Jan-Patrick Schmitz to Moderate Conversation with Bestsellers
in Event to Benefit Mark Twain House & Museum
In his latest book, "The Columbus Affair," Steve Berry introduces a suicidal investigative journalist on the trail of a 500-year-old mystery, one that could change forever what we think about Christopher Columbus. In "Low Pressure," Sandra Brown writes of the death of a young woman, at first believed to have been the casualty of a devastating tornado, but who was actually murdered by someone who, for 18 years, has gotten away with it. In "Red Rain," the just-published horror novel for adults by R. L. Stine, a young woman adopts twin boys who were victims of a devastating hurricane and brings them to her Long Island home -- with disastrous and horrifying results.
It's these kinds of stories -- tales that these three major figures of American fiction weave with skill and grace and flashes of humor -- that keep their dozens of books in print and their readers enthralled and eagerly awaiting the next novel. And all three have drawn strength from one of the giants of American literature: Mark Twain.
In an event that unites three perennial New York Times bestselling authors, following on the heels of the museum's powerful Mark My Words event in New Haven last year, The Mark Twain House & Museum will present Mark My Words: An Evening with Steve Berry, Sandra Brown and R.L. Stine on Thursday, Oct. 11, at 7:30 p.m. at the Simsbury High School Auditorium, 34 Farms Village Road. In a wide-ranging conversation moderated by Jan-Patrick Schmitz, the erudite and witty CEO of Montblanc North America, the fine writing instrument designer and manufacturer, the three will tell of their writing lives and convey the influence Twain had upon their work.
Mark Twain House & Museum Interim Executive Director Patti Philippon states: "We are thrilled to bring an evening of conversation on writing from some of America's most popular authors, before an audience for a second year. The proud and literate Farmington Valley community of Simsbury is the perfect site for such an occasion. I look forward to joining these amazing authors for an unforgettable night for book-lovers."
To make this event affordable to all these authors' many fans, tickets for this major event are moderately priced at $45 and $65. A $125 ticket includes premium seating in the first six rows and VIP pre-event reception with the authors at 5:30 pm. at Hop Meadow Country Club. All proceeds support the programs of The Mark Twain House & Museum. Tickets can be obtained at www.twainmarkmywords.com or by calling 800-838-3006.
Additional information is available at www.twainmarkmywords.com. This informational website has been created by East Hartford's ForeSite Technologies, and includes event news and information about the authors, venue, parking, directions, and more.
Bios:
STEVE BERRY
Steve Berry is the New York Times bestselling author of the Cotton Malone series featuring The Jefferson Key, The Emperor's Tomb, The Paris Vendetta, The Charlemagne Pursuit, The Venetian Betrayal, The Alexandria Link, and The Templar Legacy. His latest is The Columbus Affair, one of four stand-alone thrillers that include The Third Secret, The Romanov Prophecy, and The Amber Room. He also has three e-book original short stories: The Balkan Escape, The Devil's Gold, and The Admiral's Mark.
Berry has 14 million books in print, which have been translated into 40 languages and are sold in 51 countries. Berry is also an accomplished instructor, having taught writing to audiences across the globe. He and his wife, Elizabeth, have a foundation, History Matters, dedicated to aiding the preservation of our heritage. They have crossed the country doing fundraising receptions and workshops for preservation leagues, historical societies, museums, libraries, and educational institutions to raise vital funds for historic preservation. This work was recognized in April by the American Library Association, which named Berry its first spokesman for National Preservation Week.
Learn more at www.steveberry.org .
SANDRA BROWN
Sandra Brown is the author of sixty-one New York Times bestsellers, including Rainwater, Tough Customer, Smash Cut, Smoke Screen, Play Dirty, Ricochet, Chill Factor, White Hot, Hello, Darkness, The Crush, Envy, The Switch, The Alibi, Unspeakable and Fat Tuesday, all of which have jumped onto the Times bestseller list in the number one to five spot.
Brown began her writing career in 1981 and since then has published over seventy novels, bringing the number of copies of her books in print worldwide to upwards of eighty million. Her work has been translated into thirty-four languages.
