There are changes coming for the annual Book ‘Em North Carolina Writers’ Conference and Book Fair that are designed to broaden the scope of the event and attract more attendees, particularly those of school age.

The event has always been a community partnership, as volunteer and community groups from all over Lumberton have joined together to ensure its success, including Community In Schools, Friends of the Robeson County Public Library, Kiwanis Club of Lumberton, Lumberton Area Visitors Bureau, Lumberton Juniorettes, Lumberton Woman’s Club, Robeson Community College Foundation, Robeson County Arts Council and the Rotary Club of Lumberton, among others. It has always had the potential to be much larger than one person could ever grow it, and its continued success depends on the community’s willingness to participate.

Robeson Community College has always been at the center of the wheel, not only providing space but also continued and consistent support throughout the year-long planning process as well as on the day of the event. This year, James Bass, director of The Learning Center, joined me as co-chair, taking on a larger role than in prior years, and RCC will take on an even greater role moving forward.

Communities In Schools, under the leadership of Executive Director Dencie Lambdin, chaired The Children’s Corner at our 2015 event and will chair it again in 2016. In an effort to attract more attendees of school age, The Children’s Corner will be expanded. Each year we have a special area set aside for arts and crafts; in 2015, students from the CIS Academy learned how to make the crafts in class and were on-hand at Book ‘Em to teach young children how to make them. It was a huge hit among the young attendees and the volunteer students alike. In 2016, we’ll expand the activities to bring books to life in a hands-on, three-dimensional way.

We also have dozens of children’s authors registered as well as an expanded Young Adult section. Attending the event is free but when books are purchased, the authors and publishers have agreed to donate a minimum of 40 percent to increasing literacy throughout Robeson County. The more books that are sold, the more community projects can be undertaken.

The upcoming event will benefit the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, Communities In Schools of Robeson County, Friends of the Robeson County Public Library, Lumberton Police Department (for Reading Across America) and Robeson Community College Foundation. To date, we have raised more than $34,000 and 100 percent of that funding is spent in Robeson County to increase literacy.

More than 75 authors and publishers are participating from across the country, some traveling through snow and icy conditions to help this community raise funds for literacy. The event will only be a success if people of all ages attend. In the past, the event has sometimes brought in more attendees from across the country than those who attended from Lumberton. It has been fascinating to hear people tell of driving two days across country or spending hundreds of dollars on airplane tickets just to meet their favorite authors, while some residents who live only a few blocks away didn’t want to go out in the rain.

What has been more astounding are the Robesonians who know nothing about the event or who believe that it couldn’t be a first-class event if it’s held in Lumberton. If you have not attended the Book ‘Em North Carolina Writers Conference and Book Fair in the past, you owe it to yourself to check it out. You might be surprised at the high caliber of authors, the fascinating panel discussions and solo talks, and the varied activities for the youngest to the oldest reader. It’s a great place to rediscover a love of reading!

For information, visit bookemnc.org. Mark your calendars now for the Feb. 27 event at Robeson Community College. The doors open to the public at 9:30 a.m. and it’s free!

p.m. terrell
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_terrell.jpgp.m. terrell

p.m.terrell is the founder of Book ‘Em North Carolina and the award-winning author of more than 20 books, including two award-winning series set in Lumberton. For information, visit www.pmterrell.com.