Western Writers of America: James Ersfeld Symposium

Award-winning, bestselling authors Kathleen O’Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear are scheduled to deliver keynote addresses at “Writing for the 21st Century,” a James Ersfeld Memorial Symposium on Saturday, September 6, at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.

Ersfeld symposiums were started in 2015 by the nonprofit Western Writers of America (WesternWriters.org) to encourage people in the writing field, with a focus on the Western genre.

Michael Gear’s talk covers the current status of Western novels and what should be addressed in the craft. Kathleen’s discussion centers on new forms of censorship by algorithm and what it means for Western authors.
Registration includes a behind-the-scenes tour of the McCracken Research Library’s archives at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, 720 Sheridan Avenue. Other planned sessions are:
√ “Artificial Intelligence Issues” by WWA executive director Kellen Cutsforth.
√ “Writing Three-Dimensional Characters” by WWA president Melody Groves.
√ “Book-Signing Practices” by WWA member E. Joe Brown.
√ “The Transformative Year of 1876” by WWA vice president Stuart Rosebrook.

Registration fee is $45, which includes a light breakfast. REGISTER TODAY

Writing in the 21^st Century

8:00-8:30        Breakfast Reception
8:30-8:45        Welcome and Overview—Melody Groves
8:45-9:30        Session 1: AI issues—Kellen Cutsforth
9:45-10:45      Session 2: Writing 3-D Characters—Melody Groves
11:00-12:00    Keynote Speakers—Mike and Kathy Gear
12:00-1:00      Lunch on your own
1:15-2:15        Session 3: Archives Tour—Susan Fletcher
2:30-3:15        Session 4: Book Signing Practices—Joe Brown
3:30-4:15        Session 5: 1876—Stuart Rosebrook
4:15-4:30        Wrap up with Exit Survey—Melody Groves

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