Pitch Your Manuscript to a Literary Agent at GABfest 2019

-Rapid City, SD

As anyone who has ever dreamed of becoming an author can attest, the world of publishing can be quite intimidating.  First, there’s the task of crafting a manuscript.  Then there’s the oft-told tale of trying to find an agent and publisher.  Then, once the book is ready for production, there’s the chore of promotion.  All in all, the prospect can be as exciting as it is unnerving.  The Great American Book Festival, now in its second year, is bringing the GABfest Writers’ Conference to downtown Rapid City once again.  Free and open to the public, local authors, aspiring authors, and those who are just curious to learn more about the world of publishing are invited to attend a full day of conferences in May. 

The GABfest Writers’ Conference will be held on Friday, May 10th at the Dahl Arts Center, in the John T. Vucurevich Center.  There are a variety of sessions to appeal to those in all stages of their writing career.  There will be an authors’ round table session in which attendees are invited to participate in a Q&A with seasoned authors, all of whom are recognized in their field.  Other sessions include topics on self-publishing, book marketing, writing tips and strategies, and how to find an agent and get published.  There will even be a session by local author, Dorothy Rosby, on writing and revising for humor.   

One exciting new addition to this year’s conference will be the opportunity for authors and aspiring authors to attend live agent pitch sessions.  Pitch sessions allow individuals to meet one-on-one with agents to propose a completed manuscript.  This is a rare opportunity and not to be missed by those seeking representation.  Quressa Robinson of Nelson Literary Agency from New York, and Jennifer Flannery of Flannery Literary in Chicago will offer private sessions throughout the day of the conference on Friday, May 10th.  Because space is limited, these sessions are by reservation only and include a small participation fee. 

Jennifer Flannery, Flannery Literary

 Quressa Robinson, Nelson Literary Agency

In addition to the writers’ conference, other events include the 2nd Annual GABfest Lit Walk, a literary-themed pub crawl which begins at Firehouse Wine Cellars and ends with live music and literary readings at Hay Camp Brewery the evening of May 10th.  The main event is, of course, the Great American Book Festival which takes place on Saturday, May 11th at downtown Rapid City’s Main Street Square.  Featuring nearly forty authors (local and from around the world), Great American Book Festival events include readings, book signings, performances, kids activities, and food vendors. 

As a 501c3 nonprofit organization, the Great American Book Festival is funded in part by the generous support of the following organizations: i2i Technologies, Literary Classics Book Awards & Reviews, Author.Pub, Firehouse Brewing Company, Denny Menholt Rushmore Honda, Denny Menholt Toyota, Firehouse Wine Cellars, Hay Camp Brewery, Who’s Toy House and Wobbly Bobby British Pub.  To learn more visit GABfest.info.

Meet Author, Cat Michaels

Cat Michaels started writing stories in fourth grade and hasn’t stopped since.

After earning an M.S. degree in special education from the University of Kansas, she spent two decades helping students from kindergarten to college reach their potential. She also managed training programs for an international high-tech company. However, she returned to her education roots, serving at a community college as a writing coach to support students with Asperger’s syndrome and learning disabilities.

Cat’s tales for early readers tell of everyday life, with twists of mischief and mystery, that open young minds to new ways of looking at the world.

Cat and her family live in North Carolina where she designs pocket gardens, dabbles in graphic design and photography, works out nearly every day, and writes.


Meet Cat Michaels
and other authors at
Great American Book Festival
Saturday, May 11, 2019
Main Street Square
Rapid City, South Dakota

For More Information including Event Schedules Visit GABfest.info

Meet Author, P.H.C. Marchesi

P.H.C. Marchesi has a Ph.D. in English literature and is currently an English professor at LaGrange College, GA. She has written two science-fiction novels for middle-grade audiences, Shelby & Shauna Kitt and the Dimensional Holes and Shelby & Shauna Kitt and the Alterax Buttons. Marchesi is originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and moved to Europe as a young teen before coming to the United States for college and graduate school. The space travels of Shelby & Shauna Kitt, brother-and-sister twins, are partially based on fond childhood memories of exploring new places and cultures.

Marchesi is a nature lover, avid reader, stargazer, and optimist. She is currently working on a fantasy novel for young adult audiences.

