Signatures Author Series to feature 'The Help' author

Photo cutline: The John Cooper School will host the 8th annual Signatures Author Series featuring Kathryn Stockett, critically acclaimed author of "The Help," and movie director Tate Taylor.

The John Cooper School in The Woodlands will host its 8th annual Signatures Author Series luncheon at noon Friday, Nov. 9 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center.

This year's event will feature Kathryn Stockett, critically acclaimed author of "The Help," and movie director Tate Taylor. The program will also feature an array of local authors who are selected through an application process, according to a press release.

Local authors are encouraged to apply to attend the Signatures event, sell their books and have the opportunity to engage with approximately 800 luncheon attendees.

"Each year, our Executive Committee strives to put together a well-rounded group of visiting authors who represent a variety of genres," said committee member Lisa Sims in the press release. "Authors who are selected to participate are highlighted at the lunch and in pre-event publicity and will receive a table with signage where they can sell their books and visit with guests before and after the luncheon."

Registration and meeting local authors will begin at 10 a.m., and a luncheon and keynote speaker address will take place from noon to 1:30 p.m. Top sponsors of the event will have a special reception with Stockett from 10:30-11:30 a.m. She will also be available to all guests for book signing following the luncheon, according to program organizers.

The booth registration fee for selected local authors is $150, and the deadline for application is on or before Tuesday, Sept. 18. Prospective visiting authors must have a newly published book within a one- to two-year period, no self-published books, the writer should be the primary author or illustrator, and a sample copy of the book should be submitted with the application, available at johncooper.org.

Individual tickets to attend the luncheon are $100 per person, with three levels of sponsorships available to businesses and organizations. Registration will close on Wednesday, Nov. 7. For registration and sponsorship information, call 281-367-0900, ext. 2441, or visit johncooper.org.

All proceeds from the event will benefit The John Cooper School, an independent college preparatory day school located at 1 John Cooper Drive in The Woodlands.

The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center is located at 1601 Lake Robbins Drive in The Woodlands.