Fall Writers’ Conference At NVCC

WATERBURY — The Fall 2001 Writers’ Conference will be Thursday, November 8, at Naugatuck Valley Community College. This year’s keynote speaker will be Dr Samuel Pickering, who will discuss essay writing in a lecture titled “Turning Days Into Paragraphs.” Sponsored by the college’s arts and humanities division, the conference is scheduled to run from 9 am to 5 pm.

Coffee and registration will start at 9 am in the Mainstage Lobby; the main entrance to NVCC’s campus is at 750 Chase Parkway. Signs are posted from I-84 Exit 18 to the college, and from the college entrace to the Mainstage Theater.

The Keynote Speaker will begin at 9:45 am. Book signing and lunch will be in the Cafe West at 12:30.

Dr Pickering is a professor of English at University of Connecticut. He is the author of 12 volumes of essays and three academic books. He is currently working on a collection of essays called Waltzing The Magpies, which is based on his recent sabbatical in Australia.

Dr Pickering’s publications include Living to Prowl, Deprived of Unhappiness, and A Little Fling and Other Essays. The multi-talented Professor Pickering is also highly regarded as a scholar of children’s literature and the inspiration for the character of the teacher in the film Dead Poets Society.

The luncheon speaker will be Jerry Labriola, who, along with the noted forensic scientist Dr Henry Lee, has co-authored the book Famous Crimes, which reviews several notes crimes including the Sacco-Vanzetti case, the Lindbergh kidnapping, John F. Kennedy’s death, and the JonBenet Ramsey murder.

The book sets forth theories about how things might have been different if modern forensics and technology had been applied to earlier cases, and considers the effects of various errors made in solving crimes.

Dr Labriola will discuss his professional journey from pediatrician and Chief of Staff at Waterbury Hospital, to politician, and then to novelist.

There will also be several morning and afternoon workshops offered. Presenters include Jane Haddam, the author of 22 novels including several psychological suspense thrillers, and Elizabeth Ring, the author of many books for children. Beth Bruno, a syndicated columnist, will discuss marketing for self-publishing.

Cartoonist Jerry Craft will join William Foster, associate professor of English at NVCC and poet, playwright and essayist, in discussing the creation of cartoons and researching and writing about them.

Mr Foster is an associate professor of English and communications at NVCC. His exhibit on “Changes Image of Blacks in Comics” has been displayed at a variety of venues across the country and in Germany.

Mr Craft is the creator of the syndicated strip “Mama’s Boyz,” which is distributed nationally by King Features Weekly Service. He has worked on comic books for Harvey and Marvel and has had his work published in Village Voice, New York Daily News, Ebony magazine, and other publications.

For aspiring poets, a poetry workshop will be presented by Faith Vicinanza, which will include two writing exercises, the benefits of writers groups and how to start one up, and a Q and A on self publishing.

There will also be an Open Mic from 3:30 to 5 pm. Admission will be $1, payable at the door.

There are three cost options for anyone interested in the conference. Option A/General Conference Admission, includes lunch in Cafe and Open Mic, for $40; pre-registration is required.

Option B/Student Full Conference Admission, includes lunch in Cafe and Open Mic for $10; pre-registration required.

Option C/No Charge is for students attending one session only and does not include lunch. Students choosing Option C must register after November 3.

Registration is required by November 3. Checks should be made payable to NVCC Foundation and mailed to Diana Edwards, Writers’ Conference Fall 2001, NVCC Arts & Humanities Division, 750 Chase Parkway, Waterbury, CT 06708-3089. For more information call Dr Wade Tarzia at 203-596-8603.