COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (March 7, 2005) – A children’s literature conference sponsored every two years by the College of Education and Rural Education Research and Service Consortium is set for Saturday, April 9, at Tennessee Tech University’s Roaden University Center.

The cost of the conference is $25, and the deadline for early registration is March 30.

One of this year’s featured writers, Maggi Vaughn, penned the state’s official bicentennial poem, the governor’s inaugural poem and a poem celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Air Force. Her poetry has appeared in magazines, journals and newspapers, and she has made numerous appearances on national and local television. She has written a total of nine books of poetry, short stories and children’s literature.

Tracy Barrett, mid-South regional advisor for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators will also be at the conference. She is the author of such children’s books as “Anna of Byzantium” and “On Etruscan Time.” She teaches Italian, women’s studies and humanities at Vanderbilt University.

Pat Brisson will also be featured at this year’s conference. She has written numerous children’s books, including “Wanda’s Roses” and “The Summer my Father was Ten.” She works part-time as a reference librarian in Philipsburg, N.J., and has both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Rutgers University.

Conference registration includes the price of lunch and admission to exhibits and autograph sessions. Exhibitors with books and related items for sale at discounted costs are also expected.

For more information about the conference, call Connie Nichols at 931/372-3791.

--Tracey LeFevre
This information posted 8 March 2005