Folks, we’ve got some exciting news on the LP 2010 front.
First, we’ve confirmed John E. Miller and Pamela Smith Hill as guest speakers.
Miller is the author of at least three books and numerous articles about the Wilder-Lane women and their legacies. And Hill recently published the first new biography of Laura in quite some time. Both will be featured speakers at next summer’s convention.
In other news, we’re talking to HarperCollins about sponsoring one portion of the conference. One of their New York Times-bestselling authors, Wendy Corsi Straub, is a fellow Laura-lover who will include LP as a stop on her book tour next summer, speaking about her passion and travels with her sons to the Little House sites. Additionally, Alison Arngrim has a new book through HC out next summer; if our dates line up, and the stars align, she’ll stop here, not just for a book-signing, but to perform her one-woman show.
Finally, I’ve arranged for housing for next summer. Attendees have a choice between securing their own hotels–we’ve reserved room blocks at the nearby AmericInn as well as secured special rates at the Microtel Inn and Suites in Mankato–or staying right on campus. For $110 per person, attendees can have one bed in a four-bed suite in our new Julia A. Sears residence hall for all three nights of the conference. This price includes all meals, so it’s a steal. (I’d start talking to three close friends about sharing NOW though. We’ll try to coordinate roommates as closely as we possibly can.) Each suite shares one bathroom.
What do you think, folks?
As always, leave your comments so we can incorporate your ideas into summer planning.
Amy, as always, you are awesome! This sounds so fun.
I can’t wait. I have it marked on my calender now.
This sounds like a tremendous program, Amy.
I have the calendar marked too!
“Alison Arngrim… to perform her one-woman show”
From what I’ve heard, you may wish to preview that before unleashing it at her own discretion, which ranks up there with a modern Nellie’s…
Just to clarify a bit! That’s Avon Author Wendy Corsi Staub coming to speak at Laurapalooza.
(She writes as Wendy Markham for another publishing house.)
Wendy is SUCH a Laura Ingals Wilder advocate — and she can’t wait to talk with others who love Laura’s work!
Jeanne
Wendy’s personal publicist