She is much in demand as a speaker and guest television hostess. Her episode on truTV's Murder by the Book premiered the series in 2008, and in 2010 she was one of the launch authors for Investigation Discovery's new series, Hardcover Mysteries.
In 2009 Brown detoured from her thrillers to write Rainwater, a much-acclaimed, powerfully moving story about honor and sacrifice during the Great Depression.
Brown recently was given an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Texas Christian University. She was named Thriller Master for 2008, the top award given by the International Thriller Writer's Association. Other awards and commendations include the 2007 Texas Medal of Arts Award for Literature and the Romance Writers of America's Lifetime Achievement Award.
Learn more at www.sandrabrown.net.
R. L. STINE
R. .L. Stine says he has a great job: "to give kids the creeps." His books are read all over the world. So far, he has sold over 350 million books, making him one of the best-selling children's authors in history.
After graduating from Ohio State University in 1965, Stine headed to New York City to become a writer. He married Jane Waldhorn in 1969. Many of his books are published by her company, Parachute Press.
In 1986, Stine turned scary with his first teen horror novel, Blind Date, which became an instant best-seller. Many scary novels followed, including Beach House, Hit And Run, The Babysitter, and The Girlfriend.
In 1989 he created the Fear Street series, the best-selling young adult book series in history. He wrote nearly 100 Fear Street books about teens facing all kinds of terror.
The Goosebumps initial series began in 1992. The book series quickly became a hit around the world. Translated into 32 different languages, it made Stine a worldwide publishing celebrity.
Red Rain is Stine's first adult hardcover novel in ten years. Published by Touchstone Books, the horrifying story is designed to appeal to the millions of former Goosebumps and Fear Street readers who crave more terror from their favorite author.
Learn more here: http://rlstine.com.
JAN-PATRICK SCHMITZ (Moderator)
Jan-Patrick Schmitz was named President and Chief Executive Officer of Montblanc North America in August 2003. He oversees the North American business, including sales and marketing, a retail network of 34 boutiques, and a wholesale distribution of 500 points of sale. A charismatic individual with a sixth sense for innovation, he has partnered with Urban Arts partnership to flourish projects such as "The 24-Hour Plays" on Broadway and Los Angeles, as well as partnering with and supporting The Juilliard School with their numerous events and programs.
 |
| Steve Berry |
It's these kinds of stories -- tales that these three major figures of American fiction weave with skill and grace and flashes of humor -- that keep their dozens of books in print and their readers enthralled and eagerly awaiting the next novel. And all three have drawn strength from one of the giants of American literature: Mark Twain.
In an event that unites three perennial New York Times bestselling authors, following on the heels of the museum's powerful Mark My Words event in New Haven last year, The Mark Twain House & Museum will present Mark My Words: An Evening with Steve Berry, Sandra Brown and R.L. Stine on Thursday, Oct. 11, at 7:30 p.m. at the Simsbury High School Auditorium, 34 Farms Village Road. In a wide-ranging conversation moderated by Jan-Patrick Schmitz, the erudite and witty CEO of Montblanc North America, the fine writing instrument designer and manufacturer, the three will tell of their writing lives and convey the influence Twain had upon their work.
Mark Twain House & Museum Interim Executive Director Patti Philippon states: "We are thrilled to bring an evening of conversation on writing from some of America's most popular authors, before an audience for a second year. The proud and literate Farmington Valley community of Simsbury is the perfect site for such an occasion. I look forward to joining these amazing authors for an unforgettable night for book-lovers."
To make this event affordable to all these authors' many fans, tickets for this major event are moderately priced at $45 and $65. A $125 ticket includes premium seating in the first six rows and VIP pre-event reception with the authors at 5:30 pm. at Hop Meadow Country Club. All proceeds support the programs of The Mark Twain House & Museum. Tickets can be obtained at www.twainmarkmywords.com or by calling 800-838-3006.
Additional information is available at www.twainmarkmywords.com. This informational website has been created by East Hartford's ForeSite Technologies, and includes event news and information about the authors, venue, parking, directions, and more.
