4th Annual Mississippi Writers
Guild Writers Conference
August 6-7, 2010
Guild Writers Conference
August 6-7, 2010
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| To be held in Historic Vicksburg, MS right on the Mighty Mississippi August 6-7, 2010 |
Bring your families to enjoy Vicksburg's
Historic Tours and beautiful scenery.
Historic Tours and beautiful scenery.
| Riverwalk Casino Conference Facility Overlooking Ole Man River |
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
Friday August 6th, 2010
3:30 – 5:00 p.m. Conference Registration and check-in
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Mingle (Dinner on your own)
7:15 – 9:00 p.m. Literary Artists on Stage (LAOS), Riverwalk
Conference Facility
Saturday August 7th, 2010
6:30 – 8:00 a.m. Breakfast (on your own) & Registration
8:15 – 9:15 a.m. Registration/Orientation/Opening with Keynote
speaker, Regina Brooks
9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Workshop I
10:45 – 11:45 Workshop II
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch (On your own) Book Sales/Autographs
1:15 – 2:15 p.m. Workshop III
2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Workshop IV
3:45 – 4:45 p.m. Speaker Panel Discussion/Awards/Closing with
Brooke Warner/Door Prizes
5:00 – 5:20 – Book sales/autograph session
5:30 – 6:30 – Formal Critiques/Informal Critiques*
Friday August 6th, 2010
3:30 – 5:00 p.m. Conference Registration and check-in
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Mingle (Dinner on your own)
7:15 – 9:00 p.m. Literary Artists on Stage (LAOS), Riverwalk
Conference Facility
Saturday August 7th, 2010
6:30 – 8:00 a.m. Breakfast (on your own) & Registration
8:15 – 9:15 a.m. Registration/Orientation/Opening with Keynote
speaker, Regina Brooks
9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Workshop I
10:45 – 11:45 Workshop II
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch (On your own) Book Sales/Autographs
1:15 – 2:15 p.m. Workshop III
2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Workshop IV
3:45 – 4:45 p.m. Speaker Panel Discussion/Awards/Closing with
Brooke Warner/Door Prizes
5:00 – 5:20 – Book sales/autograph session
5:30 – 6:30 – Formal Critiques/Informal Critiques*
| Visit Vicksburg Here |
CONFERENCE FEES:
Classification Early Regular
by 6/30/10 7/1/10 and after
Member $106 $125
Non-Member $125 $144
Group: (8 minimum)
Per person $ 96 $112
Senior/Student:
Member $ 80 $ 94
Non-Member $ 96 $112
Class: (8 minimum)
teacher + 7 students
Per Person $ 80 $ 94
Sponsor $ 80
Half-Day sessions (includes two workshops and one
session (closing or opening):
MWG Member $ 65 a.m. p.m.
Non-Member $ 80 a.m. p.m.
AUTHORS PLANNING TO SELL BOOKS AT ON-SITE
BOOKSTORE:
Contact and book orders for conference bookstore
must be made through MWG or On-Site Bookstore,
Lorelei Books, Vicksburg, MS by July 1, 2010. No
books may be brought and sold at conference
except those that have gone through the proper
conference channels. Only conference attendees
may sell books at MWG Conference. NO
EXCEPTIONS. Please print self-published book
form, fill out, and bring to the conference.
Classification Early Regular
by 6/30/10 7/1/10 and after
Member $106 $125
Non-Member $125 $144
Group: (8 minimum)
Per person $ 96 $112
Senior/Student:
Member $ 80 $ 94
Non-Member $ 96 $112
Class: (8 minimum)
teacher + 7 students
Per Person $ 80 $ 94
Sponsor $ 80
Half-Day sessions (includes two workshops and one
session (closing or opening):
MWG Member $ 65 a.m. p.m.
Non-Member $ 80 a.m. p.m.
AUTHORS PLANNING TO SELL BOOKS AT ON-SITE
BOOKSTORE:
Contact and book orders for conference bookstore
must be made through MWG or On-Site Bookstore,
Lorelei Books, Vicksburg, MS by July 1, 2010. No
books may be brought and sold at conference
except those that have gone through the proper
conference channels. Only conference attendees
may sell books at MWG Conference. NO
EXCEPTIONS. Please print self-published book
form, fill out, and bring to the conference.
| WORKSHOP SCHEDULES Coming Soon |
*Formal critiques by a conference speaker (see guidelines below*):
Thorough beforehand critique with 15 minutes discussion session -
$35.00 MWG Member; $40.00 non-member (For Early Registration
Attendees Only). Others may join informal critique sessions. Bring five
copies of no more than ten manuscript pages.)
*Manuscripts must be double-spaced, Courier 12 font. Page 1 should include your name,
address, email address, and phone number in top left corner. First paragraph should begin
in the middle of the page. All other pages must include manuscript title and page number in
the top right-hand corner. Send no more than 25 pages paper-clipped DO NOT STAPLE.
