnout to Best Life: How to Take Charge of your Health & Happiness.
Written by a parent of a child with Down Syndrome to other parents of children with Down Syndrome, Linda Bonner's Blessed with Extraordinary: Support and Resources for Families of Children with Down Syndrome offers a roadmap and toolkit with resources. Her other publication, Waiting on the Sunrise: Hope and Encouragement for Families and Their Children with Disabilities, is available in the McKinney Library catalog!
Lopamudra Banerjee is a fiction and poetry author of five books, an award-winning translator, and an advocate against gender discrimination and child abuse.
Lyndsey Lewellen is an author of YA science fiction and fantasy with a desire to write stories that are encouraging for teens and young adults. Her debut novel, The Chaos Grid, is available on the McKinney Library catalog!
Lynn Molnar holds numerous canine certifications pertaining to aid and therapy, and she is the founder of the first-ever mobile food bank for pets in Maryland. Her debut work, Hero the Golden: The Most Kind and Polite Dog that Ever Was, details her own experiences with Hero the Golden.
The Texas Folklore Society aims to collect, preserve, and share the practices and customs of the people of Texas and the Southwest. They publish books, host annual meetings, and coordinate presentations and outreach.
Born in East Germany and a long-standing member of the Historical Novel Society, award-winning author Marina Osipova is dedicated to writing historical fiction, especially related to WWII. Her novel, The Draw River Flows to Siberia: The Victims of Victory, is available on the McKinney Library catalog!
Mackie Shiflett, writing as E.O. Shiflett, holds several patents in fiber optic technologies and is an active member in Christian Renewal. He has written two works in the Christian and speculative fiction genres.
Mary Brodsky is an author of children's books and founder of Always & Forever Books. She works with Jeni Tomlinson who gives her books their distinct artistic style.
Michelle Miles is an author of urban fantasy, epic fantasy, and paranormal romance and a member of the Romance Writers of America and the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association.
In his Nutcracker trilogy, action-fantasy author Paul Thompson adapts the Nutcracker Ballet into a YA story regarding Uncle Drosselmeyer. All three volumes of the trilogy are available on the McKinney Library catalog!
Travis Davis is a decorated US Army veteran who brings his expertise to the military fiction he authors. His novel, Flames of Deception, is available on the McKinney Library catalog!
Teen author Nirmani Walpola's debut YA novel is an action adventure about loyalty, identity, and the lengths we go to protect those we care about. The Midnight Warriors is available now on the McKinney Library catalog!
Roxanne Gail Hodge is the author and poet of Christian fiction and devotionals and the winner of the 2024 Texas Authors Best Thriller Book Award. Her books, Beneath the Glitter: Rescuing the Unseen and The Long Road Back, are available on the McKinney Library catalog!
Sheila Williamson's debut work, Two Calls: Blossoming Faith: Keeping Hope Alive, draws from her personal family experiences recovering from drug addiction. She aims for her book to provide life lessons and resources for any family struggling wtih the addiction of a family member or friend.
Poet Sylvia Medel is the author of two works of poetry. Her poetic memoir, Ageless and Endless: Journey to Poetry, engages readers with diverse contents, styles, moods, and experiences.
Suzanne Ferrell is the author of numerous mystery romances across two series, The Western Series and the Edgars Family Novels. Her books have been finalists for the Golden Heart and the National Reader's Choice Awards.
10:30AM
It's time for the keynote—hurry and take your seat!
Award-winning newspaper columnist Dave Lieber is speaking on "The Power of Storytelling." With his many publications and adventures, he is certainly a voice worth listening to on how storytelling can be used to inform, entertain, and connect with others.
11:30AM - Fiction & Storytelling Readings
We now commence the first author reading session for Fiction & Storytelling!
We begin with Travis Davis and his excerpt from One of Four: World War One Through the eyes of an Unknown Soldier. Written in diary-format and read posthumously, his book is the record of a single soldier's experiences found next to his lifeless body by a young French girl who witnessed his death and bravery.
Now, onto Heath Dollar reading his excerpts from Waylon County: Texas Stories and Old Country Fiddle. In each collection of stories, Dollar retells eccentric casts of characters in scenic Texas settings.
For her selection, Roxanne Gail Hodge is reading from her suspense novel, The Long Road Back! Her story is a tale of a CIA Special Agent caught between dream and reality, investigating a sinister plot with catastrophic consequences.
YA Author Mary Karlik is reading from Three Simple Rules, a celebrity rom-com about a secret actor posing as an ordinary high school student and an ambitious STEM student, each bound by their own rules.
