Hopefully we’ve met you at one of our previous programs or at a past Writers Conference, but if not we’d love to meet you! Planning the annual Writers Conference is a joy and total labor of love. If you’d like to get to know the conference planners a bit more, continue reading below. We can’t wait to see you at this year’s Writers Conference!
You can register for the conference here. Registration isn’t required but is appreciated, and your RSVP includes both days of the conference, Nov. 3 and 4. Sessions are available on a first-come first-serve basis. We will also be hosting a Writers Conference Kickoff on Thursday, Nov. 2.
Helen Hokanson has worked at the Library for 25 years. She found her niche as the Local Writers Librarian in 2014 and leads our committee not just in planning the Writers Conference, but in envisioning and planning year-round programming, readings, and writing contests. Currently reading: Blindsided: Essays from the Only Black Woman in the Room by Dawn Downey.
Joseph Keehn is the Events & Programs Coordinator for the Johnson County Library, where he plans, develops, implements, evaluates and manages programs and events that meet the diverse needs of all patrons. He has been with the Writers Conference since its beginning.
Lisa Allen started at the Library in 2019 and joined the Local Writers Committee that same year. She is the Social Media Coordinator for the Library. This year at the conference Lisa will be offering one-on-one critiques on reading your work aloud at one of our drop-in activity tables.
Cindy Frazer has been at Johnson County Library since 1985 and has been on the Writers Conference committee for 7 years. Thanks to Cindy, we have signage and schedules and all those didn’t-think-of-that essentials that make the conference successful.
Diane Haner has worked at the Library since 2001 and joined the Local Writers committee in 2016. She is an Information Specialist. Currently reading: Black Oscars: From Mammy to Minny, What the Academy Awards Tell Us about African Americans by Frederick Gooding Jr. Favorite book: “One of my favorite books is The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley.” TBR: “On my TBR pile is Pines by Blake Crouch and Bibi: My Story by Binyamin Netanyahu.”
Eden Pierce is an Information Specialist with Johnson County Library and the newest member of the Local Writers committee. It’s been a pleasure for her to get to know the community of writers in Kansas City and see how such different people can come together to share their writing and support each other. Her educational background is in English and creative writing, where she helped found an art and literature journal and worked as a newspaper copy editor. Eden will be available at the conference to discuss and hone your elevator pitches, helping you pinpoint and present the heart of your work. Currently reading: “I’ve been reading a ton of graphic novels this fall. I love the way your mind can fill in the blanks between comic panels to bring a story to life. At the moment, I’m reading Fun Home by Alison Bechdel, a bitter-sweet “tragicomic” memoir of Bechdel’s family.” Favorite book: “I like recommending Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott for its solid advice for both writing and life. Sometimes it’s helpful to be reminded to take your writing “bird by bird,” one thing at a time.”
Jesseca is an Information Specialist at Johnson County Library. She joined the Local Writers Committee in 2022 and has loved getting to work with so many local writers. Currently reading: Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache series. Favorite book: “So hard to narrow it down! I guess I’ll pick Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt.”