Manuscripts must be received by June 30th, No exceptions. Manuscripts that have not
followed submission guidelines will be returned unread with attendee's conference packet.
CANCELLATION POLICY: A 50% refund will be granted for
registration cancellations made prior to August 1, 2010. No refunds
after August 1, 2010.
Mail Registration Fees with registration to:
2010 Conference Registration
Mississippi Writers Guild
P. O. Box 3845
Meridian, MS 39303-3845
Thorough beforehand critique with 15 minutes discussion session -
$35.00 MWG Member; $40.00 non-member (For Early Registration
Attendees Only). Others may join informal critique sessions. Bring five
copies of no more than ten manuscript pages.)
*Manuscripts must be double-spaced, Courier 12 font. Page 1 should include your name,
address, email address, and phone number in top left corner. First paragraph should begin
in the middle of the page. All other pages must include manuscript title and page number in
the top right-hand corner. Send no more than 25 pages paper-clipped DO NOT STAPLE.
Manuscripts must be received by June 30th, No exceptions. Manuscripts that have not
followed submission guidelines will be returned unread with attendee's conference packet.
CANCELLATION POLICY: A 50% refund will be granted for
registration cancellations made prior to August 1, 2010. No refunds
after August 1, 2010.
Mail Registration Fees with registration to:
2010 Conference Registration
Mississippi Writers Guild
P. O. Box 3845
Meridian, MS 39303-3845
| OPENING KEYNOTE: Regina Brooks, Literary Agent and Author |
Regina Brooks is the founder and president of Serendipity Literary Agency LLC, based in
Brooklyn, New York. Her agency has represented and established a diverse base of award-winning clients in adult
and young adult fiction, nonfiction, and children's literature, including: three-time National Book Award finalist, the
Coretta Scott King Honor and the 2006 Michael Printz Honor Award-winning author Marilyn Nelson; winner of the
2008 Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award, Sundee Frazier; Nina Jablonski; Director of the
California Academy of Sciences, and Marjorie Greenfield (The Working Women’s Pregnancy Book). Brooks also
has a talent for identifying new voices and potential authors like Derrick Barnes, whose first novel, The Making of
Dr Truelove won an American Library Association Award. Prior to opening her own agency, Ms. Brooks held senior
editorial positions at John Wiley and Sons (where she was not only the youngest but also the first African-
American editor in their college division) and McGraw-Hill. She is the author of the children's book, Never
Finished! Never Done! (Scholastic 04) and WRITING GREAT BOOKS FOR YOUNG ADULTS (Source Books 09).
Brooks is also on the faculty of the Harvard University publishing program. Her recent sales include; In the Black:
Live Faithfully Prosper Financially (Harper Collins), Handle Your Entertainment Business. (Hachette); Wishing:
How to Fulfill Your Dreams (Beyond Words/Atria) Girligami ( Watson Guptill) Beautiful Ballerina (Scholastic) and
Imperfections (Clarion) Sweethearts Of Rhythm (Random House) She is a regular speaker at writer’s conferences
and is interested in areas of non-fiction and literary and commercial fiction for adults, young adults and children,
and subjects like politics, psychology and self-help, pop culture, health, science, women's issues, parenting,
cooking, and design crafts, alternative spirituality, business, science, technology, and always interested in new
and emerging writers.
Brooklyn, New York. Her agency has represented and established a diverse base of award-winning clients in adult
and young adult fiction, nonfiction, and children's literature, including: three-time National Book Award finalist, the
Coretta Scott King Honor and the 2006 Michael Printz Honor Award-winning author Marilyn Nelson; winner of the
2008 Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award, Sundee Frazier; Nina Jablonski; Director of the
California Academy of Sciences, and Marjorie Greenfield (The Working Women’s Pregnancy Book). Brooks also
has a talent for identifying new voices and potential authors like Derrick Barnes, whose first novel, The Making of
Dr Truelove won an American Library Association Award. Prior to opening her own agency, Ms. Brooks held senior
editorial positions at John Wiley and Sons (where she was not only the youngest but also the first African-
American editor in their college division) and McGraw-Hill. She is the author of the children's book, Never
Finished! Never Done! (Scholastic 04) and WRITING GREAT BOOKS FOR YOUNG ADULTS (Source Books 09).
