Having a first book published can be scary, stressful and exhilarating. No one knows that better than the three authors who will talk with Ball State University students today.
The fifth annual In Print Festival will be today and Tuesday and will show students what the experience is like and how they can get their own work published.
"The concept behind it is to bring in authors who are close in experience to what our writing students are going through," event coordinator Jill Christman said.
The festival is put on by the English department. Every year, the department brings in newly minted writers in fiction, non-fiction and poetry.
This year speakers are Mitchell L. H. Douglas, Mary Miller and Kao Yang.
Douglas has published a poetry collection called "Cooling Board: A Long-Playing Poem," Miller has a short story collection called "Big World," and Yang wrote a memoir titled "The Latecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir."
On Monday, the trio will read excerpts from their books and talk about the experience of writing their respective books.
The floor will then be open for questions from students. Afterward, all three will take part in a book signing.
The authors highlighted each year are chosen by English department staff based on what book they have recently read that they liked.
Diversity also is a major point.
"We want to bring in men and women. We want to bring in people of different races," Christman said. "We want to think of diversity in the way the books are published."
On Tuesday, Matt Bell, an author and editor of "The Collagist," will talk on how someone can get their work published.
Bell is also a blogger and edits "The Best of the Web."
Christman said the festival is not just for English students but also for anyone who enjoys reading or writing.
"Cooling Board" explores the life of soul singer Donny Hathaway, "Big World" explores loneliness and longing through many different characters and "The Latecomer" tells the story of Yang's family journey from Laos to Minnesota.
Christman said over 200 people have come in past years.
Each event will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Art and Journalism Building Room 175
"It's a lively event," Christman said. "Everyone always has a great time."
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