The Writers’ League of Texas is hosting its first fiction writing conference March 9 and 10. Ann Patchett, whose latest novel, Bel Canto, has been nominated for the National Book Critics Circle Award, will be the featured speaker, but Janice Woods Windle will be there as well, with her forthcoming historical novel, Will’s War, as will many other recently published fiction writers. Topics to be addressed include issues of craft, like narrative technique, as well as publishing tips and news about markets. Space is still available; call 499-8914 for more info… Crossed Over, the TV movie based on Beverly Lowry‘s excellent memoir of her friendship with Karla Faye Tucker, will air on Sunday, March 3 on CBS at 8pm. It stars Diane Keaton as Lowry and Jennifer Jason Leigh as Karla Faye Tucker… bell hooks will be at BookPeople on Saturday, March 3 at 3pm to talk about her new book Communion: The Female Search for Love Joseph Berger, the deputy education editor for The New York Times and the author of Displaced Persons: Growing Up American After the Holocaust, will speak at Southwestern University in Georgetown on Monday, March 4 at 4pm in the Red & Charline McCombs Campus Center. Call 512/863-1487 for more info.

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