MSU Billings Sigma Tau Delta sponsors 2009 Writers Roundup

Funds from event support scholarships, student activities

MSU BILLINGS NEWS SERVICES — Book and writing aficionados from around the region can find kindred spirits, opportunities to meet regional authors and scores of holiday ideas at the 2009 Montana Writers Roundup in early December.

The 2009 Montana Writers Roundup will be held on Saturday, Dec. 5, from noon-5 p.m., at the Shrine Auditorium, 1125 Broadwater Ave., in conjunction with the Family Tree Center's Festival of Trees.  Included in the event is a book sale/book signing by local and regional writers and a raffle for a basket of books.

Entrance into the Festival of Trees event and Writers Roundup is $3 and open to anyone. Autographed books make wonderful holiday presents — and the gift wrapping is free — so people are encouraged to come and see what Montana and regional authors have to offer.

Authors who will be available for friendly discussions, readings and book signing throughout the afternoon include:

• Marion Cadwell
• Cara Chamberlain
• Fred DeFauw
• Hap Gilliland
• Barbara Graham
• Tami Haaland
• Sue Hart
• Brooke Jennings
• Craig Johnson
• Craig Lancaster
• Janet Muirhead Hill
• Harley O’Donnell
• Bernie Quetchenbach
• Lela and Harry Schlitz and their sled dog Pixie
• Dick Wheeler        

As part of the Roundup, a deluxe basket of signed books and many gift certificates will also be raffled off.  Tickets, available at the event, cost only $1 each or six for $5; the drawing will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 6, and you need not be present to win.

The Montana Writers Roundup is presented annually by Sigma Tau Delta, the MSU Billings branch of the international English honor society, a nonprofit academic organization.  Sigma Tau Delta uses its share of the proceeds to support a variety of English scholarships, awards and activities. 

For more information, contact Dr. Rachel Schaffer, faculty advisor, MSU Billings Department of English, Philosophy, & Modern Languages, at 657-2954 or rschaffer@msubillings.edu.