The Cody Library is hosting the Winter Book Fair this Saturday from 9 am. to 5 p.m., and it’s a chance to attend free classes hosted by local authors, browse books and listen to readings.

This year, proceeds from the fundraiser benefit the Powell Library. A number of raffle baskets and books will be available as part of the annual event.

Free classes are being offered during the morning of the event, Saturday, Jan. 25 from 9 a.m. to noon. 

Authors will be reading 8-minute excerpts from their books beginning at noon in Grizzly Hall and the book fair, featuring 19 authors from around the Big Horn Basin, begins at 1 p.m.

Workshops and classes schedule

Mike Johnson

How to Write Your Best Life

Grizzly Hall, 9:15 a.m. (45 minutes)

Writing is a superpower. Words are the 3D printer of your reality. In the “write” hands, rearranging the same 26 letters can create any spectacular life you imagine. This workshop shares many creative ways to conjure words from thin air and turn them into abundant physical reality. Mike has sold 2 million words as a reporter, columnist, editor, publisher, freelancer, author, blogger and entrepreneur, earning financial and time freedom in the process. WorldsBestWriter.com.

Callie Ann Atkinson

Writing from Historical Documents

Wapiti Room, 9:15 a.m. (60 minutes)

In this workshop, Atkinson will lead participants through a series of writing exercises using historical documents as inspiration. This is a generative workshop for those who are interested in history and research and writing historical stories. Using her own writing and writing process as examples, she will help participants pull material from newspapers to create a historical atmosphere for their story. Participants will learn to pay attention to the small details and to use them in creative ways within the scenes of their story. Participants will have the opportunity to share their writing with other participants.

Callie Ann Atkinson

Writing Family Stories

Wapiti Room, 10:15 a.m. (60 minutes)

Do you have a family story or stories that you have been wanting to write down? In this workshop, participants will tap into stories of their family and retell those stories on the page. This is a generative workshop class in which participants will learn techniques for turning family stories into fiction stories. Atkinson will use her own writing as examples and teach participants ways to give themselves permission to be creative with their stories, while staying true to the real aspects of the story.

Cathy Ringler

Everyone Has a Story

Bison Room, 9:15 a.m. (90 minutes)

“Everyone has a story to tell. Everyone is a writer; some are written in books and some are confined to the heart,” said Savi Sharma. Are you ready to write that story for your grandchildren? Are you pondering a piece for a newsletter or an entry in the Wyoming Writer’s annual contest? In this 90-minute workshop, you’ll be provided with tips on characterization, dialog, and voice which will help you draft a powerful personal narrative. Come equipped with a laptop or notebook, a compelling memory, and be ready to write!

Michael B. Riley

Structuring Memoir

Grizzly Hall, 10:15 a.m. (60 minutes)

The class will discuss how the content of a memoir dictates its structure and how revision plays a crucial role in arriving at the truths inside the author’s narrative. Timelines, themes, voices and transitions will be defined and analyzed to help determine structural integrity.

Linda Rae Sande

I Wrote a Book – Now What Do I Do?

Bison Room, 10:45 a.m. (75 minutes)

In today’s publishing world, an author must be an entrepreneur. Here are the how-tos for building the team and the tools you’ll need to help bring your book to market. We’ll cover some basics about setting up your author business and finding the people you’ll need for editing, cover design, and formatting, organizing your database of information, and publishing to various retailers. We’ll end the time covering the promotional tasks necessary to get the word out about your book — an author website, newsletter, and low-cost promotional sites to help with discoverability — and finally, protecting your work! All will be revealed in this fast-paced class.

Tom Young

How to Write Right

Eagle Room, 10:15 a.m. (90 minutes)

Have you wanted to get published but don’t know where to start? Then this class is for you! The presentation will be followed by writing exercises. Young has published three books, one which won first place in the autobiography category.