Bios:
STEVE BERRY
Steve Berry is the New York Times bestselling author of the Cotton Malone series featuring The Jefferson Key, The Emperor's Tomb, The Paris Vendetta, The Charlemagne Pursuit, The Venetian Betrayal, The Alexandria Link, and The Templar Legacy. His latest is The Columbus Affair, one of four stand-alone thrillers that include The Third Secret, The Romanov Prophecy, and The Amber Room. He also has three e-book original short stories: The Balkan Escape, The Devil's Gold, and The Admiral's Mark.
Berry has 14 million books in print, which have been translated into 40 languages and are sold in 51 countries. Berry is also an accomplished instructor, having taught writing to audiences across the globe. He and his wife, Elizabeth, have a foundation, History Matters, dedicated to aiding the preservation of our heritage. They have crossed the country doing fundraising receptions and workshops for preservation leagues, historical societies, museums, libraries, and educational institutions to raise vital funds for historic preservation. This work was recognized in April by the American Library Association, which named Berry its first spokesman for National Preservation Week.
Learn more at www.steveberry.org .
SANDRA BROWN
Sandra Brown is the author of sixty-one New York Times bestsellers, including Rainwater, Tough Customer, Smash Cut, Smoke Screen, Play Dirty, Ricochet, Chill Factor, White Hot, Hello, Darkness, The Crush, Envy, The Switch, The Alibi, Unspeakable and Fat Tuesday, all of which have jumped onto the Times bestseller list in the number one to five spot.
Brown began her writing career in 1981 and since then has published over seventy novels, bringing the number of copies of her books in print worldwide to upwards of eighty million. Her work has been translated into thirty-four languages.
She is much in demand as a speaker and guest television hostess. Her episode on truTV's Murder by the Book premiered the series in 2008, and in 2010 she was one of the launch authors for Investigation Discovery's new series, Hardcover Mysteries.
In 2009 Brown detoured from her thrillers to write Rainwater, a much-acclaimed, powerfully moving story about honor and sacrifice during the Great Depression.
Brown recently was given an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Texas Christian University. She was named Thriller Master for 2008, the top award given by the International Thriller Writer's Association. Other awards and commendations include the 2007 Texas Medal of Arts Award for Literature and the Romance Writers of America's Lifetime Achievement Award.
Learn more at www.sandrabrown.net.
R. L. STINE
R. .L. Stine says he has a great job: "to give kids the creeps." His books are read all over the world. So far, he has sold over 350 million books, making him one of the best-selling children's authors in history.
After graduating from Ohio State University in 1965, Stine headed to New York City to become a writer. He married Jane Waldhorn in 1969. Many of his books are published by her company, Parachute Press.
In 1986, Stine turned scary with his first teen horror novel, Blind Date, which became an instant best-seller. Many scary novels followed, including Beach House, Hit And Run, The Babysitter, and The Girlfriend.
In 1989 he created the Fear Street series, the best-selling young adult book series in history. He wrote nearly 100 Fear Street books about teens facing all kinds of terror.
The Goosebumps initial series began in 1992. The book series quickly became a hit around the world. Translated into 32 different languages, it made Stine a worldwide publishing celebrity.
Red Rain is Stine's first adult hardcover novel in ten years. Published by Touchstone Books, the horrifying story is designed to appeal to the millions of former Goosebumps and Fear Street readers who crave more terror from their favorite author.
Learn more here: http://rlstine.com.
JAN-PATRICK SCHMITZ (Moderator)
Jan-Patrick Schmitz was named President and Chief Executive Officer of Montblanc North America in August 2003. He oversees the North American business, including sales and marketing, a retail network of 34 boutiques, and a wholesale distribution of 500 points of sale. A charismatic individual with a sixth sense for innovation, he has partnered with Urban Arts partnership to flourish projects such as "The 24-Hour Plays" on Broadway and Los Angeles, as well as partnering with and supporting The Juilliard School with their numerous events and programs.