Brooks is also on the faculty of the Harvard University publishing program. Her recent sales include; In the Black:
Live Faithfully Prosper Financially (Harper Collins), Handle Your Entertainment Business. (Hachette); Wishing:
How to Fulfill Your Dreams (Beyond Words/Atria) Girligami ( Watson Guptill) Beautiful Ballerina (Scholastic) and
Imperfections (Clarion) Sweethearts Of Rhythm (Random House) She is a regular speaker at writer’s conferences
and is interested in areas of non-fiction and literary and commercial fiction for adults, young adults and children,
and subjects like politics, psychology and self-help, pop culture, health, science, women's issues, parenting,
cooking, and design crafts, alternative spirituality, business, science, technology, and always interested in new
and emerging writers.
| Informing Educating Promoting the Literary Arts |
| CLOSING KEYNOTE Brooke Warner Senior Editor Seal Press (Perseus Book Group) |
Brooke Warner is Senior Editor at Seal Press, publisher of women’s nonfiction books,
written for women, by women. Seal Press is fueled by the radical thinking and daring work of its
authors, including notable women such as Jessica Valenti, Michelle Tea, and Inga Muscio. In 2007,
Seal was acquired by Perseus Books Group, allowing it to continue its long tradition of
publishing books that matter to women. Brooke is also a writing coach who works with writers to develop
their ideas and pursue their creative passion.
About Seal Press: Inspired by the simple yet radical notion that a book can change a woman’s life, Seal
Press is devoted to publishing titles that inform, reveal, engage, delight, and support women of all ages
and backgrounds. Seal was founded in 1976 as a small DIY publisher to provide a forum for women
writers and feminist issues, and since then, Seal has published groundbreaking books that represent
the diverse voices and interests of women. Seal’s continually growing list includes books about women’
s health, parenting, outdoor adventure and travel literature, popular culture, sexuality, gender and
transgender life, sports, relationships, memoir, careers, finance, current affairs, and much more. With
each book, we strive to make a difference in women’s everyday lives, and to tell the truth—the real
truth—about the issues that matter to women the most.
written for women, by women. Seal Press is fueled by the radical thinking and daring work of its
authors, including notable women such as Jessica Valenti, Michelle Tea, and Inga Muscio. In 2007,
Seal was acquired by Perseus Books Group, allowing it to continue its long tradition of
publishing books that matter to women. Brooke is also a writing coach who works with writers to develop
their ideas and pursue their creative passion.
About Seal Press: Inspired by the simple yet radical notion that a book can change a woman’s life, Seal
Press is devoted to publishing titles that inform, reveal, engage, delight, and support women of all ages
and backgrounds. Seal was founded in 1976 as a small DIY publisher to provide a forum for women
writers and feminist issues, and since then, Seal has published groundbreaking books that represent
the diverse voices and interests of women. Seal’s continually growing list includes books about women’
s health, parenting, outdoor adventure and travel literature, popular culture, sexuality, gender and
transgender life, sports, relationships, memoir, careers, finance, current affairs, and much more. With
each book, we strive to make a difference in women’s everyday lives, and to tell the truth—the real
truth—about the issues that matter to women the most.
Lauretta Hannon “is the funniest woman in Georgia.” Southern Living
Lauretta Hannon is the author of The Cracker Queen—A Memoir of a Jagged,
Joyful Life, Gotham 2009, which became a Southern Indie Bestseller three weeks after
its release. She has been a commentator on National Public Radio’s All Things Considered
where her stories reach 25.5 million listeners. For nearly a decade she has been known
for her commentaries on Georgia Public Radio’s Georgia Gazette. She is also the author
of Images of America: Powder Springs, Arcadia 2004. Prior to her radio work, she was a
columnist for Creative Loafing, then the weekly alternative newspaper in Savannah,
Georgia. Over the years she has contributed pieces to newspapers across Georgia
including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She has also worked as a university executive,
cocktail waitress, vice president of an advertising agency, an independent radio producer,
and a writing instructor. As a marketing consultant, Lauretta advises corporations, non-
profits, and universities. Prior to quitting her job as a college marketing director in 2009,
she was nationally-acclaimed as the most award-winning communications expert in higher
education. Today she is in-demand as a speaker and performer and offers writing
seminars through her Down Home Writing School.
Lauretta Hannon is the author of The Cracker Queen—A Memoir of a Jagged,
Joyful Life, Gotham 2009, which became a Southern Indie Bestseller three weeks after
its release. She has been a commentator on National Public Radio’s All Things Considered
where her stories reach 25.5 million listeners. For nearly a decade she has been known
for her commentaries on Georgia Public Radio’s Georgia Gazette. She is also the author
of Images of America: Powder Springs, Arcadia 2004. Prior to her radio work, she was a
columnist for Creative Loafing, then the weekly alternative newspaper in Savannah,
Georgia. Over the years she has contributed pieces to newspapers across Georgia
including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She has also worked as a university executive,
cocktail waitress, vice president of an advertising agency, an independent radio producer,
and a writing instructor. As a marketing consultant, Lauretta advises corporations, non-
profits, and universities. Prior to quitting her job as a college marketing director in 2009,
she was nationally-acclaimed as the most award-winning communications expert in higher
education. Today she is in-demand as a speaker and performer and offers writing
seminars through her Down Home Writing School.
