Postscripts
By Clay Smith, Fri., Jan. 8, 1999
Events
Book People hosts Jonathan Kellerman discussing and signing Billy Straight: A Novel on Monday, January 11 at 7pm. Billy's mom is alcoholic, her boyfriend is a sadist, and Billy just happens upon a woman being stabbed to death. And he's 12 years old. Well, that should be a fun event!...
Meanwhile, Barnes & Noble Westlake hosts Cliff Hefner, whose novel Divine Justice features a CPA protagonist who becomes an FBI agent. That's on Tuesday, January 12 at 6:30pm.
Classes, etc.
Registration has begun for three 10-week writing workshops sponsored by the Austin Writers' League. All three meet at the AWL Resource Center from 7-9pm one night a week and all begin in February, though class size is limited and early registration is recommended. The "Novel in Progress" workshop, led by William Browning Spencer, begins Monday, February 15. Students should have a work underway or be ready to develop an idea into a novel because the class members will be critiquing classmates' work. Beginning Tuesday, February 16, Karen Stolz, who has taught at ACC and St. Edward's, and whose collection of short stories, World of Pies, will be published by Hyperion in 2000, will teach "Advanced Fiction." Class members should have completed at least one short story or novel chapter before class begins and have some experience with the workshop format. "Breaking Into Magazine Writing Is Hard to Do!" will be taught by Debi Martin-Morris beginning Wednesday, February 17. The workshop focuses on analysis of magazines and refining writing skills and involves lectures, discussions, in-class exercises, and outside reading assignments. Martin-Morris is a full-time freelance writer who has written for McCall's, Teen, Woman's Day, and American Way. Workshops cost $160 for AWL members and $195 for nonmembers...
Literacy Austin needs tutors dedicated to helping adults 17 and older to read and write. Tutors provide one-on-one basic literacy and English as a Second Language instruction. Students pace themselves and personalize the learning process to meet individual needs. Tutors complete 18 hours of training and make at least a six-month commitment to the organization. Students are waiting to be taught, so call 478-7323 for more information. Literacy Austin is located at 2002 Manor...
The deadline for applying for the Dobie-Paisano fellowship is coming up, January 22. Sponsored by the Texas Institute of Letters and UT, two fellowships awarded annually offer six months in residence at J. Frank Dobie's ranch near Austin. Each fellowship provides a living allowance of $1,200 monthly during residence. Applicants must meet one of the following requirements: They must be a native Texan, have lived in Texas at some time for at least two years, or have published writing that has a Texas subject. Criteria for making the awards include quality of work, character of the proposed project, and suitability of the applicant for life at Paisano. For more information or an application, write to: Dobie-Paisano Project, J. Frank Dobie House, 702 E. Dean Keeton, Austin, TX 78705 or e-mail [email protected]
