KEYNOTE SPEAKER ROBERT INMAN
Robert Inman’s new novel, The Governor’s Lady, will be published in September, 2013 by John F. Blair Publishers. Drawing on his career as a journalist and creative writer, Inman has crafted the story of Cooper Lanier, a determined woman fighting to establish her independence in the tumultuous world of male-dominated politics.
Keynote Speaker Robert Inman
The Governor’s Lady is Inman’s fifth novel, following Home Fires Burning (1987), Old Dogs and Children (1991), Dairy Queen Days (1997), and Captain Saturday (2002), all published originally by Little, Brown and Company, and now available in popular e-book formats. He is also the author of a collection of non-fiction work, Coming Home: Life, Love and All Things Southern, and an illustrated family holiday book, The Christmas Bus.
Inman has written screenplays for six motion pictures for television, two of which have been “Hallmark Hall of Fame” presentations. His script for The Summer of Ben Tyler, a Hallmark production, won the Writers’ Guild of America Award as the best original television screenplay of 1997. His other Hallmark feature was Home Fires Burning, a 1989 adaptation of his novel.
Inman’s first stage play, the musical comedy Crossroads, had its world premiere in 2003 at Blowing Rock Stage Company, a professional theatre in Blowing Rock, NC. His playwriting credits also include The Christmas Bus, Dairy Queen Days, Welcome to Mitford, A High Country Christmas Carol, The Christmas Bus: The Musical, and The Drama Club. Inman wrote the book, music and lyrics for Crossroads and The Christmas Bus: The Musical. Inman’s plays are published by Dramatic Publishing Company.
Robert Inman is a native of Elba, Alabama, where he began his writing career in junior high school with his hometown weekly newspaper. He left a 31-year career in television journalism in 1996 to devote full time to fiction writing.
He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of The University of Alabama with Bachelor of Arts and Master of Fine Arts degrees. He has been selected as Outstanding Alumnus of the University of Alabama College of Communication and Information Sciences, and was inducted into the Alabama Communication Hall of Fame.
He is a member of the Authors Guild, Writers Guild of America, Dramatists Guild, PEN American Center, North Carolina Writers Conference, North Carolina Writers Network, and Alabama Writers Forum.
Inman and his wife, Paulette, live in Conover and Boone, North Carolina. They have two daughters: Larkin Ferris of Breckenridge, CO; and Lee Farabaugh of Atlanta.
Author’s web site: http://www.robert-inman.com.
On Friday afternoon Mr. Inman will be presenting a fiction workshop titled, “It’s All About People,” where he’ll talk about how writers can imagine and bring to life dynamic, compelling characters who are the heart and soul of memorable fiction.
On Saturday he will be delivering the keynote address titled “The Ghosts In My Grandmother’s Attic,” during the awards banquet.
Excellent information page!
Looking forward to another outstanding symposium.
If the 2010 Symposium is as good as 2009 it will be a major accomplishment. The 2009 symposium was highly acclaimed by all participants and we feel that since that was the pilot we have learned much and can improve every year. Our scope of participation has broadened as to categories and age groups who may participate. As a member of the planning committee I find this very gratifying and look forward to many more years of helping to bring the literary arts to public attention as well as fostering attendance in the event for the people of our area.
I hope people take note of Darrell Fleming’s book. His book not only tells of the heroic men in World War II but also of the sacrifices and trials of a mother and her children left without the husband and father which made the family complete. The extraordinary qualities of the mother is exemplified in the character of her children. People who love their country serve in many ways and Darrell’s book reveals that there are numerous ways to serve.
The success of last June’s Appalachian Heritage Writers Symposium was humbly gratifying. At times during the planning we committee members felt as though we were poised on the edge of a cliff! Much mental and physical energy was invested in the belief that a helpful and needed venue was being birthed for Appalachian writers. We are working hard to build on and increase the momentum for the 2010 Symposium. Writers, plan to attend, enter the contests, we think you’ll be glad you did.
The symposium gets better each year. This year we had more contest entries from both youth and adults and more registrants to attend the symposium. Trish Estepp was again in charge of getting the food which guaranteed an excellent dinner. The Planning Committee is a very dedicated group of volunteers who are trying to show the world what wonderful and exceptional talents are to be found in the Appalachian region. Anyone getting involved in making this symposium the best it can be will reap a vast reward of pride in place, a sense of dedication to their heritage, and the satisfaction of helping aspiring writers of all venues and age levels to realize their dreams of writing. As a member of the Planning Committee I wish to extend my thanks to the many people who came, who helped, and who spread the word about our wonderful venture to help humanity.
The symposiums that SWCC hosts, are the most interesting, inspirational, and educational brainstorms I have ever attended. Everything one could possibly want is right there. The venue is multifaceted and electric. I will attend every year that I am able. When I left there last year, my battery was fully charged and ready to write, teach and write some more. What a feeling!
