| . |
| MISSISSIPPI WRITERS GUILD |
| No Writer Without a Voice! |
WELCOME TO JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI
| WELCOME TO THE SIXTH ANNUAL MISSISSIPPI WRITERS GUILD WRITERS CONFERENCE |
| SATURDAY SCHEDULE |
Advancing and Preserving the Literary Arts in Mississippi
| CONFERENCE ETIQUETTE |
1. Do feel free to mingle with speakers. 2. Don't monopolize the speaker's free time. 3. Do feel free to ask questions during panel discussions. 4. Don't monopolize the floor. 5. Do take advantage of the free material available at the conference. 6. Take no more than a few copies of said material. 7. Do feel free to voice your opinions about the conference. 8. Don't voice opinions about the conference in a crowd, during a workshop, assembly or over a group meal. There will be evaluation sheets. Plus, the MWG board members are happy to discuss any issue at the proper time. 9. Do take advantage of Literary Artists on Stage. 10. Please take no more than the allotted time on stage to allow time for other attendees. 11. Do have a wonderful, productive time at the conference. 12. Don't forget to come back next year! |
| TWO DAYS FILLED WITH INFORMATION, EDUCATION AND FUN |
Informal critiquess: Join informal critique sessions by bringing five copies of no more than ten manuscript pages. Facilitated
by G. Mark LaFrancis.
*Formal critiques by a conference speaker (see guidelines below*):
Thorough beforehand critique with 15 minutes discussion session -
$40.00 MWG Member; $45.00 non-member (For Early Registration
Attendees Only, as manuscripts must be received by Earlybird registration deadline).
*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, 2012. No refunds
after August 1, 2012.
Mail Registration Fees with registration to:
2012 Conference Registration
Mississippi Writers Guild
P. O. Box 3845
Meridian, MS 39303-3845
by G. Mark LaFrancis.
*Formal critiques by a conference speaker (see guidelines below*):
Thorough beforehand critique with 15 minutes discussion session -
$40.00 MWG Member; $45.00 non-member (For Early Registration
Attendees Only, as manuscripts must be received by Earlybird registration deadline).
*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, 2012. No refunds
after August 1, 2012.
Mail Registration Fees with registration to:
2012 Conference Registration
Mississippi Writers Guild
P. O. Box 3845
Meridian, MS 39303-3845
Rochelle Melander
Mastering Social Media for Writers: This interactive class will teach you tools for creating your niche and
developing an online platform in the information age. Learn how to create raving fans through online writing, blogging,
and participating in social media.
Set and Achieve Your Writing Goals: Do you dream of writing a book but never seem to find the time? Learn the
tools and secrets to creating a vision, setting goals that work, and making a plan to achieve them.
Mastering Social Media for Writers: This interactive class will teach you tools for creating your niche and
developing an online platform in the information age. Learn how to create raving fans through online writing, blogging,
and participating in social media.
Set and Achieve Your Writing Goals: Do you dream of writing a book but never seem to find the time? Learn the
tools and secrets to creating a vision, setting goals that work, and making a plan to achieve them.
August 4th, 2012 (Mississippi Arts Center) 7:15 a.m. - Registration begins 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Registration/Orientation/Opening (Mandi Stanley) 9:15 – 10:30 a.m. Workshop I 10:40 – 11:55 Workshop II 12:00 – 1:00 Lunch/Book Sales/Autographs 1:10 – 2:25 p.m. Workshop III 2:35 – 3:50 p.m. Workshop IV 3:55 – 4:55 p.m. Panel Discussion/Awards/Closing keynote (Rochelle Melander) 5:00 – 5:25 – Book sales/autograph 5:30 – 6:30 – Formal Critiques/Informal Critiques |
| (KING EDWARD) HILTON GARDEN HOST HOTEL |
MWG has 30 rooms blocked for
the Conference at $89.99 with a
discount parking fee of $7.00.
($14.50 is the regular rate.)
Rooms must be booked no later
than July 14. 2012.
You must advise them that you are
with the Mississippi Writers Guild
to get the 89.99 rate.
