THIBODAUX n Aspiring writers who plan to attend the 2005 Writers’ Jubilee Jambalaya workshop and book fair can save on the admission price by purchasing their tickets in advance of the March 28 early registration deadline.

Nicholls State University has gathered more than 30 of Louisiana’s best-known authors for this year’s event, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 9 at the Terrebonne Parish Main Branch Library. The day-long event blends the intellect of a university with the knowledge of a library and the street smarts of the publishing world.

Noted authors will come together with novice writers who are developing their skills and could benefit from the aid of seasoned writers. Book signings, sessions on publishing opportunities and panel discussions on writing poetry, fiction, nonfiction, journalism and academic works are all planned for the day.

The noon luncheon will feature as keynote speaker author Sandra Brown. Brown is the author of more than 50 New York Times bestsellers, including “White Hot,” “Hello, Darkness,” “The Crush,” “Envy,” “The Switch,” “The Alibi,” “Unspeakable” and “Fat Tuesday,” all of which jumped onto the bestseller list in one of the top five spots.

Brown began her writing career in 1981 and since then has published 65 novels. “French Silk” was made into a movie for ABC television. She now has 70 million copies of her books in print worldwide, and her work has been translated into 33 languages.

Other scheduled speakers are Jack Bedell, Michelle Benoit, Roxanne Becnel, Molly Bolden, Bill Boudreaux, Tina Callais, Barbara Colley, John Doucet, John DeSantis, Terri Dunham, Woody Falgoux, Humberto Fontova, Angela Hammerli, Metsy Hingle, Jackie Jackson, Deborah Kadair, Sandra Landry, Rosemary Laurey, Deborah LeBlanc, Julia London, David Middleton, Stella Nesanovich, Olivia Pass, Glen Pitre, Tom Simons, Gary Smith, Charles Suhor, Beverly Vidrine, Nancy Wagner (writes as Hailey North), John Ware, Amy Whipple, J.C. Wilder and Stephanie Williams. The Writers’ Jubilee Jambalaya also includes a 5 p.m. wine and cheese reception and musical performances by Bob Cornes and his Cajun Band and Windell Curole and His Amis.

Advance registration is requested for all attendants. Tickets are $20 if purchased by March 28 and $30 thereafter. Make checks payable to Friends of the Terrebonne Public Library and mail to

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Amy Whipple, Terrebonne Parish Main Library, 151 Civic Center Blvd., Houma, LA 70360. For more information, call Whipple at (985) 876-5158.

The workshop is supported by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council as administered by the Houma-Terrebonne Arts and Humanities Council, and is co-sponsored by the Terrebonne Parish Friends of the Library. This event is part of the 2005 Jubilee: A Festival of the Arts and Humanities presented by Nicholls State University from April 3 to 27. Visit Nicholls online at www.nicholls.edu/jubilee for Jubilee information.