True Lit: Self-Publishing Panel Discussion

Join us for a panel discussion on self-publishing with several local self-published authors. 

Meet the panelists: 

Talya Tate Boerner - Moderator

Talya Boerner has been in love with books since childhood. Finally, after a thirty-year banking career in Texas, she returned home to tell her stories. She is an award-winning author of three books (The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee, Gene Everywhere and Bernice Runs Away), the founder of One Mississippi Press LLC, and a regular speaker at book clubs and writer events throughout the South. A self-proclaimed nature lover, Talya blogs at "Grace Grits and Gardening" and has been known to raise monarch butterflies on her back porch. She lives in Fayetteville with her husband, John, and two miniature schnauzers, Annabelle and Gracie. And yes, she is (slowly) writing her next book. You can find more information on Tayla's website, talyatateboerner.com/

Ashley Clontz 

Ashley Clontz is a mom of two, corporate writer and children's book author of "Giraffe, What Do You Like to Eat?" Both Ashley and her son, Hayden, wanted to write a book at a young age so they developed one together featuring his favorite animal and foods. When she’s not fielding questions from her curious kids, you can find Ashley working in PR for global organizations, enjoying local coffee shops or trying new restaurants with her husband.

Sean Fitzgibbon

Artist Sean Fitzgibbon explores unusual, real places and events through his work.  He has an MFA in art and a passion for making art and visual storytelling. 

He is a 2021 Artists 360 recipient and a 2023 recipient of the Arkansas Arts Council Individual Artist Fellowship Award for graphic nonfiction “What Follows Is True: Crescent Hotel. He has exhibited work throughout the US. He also illustrates books and recently completed writing and illustrating a documentary-style graphic nonfiction that explores the Crescent Hotel’s strange two years as the Baker Hospital, one of the darkest and most controversial legends in the town of Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

Be sure to also follow his work on Instagram at instagram.com/seanpfitzgibbon and Facebook at facebook.com/seanfitzgibbonart

Cindy Quayle 

Cindy Quayle is the author of the cozy mystery book, "Death on Cozumel Island". Cindy lives in Fayetteville, Arkansas with her husband, two teenage boys, and two mischievous beagles. When she is not writing, Cindy teaches academic writing for Spring International Language Center at the University of Arkansas. Cindy is currently working on the second book for the Claire O' Keefe mysteries, and you can follow her for the latest updates on Facebook and Instagram with her social media handle: cqwrites.

The True Lit Festival is in collaboration with the Fayetteville Public Schools, Fayetteville Public Education Foundation, Walton Arts Center, University of Arkansas Program in Creative Writing and Translation and Altrusa International of Fayetteville, Arkansas.

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