State

She Gets Writers Talking By CHARLOTTE HILTON GREEN When Bernadette Hoyle produced her first annual "Roundtable" for Tar Heel writers, there were some who said it would probably be her last. That was five years ago, and in each of them she has proved how mistaken the pessi¬ mists were. Last year's attendance was nearly double the first year’s and the writers came from eight different states. This year's Roundtable, scheduled for Au¬ gust 15-16, promises to top all the others, judging from queries she has received. A unique business, this Roundtable attracts both published and unpub¬ lished writers. Who attends these stimulating affairs? A wide range — teachers, students, librarians, his¬ torians. ministers, business executives. Woman's. Garden and Book Club members (with papers to prepare), housewives. Anyone interested in writ¬ ing and writers. They hear successful writers discuss their methods, learn lexis Holding presents iilver bowl lo Bernodette Hoyle, -hose 1966 ROUNDTABLE -on first piece o-ord in Raleigh Public Relations Society com¬ petition. John Langley, Duke Uniiersity Press, addresses the group. special writing techniques, share writ¬ ing problems, meet outstanding au¬ thors. gain inspiration. Mrs. Hoyle’s wide acquaintance with the state’s literary figures is a boon to recruitment of outstanding speakers. She has been a member of the North Carolina Writers Conference since its inception. The Roundtable has played an im¬ portant role in Raleigh and Tarhcclia. Listed each year in the writers con¬ ference issues of The Saturday Re¬ view. Writer's Digest. The Writer, the present Roundtable is a far cry from the modest venture that Bernadette Hoyle, its founder and director, be¬ gan in 1965. Then she mimeographed her own mailing pieces, news releases, and programs. Yet that first Round¬ table brought 67 enrollees who at¬ tended a two-day series of lectures by such notables as Bernice Kelly Harris, Ina Forbus. I)r. Lodwick Hartley. Sam Ragan, publisher John Fries Blair, and experts in trade journal writing, the religious market, historical writing, and library needs. In the years since other well-known names have been added: Legette Blythe, novelist, historian, with over 21 books, twice winner of the Mayflower Cup; Marion Brown, author of South¬ ern cook books; Richard Walscr. teacher, author, critic, authority on North Carolina literature; Fd Hodges, feature writer. Durham Morning Her¬ ald: Guy Munger, business editor. The Hews and Observer; Walter Spearman, Professor Journalism, University of North Carolina; Roy Parker, Jr.. Washington correspondent. The News and Observer; Dr. F.thcl Tilley, Mere¬ dith College faculty author. I968's staff included Glenn Tucker, nationally known historian and biog¬ rapher ( the only three times winner of Mayflower Cup); Elizabeth Boatwright Coker, author of seven books; Peggy Hoffmann, author of juvenile and adult novels; Helen Tucker, short story- writer, with two novels in Redbook; Greensboro poet. H. A. Sicbcr; Roger H. Crook, author of five books. Last year, too, stressed a new field of writing, a panel on "Why Not Write a Column?" with Jane Hall, of News and Observer's "Hall Marks"; Roy Parker, Jr., staff of Winston-Salem Journal's column “The Feed Box" and the writer whose "Out-of-Doors in Carolina" has been a Sunday feature in the News and Observer for over 35 years. Jack Wardlaw, widely known insur¬ ance executive, spoke on "How to Write the How-to Book"; and "Books People Want — Old and New" proved to be a fascinating subject, discussed by J. C. Knowles and Robert Carlson. The Roundtable is a business opera¬ tion; its speakers are paid fees, as arc the judges for the writing contest. The Sheraton-Sir Walter, where the meet¬ ing is held each year, gives the contest awards — trophies for first place win¬ ners in short story, juvenile fiction, articles and poetry. Each year brings a new promotion angle. Last year it was the writer’s con¬ test. climaxed with an awards luncheon at the conclusion. A professional publicist. Mrs. Hoyle plans Roundtable promotion in the same manner she handles accounts for others. She maps out a program of promotion on a time schedule, includ¬ ing issuance of news releases, radio and television programs, listings in maga¬ zines, speeches to literary groups, di¬ rect mailing to prospective enrollees. libraries and bookstores. Interested persons direct inquiries to her at P. O. Box 5393, Raleigh, N. C. 27607. i a THE state. July 15. 1969