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Writers Conference Celebrates 9th Anniversary https://jocolibrary.org/our-stories/writers-conference-celebrates-9th-anniversary
It’s never too late to explore your passions; whether you have always dreamed of becoming a writer or have many years of experience under your belt, Johnson County Library’s Writers Conference is a wonderful resource to explore the topic and connect with others who share your interest.   Now in its ninth year, the Writers Conference will be held Friday, Nov. 15 at Central Resource Library (9875 W. 87th St, Overland Park). Normally a multi-day event, the co
Register Now for the 2024 Writers Conference https://jocolibrary.org/our-stories/register-now-2024-writers-conference
Buckle your seatbelts, writers! We’re trying something totally new this year! 2024's Writers Conference will be one day, Friday, Nov. 15, focused on deep learning. If you’ve been to our conference before you know it’s a come, learn, and leave situation. Not to worry; you can still do that. We’ll have plenty of craft lectures and book discussions for you. Conference registration »
2024 Writers Conference https://jocolibrary.org/our-stories/writersconference
2024's Writers Conference will be one day, Friday, Nov. 15, and it will be a day of deep learning.Amber Logan and Amy Leigh Harden will be offering book discussions on Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brady and Wired for Story: the Writer’s Guide to Using Brain Science to Hook Readers from the Very First Sentence by Lisa Cron.  After registering you will receive instructions for picking up copies on a first-come, first-served basis.
Writers Conference Highlights Craft and Creativity https://jocolibrary.org/our-stories/writers-conference-highlights-craft-and-creativity
Johnson County Library’s Writers Conference is back in person this year and staff couldn’t be happier!  After two challenging years hosting the conference online, the Library is delighted to welcome writers back to the newly refreshed Central Resource Library Nov. 17-19. Participants will share ideas and inspiration, meet with authors and other creatives and have a chance to network and learn from each other. 
The Roanoke Girls https://jocolibrary.org/we-recommend/reviews/roanoke-girls-0
Lane is just fifteen when her mother commits suicide. She is sent from New York City to western Kansas to live with her grandparents. Even though she’s never met them, they claim to love and want her. As Lane adjusts to life away from the dysfunction of her mentally ill mother, her idealistic image of the farm blends with her mother’s version to form a reality she wants no part of. But home and family are hard to root out, and when her cousin Allegra goes missing, L
Meet the Author: Mary Lane Kamberg https://jocolibrary.org/we-recommend/reviews/meet-author-mary-lane-kamberg
Mary-Lane Kamberg is the author of more than 30 nonfiction books, including many for young adult readers. She has been writing since second grade. She published her first poem at the age of 10. She has a B.S. in Journalism from the University of Kansas and roots for the Jayhawks during March Madness. In addition to her nonfiction books, she has published hundreds of articles, a poetry chapbook, and some short fiction.
What Comes Next and How to Like It https://jocolibrary.org/we-recommend/reviews/what-comes-next-and-how-it
Through a series of short essays, Thomas lovingly paints a picture of her best friend Chuck, a heartbreaking portrait of her daughter’s cancer, eloquently wrangles her addictions, and throws in all the other stuff that makes a life a life. Somehow she makes the whole mess look beautiful.
The Introvert's Guide to Author Social Media https://jocolibrary.org/our-stories/introverts-guide-author-social-media
In this three-part recorded lecture, Jenifer Boles walks authors through building a social media calendar. From #Booktok and #Bookstagram, this series will help you get started developing your brand, find and grow your audience, and design a content routine.  Watch Boles series here: Part 1: Branding Part 2: Growth Part 3: Content Routines Then join Jenifer Boles at the Nov. 15 Writers Conference, where Boles will workshop your social media platf
Meet the Author: Arlin Buyert https://jocolibrary.org/we-recommend/reviews/meet-author-arlin-buyert
Arlin Buyert is a local poet who was born and raised on an Iowa farm near Sioux Center where he graduated from high school. Arlin was formally educated at Macalester College and The University of Minnesota and worked as an admissions officer at Macalester before entering the Navy in 1966. Arlin was a Naval aviator, corporate executive, cattle rancher and is now retired and lives in Leawood, Kansas with his wife Kristen Kvam. Arlin has facilitated the poetry program
Finding Your Story’s Voice https://jocolibrary.org/our-stories/finding-your-storys-voice
Whether you write fiction, creative nonfiction, or screenplays, one of the most important aspects in engaging your readers is your story’s voice. But what even is “voice”? Why does Stephen King sound completely different than Jane Austen? And how exactly does a writer connect to the right voice for their story? In this four part recorded lecture Trai Cartwright will break down this crucial craft element into its components, and then give you a step-by-step guide for