Please contact the hotel for their
guest policies and services.
the Conference at $89.99 with a
discount parking fee of $7.00.
($14.50 is the regular rate.)
Rooms must be booked no later
than July 14. 2012.
You must advise them that you are
with the Mississippi Writers Guild
to get the 89.99 rate.
Please contact the hotel for their
guest policies and services.
| FRIDAY SCHEDULE Opening and Reception will be at the Arts Center of Mississippi, Jackson |
| CONFERENCE FACILITIES PROVIDED BY GREATER JACKSON ARTS COUNCIL |
| Registration begins at 5:00 o'clock p.m., before the Friday night mingle, keynote and LAOS and at 7:40 a.m. Saturday Morning at the Arts Center of Mississippi. (Former home of the Mississippi Museum of Art) 201 E. Pascagoula Street |
| Registration facilitated by Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau |
August 3th, 2012
5:00 – 5:30 p.m. Mingle
5:30 – 6:15 p.m. Keynote/C.
Hope Clark and Q&A
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Literary
Artists on Stage (LAOS)
| Saturday Workshop Descriptions |
C. Hope Clark
Planning the perfect Crime (How to write mysteries): We don't have to be detectives to solve crimes. Our
very lives are food for mysteries. Learn the levels and steps in designing a credible mystery, or how to take your current
mystery and give it new depth.
Writing Contests: Why you should (or should not) enter and how you can win: Contests can be
catalysts for a writing career. Learn how to incorporate contests into your writing goals, and how to identify the ones that
suit your genre and writing style. Don't let these opportunities pass you by.
Planning the perfect Crime (How to write mysteries): We don't have to be detectives to solve crimes. Our
very lives are food for mysteries. Learn the levels and steps in designing a credible mystery, or how to take your current
mystery and give it new depth.
Writing Contests: Why you should (or should not) enter and how you can win: Contests can be
catalysts for a writing career. Learn how to incorporate contests into your writing goals, and how to identify the ones that
suit your genre and writing style. Don't let these opportunities pass you by.
Evan Guilford-Blake: Building a Character’s World: Dialogue and Logic
In this workshop, you’ll learn to look at the world of the play through your characters’ eyes, ears mind and mouth. We’ll
look at three of the Basic Rules of Playwriting: Write what and who you know; Characters must follow some identifiable
logic -- whatever they say and do must fall within the realm of their possibility, based on their backgrounds and the world
they live in; and Facts included in the play must be accurate, appropriate to the time period and plausible. You’ll learn
how to create a character’s back-story, and ways to make them unique and consistent with the time and place they live
and the influences they’ve had.
Handouts will be included.
Telling your characters’ stories: Developing the story through your characters
Playwrights don’t tell stories. Characters do, through their words and actions. In this workshop we’ll examine two of the
Basic Rules of Playwriting: Show, don’t tell; and Develop your story through the characters. You’ll learn how to “listen” to
them and deal with the way they surprise you by doing and saying things you never expected the to do. Well also discuss
the structure of a play and how it’s different from prose, and look at one of the trickiest parts of playwriting: creating a
resolution.
Handouts will be included.
In this workshop, you’ll learn to look at the world of the play through your characters’ eyes, ears mind and mouth. We’ll
look at three of the Basic Rules of Playwriting: Write what and who you know; Characters must follow some identifiable
logic -- whatever they say and do must fall within the realm of their possibility, based on their backgrounds and the world
they live in; and Facts included in the play must be accurate, appropriate to the time period and plausible. You’ll learn
how to create a character’s back-story, and ways to make them unique and consistent with the time and place they live
and the influences they’ve had.
Handouts will be included.
Telling your characters’ stories: Developing the story through your characters
Playwrights don’t tell stories. Characters do, through their words and actions. In this workshop we’ll examine two of the
Basic Rules of Playwriting: Show, don’t tell; and Develop your story through the characters. You’ll learn how to “listen” to
them and deal with the way they surprise you by doing and saying things you never expected the to do. Well also discuss
the structure of a play and how it’s different from prose, and look at one of the trickiest parts of playwriting: creating a
resolution.
