Event Description
Unlock the power of combining words with visuals!
Everyone has heard the old line – a picture is worth a thousand words. In today’s visually oriented society, this couldn’t be truer. This panel of industry experts will dive into how authors and artists use graphics to enrich storytelling, from novels and illustrated books to full-blown graphic novels. This panel covers everything, whether building fictional worlds or crafting stunning promotional materials. Explore the vast potential of merging text with art for readers of all ages and across genres.
Learn how visuals can elevate your work, whether for a graphic novel, an illustrated book, or promotional content.
Panelists:
Lynn Santer’s debut novel, Sins of Life became the number one selling title for its publisher and was optioned by Zygi Kamasa of Scorpio Productions in Pinewood Studios UK. She wrote two more novels in the Sins of Life trilogy, became a sought-after biographer, and went on to work on a life-mission project: exposing the brutality of the trophy hunting industry. Her first film revealing the savagery behind the industry was released in 2021 to international critical acclaim, winning at film festivals around the world. Her second film premiered in London’s House of Commons, and also went on to win awards all over the world.
CUT TO: a tranquil lake in Australia bordering her home, and the inspiration for Lynn’s animal adventure novels. Swan Song went straight to #1 on Kindle in Australia, and received a rosette at the coveted Readers Favorite Awards. The Dragon Who Found His Wings is due for release November 2024. She’s also written books for kids, with cover and interior art by fellow panelist, the talented Brett Sherwell, who works with Lynn’s team to create the delightful trailers and ancillary materials for the Swan series.
1982 – the era of drawing boards, air brushes, bromide camera and dark rooms, Brett Sherwell began his career in the graphic design industry, learning the art from the ground up. Brett was the driving force behind all media for Sherwell Silos, the family business, who’s trademark logo is instantly recognisable to this day.
Moving to the Gold Coast in 1987, Brett commenced his own business, Sherwell Graphics, with a mission statement to create complete artwork packages for corporate entities and small businesses, hyper-focused on quality and originality. His work can be seen in the media of many recognizable brands both locally and nationally. Even after a highly successful forty-year career, Brett still has a strong enthusiasm for fresh, innovative developments in the design industry.
Fern Brady is the founder and CEO of Inklings Publishing. She began her professional life as a foreign correspondent, and taught for 15 years in Alief ISD. She has published numerous short stories, two children’s picture books, and a couple of poems. Her debut novel, United Vidden, which is book one in her Thyrein’s Galactic Wall Series, was given a glowing review by Dr. Who Online, the official site of the fandom. Love’s Call, which is book one of The Dragon and His Kitten, released in 2023. She also has a graphic novel collaboration, Mr. Landen’s Library, with the amazingly talented Rosa Maria Garza. She has returned to the leadership of the Houston Writers Guild, with whom she served as CEO for four years previously, and is a fulltime teacher again for Cy-Fair ISD.
Deborah Smith Daughetee has spent most of her career writing and producing such television shows as Murder, She Wrote, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, and Touched by an Angel. She has published numerous short stories in magazines and anthologies. In addition, she has also written audio dramas set in the world of the 60s classic television show Dark Shadows, including her Scribe award nominated, The Lost Girl. She is currently writing stories in the world of Kolchak, the Nightstalker, which garnered her a second Scribe Award nomination, and The Green Hornet. Debbie created Kymera Press, a comic book publishing company that supports women in comics. She writes the award-winning comic series Gates of Midnight and publishes the Bram Stoker Award-Winning Mary Shelley Presents Tales of the Supernatural.
A screenwriter and member of the WGA, Ken Pisani is also an Emmy-nominated producer, playwright, novelist and comic book author. He’s the creator of the Geekie Award-winning Best Graphic Novel, COLONUS, a sci-fi political thriller published by Dark Horse Comics, as well as self published works Sleepless, Quaranteens, and the superhero satire Power Groove, which he also adapted for Broken Road Productions (unproduced). Ken Pisani recently produced a “veteranthology” of military stories for Top Cow Comics, working with veterans who served from the Vietnam era to Afghanistan. His Los Angeles Times best-selling debut novel AMP’D, was runner-up for the 2017 Thurber Prize for American Humor and optioned for television. Ken is currently working on a variety of film and TV projects and a YA vampire graphic novel with co-writer Joelle Sellner.
MODERATOR: An award-winning writer, Ina Hillebrandt is a nationally known speaker, writing coach and editor/publisher specializing in memoir. She also works with fiction, both to help new and published authors create books of their life stories — or flights of fancy — with flair, and fun, and to create their own fiction projects in several genres. Ina’s experience includes 20+ years as a creative and communications consultant for Fortune 500 companies, and 20+ years writing/coaching clients and members of the public from a variety of countries and backgrounds. Her authors’ books include well received, From The Potato to Star Trek and Beyond: Memoirs of a Rocket Scientist, by Chester L. Richards. Her own include, Pawprints, You Are Who You Eat: The Revolutionary New Cannibal Diet, with Dedini. And How to Write Your Memoirs. She keeps planning to break away from 24/7 news, spend more time with Fiona Cat, and get back to her first novel, Micecapades.
A live Q&A session with the panelists will follow the discussion.
Monday, October 28, 2024
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (PST)
Virtual Event via Zoom
Members FREE, Nonmember $20
Once you register, watch your email for a confirmation which contains the Zoom link. Please save that email so you have the link at the time of the program. Enter any advance questions for presenters under “Additional information: Order notes (optional)” during checkout. If we record the program you will usually receive the within 48 hours. Sorry, no refunds.
