AUSTIN–"Writing with Attitude," a reading and panel discussion featuring Texas writers Susie Kelly Flatau, Suzy Spencer and Karen Stolz, will take place on Tuesday, April 17 from 5:30-7 p.m. in Mabee Ballroom (A) of the Ragsdale Center on campus. This free public event will be followed by a wine and food reception with copies of the authors' books available for purchase and signing.

Susie Kelly Flatau is the author of two nonfiction books; From My Mother's Hands and Counter Culture Texas. Her short story, "The Well," was selected for New Texas 2000. She is currently working with Diane Fanning on Red Boots and Attitude, an anthology showcasing contemporary Texas women writers to benefit the Breast Cancer Research Institution.

Suzy Spencer is a New York Times best-selling author and wrote the controversial true crime book Wasted, a 1999 Violet Crown Book Award finalist, and Wages of Sin, a true story of lust, lies and cold-blooded murder. Spencer has led a very diverse life from working as a missionary in Malaysia and Detroit, to writing about Hollywoodęs hottest as a freelancer for People and Los Angeles magazines.

Karen Stolzęs first novel, World of Pies, is a Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club selection which will be published in Germany, Sweden, Italy, Portugal and Australia. Stolz received a 1999 Fiction Fellowship from the Austin Writersę League / Texas Commission on the Arts and was a 2000 Violet Crown Award fiction finalist. Stolz has contracted with Hyperion for her second novel, Fanny and Sue.

This event is co-sponsored by the School of Humanities and New College Program from St. Edward's University and the Writersę League of Texas. For more information, contact Cynthia Hoff at 416-5809.

St. Edward's University is an independent Catholic liberal arts university of 3,800 students in Austin. It was founded by the Congregation of Holy Cross.

{Note: Electronic images of Flatau, Spencer and Stoltz available upon request.}