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Meet the 2023 Writers Conference Presenter: Dawn Downey

Have you ever read something and wondered, how did this author know my story so well? Dawn Downey is such an author. Her love of people and love of writing go hand-in-hand. It comes as no surprise when Dawn explains in one of her blog posts, “I write to spread kindness.” Her compassion for her readers and her love of craft both shine in her work. 

In addition to an active online presence on her blog, Dawn has published four books of essays: Stumbling Toward the Buddha: Stories about Tripping over My Principles on the Road to Transformation, From Dawn to Daylight, Searching For My Heart: essays about love, and Blindsided: Essays from the Only Black Woman in the Room, a 2022 Book of the Year Finalist from Independent Author Network.

Dawn’s passion for writing is deeply intertwined with a passion for mindfulness and spirituality. She practices yoga every morning before pen hits paper. Dawn spends most of her time participating in craft workshops that aim to amplify marginalized voices, something she is deeply passionate about. She currently lives in Kansas City with her husband.

We are pleased to announce that Dawn Downey will be presenting a lecture with her editing partner and Writers Conference veteran, Jessica Conoley, on developmental editing. 

We look forward to seeing you Nov. 2-4 to write, network, and talk books with us! You can register to attend the Nov. 2 Kickoff here and you can register for both days of the Writers Conference here. For the Conference, your RSVP is for both days and sessions will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.

You can catch up with Dawn on her blog here, and you can also keep up with her on her Youtube channel here.

We asked Dawn a few questions inspired by this year’s conference book, By the Book: Writers on Literature and the Literary Life from The New York Times Book Review, to get to know her better:

  1. What's in your TBR pile? 

Abaddon's Gate by James Corey; Hunger by Roxane Gay; The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson

  1. What are you reading right now? 

Soil by Camille T. Dungy; Women, Race, and Class by Angela Davis

  1. Do you have a favorite book you love to recommend? 

The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix Harrow

  1. Do you have a favorite bookstore? 

BLK+BRWN

  1. Answer the question you wish we had asked.

What do you want to tell other writers? Be kind to yourself.

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Long Ago at the Library

It’s another grand Throwback Thursday where we encourage you to time travel through Johnson County's history. JoCoHistory is a collaborative presentation of the history from the Johnson County Museum, Johnson County Library and many JoCoHistory partners. Explore historical photographs and documents about the people, places and organizations of Johnson County, Kansas, from the 19th century to the present.

Collection spotlight: Johnson County Library

About this collection: Over 100 images from the early years of Johnson County Library, mostly the mid-1950s. Photos depict patrons, staff, buildings and collections.

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Meet the 2023 Writers Conference Presenter: Traci Brimhall

Traci Brimhall is a Kansas Poet Laureate (2023-2026) and professor at Kansas State University where she manages the creative writing program. She earned a BA at Florida State University, an MFA at Sarah Lawrence College, and a PhD at Western Michigan University. She has published four books of poetry, Come the Slumberless to the Land of Nod (2020), Saudade (2017), Our Lady of Ruins (2012), and Rookery (2010). Her passion for poetry ignited when she read a Sharon Olds poem for the first time in high school and instantly felt less alone.  

Traci’s generative poetry workshops include thoroughly engaging discussions and attendees walk away with a greater appreciation for poetry and community. Brimhall has such a thoughtful way of running a workshop. She conveys how the ordinary or “everyday” object or scenario can be transformed by perspective, and thus our understanding of everyday life can also be transformed. 

Recently, Traci collaborated with visual artist Kelly Yarbrough to create a Poetry Walk for November 2023 to coincide with the Johnson County Library Writer’s Conference. Make sure to take a stroll through Strang Park, just behind the Central Resource Library, during the conference or during your Library visit this upcoming November.  

Traci and Kelly will do a panel at the conference on the fascinating dynamics of their collaboration, and Traci will teach several poetry workshops during the conference. We look forward to seeing you Nov. 2-4 to write, network, and talk books with us! You can register to attend the Nov. 2 Kickoff here and you can register for both days of the Writers Conference here. For the Conference, your RSVP is for both days and sessions will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. We look forward to seeing you there! 

If you’d like to catch up with Traci online, you can find her on her website.

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Meet the 2023 Writers Conference Presenter: Jessica Conoley

Jessica Conoley has been on the faculty of our Writers Conference for years for a reason: attendees love her. They relate to her, respect her, and consistently tell us that her sessions are full of information, interesting, and engaging.

And that’s no surprise to anyone who’s spent any time with Jessica. She’s not only an accomplished writer and creative careers coach; she’s curious about others and genuinely interested in seeing people live their dream.

