Igniting, Uniting, Establishing
Conquer the Publishing World! In this workshop, Joe Lee discusses the best way to pitch an agent or editor, the critical nature of editing, and the publishing process from query to printing. He also covers planning for a book launch, preparing for unforeseen roadblocks, and how, when, and where to market your book and yourself as an author.
Writing Workshops around Mississippi
2025
Like 2024, our 2025 workshops are free and open to the public. However, please register with your chapter or us to help facilitators plan needed materials and space. You may attend one or all of the workshops. We hope you do! To register, email the chapter heads at the designated email addresses below or the project coordinator at [email protected]. In your registration, please include NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER, and WORKSHOP(S) YOU ARE ATTENDING.
Let us know if you are attending as a group, but please include the above information on each attendee.
Thank you for joining us. We are here to serve you and your writing needs in 2025 and beyond!
Let us know if you are attending as a group, but please include the above information on each attendee.
Thank you for joining us. We are here to serve you and your writing needs in 2025 and beyond!
This project is supported in part by funding from the Mississippi Arts Commission, a state agency, and in part from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
February, 2025
GulfportFebruary 15 5:30 - 7:30 pm Gulfport Arts Center 1300 24th Avenue (Located in the historic Carnegie Library) Facilitator - Author/Publisher Joe Lee Chapter Head - John Dumoulin [email protected] |
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Conquer the Publishing World! In this workshop, Joe Lee discusses the best way to pitch an agent or editor, the critical nature of editing, and the publishing process from query to printing. He also covers planning for a book launch, preparing for unforeseen roadblocks, and how, when, and where to market your book and yourself as an author.
A graduate of Mississippi State University, Joe Lee has a background in radio, television, and journalism and was a radio disc jockey and a television weatherman before becoming a full-time author and publisher. He is the editor-in-chief of Dogwood Press, a small but traditional publishing house headquartered in central Mississippi. Resting Place is his ninth novel, the seventh volume of his critically acclaimed Oakdale suspense series. Dogwood Press: https://dogwoodpress.com/
HattiesburgFebruary 22 University Baptist Church 3200 W. Arlington Loop Hattiesburg, MS 39401 9:30 am -12:30 noon Facilitator - Richelle Putnam, Author, Teaching Artist, Marketer Chapter Head - Jamie O'Quinn [email protected] |
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Join us for a dynamic and free workshop designed to help writers of all levels elevate their craft and careers. In this three-hour session, Richelle Putnam will guide you through the essential tools for marketing yourself as an author, overcoming common writing hurdles, and navigating the complexities of writing based on history and truth. Whether you're looking to refine your author brand, break through writer’s block, or tackle memoir and historical fiction, this workshop will provide practical advice and hands-on exercises to help you progress in your writing journey.
Workshop Breakdown:
9:30 - 10:30 a.m. | Marketing Yourself as an Author & Your Work as a Product
10:30 - 11:30 a.m. | Overcoming Writer’s Block & Editing Your Work
11:30 - 12:30 p.m. | Writing Based on History/Truth: Memoir, Creative Nonfiction, Historical Fiction, & Biographies
Workshop Breakdown:
9:30 - 10:30 a.m. | Marketing Yourself as an Author & Your Work as a Product
10:30 - 11:30 a.m. | Overcoming Writer’s Block & Editing Your Work
11:30 - 12:30 p.m. | Writing Based on History/Truth: Memoir, Creative Nonfiction, Historical Fiction, & Biographies
Richelle Putnam holds a BS in Marketing Management and an MA in Creative Writing. She is the senior editor of The Bluegrass Standard Magazine, a Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC) Teaching Artist, a two-time MAC Literary Arts Fellow, and a Mississippi Humanities Speaker. She is also the Arts/Arts Education Project Director for The Montgomery Institute. Among her six published books are a 2014 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards Silver Medalist and a 2017 Foreword Indies Book Awards Bronze Medal winner. She believes you should always dare to dream, discover, and do …YOU ... at any age. Visit her website at www.richelleputnam.com.