Meet P.H.C. Marchesi
and other authors at
Great American Book Festival
Saturday, May 11, 2019
Main Street Square
Rapid City, South Dakota

For More Information including Event Schedules Visit GABfest.info

Meet Author, Brad McKim

Brad McKim practiced law for 30 years before retiring in 2015 to pursue several interests, including his long-time passion for U.S. Presidential history. His historical novel about the Presidents between Washington and Lincoln, A Presidents Story, is the result. Brad has lived in Colorado, Texas, Alaska and London, England while his work and love for travel have taken him to all 50 states and over 60 countries. He now lives in Wyoming with his wife Kay.

Meet Brad McKim
and other authors at
Great American Book Festival
Saturday, May 11, 2019
Main Street Square
Rapid City, South Dakota


For More Information including Event Schedules Visit GABfest.info

Agent Pitch Sessions at Black Hills Writers' Conference

-Rapid City, SD

As anyone who has ever dreamed of becoming an author can attest, the world of publishing can be quite intimidating.  First, there’s the task of crafting a manuscript.  Then there’s the oft-told tale of trying to find an agent and publisher.  Then, once the book is ready for production, there’s the chore of promotion.  All in all, the prospect can be as exciting as it is unnerving.  The Great American Book Festival, now in its second year, is bringing the GABfest Writers’ Conference to downtown Rapid City once again.  Free and open to the public, local authors, aspiring authors, and those who are just curious to learn more about the world of publishing are invited to attend a full day of conferences in May. 

The GABfest Writers’ Conference will be held on Friday, May 10th at the Dahl Arts Center, in the John T. Vucurevich Center.  There are a variety of sessions to appeal to those in all stages of their writing career.  There will be an authors’ round table session in which attendees are invited to participate in a Q&A with seasoned authors, all of whom are recognized in their field.  Other sessions include topics on self-publishing, book marketing, writing tips and strategies, and how to find an agent and get published.  There will even be a session by local author, Dorothy Rosby, on writing and revising for humor.   

One exciting new addition to this year’s conference will be the opportunity for authors and aspiring authors to attend live agent pitch sessions.  Pitch sessions allow individuals to meet one-on-one with agents to propose a completed manuscript.  This is a rare opportunity and not to be missed by those seeking representation.  Quressa Robinson of Nelson Literary Agency from New York, and Jennifer Flannery of Flannery Literary in Chicago will offer private sessions throughout the day of the conference on Friday, May 10th.  Because space is limited, these sessions are by reservation only and include a small participation fee. 

 Quressa Robinson, Nelson Literary Agency

Jennifer Flannery, Flannery Literary

In addition to the writers’ conference, other events include the 2nd Annual GABfest Lit Walk, a literary-themed pub crawl which begins at Firehouse Wine Cellars and ends with live music and literary readings at Hay Camp Brewery the evening of May 10th.  The main event is, of course, the Great American Book Festival which takes place on Saturday, May 11th at downtown Rapid City’s Main Street Square.  Featuring nearly forty authors (local and from around the world), Great American Book Festival events include readings, book signings, performances, kids activities, and food vendors. 

As a 501c3 nonprofit organization, the Great American Book Festival is funded in part by the generous support of the following organizations: i2i Technologies, Literary Classics Book Awards & Reviews, Author.Pub, Firehouse Brewing Company, Denny Menholt Rushmore Honda, Denny Menholt Toyota, Firehouse Wine Cellars, Hay Camp Brewery, Who’s Toy House and Wobbly Bobby British Pub.  To learn more visit GABfest.info.

Meet Author, Jacqui Letran

Jacqui Letran is an Author, Speaker, Mindset Mentor and the Host of the Stop the Bully Within podcast. Jacqui’s Words of Wisdom for Teens Book Series won multiple awards and is often regarded as “must read” books for teens and young adults struggling with low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression.

A gifted and energetic Mindset Mentor, Jacqui dedicates her life’s work to help her clients and students transform their inner critic into their best friend and cheerleader so they can create that powerful and resilient mindset needed to be happy and successful in life.

