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7th Annual Mississippi Writers Guild
Writers Conference
August 2-3, 2013
Writers Conference
August 2-3, 2013
Historic Vicksburg, MS right on the Mighty Mississippi |
Bring your families to enjoy
Vicksburg's Historic Tours and
beautiful scenery.
Vicksburg's Historic Tours and
beautiful scenery.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
Friday August 2nd, 2013
5:30 – 6:00 p.m. Conference Registration, check-in, mingle, (Dinner on your own)
6:15 – 7:15 p.m. Welcome and Friday Night Keynote, The Hampton Inn
7:30 – 9:30 p.m. Literary Artists on Stage (LAOS), The Hampton Inn
Saturday August 3th, 2013
6:30 – 8:00 a.m. Breakfast (on your own) & Registration, Southern Cultural
Heritage Foundation, Vicksburg, MS
8:00 – 9:25 a.m. Registration/Orientation/Opening with Keynote speaker
9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Workshop I
10:45 – 11:45 Workshop II
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch, Lunch Keynote Speaker and Q & A
1:15 – 2:15 p.m. Workshop III
2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Workshop IV
3:45 – 4:45 p.m. Closing Keynote, Speaker Panel Discussion
5:00 – 5:20 – Book sales/autograph session
5:30 – 6:30 – Formal Critiques/Informal Critiques*
Mail in workshops choices with the registration from below to:
MWG 2013 Writers Conference, P. O. Box 3845, Meridian, MS 39303
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, 2013. 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.
Friday August 2nd, 2013
5:30 – 6:00 p.m. Conference Registration, check-in, mingle, (Dinner on your own)
6:15 – 7:15 p.m. Welcome and Friday Night Keynote, The Hampton Inn
7:30 – 9:30 p.m. Literary Artists on Stage (LAOS), The Hampton Inn
Saturday August 3th, 2013
6:30 – 8:00 a.m. Breakfast (on your own) & Registration, Southern Cultural
Heritage Foundation, Vicksburg, MS
8:00 – 9:25 a.m. Registration/Orientation/Opening with Keynote speaker
9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Workshop I
10:45 – 11:45 Workshop II
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch, Lunch Keynote Speaker and Q & A
1:15 – 2:15 p.m. Workshop III
2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Workshop IV
3:45 – 4:45 p.m. Closing Keynote, Speaker Panel Discussion
5:00 – 5:20 – Book sales/autograph session
5:30 – 6:30 – Formal Critiques/Informal Critiques*
Mail in workshops choices with the registration from below to:
MWG 2013 Writers Conference, P. O. Box 3845, Meridian, MS 39303
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, 2013. 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.
*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 10 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
July 25, 2013. No refunds after July 25, 2013.
Mail Registration Fees with registration to:
2013 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 10 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
July 25, 2013. No refunds after July 25, 2013.
Mail Registration Fees with registration to:
2013 Conference Registration
Mississippi Writers Guild
P. O. Box 3845
Meridian, MS 39303-3845
| FRIDAY OPENING KEYNOTE: Steve Kistulentz |
Steve Kistulentz earned a BA in English from the College of William and Mary, an MA
from the Johns Hopkins University, an MFA from the Iowa Writer’s Workshop, and a
PhD from the Florida State University. He is the author of two collections of poetry,
Little Black Daydream (2012) and The Luckless Age (2010). His narrative nonfiction—
mostly on the subject of popular culture—has appeared widely in journals. His
honors include the Benjamin Saltman Award for The Luckless Age, as well as
fellowship support from Writers at Work, the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts,
and an individual award from the Mississippi Arts Commission. He has taught at the
Johns Hopkins University; the University of Iowa, where he was the Joseph and Ursil
Callan Scholar; and the Florida State University, where he was an Edward and Marie
C. Kingsbury Fellow for Excellence in Thought. He currently teaches at Millsaps
College in Jackson, Mississippi, where he directs the Millsaps Visiting Writers Series.
