Fall Gathering of Authors Charity Event and Book Signing Reveals a Secret Many Did Not Know
The annual Fall Gathering of Authors weekend is August 28 and 29 in Texarkana. While writing this story, I learned of a secret that was kept for decades. It gave me chills as I read how one of the authors discovered his famous grandfather's identity and how closely he unknowingly stayed to his family's roots. Many of you knew his grandfather too.
I don't want to lose sight of the original purpose of this story. Here are the event details. The two events are the charity dinner on Friday, Sept. 28 and the book signing event on Saturday, Sept. 29. This is the seventh year of this annual charity event and book signing.
The charity dinner begins at 7PM on Friday at the Arkansas Convention Center Texarkana. Tickets for adults are $25 each and children 12 and under are $10. They will also have a live auction. You must RSVP for dinner.
The book signing event is Saturday from 10AM to 3PM at the Arkansas Convention Center Texarkana. Admission is free. Food and drinks are available to event attendees. Children will enjoy hanging out in the "Kid's Corner" doing arts, crafts, face painting and story telling. Dozens of door prizes will be given away throughout the day.
Authors will be available to autograph books and some will also do break out sessions. Book lovers will have the opportunity to meet as many as 36 authors including:
- Penny Richards, author for Harlequin.
- John T. Wayne, author of western novels and who is also the grandson of the departed actor John Wayne.
- Patty Wiseman, the author of a historical romance series.
This is where in the story preparing process that I started researching the authors listed above and discovered an incredible story that is touted to eventually be released as a book for all to read. On John T. Wayne's website, I read that the true identity of his grandfather, John Wayne the Hollywood actor, was hidden from him and his father. His father died never knowing the secret. This fascinating twist in Wayne the author's past ran parallel to the direction of his chosen path in life--a western actor grandfather and a western book author grandson. Coincidence? Or did he inherit the knack of western writing through the genes of the "Duke"? You can meet him this weekend and reach your own conclusion.
Listen live on Friday, Sept. 28 at 9:35AM to hear my interview with John T. Wayne, or catch it on the Power 95-9 You Tube Channel.
All money made at this event will be divided between St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Arkansas Children's Hospital. If you are unable to make the event and would like to contribute to the cause, you can donate here.
"We would like to raise $10,000 plus this year," said Tammy Thompson, event creator and book author. "Each year our goal is to increase the previous year's proceeds by fifty percent. It all has to do with people coming out and supporting the event."
The Dream Catchers authors will also attend this event for book signings. In total, there are seventy-two young authors who have helped contribute to this series of books. Find out more about the Dream Catcher program and possibly submit your child's stories.