The Readers & Writers
Meet Our Authors and Panelists
2024
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Effortless Mastery with Kenny Werner
World-class pianist and composer Kenny Werner and author of Effortless Mastery and Becoming the Instrument launched the Milford Readers and Writer’s Festival for 2024
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Richard Wiese
Born to Explore
Richard Wiese was the longest serving President of The Explorers Club, and Executive Producer and host of the multiple Emmy Award winning ABC and PBS program, Born to Explore. Moderated by Megan Smith-Harris.
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Radiant, The Life and Line of Keith Haring
Brad Gooch with Christopher Makos – Nothing is more exciting than when art and literature come together. This insightful conversation between Brad Gooch and Christopher Makos about the time when Keith Haring was leaving his indelible art on America through his art.
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Artificial Intelligence
Our World in the Age of AI
A panel discussion on how to navigate this new technology. Sophia Olivas, AI Consultant along with Arina Aristova, author of the AI Fiction, The Charter of Ailith, in conversation with David Poyer, author of Writing In The Age Of AI: What You Need to Know to Survive and Thrive.
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God Save Benedict Arnold… America’s Most Hated Man
Jack Kelly, author of God Save Benedict Arnold and The Edge of Anarchy, in conversation with Brian Carso, lawyer, historian and author of Gideon’s Revolution: The Plot to Capture Benedict Arnold. They explore key elements of history and its relevance today.
Auxillary Panels Around Town
Every Writer Needs A Group
Pencils Nepa – Carol McManus, Blue Fox – Jeanine J. Sesa & Pocono Liars Club -KT Morley
Writing is a lonely journey and the most successful writers seek out the support and feedback from others who are on the same path. This session will provide information on how three different writers’ groups in our area function.
The Work Begins After the Book is Written
Bob Eckstein and JC Plaza Contrary to popular belief, the hard part is not writing the book – it’s marketing the book after it’s published. In today’s publishing world, whether you self-publish or are represented by a publisher, the onus is on you to promote your book.
The Last Fire Season
Manjula Martin, author of The Last Fire Season and Nancy Pinchot, will engage in a wide-ranging discussion of Manjula’s personal experience with a raging California forest fire that threatened her home.
Milford was/is a Mecca for Science Fiction
Around the world, the town of Milford, PA is famous for its role in the early days of Science Fiction. Isaac Asimov, Damon Knight, Kurt Vonnegut, Harlan Ellison, Gene Wolfe, James, Blish, Virginia Kidd, Anne McCaffrey. What brought them here? Why do authors still come to visit? Panel includes Lawrence C. Connolly, Michael Libling, Bill DeSmedt, Christine Cohen and Vaughne Hansen.
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Open Mic
Join other writers, poets, singers and musicians to share the microphone and your artistic creation. Sign-up when you arrive.
Time will be allocated based on number of participants. Hosted by Michelle Oram and Brian Carso.
Teen Voices in the Future of Fiction
Teen authors, Hallie Balogh, Auttie Grace and Owen Carso will discuss their books and journeys in publishing at a young age in conversation with the best-selling author Chuck Wendig.
In the Night Sky
Linda Zimmermann and Richard Moschella will share their experience and insights on UFO sightings. There have been over 30,000 reported cases of UFO’s in Hudson Valley NY.
Healing Through Poetry
Enjoy the power of poetry and its healing benefits. The powerful combination of words, metaphor and meter connect our souls and help us make sense of the world and our place in it. Ann E. Wallace, David Richard and Michelle Oram share their poetic insights.
Truth, Lies and Murder
Great mysteries are about more than a puzzling crime. Come join a panel of mystery authors as they discuss their books, inspiration, heroes, villains, and twisty plots. Kimberly G. Giarratano, Mally Becker, Tim Maleeny and Lori Robbins.
Historical Romance
A Future Through the Past
With the rise of Booktok, viral successes and the consolidating of publishing houses as well as shrinking staff, we will discuss how historical romances place in a current reading world. Can historical romance maintain its reign as a romance staple? Terri Brisbin, Jennifer Seasons, Erica George and Melinda Michaels.
FUNNY BOY
Contemporary LGBTQ+ Bio
Jessica Max Stein will be in conversation with Fred Buchholz talking about Stein’s new book. Funny Boy: The Richard Hunt Biography tells the life story of a gifted performer with the Muppets whose gleeful irreverence, sharp wit and generous spirit inspired millions.
Four Laws for the Artificially Intelligent
Join author and artificial intelligence expert Ian Domowitz in conversation with storyteller and futurist Joe Callan as they discuss Domowitz’s book, Four Laws for the Artificially Intelligent and how AI is changing and will continue to change our world.
The Reluctant Conductor
Authors Tim Turner and Richard C. Morais will be in conversation about Turner’s new book, The Reluctant Conductor, a vivid depiction of 1920s life in a Moldovan shtetl.