from the Johns Hopkins University, an MFA from the Iowa Writer’s Workshop, and a
PhD from the Florida State University. He is the author of two collections of poetry,
Little Black Daydream (2012) and The Luckless Age (2010). His narrative nonfiction—
mostly on the subject of popular culture—has appeared widely in journals. His
honors include the Benjamin Saltman Award for The Luckless Age, as well as
fellowship support from Writers at Work, the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts,
and an individual award from the Mississippi Arts Commission. He has taught at the
Johns Hopkins University; the University of Iowa, where he was the Joseph and Ursil
Callan Scholar; and the Florida State University, where he was an Edward and Marie
C. Kingsbury Fellow for Excellence in Thought. He currently teaches at Millsaps
College in Jackson, Mississippi, where he directs the Millsaps Visiting Writers Series.
| Informing Educating Promoting the Literary Arts |
Stephen Fraser is a literary agent with the Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency in New York City, a
full-service agency which handles both juvenile and adult books. Stephen has been voted top
agent for both picture books and middle grade fiction. One of his clients, Margi Preus, won the
Newbery Honor Medal for her novel, Heart of a Samurai (Abrams/Amulet, 2010 ); another client,
Carol Lynch Williams, won the prestigious PEN International Award for her young adult novel
Glimpse (Paula Wiseman/Simon & Schuster, 2010); and another client, Matthew J. Kirby, won both
the Edgar award for best juvenile mystery and the PEN USA award for children’s literature for his
middle grade novel, Icefall (Scholastic, 2011). With more than twenty-five years’ editorial
experience at publishers including Harper-Collins, Simon & Schuster, and Scholastic, Stephen
edited such creative talents as Mary Engelbreit, Gail Gibbons, Michael Hague, Ann Rinaldi,
Kathryn Lasky, Brent Hartinger, Stephen Mitchell, Dan Gutman, Gregory Maguire, and Daniel
Pinkwater.
full-service agency which handles both juvenile and adult books. Stephen has been voted top
agent for both picture books and middle grade fiction. One of his clients, Margi Preus, won the
Newbery Honor Medal for her novel, Heart of a Samurai (Abrams/Amulet, 2010 ); another client,
Carol Lynch Williams, won the prestigious PEN International Award for her young adult novel
Glimpse (Paula Wiseman/Simon & Schuster, 2010); and another client, Matthew J. Kirby, won both
the Edgar award for best juvenile mystery and the PEN USA award for children’s literature for his
middle grade novel, Icefall (Scholastic, 2011). With more than twenty-five years’ editorial
experience at publishers including Harper-Collins, Simon & Schuster, and Scholastic, Stephen
edited such creative talents as Mary Engelbreit, Gail Gibbons, Michael Hague, Ann Rinaldi,
Kathryn Lasky, Brent Hartinger, Stephen Mitchell, Dan Gutman, Gregory Maguire, and Daniel
Pinkwater.
| SATURDAY LUNCH KEYNOTE: John Floyd |
John Floyd's short stories and features have appeared in more than 200 different
publications, including The Strand Magazine, Woman's World, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery
Magazine, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, and The Saturday Evening Post. A former Air
Force captain and IBM systems engineer, he won the 2007 Derringer Award for short mystery
fiction and has been nominated three times for the Pushcart Prize. John's work has also
been named to The Best American Mystery Stories' "Distinguished Stories List" on four
separate occasions. His collections of short fiction are Rainbow's End (2006), Midnight (2008),
Clockwork (2010), and Deception (2013).
publications, including The Strand Magazine, Woman's World, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery
Magazine, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, and The Saturday Evening Post. A former Air
Force captain and IBM systems engineer, he won the 2007 Derringer Award for short mystery
fiction and has been nominated three times for the Pushcart Prize. John's work has also
been named to The Best American Mystery Stories' "Distinguished Stories List" on four
separate occasions. His collections of short fiction are Rainbow's End (2006), Midnight (2008),
Clockwork (2010), and Deception (2013).
