Finishing a well-written mystery can feel a bit like watching a magic trick: even though you were paying close attention the whole time, you still find yourself amazed, surprised, and (hopefully) fulfilled by the ending. But watching a magic trick and learning to perform one are two very different things, and even writers who love to read mysteries can find the process of penning their own extremely daunting. Fortunately, crafting a satisfying mystery isn't actually magic, and anyone is capable of doing it... as long as you're willing to get your (creative) hands a little messy.

In this interactive class, author Lauren Thoman will walk participants through the basic elements of mystery writing, from questions to ask yourself as an author, to planting clues in plain sight and weaving in red herrings to throw readers off the scent, to delivering a twist ending that sends your readers rushing right back to the beginning, eager to see all the breadcrumbs they missed the first time. Grab your magnifying glass, don your jauntiest deerstalker, and lean in close; the game is afoot.

Registration required

Teen Author Boot Camp is an annual teen writers conference held every spring at the Utah Valley Convention Center in Provo, Utah. Nearly a thousand aspiring teen writers come to the conference to work with bestselling authors to amp up their writing skills.

Lauren will be teaching the following workshop:

Roll Call! Tips and Tricks for Writing from Multiple Points of View

Some stories are content to follow a single character, but others need two or more points of view in order to tell the full tale. When you’re writing a book with multiple points of view, it can be difficult not only to keep track of them all, but also to make sure each narrator has their own distinct voice. In this class, we’ll discuss how to determine how many narrators your story needs, tips for making sure each point-of-view will hold your reader’s attention, and some tricks for getting to know all of your narrators so that each of their voices sound natural and distinct.

The path from aspiring writer to published author requires tenacity, intention, and planning. The prestige and support structure offered by traditional publishers continues to be a desirable path for many writers. Yet, with the proliferation of professional, low-cost printing options and the ubiquity of e-books, self-publishing is on the rise and here to stay. No matter which path they choose, authors need to build a team around them, to ensure long term success. Attendees will learn the benefits and pitfalls of the many paths to publishing from industry experts, authors, publishers, and more.

This course is approved by the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education for a maximum of one and a half (1.5) hours of general credit.

Registration required

Join us for an evening meet-and-greet with mystery/thriller authors Meredith R. Lyons, Lauren Thoman, and RJ Jacobs! Admission includes your choice of signed book and wines provided by Franklin's own Saint Goose.

Admission is good for 1 attendee + guest. This is a 21+ event.

This is a ticketed event.

A program of Kentucky Humanities, the Kentucky Book Festival is a celebration of reading, writing, and publishing which takes place each fall. Festival events seek to connect book-lovers and authors, spark engaging conversations, and empower readers by providing access to new books as well as opportunities to learn more about writing in a fun, supportive environment. It’s the biggest bookish celebration in Kentucky! Learn about writing and publishing, discover new books, make memories with family and friends, and celebrate reading!