2022 WVBF Writing Workshop with Sarah Loudin Thomas

2022 West Virginia Book Festival Writing Workshop with Sarah Loudin Thomas: Stitching Stories with History
When writing historical fiction, how much history does an author include and when is it alright to “just make stuff up?” Thomas’ last three novels center on actual historical events/places in West Virginia. Join her for a lively discussion touching on how she embroiders her fiction with truth. You might even learn something new about Thurmond, West Virginia (the Dodge City of the East); Beverly, WV (on of the state’s three New Deal Subsistence Homesteads); and Hawks Nest, WV (location of the Hawkes Nest Tunnel Disaster).

About Susan
Sarah Loudin Thomas grew up on a 100-acre farm in French Creek, WV, the seventh generation to live there. Her fiction is set in West Virginia and celebrates the people, the land, and the heritage of Appalachia. Sarah holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Coastal Carolina University and is the author of the acclaimed novels The Right Kind of Fool–winner of the 2021 Selah Book of the Year–and Miracle in a Dry Season–winner of the 2015 Inspy Award. Sarah has also been a finalist for the Christy Award, ACFW Carol Award and the Christian Book of the Year Award. She and her husband live in western North Carolina where she is the director of Jan Karon's Mitford Museum.

This writing workshop is part of the 2022 West Virginia Book Festival and will take place in the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center. Find the most up-to-date room information here: http://www.wvbookfestival.org/schedule.html