April 21, 2014
For Immediate Release
Bestselling Authors Visit With Local Teen Writers
Calvert City, KY – Local teens from three different counties gathered at the Marshall County Public Library @Calvert City on Saturday, April 19, to learn more about the craft of writing at the library’s third annual Teen Writers Workshop.
The workshop was created as a way to promote creativity and give young writers a chance to interact with professionals in the field. This year’s program focused on character building and included Skype visits with Katie McGarry, author of Pushing the Limit and Dare You To; Amanda Havard, author of the Survivor series; and Victoria Faye Alday, cover illustrator whose work has appeared on many bestselling novels for children, teens, and adults. The highlight of the workshop was an in-person visit by CJ Redwine, author of the Defiance series. Redwine led the students in a writing activity and then took time to answer questions, sign books, and pose for pictures with the participants.
“It is important for young people to meet and interact with people who are active in creative fields,” says Tammy Blackwell, Young Adult Librarian for the Marshall County Public Library and author of the Timber Wolves and Shifters and Seers series. “This workshop not only teaches the teens how to improve their craft, but also that it is possible for them to realize their dreams of becoming an author or artist.”
Taylor Bohannon, a student at Marshall County High School, agrees.
“Thanks to this workshop I got to get in touch with people who have accomplished what I dream to do,” says Bohannon. “It helped me learn how I can start improving my writing and drawings, showing me new techniques and how I can make a career out of what I love doing.”
The Teen Writing Workshop takes place in the spring of every year. The Marshall County Public Library also has an ongoing teen writing group, Orbis de Scriptors, that meets on the third Thursday of the month at the Calvert City branch during the school year. For more information, please visit the library’s webpage at www.marshallcolibrary.org.