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