Kirkus Reviews, “Hannon hails the power of laughter as the iron lung of life. Nonetheless, she
frequently wrings the heart with her portrait of a home life ever on the verge of combusting, periodically
igniting into mayhem…A bracing, heart-gladdening embrace of human foibles and strangeness.”
Tucson Citizen: “This wonderfully written book is the perfect anecdote for our present hard times.”
“Fans of storyteller-humorist Lauretta Hannon know her as the Cracker Queen. We’re calling her the
funniest woman in Georgia…This gal is a trip…Great inspiration for your next book club meeting,”
writes Southern Living.
The South Magazine: a “must-read.”
Dr. Alan Brown
(Photo to come)
(Photo to come)
Dr. Alan Brown has been a professor of English at the University of West Alabama since 1986.
He first became interested in oral ghost narratives while editing a collection of Ruby Pickens Tartt’s W.
P.A. life histories and ex-slave narratives titled Dim Roads and Dark Nights (1993). He began
collecting oral ghost stories in 1993 from people he met while lecturing for the Alabama Humanities
Foundation. These stories were published in The Face in the Window and Other Alabama Ghostlore
(1996). In 2000, Dr. Brown published a collection of oral ghost narratives from the entire South,
Shadows and Cypress. Two other collections of ghost stories--Haunted Places in the American South
and Stories from the Haunted South—were published in 2002 and 2004, respectively. Ghost Hunters
of the South, which profiles forty-three Southern paranormal research groups, was published in 2006.
Dr. Brown’s book—Haunted Georgia—was published in 2008. Haunted South Carolina was published
in January 2010. Dr. Brown’s latest book, Ghosts along the Mississippi, will be published in October
2011..
He first became interested in oral ghost narratives while editing a collection of Ruby Pickens Tartt’s W.
P.A. life histories and ex-slave narratives titled Dim Roads and Dark Nights (1993). He began
collecting oral ghost stories in 1993 from people he met while lecturing for the Alabama Humanities
Foundation. These stories were published in The Face in the Window and Other Alabama Ghostlore
(1996). In 2000, Dr. Brown published a collection of oral ghost narratives from the entire South,
Shadows and Cypress. Two other collections of ghost stories--Haunted Places in the American South
and Stories from the Haunted South—were published in 2002 and 2004, respectively. Ghost Hunters
of the South, which profiles forty-three Southern paranormal research groups, was published in 2006.
Dr. Brown’s book—Haunted Georgia—was published in 2008. Haunted South Carolina was published
in January 2010. Dr. Brown’s latest book, Ghosts along the Mississippi, will be published in October
2011..
Hester Bass is the author of The Secret World of Walter Anderson, winner of the 2010
NCTE Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children. This picture book
biography of the Mississippi artist is also an NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book for
Young People, a Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2009, SIBA Okra Pick, Southern Indie
Bestseller, and represented Mississippi at the Pavilion of the States during the 2009
National Book Festival in Washington, D. C.
After a childhood in rural Georgia and a B.A. from Simmons College in Boston, Hester
worked in radio and television advertising, sang in a rock band, was a Shakespearian
actress, singing telegram messenger, and Hot Seat contestant on “Who Wants To Be A
Millionaire” before becoming a children’s author.
Hester Bass utilizes her many years as a performer to, as one librarian said, “encourage
the most reluctant reader to read and the hesitant student to write.” She has appeared at
schools, book festivals, and conferences across the southeast, and gave a speech at the
2009 Annual Conference of the American Library Association in Chicago.
Hester is an active volunteer with SCBWI, the Society of Children's Book Writers and
Illustrators. Her first children's book, So Many Houses, was published by Children’s
Press/Scholastic in 2006. She lives with her family near Huntsville, Alabama.
www.hesterbass.com
NCTE Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children. This picture book
biography of the Mississippi artist is also an NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book for
Young People, a Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2009, SIBA Okra Pick, Southern Indie
Bestseller, and represented Mississippi at the Pavilion of the States during the 2009
National Book Festival in Washington, D. C.
After a childhood in rural Georgia and a B.A. from Simmons College in Boston, Hester
worked in radio and television advertising, sang in a rock band, was a Shakespearian
actress, singing telegram messenger, and Hot Seat contestant on “Who Wants To Be A
Millionaire” before becoming a children’s author.
Hester Bass utilizes her many years as a performer to, as one librarian said, “encourage
the most reluctant reader to read and the hesitant student to write.” She has appeared at
schools, book festivals, and conferences across the southeast, and gave a speech at the
2009 Annual Conference of the American Library Association in Chicago.
Hester is an active volunteer with SCBWI, the Society of Children's Book Writers and
Illustrators. Her first children's book, So Many Houses, was published by Children’s
Press/Scholastic in 2006. She lives with her family near Huntsville, Alabama.
www.hesterbass.com