The Appalachian Heritage Writers Symposium seems to get better each year. Since this was a dream of mine since I first became acquainted with Southwest Virginia Community College, I am so gratified to see it improving and growing. Of course this couldn’t happen were it not for the dedicated members of the Appalachian Authors Guild, now a Chapter of the Virginia Writers Club and for the massive input and support of Southwest Virginia Community College. However, without you the writers and would-be writers are the people who help this symposium to become what it is. Therefore, we all benefit. I get to realize my dream of motivating people to write. The college and the guild are becoming known throughout the region as a cultural mecca for aspiring artisans and writers and the attendees get to meet, sit in on workshops and greet people who have already mastered many of the skills they seek. Folks we’ve started something great and only we can keep it going. I hope to see all of you in June 2012.
I wish we could attend this year. June is such a hectic time for us, but this kind of thing is very interesting to me. We have a lot of great local writers in Pike County.
Jay, we would love to have Pike County represented at the symposium. We’re just over the mountain from you
I’m originally from Perry County, KY (Hazard is the county seat). We would love it if you could get the word out to your local writers. Thanks for your comments and we hope we can see you here in June.
Jay, Appalachian Writers Workshops at Hindman got me started as a writer and I do appreciate it so much. I will be over the writing submissions this year and we would love to have you and as many others as you can get to attend. We also would love for you to enter the contests. Trish is of course, our Kentucky star, who shines so brightly when she is helping others. Therefore, pull out all stops and load up a van full of writers, would-be writers, or just good old Appalachian folks who love Appalachia or want to know more about it and take a two hour drive and Trish will be beaming. Of course we will all treat you good and leave the light on for you.
I love that you’ve incorporated the new logo and design into the Blog, Pat! Beautiful!
As the new year approaches let us all center our thoughts on ways of making this year’s symposium even better. This will be a formidable task since many people said it couldn’t be any better. One thing is already better. That is our website and our blog. Pat Bussard has done an excellent job of making us look really good. Come on you writers, would be writers, youth, and seniors I know all of you have a story. Please share it with us. You’ll have a chance to win an award and meet lots of famous writers and lots of writers just like yourselves; just people wanting to learn the art of writing.
The Planning Committee is gearing up for the hard work of getting the 2012 Appalachian Heritage Writers Workshop off and running. Each year we try to bring in people whom you will be interested in hearing and will also enjoy hearing. We look for knowledgeable, personable, and dedicated people to lead the workshops. Our goal is to give you, the writers, every opportunity to enhance your talents and writing skills. We are very proud of our area and its people, but our goal is to spread the word of the treasure of the Appalachian area. Please attend our symposium and be a part of making our area the place that people think of when writing or the cultural arts are mentioned.
Addie, I am eager to learn about the workshops/presenters in 2012 synposium. I’d really like to enter the writing contests this year as well. Plz keep me posted! Sandi Keaton-Wilson
PS I was so impressed with last years!
Sandy, It is good to hear from you. Please do enter all the contests and come to the conference. I don’t know if the registration form or submission forms are up yet or not, but I will be taking care of all the writing contests. Please send me an email and I will get the writing submission form to you in an attachment. My email is: leahlee1@verizon.net Look forward to seeing you.
Sandra, I am over the writing contests this year and I’ll try to send you an application blank in an attachment. I’m sure Trish will have the new one up on the website soon if it isn’t already. I look forward to seeing you at the symposium. I think we have most of the presenters in place and after our next meeting I think they will be posted as well.
I look forward to this Symposium each year and meeting up again with seldom-seen writer friends who live some distance away. The internet enables us to keep in touch but it’s good to interact face-to-face. Writers energize each other when in a group. I treasure my Writers Guilds and conferences which instruct and encourage us.
Among the planning committee’s many accomplishments during 2011 was making the Appalachian Heritage Writers Symposium a successful and enjoyable mini workshop.
The Symposium is fast becoming a must for aspiring writers.
From the beginning idea of AHWS, it has been and still is our purpose to present a symposium which is affordable, with high quality workshops, and outstanding keynote speakers. The final plans for 2012 are nearly complete and, once again, it I believe it will live up to the high standards and expectations of the previous symposiums.
In addition, a variety of different workshops than previously presented have been included for 2012, as well as, an exciting session for audience participation. Writers of all levels will leave AHWS, 2012, wishing they could have attended every session.
Darrell, this just needed your erudite description to make people aware of the caliber of people working on the symposium. Thanks and also thanks for being the kind of chairman needed to keep is on track. Your skills are much appreciated.