| SATURDAY AFTERNOON KEYNOTE: Don Lafferty |
Don Lafferty works directly with authors to help them find their readers, and in some
cases, he’s contracted to work with them by their publishers. His clients include
popular authors like Janice Gable Bashman, Marie Lamba, and William Lashner. “Don
Lafferty has transformed Wild River Review. His recommendations as social media
consultant have not only brought us an increase in traffic, but a clear and targeted
demographic. We are still implementing the strategies he has designed for us and
count ourselves as one of his most enthusiastic and loyal clients. We look forward to
a long and fruitful collaboration.” Gregory Frost, author of the Shadowbridge Duology
cases, he’s contracted to work with them by their publishers. His clients include
popular authors like Janice Gable Bashman, Marie Lamba, and William Lashner. “Don
Lafferty has transformed Wild River Review. His recommendations as social media
consultant have not only brought us an increase in traffic, but a clear and targeted
demographic. We are still implementing the strategies he has designed for us and
count ourselves as one of his most enthusiastic and loyal clients. We look forward to
a long and fruitful collaboration.” Gregory Frost, author of the Shadowbridge Duology
2013 MWG Writers Conference Registration through Paypal
(Please print/save Registration sheet, fill out, and mail or email to MWG at P.
O. Box 3845, Meridian, MS 39303)
Individual Registration form here Group Registration form here
Earlybird Registration (by June 30, 2013)
*EARLYBIRD HAS BEEN EXTENDED THROUGH JULY 7TH!!
All-day Saturday Sessions:
Member Regular $106 Non-Member $125
Member Senior/Student $ 80 S/S Non-Member $96
Earlybird Registration Half-Day Sessions
Member Regular $ 60 Non-Member $ 70
Member Senior/Student $ 50 S/S Non-Member $ 60
Formal Critique Session (Earlybird Registration Only)
(Manuscript should be postmarked by June 30, 2013
and mailed to MWG at the above address.)
Member $35 Non-Member $ 40
Earlybird Package (Includes full conference and formal critique)
MWG Member 135 Member S/S $110
Non-Member 160 Non-Member S/S $130
Registrations received July 1st and afterwards:
All-Day Saturday Sessions:
Member Regular $125 Non-Member $145
Member Senior/Student $ 96 S/S Non-Member $116
Half-Day Saturday Sessions:
Member Regular $ 65 Non-Member $ 75
Member Senior Student $ 55 S/S Non-Member $65
GROUP/CLASS RATE:
(There must be minimum number of 8 attendees in each Group/Class
registration to receive Group/Class Rate. Please indicate name of Group/Class
Leader on each separate registration.)
EARLYBIRD (Registration by June 30, 2013)
Group (per person) $ 96
Class (per person) $ 80
REGULAR (Registration July 1st and after)
Group (per person) $ 112
Class (per person) $ 94
(Please print/save Registration sheet, fill out, and mail or email to MWG at P.
O. Box 3845, Meridian, MS 39303)
Individual Registration form here Group Registration form here
Earlybird Registration (by June 30, 2013)
*EARLYBIRD HAS BEEN EXTENDED THROUGH JULY 7TH!!
All-day Saturday Sessions:
Member Regular $106 Non-Member $125
Member Senior/Student $ 80 S/S Non-Member $96
Earlybird Registration Half-Day Sessions
Member Regular $ 60 Non-Member $ 70
Member Senior/Student $ 50 S/S Non-Member $ 60
Formal Critique Session (Earlybird Registration Only)
(Manuscript should be postmarked by June 30, 2013
and mailed to MWG at the above address.)
Member $35 Non-Member $ 40
Earlybird Package (Includes full conference and formal critique)
MWG Member 135 Member S/S $110
Non-Member 160 Non-Member S/S $130
Registrations received July 1st and afterwards:
All-Day Saturday Sessions:
Member Regular $125 Non-Member $145
Member Senior/Student $ 96 S/S Non-Member $116
Half-Day Saturday Sessions:
Member Regular $ 65 Non-Member $ 75
Member Senior Student $ 55 S/S Non-Member $65
GROUP/CLASS RATE:
(There must be minimum number of 8 attendees in each Group/Class
registration to receive Group/Class Rate. Please indicate name of Group/Class
Leader on each separate registration.)
