It is not too late to register for the 2019 Mid-Winter Writers Conference, which will take place at the Pell City Public Library on Saturday, January 26, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Registration includes breakfast and lunch, two keynotes, five workshops of choice and one-on-one 15-minute session with Ramona Richards, Associate Editor for New Hope Publications in Birmingham.

In addition, 18 authors will have book tables on Saturday where attendees can ask questions and purchase signed copies of their books. You do not need to be registered to visit their tables or purchase their books. However, only registered guests may attend the workshops. 

Refreshments will be available while you network with presenters and authors at the Friday night “Meet & Greet” at the Pell City Public Library from 6 – 8 p.m. The “Meet & Greet” is free and open to the public. You can register for the conference there or register and pay at the door Saturday morning. 

The presenters and their workshops are as follows:

David Bennett, Editor of HomeLife Magazine and Open Windows, will present a workshop, “How to Guarantee Your Manuscript Will Be Rejected, or SMH (Shaking My Head)” where you will learn the not-so-bright things people do to ensure their manuscript is first in line for the shredder.

Allen Berry, Professor of writing and literature at the University of North Georgia, will present a workshop, “That’s Exactly How It Happened… Only Better,” in which you’ll learn how to tell true stories with fresh details, wit and humor in a way that brings your non-fiction to life.

Urainah Glidewell, Content Manager for the St. Clair News-Aegis will present a workshop, “Art of AP: Writing for Newspapers,” which will cover the skills you need to submit articles to your local newspaper.

Joey Kennedy, a 1991 Pulitzer Prize winner and life-long journalist will present a workshop, “From Your Passion to the Page.” Joey will provide tips on how to write about what’s important to you, whether it’s a cause, a movement or a personal journey and attract people to your cause.

Veronica Kennedy, a veteran journalist and writing teacher, who has taught composition, literature, and news writing, will present a workshop, “More Than Just the Facts, Sir,” which will outline the basics of writing your memoirs.

Mary Alice Kenley, a former Washington lobbyist and trained Christian counselor, will present a workshop, “Lord, Surely Not Me! The Reluctant Writer,” which will explore the process of inspirational writing from first words to publication.

Harry Moritz, a retired federal employee with more than 20 years’ experience in computer use and Internet web design will present a workshop, “Computer Geekology for Authors,” which will cover the basic computer skills authors need to know.

Rita Moritz, author of three books, editor of ASPS’s Muse Messenger, inspirational speaker, blogger and the founder and current President of Writers Anonymous, will present a Keynote, “If Not You, Then Who?”

Ramona Richards, Associate Publisher for New Hope Publications and formerly an editor for Abingdon Press, Thomas Nelson and other publishers, will conduct 15-minute, one-on-one sessions with attendees.

Ellen Sallas, Editorial Director of Little Roni Publishers and founder of The Author’s Mentor, will present two workshops, “Independent (self) Book Publishing” and “Learning the Business of Book Design,” which will cover the process of self-publishing and how to do your own book design.

Jackie Trimble, Chair of the Department of Languages and Literatures at Alabama State University, will present a plenary session, “How to Tend a Fire: Nurturing the Creativity Within,” which will cover how to nurture a creativity that turns nothing into something.

Sue Walker, Founder and Editor of Negative Capability Press and one of Alabama’s Poets Laureate, will present a Keynote, “To Soften The Harsh Edges of Being: What Will You Do With Your One Precious Writing Life?” and a workshop, “Mosaic Flash Fiction does the Bop,” which will teach you how to use loosely connected fragments and white space to tell a story that is larger than just a moment in time.

Cheryl Sloan Wray, a freelance writer, who has published more than 2000 articles in a variety of newspapers and magazines and is the author of Writing for Magazines: A Beginner’s Guide, will present two workshops, “Writing for Magazines: From Idea to Publication” and “How to Write a Winning Query Letter”

You can read more about the presenters and workshops and register online by visiting  https://mwwconference.com