Local author, Jacquelyn Cook, of DeSoto, was one of four Zondervan Publishing House novelists who were workshop panel participants at the convention of Romantic Writers of America held last week in Dallas.

More than 1,000 published and unpublished writers, agents, editors, publishers and sellers of popular romantic fiction attended the meeting at the Fairmont Hotel, which ran from Thursday to last Sunday.

"It was one of the most exciting things I have ever done," said Mrs. Cook of the convention, "and it was quite a thrill to be entertained by my publisher at high tea at the Adolphus Hotel." And said, "I felt like Jessica Fletcher, of television’s popular Murder She Wrote series of being entertained at tea by my publisher. It was a very elegant affair and served in courses."

Other Zondervan authors and panelists along with Mrs. Cook at the workshop on inspirational writing were Sandy Dengler of Washington state, Donna F. Crow of Idaho, and Marilyn Austin of Texas.

Also, Mrs. Cook attended some of the convention workshops herself, including one on historical research, along with attending meetings, and had editor and agent appointments.

Another highlight was meeting and talking to popular novelist Mary Higgins Clark and having an opportunity to have the popular author autograph a copy of her new book, Weep No More My Lady.

Mrs. Cook said Clark was an outstanding speaker at the awards banquet.

"She spoke mainly on her life and experiences and how she became a Writer," said Mrs. Cook, "and told us her first story was rejected 60 times before finally being accepted and published. This just enforces what I have said before that writers shouldn’t become discouraged or feel defeated by publisher’s rejections. Being determined pays off."

Mrs. Cook was accompanied to Dallas by her husband, J. N. Cook, local businessman, who enjoyed touring and sightseeing while his wife was in meetings. The two also went to a rodeo Friday evening, and he accompanied her to the awards banquet.

"Altogether it was a wonderful trip and experience," said Mrs. Cook.

She is the the author of historical romance novels The River Between, and Wind Along the River, two of a trilogy, and third is to be due to be released sometime later. She wrote the award winning Image in the Looking Glass, a suspense romance set during the Civil War in and around Andersonville.