Local authors to lead free writing workshop in Rock Hill

The Charlotte Observer's Rick Rothacker and Charlotte author Judy Goldman will lead discussions on June 11 at a free writing workshop organized by the Rock Hill Chapter of the S.C. Writers' Workshop.
Rothacker, The Observer's banking reporter, is author of "Banktown: The Rise and Struggles of Charlotte's Big Banks." Goldman, a novelist and poet, is author of "Early Leaving" and "The Slow Way Back."
The workshop, "From the Mind and the Heart to the Page: Write Your Story," will be 9 a.m.-5 p.m. June 11 at Grace Lutheran Church, 426 Oakland Ave. in Rock Hill. Lunch is provided. Registration is required. Contact kim.blumhyclak@gmail.com.

ForeWord Review honors "Banktown"

"Banktown: The Rise and Struggles of Charlotte's Big Banks" has been named a finalist in ForeWord Review's 2010 Book of the Year awards.

Written by Charlotte Observer banking reporter Rick Rothacker and published by Winston-Salem's John F. Blair, "Banktown" describes how the nation's financial crisis played out at Charlotte's biggest banks, Bank of America and Wachovia.

ForeWord's Book of the Year awards honor books from small and independent publishers. "Banktown" is among 13 finalists in the business and economics category. Winners will be announced in June.