Meet Jacqui Letran
and other authors at
Great American Book Festival

Saturday, May 11, 2019
Main Street Square
Rapid City, South Dakota

For More Information including Event Schedules Visit GABfest.info

Meet Author, Evelyn Leite

Evelyn Leite has been in the addiction and mental health profession for 35 years and has a private practice, Living With Solutions. She founded a non-profit corporation called A Center For Training And Restoration. She is the author of 14 books and she holds workshops nationwide which are devoted to teaching individuals and families about mental health and addiction, she does a lot of trauma related work with men and women who have been abused. Because her work as a humanitarian has been widely recognized she was installed in the SD Hall of Fame in 2008. Her work has included founding a youth center in Ft Pierre, SD, helping establish a women’s shelter in Pierre, SD, and helping to establish the Hope Center, a day shelter for the homeless in Rapid City, SD. Most of her work for the last 15 years has taken place on Indian Reservations. She has a new book coming out January 15, 2019 called A Fix For The Family Rift Caused By Addiction.



Meet Evelyn Leite
and other authors at
Great American Book Festival

Saturday, May 11, 2019
Main Street Square
Rapid City, South Dakota

For More Information including Event Schedules Visit GABfest.info

Meet Author, Nelda LaTeef

While living in the Republic of Niger, Nelda LaTeef traveled by Land Rover to the fabled city of Timbuktu. Her children’s picture book, The Hunter and the Ebony Tree, received the Storytelling World Honor Award. It was translated into Italian, Korean, and Gaelic; and the illustrations showcased at the Society of Illustrators in New York and the McLean Project for the Arts. LaTeef studied at Harvard University and her book, Working Women for the 21st Century: Fifty Women Reveal Their Pathways to Success, was selected as recommended reading for young adults by The New York Public Library. She lives with her family in Virginia.

Meet Nelda LaTeef
and other authors at
Great American Book Festival

Saturday, May 11, 2019
Main Street Square
Rapid City, South Dakota


For More Information including Event Schedules Visit GABfest.info

Meet Author, DG Lamb

DG Lamb is a board certified clinical neuropsychologist. His day job involves helping people to become more independent after some type of neurological injury. While his professional experiences influenced his story in the series Driven to the Hilt, he also drew upon his love of cooking and backpacking the mountain trails of Arizona (where unlike Cyprus Grove, it rarely rains). He lives with his wife, a dog and two cats in Scottsdale. This is his debut novel and the first in a series of three already published, with two more planned to finish out the series.

Meet DG Lamb
and other authors at
Great American Book Festival

Saturday, May 11, 2019
Main Street Square
Rapid City, South Dakota


For More Information including Event Schedules Visit GABfest.info

Meet Author, Joanna Jones

Joanna Jones is a recognized author, educator and consultant. Her zest for reading made her a remarkable teacher, librarian and children’s literature author. Joanna taught in the Southwest before she returned to the Black Hills. She has presented on a variety of literacy topics across the United States as well as in Portugal, Scotland, New Zealand, and China.

Meet Joanna Jones 

and other authors at

Great American Book Festival

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Main Street Square

Rapid City, South Dakota


For More Information including Event Schedules Visit GABfest.info

Meet Author, Jenna Elizabeth Johnson

Jenna Elizabeth Johnson is a bestselling, multi-award-winning author of over a dozen fantasy and paranormal romance novels, as well as several novellas and short stories. She is best known for her Legend of Oescienne and Otherworld series. Jenna currently resides on the Central Coast of California, a place she finds as magical and enchanting as the worlds she creates.


Meet Jenna Elizabeth Johnson

and other authors at

Great American Book Festival

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Main Street Square

Rapid City, South Dakota



For More Information including Event Schedules Visit GABfest.info

Meet Author, Branch Isole

Branch Isole is author of twenty-two books in four genres. The power of personal responsibility, or its avoidance, is his writing focus. His self-discovery themes span a wide range of reflective identity situations and scenarios every adult recognizes. His stories explore concepts and actions of struggle and relationship dynamics across a broad spectrum. Branch writes of issues and emotions often experienced, but not always voiced.


Meet Branch Isole

and other authors at

Great American Book Festival

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Main Street Square

Rapid City, South Dakota



For More Information including Event Schedules Visit GABfest.info

Meet Author, Stacie Haas

Stacie Haas is the author of Freedom for Me, A Chinese Yankee, an award-winning historical fiction book for young adult readers. Stacie has been writing from a very early age in an attempt to preserve events and figure out life. She has degrees in History and English and works as a professional communicator for a Fortune 500 company. Stacie and her husband, Michael, have four kids and reside on the Kentucky side of greater Cincinnati. When not writing, Stacie can be found at church or cheering on her kids at a nearby soccer field, baseball diamond, or karate dojo.


