Future Authors Selected for Fourth Annual Summer Writing Workshop

BOCA RATON, FL—June 1, 2009—The School District of Palm Beach County and Océ North America announced today the selection of nearly 60 middle and high school students to participate in the 2009 Océ Future Authors Project. About 15 of the students will be participating from Glades Central High School through distance learning technology. Seven graduates of the program will be returning as mentors.

A partnership between the School District of Palm Beach County and Océ North America, the 2009 Océ Future Authors Project is made possible due to generous grants from the Lawrence Sanders Foundation, BankAtlantic Foundation and Xplor International, a non-profit educational and networking organization serving users and suppliers of document technologies.

Being offered for the fourth year, the Océ Future Authors Project includes a free eight-day summer writing workshop designed to help students become published authors. Students improve their writing and critical thinking skills, develop an understanding of how authors are published, and learn about today’s digital print and publishing opportunities.

Students gain insight into the process of writing, editing, and digitally publishing books through interactions with Océ executives, as well as published authors, who speak to the students. The day-long sessions are taught by certified Palm Beach County teachers. Writings from each student are then compiled, professionally published and digitally printed in final book form by Boca Raton-based Océ North America Production Printing Systems Division. The book is unveiled at a book signing hosted by the City of Boca Raton at the Spanish River Public Library.

"An accomplished author himself, Lawrence Sanders delighted in seeing young people develop a love of writing," said J. Daniel Brede, a trustee for the Foundation. "This is just the kind of program he would have wanted us to support."

"The Future Authors program is much more than just about writing, it is about unleashing the minds and aspirations of tomorrows thought leaders," added Skip Henk, EDP, president/CEO, Xplor International, whose association promotes the technological advances that have enabled the print industry to transition to digital book publishing. "We are proud to be able to play a small role in the growth of these young minds."

Sheryl Pattek, vice president of marketing for Océ North America’s Production Printing Systems Division in Boca Raton, said the additional sponsor support reflects the success of the program. "We salute these organizations who share our commitment to creating a fun and inspiring educational program for our youth."

Since its inception in 2006, more than 120 students have participated in the Océ Future Authors Project. The 2009 workshop will be held Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., during the weeks of June 8 and June 15 at Boca Raton High School, 1501 N.W. 15th Ct., Boca Raton, FL 33486.

The authors scheduled to address the Future Authors include:
Jonathon King is the author of six critically acclaimed, award-winning novels, including his new South Florida thriller Acts of Nature. Among his other books are The Blue Edge of Midnight, an Edgar Award winner, and Eye of Vengeance. His novels have been published all over the world, including the UK, Germany, France, Finland, Japan, Portugal, and the Netherlands. His children attend Palm Beach public schools. (www.jonathonking.com) (June 9)

Dwight Seon Stewart began writing poetry at the age of seven with a poem titled Spring. Today, he still uses his great gift to encourage spiritual renewal in ways that celebrate humanity. He is a poet, songwriter, educator, lyricist and scholar. He graduated from Wesleyan University, with bachelor’s degrees in philosophy and government. He also earned a joint degree in the arts of teaching and history from the University of Vermont. (June 11)

Sally J. Ling is author, speaker, freelance writer and media specialist. She has written five books and specializes in historical non-fiction and fiction. Among her books are Run the Rum In: South Florida During Prohibition and A History of Boca Raton. She wrote regularly for the Palm Beach edition of the Sun Sentinel for four years and has written for local magazines for over six years. (June 16 )

As founders of the Future Authors program, Océ executives believe the age of digital publishing will open up more opportunities for these aspiring authors. "Digital printing technologies are revolutionizing the business of book publishing," said Pattek. "Publishers can now cost-effectively print books in run lengths anywhere from 1 to 10,000 creating exciting opportunities for new talent – like these future authors – who now can get their works published. As a leader in providing digital printing solutions for the book industry, Océ is delighted to support the Future Authors program and to help make the children's dream a reality."

"We are thrilled to be partners with Océ in this unique educational opportunity," added Constance Tuman-Rugg, Ph.D., associate superintendent. "Programs like this exemplify how the public and private sectors can work together to bring valuable experiences to our students."

About Océ
Océ is a leading international provider of digital document management technology and services. The company's solutions are based on Océ’s advanced software applications that deliver documents and data over internal networks and the Internet to printing devices and archives – locally and around the world. Supporting the workflow solutions are Océ digital printers and scanners, considered the most reliable and productive in the world. Océ also offers a wide range of display graphics, consulting and outsourcing solutions.

Océ employs around 23,000 people, with 2008 revenues of approximately $4.3 billion, operates in around 100 countries and maintains research and manufacturing centers in the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, Germany, France, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Romania and Singapore. Océ North America is headquartered in Trumbull, CT, with additional business units in Chicago, IL; New York City; Boca Raton, FL; Salt Lake City, UT and Vancouver, BC. North American revenues represented approximately half of Océ’s worldwide business in 2008, and employment is approximately 10,000. For more information about Océ, visit www.oceusa.com. Outside the U.S., consult http://global.oce.com.