Handouts will be included.
Mandi Stanley, CSP:
Hair-On-Fire!” Presentation Skills: How To Get Your Book’s Message Across with the Results You Want
Gain credibility every time you open your mouth! Certified Speaking Professional Mandi Stanley reveals what you
absolutely must know before your next book presentation. During this highly interactive session, you’ll master nonverbal
know-how while delivering your presentation in an engaging manner. Boost your audience rapport though the “Three-
Minute First Impression,” and learn the only secret to stopping vocal fillers, including the distracting credibility-robbing
“ums” and “uhs” and “likes.” You’ll laugh. You’ll learn. You’ll leave with your “Hair-On-Fire!”
Proof It! How To Be A Better Proofreader: “The quality of your writing directly reflects the quality of your work.”
Any manuscript bearing your name must be absolutely error free. Even a careless typo or pagination mistake can damage
a writer’s credibility. During this fast-moving session, you’ll learn the “Newspaper Proof”: a thorough three-step
approach to proofreading. Discover how to proofread for quality under tight deadlines, how to spot errors of omission,
and why you never should proofread directly from your computer screen. You’ll walk away with three tangible
proofreading gifts designed to make your job easier.
E-Write It So They Read It: Getting a Grip on the Silly Stuff We Do with Email: During this fast-moving
participatory session, you’ll manage to steer clear of the “Top 7 Credibility-Robbing Mistakes with Email.” Learn how to
write a solid subject line that gets opened—and acted upon. Participate in a rapid-fire commentary on email etiquette
such as using bulleted lists, tone appropriateness, and when NOT to send an email. All of this—plus, chocolate for
everyone.
Hair-On-Fire!” Presentation Skills: How To Get Your Book’s Message Across with the Results You Want
Gain credibility every time you open your mouth! Certified Speaking Professional Mandi Stanley reveals what you
absolutely must know before your next book presentation. During this highly interactive session, you’ll master nonverbal
know-how while delivering your presentation in an engaging manner. Boost your audience rapport though the “Three-
Minute First Impression,” and learn the only secret to stopping vocal fillers, including the distracting credibility-robbing
“ums” and “uhs” and “likes.” You’ll laugh. You’ll learn. You’ll leave with your “Hair-On-Fire!”
Proof It! How To Be A Better Proofreader: “The quality of your writing directly reflects the quality of your work.”
Any manuscript bearing your name must be absolutely error free. Even a careless typo or pagination mistake can damage
a writer’s credibility. During this fast-moving session, you’ll learn the “Newspaper Proof”: a thorough three-step
approach to proofreading. Discover how to proofread for quality under tight deadlines, how to spot errors of omission,
and why you never should proofread directly from your computer screen. You’ll walk away with three tangible
proofreading gifts designed to make your job easier.
E-Write It So They Read It: Getting a Grip on the Silly Stuff We Do with Email: During this fast-moving
participatory session, you’ll manage to steer clear of the “Top 7 Credibility-Robbing Mistakes with Email.” Learn how to
write a solid subject line that gets opened—and acted upon. Participate in a rapid-fire commentary on email etiquette
such as using bulleted lists, tone appropriateness, and when NOT to send an email. All of this—plus, chocolate for
everyone.
Kathryn Lay
You Don’t Have to Be Dr. Seuss to Write for Children: The changing market for children’s writers has
created new challenges for getting published. Kids are used to fast-paced lives and excitement in their
entertainment. Writing for children involves understanding the market, thinking like a child, and sending in your best
work. This workshop will include goal setting, idea finding, studying the market of today, looking for publishers, along
with alternatives to traditional trade publishing.
Seeing Your Short Fiction and Non-Fiction in Magazines: Whether you are interested in fiction or
nonfiction, writing for children or adults, in big or small publications; there are ways to improve your chances of
selling to magazines. This workshop will help you understand various article types, learning to find and develop ideas,
work on a query, study the markets, build expert files, have a marketing day, turning old ideas into new sales, writing
your personal experiences, and more.
