Saturday, Oct. 17 at 9 a.m.—EAST POULTNEY—Uncle Horace, “the defender of the people.” That’s a man who was known throughout the nation in the 1800s. A man who changed the mind of President Abraham Lincoln, helped turn the Whig Party onto a path of morality. And he got his professional start right here in this region, in what is now East Poultney. You have a chance to learn about this man and learn so much more at the 18th annual Horace Greeley Writers’ Symposium, on Saturday, Oct. 17. The Symposium will be held at the historic United Baptist Church, on the Green in East Poultney from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
The Horace Greeley Foundation is proud to sponsor this fun-loving, camaraderie-filled, writer’s and history-lover’s event in one of the most photographed churches in the region. Students and adults, published authors and aspiring writers, and history lovers will all get a chance to learn about Horace Greeley and participate in writing workshops throughout the day.
Coleen Paratore, the award-winning author of more than 20 books across multiple genres published by Simon & Schuster and Scholastic Press along with respected Indies Charlesbridge and Sourcebooks, is slated to be the keynote speaker. Coleen’s best-selling debut novel, “The Wedding Planner’s Daughter,” has sold more than a half million copies and was twice optioned for a movie. This debut novel inspired two series and seven “Willa” books. Coleen Paratore will lead Fireflies: A Writer’s Workshop at the Saturday event.
Diane Sheehan Shovak, the author of “Deceit,” a mystery set at the local Lake St. Catherine, will lead a workshop entitled Just Write! In “Deceit” Shovak’s tale forever changed the lies and secrets that had been hidden in the Lake St. Catherine area. During her workshop, Shovak will guide attendees through her 10-year-plus journey from initial idea to the final publication of “Deceit.”
The Foundation’s 18th annual event will also feature a 7th grader who took second place in the Junior Individual Documentary category with his entry entitled, “Horace Greeley: Forgotten Hero. Breaking Barriers With a Pen.” Robbie Harris’s winning entry is truly fascinating!
The Horace Greeley Writers’ Symposium is an annual event that has brought attendees from the local region as well as Connecticut, New York, Colorado and beyond. Many attendees have returned for years. They say they’ve appreciated the chance to talk to notable writers like Pulitzer-Prize Winner Ron Powers and Archer Mayor, the author of the famous Joe Gunther detective series, and Burnham Holmes, local Castleton University writing teacher who has published well over a dozen books.
To get lots of pointers to help you in your writing endeavors and develop an interest in history, while finding out how Horace Greeley, a poor, disheveled local boy became the nation’s “Uncle Horace” even as he changed the face of journalism in America, sign up to attend the 18th annual Horace Greeley Writers’ Symposium. The foundation gives scholarship awards to local high school seniors. For more information, go to horacegreeleyfoundation.org.
You’ll be glad you did! Registration fee is $65 for adults; $20 for students. Mail to The Horace Greeley Foundation, 95 On the Green, East Poultney, VT 05764. The event planners will diligently follow Covid-19 rules.