EARLYBIRD (Registration by June 30, 2013)
Group (per person) $ 96
Class (per person) $ 80
REGULAR (Registration July 1st and after)
Group (per person) $ 112
Class (per person) $ 94
| Conference schedule and PAYPAL registration below TEACHERS: CEU's available Approved through Meridian Community College |
| SATURDAY OPENING KEYNOTE: Stephen Fraser |
| Visit Vicksburg Here |
Workshop Schedule
9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Workshop I
a) Floyd - Writing Short Stories - Topics to be covered: the elements of fiction, story structure,
common mistakes writers make, researching, and reference material
b) Lafferty - Marketing - You’re on Facebook, Twitter, and blogging till your head spins, right? Or
maybe you’re not – yet, but sooner or later every writer will do these things, or they just won’t be
successful. In this fast-paced workshop, he’ll cover the essential elements of an author’s Internet
marketing strategy, and highlight the most appropriate and effective methods to connect with
readers, colleagues, booksellers and book reviewers. He’ll tackle time management, automation
tools, and creative ways to grow your community and have fun while achieving your writing goals.
c) Kistulentz - Places That Are Gone: A Workshop and Discussion of Post-Confessional Poetry -
The Academy of American Poets once defined confessional poetry as the poetry of the personal,
often marked by the first person pronoun, “I”. Today’s poetry, however, often approaches the
personal using a myriad of approaches, and is often far more expansive than the psychological
investigation of personal experience. In this interactive discussion, we’ll look at the ways and means
of using the personal in what we might call the post-confessional era. How do today’s most
interesting and innovative poets use personal experience as a tool to investigate the larger world?
We’ll look at examples from contemporary poets like Erika Meitner, Josh Bell, Mary Biddinger,
Rachel Zucker and more.
10:45 – 11:45 Workshop II
a) Fraser - Creating an Effective Elevator Pitch - An essential marketing tool, the ‘elevator pitch’
can help position your book in a very competitive market. If you can present the essence of your
book in one perfectly-crafted sentence, you are well on your way to getting your book to its intended
audience. Learn to write an effective pitch from an experienced literary agent who knows how to sell
your book.
b) Floyd - Marketing Short Stories - Topics to be covered: manuscript formatting, cover letters,
the submission process, market resources, recordkeeping, contracts, and reselling stories
c) Lafferty - Advanced Online Marketing - You’re posting on Facebook and Twitter, Goodreads
and Pinterest, LinkedIn and Google Plus and you’re working, and keeping a house running, and
raising a family and, oh yeah, writing…or at least trying to fit writing in somewhere. In this advanced
workshop, he’ll get into the nuts and bolts of running a successful, measurable online marketing
strategy for authors. He’ll show you why Facebook advertising is so effective and how to set up ad
campaigns that reach the right connections; the power of LinkedIn for novelists as well as
nonfiction authors; how an effective “listening post” will reveal your target connections in a variety
of social media communities, and how to set appropriate, realistic budgets for achieving the kind of
results that will help you achieve your business objectives as a writer.
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch, Lunch Keynote Speaker John Floyd and Q & A
1:15 – 2:15 p.m. Workshop III
a) Kistulentz - The Other New Thing: Making Poetry out of the World Around Us - How do we
manage to make poems out of the raw material of our own individual worlds, yet write them in such a
way that they invite the reader in to an entirely distinct, yet recognizable world? Bruce Springsteen
has talked often about the idea of a song having a distinct invitation to the listener; is poetry
different? Can we invite the reader into our lives in such a way that both poet and audience are
enriched by the experience? We’ll look at commonalities in the approaches of Swift and Byron, New
York School masters Koch and O'Hara, and more recent voices such as Denise Duhamel, David
Kirby, Albert Goldbarth, and Barbara Hamby.
b) Lafferty - Repeat of Workshop I
c) Fraser - Midwiving Your Book - A seasoned agent gives practical advice for sending your book
on its way to the right editor and ultimately the reader – everything from the right attitude to the
proper etiquette for following up on a submission, how to work effectively with an editor, and how to
help promote your book. Be an active participant in getting your book published!
2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Workshop IV
a) Floyd - repeat of Workshop I
b) Kistulentz - repeat of Workshop I
c) Fraser - repeat of Workshop II