You Don’t Have to Be Dr. Seuss to Write for Children: The changing market for children’s writers has
created new challenges for getting published. Kids are used to fast-paced lives and excitement in their
entertainment. Writing for children involves understanding the market, thinking like a child, and sending in your best
work. This workshop will include goal setting, idea finding, studying the market of today, looking for publishers, along
with alternatives to traditional trade publishing.
Seeing Your Short Fiction and Non-Fiction in Magazines: Whether you are interested in fiction or
nonfiction, writing for children or adults, in big or small publications; there are ways to improve your chances of
selling to magazines. This workshop will help you understand various article types, learning to find and develop ideas,
work on a query, study the markets, build expert files, have a marketing day, turning old ideas into new sales, writing
your personal experiences, and more.
KEYNOTE ADDRESSES
FRIDAY NIGHT
SATURDAY
| Register by PayPal Registration form needed on all registrations whether by PayPal or Check. |
| Don't forget our Group Rates Perfect for teachers, students and writing groups |
| TIPS FOR THE CONFERENCE |
| 1. Be sure to bring a sweater or light jacket. It may hot August weather outside, but those air-conditioned buildings can get pretty cold! 2. Don't be timid! Take part in classroom discussions. There is no such thing as a dumb question. 3. Raise your hand! Panel discussions are informative and educational. Your panelists are professionals in the writing/publishing industry. Don't miss out on the chance to ask that burning question that's been turning over and over in your mind. 4. Get to know the other attendees! A writers conference is the perfect opportunity to meet like-minded writers and develop strong writing relationships that form writing groups, critique groups or a friendship in which you both share and vent about the writing life. Introduce yourself and start a conversation. |
Manuscript Guidelines for Formal/Informal Critiques
Opening Keynote
Closing Keynote
Chuck Galey: The Illustrator As Storyteller - In this insider look at the creative process, Chuck shows
participants the magic of writing and illustrating children’s books. Including original art, Chuck will demonstrate the
methodical sequence that is required for excellence in children’s literature.
Writing and illustrating your own picture book: If you ever wanted to write and illustrate your own picture book,
Chuck will show participants how to develop characters, story plots, book dummies and final illustrations.
Participants will work their way through a prospective rough idea all the way through to a book dummy.
participants the magic of writing and illustrating children’s books. Including original art, Chuck will demonstrate the
methodical sequence that is required for excellence in children’s literature.
Writing and illustrating your own picture book: If you ever wanted to write and illustrate your own picture book,
Chuck will show participants how to develop characters, story plots, book dummies and final illustrations.
Participants will work their way through a prospective rough idea all the way through to a book dummy.
Julie Cantrell:
What Kindergartners Know that Fiction Writers Don’t: Ten Elementary Tricks to Creating Characters
Julie Cantrell is not only a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, she is also a mother, an ESL teacher,
and a speech-language pathologist who continues to work with young children on a daily basis. Hear how her
students influenced her writing and what lessons she learned from time spent on the playground.
Thou Shalt Not Preach! How to Write Christian Fiction without Delivering a Sermon
As the previous editor-in-chief of the Southern Literary Review, Julie Cantrell has broken ground as one of the first
authors to fill a niche for those seeking more literary inspirational works. Hear about her own journey as a debut
novelist and how she managed to cross the great divide by reaching readers across both the ABA and CBA markets.
What Kindergartners Know that Fiction Writers Don’t: Ten Elementary Tricks to Creating Characters
Julie Cantrell is not only a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, she is also a mother, an ESL teacher,
and a speech-language pathologist who continues to work with young children on a daily basis. Hear how her
students influenced her writing and what lessons she learned from time spent on the playground.
Thou Shalt Not Preach! How to Write Christian Fiction without Delivering a Sermon
As the previous editor-in-chief of the Southern Literary Review, Julie Cantrell has broken ground as one of the first
authors to fill a niche for those seeking more literary inspirational works. Hear about her own journey as a debut
novelist and how she managed to cross the great divide by reaching readers across both the ABA and CBA markets.