From Tim Sandlin, Jackson Hole Writers Conference:
On Wednesday, June 25, 7 p.m., Alexandra Fuller (known locally as Bo Ross) will read from her latest book, The Legend of Colton H. Bryant as part of a free community event hosted by the Wildlife Film Festival, the Jackson Hole Writers Conference and the Center for the Arts. With an introduction from Oscar-nominated writer and producer William Broyles, Jr., the evening will also include a slide show of the recent RAVE (Rapid Assessment Visual Expedition) conducted by the International League of Conservation Photographers in Sublette County. Held at the downtown Center Theater, community members are invited to participate in this remarkable evening of reading, and discussion.
The Legend of Colton H. Bryant (May 2008 by Penguin Press), tells the story of a Wyoming boy who died in an oil-field accident. In prose that was described by the New York Times review with, "sentences that are as beautiful as anything you’ll read in contemporary fiction," Fuller explores the impact of the oil industry and paints a gripping portrait of Wyoming. Fuller’s debut book, Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood (Random House, 2001), was a New York Times Notable Book for 2002, the 2002 Booksense Best Non-fiction book, a finalist for the Guardian’s First Book Award and the winner of the 2002 Winifred Holtby Memorial Prize. Her 2004 Scribbling the Cat: Travels with an African Soldier (Penguin Press) won the Ulysses Prize for Art of Reportage.
William (Bill) Broyles, Jr. wrote the book Brothers in Arms, and was the co-creator of the television series China Beach. He also wrote the original screenplay for Castaway and the screenplay for Jarhead. He has co-authored six other screenplays including Apollo 13, Unfaithful, The Polar Express and Flags of Our Fathers. Broyles has lectured and taught at UCLA, USC, Rice, NYU, Columbia University, the U.S. Naval Academy, the Smithsonia, and the University of Texas at Austin.
An International League of Conservation Photographer’s RAVE (Rapid Assessment Visual Expedition) is a photo-documentary expedition led by members of ILCP to areas that need immediate conservation actions, shedding light on pressing conservation issues and bringing them to the attention of the media in the form of compelling images. They converged on Sublette County in May to document the impact of resource extraction in the region.
With both the topic of the book reading and the photography slide show focusing on Wyoming’s unique natural resources and changing landscapes, the opportunity for meaningful, targeted discussion is rich. Valley Books will have copies available for purchase and signing, at the event.
FMI: Tim Sandlin, 307-413-3331, tim@jacksonholewritersconference.com
