Omar by Craig O. Thompson of Brightwater Publishing

our families and citizens. Thompson also speaks on the subject of writing novels, as he provides advice for the budding or would-be writers in all of us. He is available for keynote speeches, workshops, lectures, book signings and readings.
          A graduate of Northern Arizona University, Craig O.--as friends call him--holds a B.S. and M.A. in Education from the Center for Excellence in Education at NAU, with a Minor in Theatre Arts and Political Science.
          Author, Thompson, has led an exciting, eclectic life--from the moment he was accepted into the U.S. Peace Corps as the first 18-year old volunteer to serve overseas, to the years he worked for Lucille Ball at Desilu/Paramount Television. As an instructor on the Navajo Reservation, he co-directed the Navajo-Hawaii Cultural Exchange...a program that was later honored in Congress and recognized twice in the U.S. Congressional Record.
          In his early years, Craig was honored with a special invitation to Washington, D.C.--by the Vice President of the United States--where he was able to speak before the very first gathering of returned Peace Corps volunteers at the U.S. State Department. And he was recognized by the Carnegie Hero Foundation for "courage in the rescue of accident victims," after helping to pull a family from a burning car just before it exploded.
          Thompson has been writing for nearly twenty-five years. He first started with poetry and lyrical pieces--encouraged by Poet Laureate and Pulitzer prize-winning Poet, Gwendolyn Brooks, and by Composer-Pianist, Roger Williams. Further encouragement came from comedienne, Lucille Ball, after he attempted a script for The Lucy Show (Lucy personally read the script, rejected it, but told him not to give up writing).
          Years of writing copy for regional and national advertising, marketing and public relations campaigns -- for public and private sector businesses -- rounded out his ability to express his ideas. As a member of the National Speaker's Association and International Platform Association, Thompson was published in an anthology titled Star Spangled Speakers. Following on the heals of these experiences, he moved on to larger literary pursuits.
          Craig O. Thompson's first novel--OMAR: A Novel©-is actually his second. The first--a science-fiction fantasy thriller--was put on hold when the idea developed for his thriller, OMAR. Now, he is re-exploring the inner-workings of the science fiction plot and gathering research and other important character development and plot requirements for at least three more novels in treatment stage or at some other level of progress. He is also adapting a screenplay.
          Craig O. Thompson spent most of his early and later years in administration as an arts presenter, fund raiser, and as a vice president for a private college and other institutions in California, Indiana, Michigan, and West Virginia. He also served as Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer for an internationally acclaimed arts center.
          As an arts management consultant, Mr. Thompson provides advice and information dealing with arts facilities, artistic bookings, performing artist and residency contract negotiation, fund raising and development, corporate and business grant application evaluations, and other areas that serve the needs of the not-for-profit arts sector.
          He divides his time between writing, and supporting aspects of the visual and performing arts, to skiing and spending time with his family. His ultimate goal--when not writing--includes that of establishing the St. Jude Foundation of Hope...financed through a portion of the revenue from his books.
          Mr. Thompson appreciates constructive comments and views about his writings from readers.