Authors to conduct workshop at Art & The Book

FALLBROOK — Four local authors will conduct a one-hour workshop April 1 titled “The Writer’s Life” as an event of Art & The Book, produced by the Friends of the Fallbrook Library. The workshop will be held between 1 and 2 p.m. in the Tourmaline Room of the Fallbrook Gem and Mineral Museum.

Art & The Book takes place April 1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Main Avenue in downtown Fallbrook.

On hand to discuss their experiences will be Adrienne Armstrong Adler, author of “The Real Hollywood Square,” a nonfiction story about her working relationship with Peter Marshall, the original host of the popular 1960s game show “Hollywood Squares.” Adler is the head writer for the Fallbrook Film Factory and was also a principal writer on the TV series “Charles in Charge,” among others. She is working on a play entitled “Five of a Kind” and is shopping a manuscript for the children’s fiction market.

Sarah Bates and Carmi Cosmos, co-authors of “Out of Our Minds: Wild Stories by Wild Women,” a collection of 16 short fictional stories, will discuss self-publishing and the marketing it requires along with their efforts to become published. Both authors have published short stories in other media and contests and are regular contributors to the Fallbrook Village News and its annual community guide, The Greater Fallbrook Area Sourcebook.

Randy Hicks, author of the mystery novel “The Baby Game” and two nonfiction guides to adoption, has two books coming out this year: “The Ultimate Adoption Guide” from Penguin/Putman in November and “Baby Crimes,” the second in his mystery series. Hicks is an attorney and writer who will discuss publishing through traditional means, acquiring an agent and the route to selecting a publisher.

All of the participants in the workshop are working writers, some of whose professional skills cover fiction, nonfiction and journalism. Adler, Bates, Cosmos, Hicks and 13 other authors will be signing copies of their books at Art & The Book.

Art & The Book features rare collectible and favorite classics as well as gently used books from the inventories of Alpine, Cardiff, Fletcher Hills, Lakeside, Oceanside, Poway, Ramona, Sun City, Valley Center and Vista for sale during the event along with selections from the Fallbrook Friends collection. Proceeds from the book sales will benefit the libraries represented.

It will also include a special exhibition at the Art Center, displays by local artists, Fallbrook Historical Society and the Fallbrook Music Society plus live music, workshops and demonstrations. The library will offer children’s crafts activities from 1 to 4 p.m. and the Fallbrook Gem & Mineral museum and gift shop will be open featuring children’s books on minerals and fossils. Admission to the festival is free. For information, contact Jane McKee at (760) 728-6373.