Meet Stacie Haas

and other authors at

Great American Book Festival

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Main Street Square

Rapid City, South Dakota



For More Information including Event Schedules Visit GABfest.info

Meet Author, Kari Gusso

A Kingdom Far Away tells the story of Kari’s battle to raise her daughter, Lauren, and keep her safe despite uncaring institutions, untenable circumstances, and unbearable choices. Lauren’s afflictions were the cause of heartbreak, stress, and countless sleepless nights, but through it all she never lost the love of her mother, who fought time and again to provide her daughter with a brighter future.


Meet Kari Gusso

and other authors at

Great American Book Festival

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Main Street Square

Rapid City, South Dakota



For More Information including Event Schedules Visit GABfest.info

Meet Author, Laurie Germaine

As a New England native who once dreamed of raising her family in Europe, Laurie now lives (quite happily) in Montana with her husband, two daughters, and their mellow Alaskan Malamute. When she’s not writing, you can find her dreaming of Christmas year-round, knitting a medley of projects, creating dioramas for her group of 16″ fashion dolls, and crossing off an ever-evolving Mommy To-Do list.


Meet Laurie Germaine

and other authors at

Great American Book Festival

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Main Street Square

Rapid City, South Dakota



For More Information including Event Schedules Visit GABfest.info



http://www.GABfest.info

Meet Author, Joanna Jones

Joanna Jones is a recognized author, educator and consultant. Her zest for reading made her a remarkable teacher, librarian and children’s literature author. Joanna taught in the Southwest before she returned to the Black Hills. She has presented on a variety of literacy topics across the United States as well as in Portugal, Scotland, New Zealand, and China

Meet Joanna Jones 

and other authors at

Great American Book Festival

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Main Street Square

Rapid City, South Dakota



For More Information including Event Schedules Visit GABfest.info

Meet Author, Gregory A. Fournier

Gregory A. Fournier graduated from Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan. After retiring from teaching English for San Diego City Schools, he pursued a career in writing. The Richard Streicher Jr. Murder is his third book. Greg has appeared on the Investigation Discovery Channel as a guest expert on serial killer John Norman Collins for their series “A Crime to Remember” in the episode entitled “A New Kind of Monster.” His true crime Terror In Ypsilanti is an Amazon bestseller. Greg is also the author of Zug Island: A Detroit Riot Novel, and he writes a blog entitled Fornology.com.


Meet Gregory A. Fournier

and other authors at

Great American Book Festival

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Main Street Square

Rapid City, South Dakota



For More Information including Event Schedules Visit GABfest.info



http://www.GABfest.info

Meet Author, Mackenzie Flohr

Mackenzie is a multi-award-winning author of the YA Fantasy series The Rite of Wands, published by BHC Press, which has caught the attention of Doctor Who and Harry Potter fans worldwide. Readers agree that Mackenzie has crafted a robust tale of secrets, mystery, and uncertain destiny that rivals the works of Tolkien, Lewis, and Rowling.

A storyteller at heart, she loves to inspire the imagination. Mackenzie makes her home in Mount Morris, Michigan, where she is currently penning her next adventure.



Meet Mackenzie Flohr

and other authors at

Great American Book Festival

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Main Street Square

Rapid City, South Dakota



For More Information including Event Schedules Visit GABfest.info

Meet Author, Lisa Fahey

Lisa Fahey is a Christian Author and Speaker. Her newly released book Just As You Are: How Your Testimony Can Impact People In Ways You Never Thought Possible. was in the top 100 of New Releases on Amazon. She also has written two women’s Bible studies. She is married and has two beautiful daughters. Lisa’s favorite activities are to be with family and friends, play games, watch movies or go for walks.


Meet Lisa Fahey

and other authors at

Great American Book Festival

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Main Street Square

Rapid City, South Dakota



For More Information including Event Schedules Visit GABfest.info

Meet Author, M.J. Evans

M.J. Evans is the award-winning author of several middle-grade and YA fiction novels, both fantasy and contemporary. Most of her stories are centered around horses, whether real or fantasy. She and her husband are the parents of five children and grandparents of eleven. She lives in Colorado with her husband, three horses and a standard poodle.

