A Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group sponsored event.
Moderator: Thomas Terraforte, GLVWG Board Member and author of Zorbath and Lacewing. Panelists: Laurel Wenson, Ginny Shepard, Jeff Shakesphere, JD Knappenberger
Each panelist will read an excerpt of a minor conflict from one of their written works. Each work will be from a different genre. The Genres will be (Women's Fiction, Research Thriller, Appalachian, and Historical Fiction). After each author's reading, the panel will discuss the characteristics of the work that are unique to the genre. After all works have been discussed, the panel will examine differences in the genres and the possibility of cross-genre writing as an effective tool. If time remains, the panel will be open to audience questions.
Laurel Wenson is the President of GLVWG (Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group), a prolific writer of Women's Fiction (Harbor Cove Series) and Young Adult Books (Caldwell Series), as well as an avid poet and greeting card maker. Laurel also wrote a Non-Fiction book(Set on a Shoestring), a guidebook for children's theater. Coming soon from her collection is a poetry/journal workbook for caregivers. Love of small-town life serves as her inspiration. Laurel prides herself on the idea that everyone deserves a happy ending. She lives in Bethlehem, PA, with her husband, two daughters, and a clueless feline named Zoe.
Jeff Shakespeare has William Shakespeare as his 13th great-grandfather. He is a Phd Scientist/ Engineer with 35 Patents. His literary works include (Return to the Garden: Reclaiming the Garden of Eden, Final Cruise, a story about a cruise ship with spiritual and worldly concerns of life and death). Jeff also writes under the pen name Walter Jay for his book Personal Faith: The Power of Inclusion in the search for Understanding.
Ginny Shepard (Phd) aka L N Passmore, as her readers know her, has a long career in higher education and is well-travelled throughout the United Kingdom. Her first novel about Celtic Fantasy, Wayward Wulves Beware, was shortlisted for the Chanticleer International Book Award in Fantasy. Her other publishing credits include poetry, nonfiction, and Appalachian stories. The Southeastern Writers Association Vega Award for speculative fiction (2020 1st Place,2021 Second Place) Microcosm Award. Honorable Mention in 2024 Writer's Weekly in Summer and Fall Hour Story Contest.
J.D. Knappenberger was born in the shadow of the Lehigh Valley, becoming a Soldier in the US Army, an ordained pastor of the United Church of Christ, and the Director of the Bell Museum in Allentown, PA. None of those professions has chased his soul like writing. He takes inspiration from his wife Angela, daughter Cora, and family and friends.