Lyndsey Lewellen is reading from her debut novel, The Chaos Grid. In this dystopian tale, Texas is a wasteland, and 17-year-old Juniper Conway wants revenge for the murder of her parents.
For his reading, Kevin Magavern is reading his debut novel and the first of the Titans of the Earth series, Forgetting Kora. This tale is a genre-bending fantasy with suspense and family secrets.
David Nos is reading from his debut Kordan the Wizard, a high/political fantasy adventure with dragons, giants, and heroes and heroines. His work is a hybrid musical novel with accompanying original tracks.
E.O. "Mackie" Shiflett is reading from Son of Enoch: The Last Prophet, a Christian fiction tale about an anointed prophet fighting against all odds.
For the final reading in the Fiction & Storytelling section, Jolene Whitten is reading from her novel, The Archer's Mark. Her tale is one of hope and renovation, and she explores themes of grief and isolation in the setting of the global pandemic.
12:30PM
Is it time for lunch already? Lucky for you, the Hall Library is situated in historic Downtown McKinney where there are many places to eat and explore. Plus, you have that handy coupon in youtr itinerary!
2:00PM - Poetry & Creative Writing Readings
Onto the second author reading session! For this session, we'll be listening to local voices in the poetry and short story genres.
Susan Mardele is reading poems from her various works. Her award winning poetry is diverse in topics and styles.
For his excerpt, Immanual Joseph is reading from his newest work, I Am a Child of Gaza. His tale is told from the perspective of a young girl living in a refugee camp.
Haven't all the author readings been so interesting? There really is a diverse pool of talent and ideas just here in McKinney. And it's a great thing many of these authors' works are available at the McKinney Public Libraries!
3:00PM - Fiction, Nonfiction & Memoirs
We conclude the day with our final author reading session--this time, highlighting voices from the fiction and nonfiction genres.
First up, we have Lopamudra "Lopa" Banerjee reading from All That Jazz & Other Pathbreaking Tales. This collection of a romance novella and ten other short stories narrates the tales of contemporary women and their journeys.
Linda Bonner is reading Blessed with Extraordinary: Support & Resources for Families of Children with Down Syndrome. Her book is sure to help other families find the resources and encouragement they need.
For his excerpt, George Getschow is reading from Pastures of the Empty Page. He worked as editor for this collection of essays that provide insight on Larry McMurty, America's preeminent western novelist.
Lisa Hammett is reading from her guidebook, From Burnout to Best Life: How to Take Charge of Your Health & Happiness, which can help anyone move from burnout and feeling mediocre to feeling fulfilled and driven by purpose.
David Huntley is reading from his newest book, The B-17 Tomahawk Warrior: A WWII Final Tribute, which is a tribute to a B-17 crew that perished in a crash in England during WWII.
Gay Ann Kiser is reading from her autobiography, Take Three, which traces her challenges growing up in the foster care system during the 1950s and 60s. She explores the importance of mentors then and now.
Sheila Williamson is reading from her memoir and resource book, Two Calls: Blossoming Faith: Keeping Hope Alive. Her experiences dealing with a family member with an addiction are well worth listening to for other families with similar situations.
What a day!
Usually it'd be time for you to head home and get ready for tomorrow, but this is a virtual tour! "Tomorrow" is just a scroll away...
Sunday, 10AM
Take your seat!
It's time for the first panel discussion: Publishing & the Book Industry!
Panelists
The featured panelists are authors David Huntley, Laura Bull, Mary Karlik, Michelle Miles, and Travis Davis.
Take some notes...
...as our experts share their insights on the publishing process and what to expect for individuals in the audience who may want to publish some works of their own.
11AM
For our first workshop, Susan Mardele discusses the Art and Business of Freelance Writing.
2PM
Onto the second panel!
Our panel of authors Jan Sikes, Samantha Raymer, Kevin Magavern, Lyndsey Lewellen, Suzanne Ferrell, and Jalyn Fiske will be discussing all things Creative Writing with David Nos as the moderator.
Thanks for attending!
From the staff of the McKinney Public Library, we hope you enjoyed this virtual tour! This tour does not reflect every session and author featured in the 2024 Literary Festival, but seeks to guide the viewer through the general schedule and expectations of the event and share insight into some of the local talent in McKinney.
Curious to know more? Check out our local history resources, and feel free to explore the links embedded throughout this exhibit to authors' profiles and personal websites! Better yet, we hope to see you in person next year for the 2025 Literary Festival!
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