March 2025
MeridianMarch 29 1:00 - 3:00 PM The MAX 2155 Front Street Meridian, MS 39305 (Register at The Max) Facilitator - John Floyd Chapter Heads - Richelle Putnam, Karen Westbrook, and Jo Cox [email protected] |
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Writing and Selling Short Fiction. Topics will include the basics and elements of short fiction (dialogue, characters, plot, setting, viewpoint) and how to sell what you've written (markets, submissions, cover letters, contracts, dealing with editors, and more).
John Floyd’s work has appeared in more than 400 different publications, including Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, Strand Magazine, The Saturday Evening Post, Best American Mystery Stories (2015, 2018, and 2020), and Best Mystery Stories of the Year (2021 and 2024). A former Air Force captain and IBM systems engineer, John is also an Edgar Award finalist, a Shamus Award winner, a six-time Derringer Award winner, a three-time Pushcart Prize nominee, and a past recipient of the Short Mystery Fiction Society’s lifetime achievement award. http://www.johnmfloyd.com/
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McCOMB
March 29
2:00 PM
Organic Culture
114 Main Street
McComb, MS
Facilitator: Susan Marquez
hosted by Kevin Brown,
Organic Culture
Writing for Fun and Profit: the Art of Storytelling
Susan Marquez has been writing since high school. She wrote concert reviews for her school newspaper. After a career in advertising and marketing, Susan began writing full-time in 2001. She has written over 3000 articles in local, regional, national and international publications, ranging from magazines, newspapers, and business journals to trade publications and online sources. She also writes newsletters, press releases, and website copy for select clients. "Having a curious nature and a desire to learn is what keeps me going as a writer. Everybody has a story, and I love to hear them and write about them." http://susanmarquezmedia.com/
April 2025
JacksonApril 5
Elsie E. Jergens Library 397 Hwy 51 Ridgeland, MS 2:00 - 3 pm Facilitator - Richelle Putnam Chapter Head - Janet Taylor Perry [email protected] |
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Participants will explore how creative writing techniques can be applied to marketing and advertising strategies to develop a strong brand identity. The goal is to help attendees craft narratives that resonate with audiences, using language to build emotional connections and create persuasive marketing messages.
Richelle Putnam holds a BS in Marketing Management and an MA in Creative Writing. She is the senior editor of The Bluegrass Standard Magazine, a Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC) Teaching Artist, a two-time MAC Literary Arts Fellow, and a Mississippi Humanities Speaker. She is also the Arts/Arts Education Project Director for The Montgomery Institute. Among her six published books are a 2014 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards Silver Medalist and a 2017 Foreword Indies Book Awards Bronze Medal winner. She believes you should always dare to dream, discover, and do …YOU ... at any age. Visit her website at www.richelleputnam.com.
May
PicayuneMay 3
9:30 am - 11:30 am Picayune Council Chambers City Hall 203 Goodyear Blvd. Picayune, MS (enter west-end door) Facilitator, Melissa Carrigee, Publisher, Brother Mockingbird Chapter Head Laura Ewald [email protected] "Green, Yellow, Red: Navigating the Submission Signals with Brother Mockingbird Publishing"
Join Melissa Carrigee of Brother Mockingbird Publishing for an insider's guide to what publishers look for in submissions. In this engaging session, Melissa will share her expertise on identifying the "green lights" that make a manuscript irresistible, the "red lights" that signal immediate rejection, and the "yellow lights" that suggest a project with potential—but requiring significant work.
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Melissa Carrigee is the owner of Brother Mockingbird, a small but progressive publishing house focusing on well-written stories and talented authors. Melissa began her publishing career as a literary agent. From there, she worked as a creative director on a children's book line for a publishing house. Combining the skills she gained in both positions, she launched Brother Mockingbird Publishing. Melissa's goal is to bridge the gap between publisher and author, forging a partnership beneficial to both parties. With a support staff created by publishing professionals she met throughout her career, Brother Mockingbird Publishing offers the author experience, professionalism, and integrity. https://www.brothermockingbird.net/
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