Published authors teaching classes at conference

Writing comes naturally to some who pick up the pen. For others, it’s one long, hard apprenticeship.

Good writing requires a blend of both.

Part of a writer’s education can come at the hands of good teachers. And no matter the genre, there are those who can teach you pretty much anything you need to know, from how to place a comma to how forensics experts really do their job.

In the next couple of weekends, two writer’s conferences will offer workshops and the chance to study with published authors. They are:

•The second-annual American Christian Writers Conference, presented by Reg Forder, Friday and Saturday at the Hampton Inn, 2010 S. Assembly.

The two-day conference will include more than 20 workshops on topics such as marketing, writing for children, interviewing, working with editors, contracts and agents. Fees are $119 for one day, $189 for both.

Leonard Goss, acquisitions editor from B&H Publishers, will both teach and deliver Friday’s keynote speech. Other scheduled instructors include Forder (“Soulwinning: An Action Handbook for Christians”), Christine Harder Tangvald (“When I Am Sick”), Niki Anderson (“What My Cat Taught Me About Life”), Rondi DeBoer (“Finish-the-Picture Bible Stories”) and Eleonore Forder.

For further information, call (800) 219-7483, e-mail ACWriters@aol.com, or see the American Christian Writers Web site at http://watkins.gospel com.net/americanchristianwriters /index.htm.

•The second-annual regional conference for the Inland Empire Region chapter of The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators will be Sept. 23 at the Coeur d’Alene Casino in Worley, Idaho.

The one-day affair will feature talks by literary agent Ginger Knowlton, assistant editorial director Susan Kochan (G.P. Putnam’s Sons), children’s author Verla Kay (“Gold Fever”), young-adult author Linda Joy Singleton (“Sword Play”) and illustrator Erik Brooks (“Totem Tale: A Tall Story from Alaska”).

It’s too late for preregistration discounts. At-the-door registration fees are $75 for society members, $85 for nonmembers.

For more information, call Deborah Fredericks at (509) 482-5288, e-mail debyf@dc4pc.net or see www.scbwiwaid.org.

Taking his shots

James McPherson, a Whitworth College communication studies assistant professor, takes a critical look at contemporary journalism in his new book “Journalism at the End of the American Century, 1965-Present” (Praeger Publishers, 256 pages).

“People love to beat up on the media, and sometimes the media deserve it,” McPherson said in a Whitworth publicity e-mail.

“But it can also be argued that we often get the media that we deserve, since the worst aspects of the press are the ones that typically draw the biggest audiences.”

The final book in a seven-volume series, “Journalism at the End of the American Century” isn’t for the casual reader since it carries a textbook price: $139.95.

For further order information, see www.greenwood.com/catalog/ GM1780.aspx.

New Doria Russell dates

Mary Doria Russell, author of “The Sparrow” and “Children of Heaven,” has postponed the date of her appearances at Whitworth College.

She’ll now deliver a 7:30 p.m. lecture on Nov. 2 titled “Thread of Grace: Christians and Jews in Nazi-Occupied Italy,” while on Nov. 3 she’ll read at 7:30 p.m. from her works, take questions and sign books. Call (509) 777-3258.

Book talk

•Auntie’s Morning Book Group (“Two Old Women,” by Velma Wallis), 11 a.m. Tuesday, Auntie’s Bookstore, Main and Washington (509-838-0206).

•Auntie’s Evening Book Group (“The Mermaid Chair,” by Sue Monk Kidd), 7 p.m. Tuesday, Auntie’s Bookstore.

•Valley Bahai Readers Group (“Seeking Faith: Is Religion Really What You Think It Is?” by Nathan Rutstein), 7 p.m. Wednesday, Valley Hastings, 15312 E. Sprague Ave. (509-924-0667).

•Third Friday Sci/Fantasy Group (“Storm Front,” by Jim Butcher), 7 p.m. Friday, Valley Hastings.

Unless otherwise noted, all events are free and open to the public.

The reader board

•Sandra Hosking (“Three Shades”), staged reading, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Auntie’s Bookstore.

•Bruce Bjornstad (“On the Trail of Ice Age Floods: A Geographical Field Guide to the Mid-Columbia Basin”), reading, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Auntie’s Bookstore.

•Marv Thomas (“Personal Village Workbook”), reading, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Auntie’s Bookstore. Precedes an all-day (10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) workshop on Saturday, fee: $40 (profits donated to Salvation Army).

•Cary Black (“Zen and the Art of Cooking Beer-Can Chicken”), signing/cooking event, 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Shadle Hastings, 1704 W. Wellesley (509-327-6008).