2009
Thomas Francis Meagher
THIS YEAR ITS MYSTERY TIME!!!
July 31, August 1 & 2, 2009
We will be looking at some of the fine Montana mystery writers,
with lots of good conversation and food.
Join us for the complete program or any part that you can attend...
There is no charge for any event except meals...
July 31, 5:30 - 8:00
Opening Reception
The Ringling House, home of Marga and Reidar Johnson
Program
John Fitzpatrick, Author
Sherlock Holmes : The Montana Chronicles
John Fitzpatrick - First time novelist John Fitzpatrick evolved the idea for Sherlock Holmes: The Montana Chronicles while sitting in the Opera House in Phillipsburg. A fascination with Sherlock Holmes, a love of history, and a knowledge of mining began to ferment and the story Sherlock Holmes in a Montana Setting evolved. His book has been nominated for the High Plains Book Award, Novel Category. John is presently writing dramas for radio productions (Imagination Theater). John is a part-time lobbyist for Northwestern Energy.
Saturday Session
White Sulphur Springs Community Center
Registration and Coffee, 9 a.m.
9:30 - 10:15
The Genre' of Mystery Writing
Introductioin to the Interactive Writing Exercise
Ellie Arguimbau
Ellie Arguimbau is a native of Boston, went to school at Swarthmore College and got a master's degree from the University of Colorado. Hired in 1977 as an archivist for the Montana Historical Society, she has been there since except for a year off to get a library degree from the University of Washington. "Mysteries are in my blood," says Ellie, "with a mother who was a mystery addict and a father who read Sherlock Holmes aloud to his children."
10:30 - 11:15
Peter Bowen
Gabriel Du Pre' and other Characters
Peter Bowen - Author of the Kelly Yellowstone historic novels and the Gabriel Du Pre' series, Peter writes of the West. Cowboy, hunting and fishing guide, folksinger, poet, essayist and novelist, he writes of Montana through a variety of genres. He says about the Gabriel Du Pre' mysteries that he writes about the "Metis...a great people, a wonderful people, and not many Americans know anything about them."
11:15 - 11:30
Writing the story: Voice and the Main Character
Lunch 11:30 - 12: 00
(Charge for lunch)
Ellen Baumler
Dark Spaces: Montana's Historic Prison at Deer Lodge
Ellen Baumler is an historical researcher for the Montana Historical Society and the author of several publications including Spirit Tailings, Dark Spaces: Montana Historic Prison at Deer Lodge, and various other works. The is a noted editor and has been on the Humnanities Speaker's Bureau for a number of years.
1:00 - 1:45
Neil McMahon
Neil McMahon, a native of Chicago has made Montana his home since 1971. He was a Stegner fellow at Stanford prior to his coming to Montana with the Peace Corp initially. A writer and a carpenter, he continues to have great success with his novels, including his most recent mysteries set in Montana with a Montana protagonist. His writing has been greaty praised in various reviews.
1:45 - 2:00
Writing the story: Using Place
2:00 - 2:45
Jim Moore
Jim Moore, Bozeman, Montana is a rancher, attorney and former Montana State Senator who has turned his attention to writing in recent years. His newest fiction work, still in manuscript format, develops a plot based in White Sulphur Springs and Two Dot in 1902. Historically accurate, the story focuses on the complications of a lawyer defending a murdering "grotesque" client using Place" to chase the plot.
3:00 - 3:45
T.L. Heinz
T.L. Heinz writes "Noir Bizarre" stories, mixing mysteries with oddities in books such as Waking Lazarfus, The Dead Whisp. His work has won recognitions ranging from the Maryland Writers Association novel contest to Library Journals's "25 Best Genre Fiction Books of the Year" award. He currently lives in Montana with his wife and daughter.
DINNER 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Camas Creek Convention Center
Jock and Jamie Doggett Ranch
Richard Baker
An Evening with Pierre Cruzatte's Ghost
Humanities Montana Speaker's Program
Sunday Session
8:30 - 12:00
Professor Sue Hart and Richard Wheeler
Writing the Montana Mystery Workshop
Bring your pads and pencils and a thirst to write about Mystery and Suspense, Murder and Mayhem
Sue Hart is a long time professor of writing at Montana State University/Billings. She is one of the most sought after instructors and lecturers in Montana. Sue has written and edited a number of manuscripts and is a regular contributor to the Billings Gazette and other area publications. Professor Hart received the Montana HIstorical Society Trustee's Award for Educational Excellence for her commitment, expertise and inspiration in the fields of Montana Literature and history. Among her many accomplishments are developing course on Montana frontier women, Montana authors and the portrayal of Montana in motion pictures. Professor Hart also received the Governor's Humanities Award in 2003.
Richard Wheeler resides in Livingston and is a writer of western fiction. He received the prestigious Owen Wister Award for 2001, the highest honor bestowed upon authors by the Western Writers of American. His literary credits include five Spur Awards from WWA. He has written over 50 novels, and recently has been writing mysteries.
Festival sponsors and volunteers:
Humanities Montana
Friends of the Bair
Bank of the Rockies
Wine, Women and Song Book Club
Upper Musselshell Valley Book Club
Meagher County Historical Society
Montana Arts Council Tumbleweed Program