Jessica founded and leads The Creative’s Apprentice, where she provides step-by-step, easily implementable mindset and educational guidance so creatives can stop worrying about all of the “business stuff they’re supposed to do” and focus on the creative work they love to do.

We are pleased to announce that this year Jessica will be partnering with her editing partner, Dawn Downey, to teach a class on developmental editing. 

We look forward to seeing you Nov. 2-4 to write, network, and talk books with us! You can register to attend the Nov. 2 Kickoff here and you can register for both days of the Writers Conference here. For the Conference, your RSVP is for both days and sessions will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.

You can keep up with Jessica by visiting her website (linked above) or on Instagram and Twitter at @thecreativesapp.

We asked Jessica a few questions inspired by this year’s conference book, By the Book: Writers on Literature and the Literary Life from The New York Times Book Review, to get to know her better:

1. What's in your TBR pile? 

Dirty Laundry: Why Adults w/ADHD are so ashamed & what we can do to help by Roxanne Emery & Richard Pink; Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros.

2. What are you reading right now? 

The Body Keeps The Score: Brain, Mind & Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel Van der Kolk; Exhalation by Ted Chiang

3. Do you have a favorite book you love to recommend? 

The Radium Girls by Kate Moore

4. Do you have a favorite bookstore? 

Blk + Brwn 

5. Answer the question you wish we had asked.

My favorite word is EGG

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This Week at the Library

Library OnDemand – Available anytime you like.

Keynote Address: Women’s Bike Summit – Tuesday, Aug. 15, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Sarah Loring (née Farsace) bikes for independence, strength and peace. As a PE teacher, survivor of both cancer and a hit-and-run, and a Pearl Izumi Crew Member, she's found cycling to be an endless source of "choose your own adventure." Come to the Central Resource Library and get inspired to bike more and invite your friends along for the ride!

In Person: ELL Conversation Class Interviews / Entrevista para clases presencial de conversación ELL – Saturday, Aug. 19, 9:15 – 11:30 a.m.

Are you an English-language learner? ELL language classes are available in-person. In September 2023, basic, intermediate and advanced level classes will be offered in-person. With a limited number of students for each class, registration will begin in the middle of July. Each student must be enrolled and have an in-person interview to be accepted. There is only one date to interview. The interviews, to determine proficiency, will take place on Aug. 19, 2023, at 9:15 a.m. at Central Resource Library, Logan Conference Room. No children, please.

Classes: Saturdays, Sept. 16-30; Oct. 7-28; Dec. 2-16 • 9:15-11:30 a.m. @ Central Resource Library

¿Eres un estudiante de inglés? – ELL – English-Language Learner. En septiembre de 2023 se ofrecerán clases presenciales de nivel básico, intermedio y avanzado. EL número de cupos es limitado para cada nivel, las inscripciones comenzarán a mediados de julio. Cada estudiante debe estar inscrito y tener una entrevista en persona para ser aceptado. Hay una sola fecha para la entrevista. Las entrevistas, para determinar la competencia, se llevarán a cabo el 19 de agosto de 2023, 9:15 a. m. en la Biblioteca Central, en el salón Logan Conference. Sin niños, por favor.

Clases:
Sábados, 16-30 de septiembre; 7, 14, 21, 28 de octubre; 2, 9, 16 de diciembre • 9:15-11:30 a.m.
@ Biblioteca central de recursos

Interactive Exhibit: Streets for Everyone – Daily – Ongoing through Aug.18, All Day

Home Street Home is an interactive educational exhibit at the Central Resource Library that explores our streets and public spaces as places where we travel, shop, play, and engage with our communities. Good streets are places that support living well: places that make us safer, healthier, and more productive, places with people and activities that make our lives more interesting, places that help us get to work, school, services, and all of the opportunities that improve our quality of life.

The Home Street Home exhibit is designed to be accessible and interesting to a wide audience including child-friendly activities. It includes five "stations" each with a separate theme and activity.

And much more happening this week … 

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First commercial building: grocery, cigar store and confectionary

First commercial building: grocery, cigar store and confectionary.

Overland Park's Past in Pictures

It’s another grand Throwback Thursday where we encourage you to time travel through Johnson County's history. JoCoHistory is a collaborative presentation of the history from the Johnson County Museum, Johnson County Library and many JoCoHistory partners. Explore historical photographs and documents about the people, places and organizations of Johnson County, Kansas, from the 19th century to the present.

Collection spotlight: Overland Park Historical Society

About this collection: Over 1,300 photographs documenting Overland Park life with special emphasis on local businesses, the Strang Line interurban railroad and school personnel.