Are you a reader, writer, or book lover? If so, plan now to attend The Best Southwest Bookfest presented by a group of public libraries in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. The Bookfest coordinators have put together inspiring events for readers, writers, and book lovers. The Bookfest occurs annually in the spring and features local as well as national authors (including a multi-time Pulitzer finalist—oh, and me, too, this time!), illustrators, literary agents, and publishers. My workshop, which they scheduled me to give twice: "Five Essentials Every Novelist Must Master."

This year’s Bookfest will take place March 27-29 at the Cedar Hill Recreation Center, 310 E. Parkerville Road, Cedar Hill, TX 75104. Admission to most events is FREE. But the Friday creative writing workshops, the Friday night dinner, and the Saturday luncheon require advance registration and payment. For more information on the event go to http://www.bestsouthwestbookfest.org/.