Meet M.J. Evans

and other authors at

Great American Book Festival

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Main Street Square

Rapid City, South Dakota



For More Information including Event Schedules Visit GABfest.info

Meet Author, Marc David

Veteran journalist Marc David is the author of three nonfiction books -- The Addicted Runner, Available Male Tale and 1,001 Things You Didn’t Want to Know. His self-deprecating sense of humor shows in his first two books; his knowledge and love of trivia are on display in his third. Marc enjoys sharing his love of the printed word with people and is available for presentations as well as trivia quizzes.

Meet Marc David

and other authors at

Great American Book Festival

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Main Street Square

Rapid City, South Dakota



For More Information including Event Schedules Visit GABfest.info



http://www.GABfest.info

Authors at Great American Book Festival This Year! Meet, Cheryl Carpinello

Cheryl Carpinello is an author, retired high school English teacher, and a Colorado native. Since retiring from teaching, she’s been able to devote her time to writing, family, and traveling. Although she may be away from teaching, she is still a teacher at heart and especially enjoys meeting with kids and talking with them about reading and writing. Cheryl hopes that through her Tales & Legends from the Ancient & Medieval Worlds she can inspire young readers and others to read more.


Meet Cheryl Carpinello

and other authors at

Great American Book Festival

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Main Street Square

Rapid City, South Dakota



For More Information including Event Schedules Visit GABfest.info

Check out who will be at Great American Book Festival this year! Meet Author, Kristen Cathey

Kristen Cathey was raised in Rapid City, South Dakota, where she still lives with her husband, son, and two dogs. Growing up near the Black Hills, she spent her time hiking, camping and reading herself to sleep with fictional books, lost in her own imagination

Meet Kristen Cathey
and other authors at
Great American Book Festival
Saturday, May 11, 2019
Main Street Square
Rapid City, South Dakota

For More Information including Event Schedules Visit GABfest.info

http://www.GABfest.info


Black Hills Attractions, Black Hills Events, Book Fair Rapid City, Book Festival Black Hills, Rapid City Calendar of events, Events near Mt. Rushmore

Check out who will be at Great American Book Festival this year! Meet Author, Tiffany Brooks

Tiffany Brooks lives in San Francisco with her family and bunch of rescue pets, who luckily don’t mind being featured on her Instagram. The best thing about living on the west coast means she can find out what happens on Game of Thrones three hours ahead of air time. That, plus not having winter weather, means she’ll never move back east, although that doesn’t stop her New England family from asking when she’ll be moving “back home” to New York or Connecticut.

Meet Tiffany Brooks
and other authors at
Great American Book Festival
Saturday, May 11, 2019
Main Street Square
Rapid City, South Dakota

For More Information including Event Schedules Visit GABfest.info

Check out who will be at Great American Book Festival this year! Meet Author, Caytlyn Brooke

Caytlyn is from the southern tier of New York where she lives with her husband Daniel, and her two wonderful children Jack and Joanna. She has been writing for several years now and her stories explore the darker side of fantasy. When she’s not writing, Caytlyn enjoys reading in the sunshine and playing hide and go seek with her kids. Wired is her second novel to win a Literary Classics Book Award.

Meet Caytlyn Brooke
and other authors at
Great American Book Festival 
Saturday, May 11, 2019
Main Street Square
Rapid City, South Dakota


For Event Schedule & More Information Visit GABfest.info

Check out who will be at Great American Book Festival this year! Meet Author, Jacob M. Appel

Jacob M. Appel is the author of three literary novels including Millard Salter’s Last Day (Simon & Schuster / Gallery, 2017), seven short story collections, an essay collection, a cozy mystery, a thriller and a volume of poems. He currently teaches at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. More at www.jacobmappel.com

Meet Jacob M. Appel
and other authors at 
Great American Book Festival 
Saturday, May 11, 2019
Main Street Square 
Rapid City, South Dakota

For Event Schedule & More Information Visit GABfest.info

Many Thanks to the Generous Sponsors Who Support GABfest!

The Great American Book Festival is FREE* and open to the public.  This dynamic two-day event includes the GABfest Writers' Conference, GABfest Lit Walk, and Great American Book Festival.
*Registration required for fee-based Agent Pitch Sessions  

All events take place in downtown Rapid City, SD on May 10th and 11th, 2019. 

For more information visit GABfest.info



And without further ado... our generous sponsors

*Free with the exception of Agent Pitch Sessions which are fee-based.