Hazel’s comment is so true. Hazel is well-known for her magazine, newspapers, and other publications and since last year’s Symposium she has a beautiful book out, “Harvesting Memories.” We Appalachian Authors are very proud of her writing accomplishments. Hazel enters the contests and last year won, so put your pens to paper or open a Word Document and get your stories in.
Thanks, Addie
You are truly Appalachia’s friend and writer. Also, you are the one who introduced me to the Appalachian Writers Workshop held annualy in Hindman, KY. Once you’ve been to Hindman together, you’re family. I have a feeling this sentiment holds true for the Appalachian Heritage Symposium as well.
Take note of Hazel Hale-Bostic’s comment to realize the potential of The Appalachian Heritage Writers Symposium. She went from never attending a workshop to being a published author and a noted freelance writer in numerous publications. Any of you can reap the same rewards. Come to the symposium and begin the journey.
This will be my “second annual” App Writers Workshop, and I’m looking forward to it already. I’m in hopes of seeing two topics included on the schedule of breakout sessions:
> E-publishing and
> Creative non-fiction writing
See you in June!
Sandy Westin, The Village Wordsmith
Johnson City, TN
We are honored to have Mr. Inman, a very talented, versatile and successful author, to confirm so early as the keynote speaker for the 2013 symposium.
The planning committee begins work tomorrow to put together the schedule and topics for another effective conference for all writers and authors of our region. Our focus will be, as it has been, to choose topics that are pertinent to their current needs and to provide an interesting variety of talented workshop presenters. Our attendees have been pleased with both for the past four years and we will not disappoint them in 2013.
Mark your calendar for Friday, June 14 and Saturday, June 15, 2013 and plan to receive the best bargain conference you’ll ever attend. Stay tuned to this website for regular updates as the schedule, topics, workshops presenters, and writing contests are confirmed.
Doesn’t “Inman” bring memories of the movie “Cold Mountain”? Inman won my heart as did Nicole Kidman, but we will have an Inman in person for our Keynote Speaker at our Appalachian Heritage Writers Symposium in 2013.
Trish and Mark Estepp made the contact and it has been confirmed, so doesn’t that whet your appetite?
I’ll be overseeing the writing contests again, so start your stories; fiction, non-fiction and your poems. Send several in each genre since that will give you more chances to win an award. Better still, send two or three in each genre. I don’t mind if you’re greedy.
The Planning Committee met today and we are all so excited. This symposium has won our hearts and I think it has won the heart of each and every one who has attended previous symposiums.
We’ll be working hard to give you a symposium as good as you had last year while also trying to present something new. So, mark your calendars so that you can attend and be present to receive your writing award, meet the talented presenters, learn new tips on many areas of writing, meet old and new friends, enjoy the hospitality of our Appalachian region, as well as the “out of this world” food.
We’ll meet you with a smile and happy welcome; maybe even a hug.
My calendar is marked for the 2013 symposium! I enjoy this quality workshop and professional presenters. See you there!
Thanks Rose! We look forward to seeing you in June. Keep checking back for more updates.
Am happy to join and continue to support APPALACHIAN…am writing second edition of LOG OF A SEA-GOING MOUNTAINEER…pub date about June 2013 Bill Cobbs
Thanks Mr. Cobbs for taking your valuable writing time to attend our symposium and comment in our blog. Why not enter the contests? Give us one episode in your Log. Who knows you may be surprised with a winning announcement.
what themes do you want for the contest and what lengths bill
Mr. Cobbs, I wrote a reply in a comment but in case it didn’t go through please go to the writing contest guidelines at the top of the page on the website. There are only three categories; short story, essay, and poetry. Each category has a first, second, and third place monetary award. So, send an entry in each category or at least one category. After all life is a chance existence so why not take a chance. You may win.I’m only the contest coordinator and don’t do the judging . . . I get to hand out the awards and the checks.
I’ll do one of each. Bill Cobbs
I’ll be waiting and as Hotel 6 says “We’ll leave the light on.” Honestly, those who enter seem to gain confidence and enjoyment from the experience.
Bill, the categories are short story, essay, and poetry with first, second, and third place prizes for each category.Go to the top of the page and click on the writing contests for guidelines. I’d be pleased if the judges selected you as a winner and I could hand you a check at the symposium.
Will e mail the three today or tomorrow. Am ecstatic as my great grandaughter ZOE won both 1st and 2nd prizes of 3,000 entrises in the national poetry for children contest! Best BIll Cobbs
What wonderful news. I suppose she inherited your talent for writing. I wish my grandchildren would write. Most of them have the talent, but never use it. One granddaughter did land the part of Dolly Parton in Nine to Five. She is very talented and has been in several productions.
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I’m sorry if you were offended by two grandparents commenting about their grandkids. If you want to know something about the writing contests please let me know.