If you're looking for an affordable conference with inspiring speakers in a unique setting, the Ozark Creative Writers Conference should be at the top of your list.This year's conference will be from Oct 6-8 in the Inn of the Ozarks in scenic and historic Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Conference kicks off Thursday evening with a reception. The main events begin on Friday, Oct 7 and continue through Satuday, Oct 8.
The theme for this year's conference is "The Secrets of Writing."
Keynote speaker is best-selling thriller writer David Morrell, who will discuss the secret to finding your own voice and subject matter. Morrell is three-time recipient of the Bram Stoker Award and the ThrillerMaster Award given by the International Thriller Writers.
Literary agent Gordon Warnock, a senior agent from the Andrea Hurst Literary Agency, will talk about your secret weapons--taking advantage of tools that most writers ignore. Warnock will also take pitches from attendees.
Dr. Susan Swartwout, editor of The Big Muddy and creative writing teacher from Southeast Missouri State University, joins High Hill Publishing editor Louella Turner to host a panel discussion on the secrets of small and university presses. Dr. Swartwout will also take pitches from attendees.
Other speakers include: Max McCoy, Dusty Richards, Johnny Boggs, Beth Bartlett, W. C. Jameson, and former Arkansas poet laureate Peggy Vinning, with Friday night's entertainment by legendary Country music artist, Nick Nixon.
If that's not enough, all registrants are eligible to enter the 19 contests with substantial cash awards in categories including fiction, nonfiction, poetry--and a surprise on-the-spot contest. Contest deadline is Aug 27.
Registration is $99 if paid by Aug 27, $119 after Aug 27.
Lodging is available at Inn of the Ozarks and other nearby hotels.
For details about the conference, registration, contests, and speaker bios, please visit the Ozark Creative Writers website.
Personal note: OCW is the first conference I ever attended, and it is a wowser. The conference coordinators are warm and friendly, and the attendees range from cowboys and rodeo riders to university professors and literary agents. The entertainment on Friday is always fun, and the awards banquet on Saturday is exciting and always entertaining.
You're making it sound even more appealing, Donna.
ReplyDeleteHi Donna! I'm really looking forward to caravaning down there! We'll all have a great time and learn a lot, too! BUT, I don't want to rush through the days and weeks....October can stay a long way off!!
ReplyDeleteI love Morrell. I have even since the Brotherhood of the Rose series. Speaking of that series, I should pick it up. I'm not sure I'll be there but thanks for the heads up.
ReplyDeleteI was in your neck of the woods this past weekend. We drove through Joplin catching some of the wreckage from the interstate. This conference sounds good, I'm going to check my calendar.
ReplyDeleteI hope I can go!
ReplyDeleteDonna--I forgot to say--I love the new look of your blog.
ReplyDeleteI have a wedding to go to that weekend. Maybe next year. It sounds like a fantastic conference, and I'd love to meet you, Becky, Sioux, Janet, et al in person. I'll look forward to your blog posts about it, Donna! Write on!
ReplyDeleteHi Sioux,
ReplyDeleteIf I can get away, I'm going to try my best to make it this year. And thanks for your comments about the new look of my blog. I wasn't sure if the text on the left was readable or not.
Hi Becky,
We missed you at critique today.
Hi Clarissa,
You are welcome. Hope you can make it too.
Hi Sally,
It would be great if you could make it!
Hey Mary,
I hope so too.
Hi Clarissa,
Too bad you can't make it, but I understand about going to a wedding. October weddings are beautiful!
Donna
Glad I came across this! I was going to attend ThrillerNashville, but plans got changed. Might look into this!
ReplyDeleteGreat blog, BTW!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi Bryce,
ReplyDeleteI'm happy you found my blog too. Hope you can make it to OCW. It is a worthwhile conference. Always a good time.
donna v.
Sounds like a good one!
ReplyDeletePat
www.critteralley.blogspot.com
Hi Pat,
ReplyDeleteHope you can make it!
donna
That's kind of a fer piece for me to go :-) But it sounds like SO much fun! Wonder if I could talk the Beneficent Mr. Hall into Arkansas???
ReplyDeleteHey Cathy,
ReplyDeleteYou and the Beneficient Mr. Hall would LOVE it. There's lots to see and do in Eureka Springs.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can make it this year after not being able to go for about seven years.
Donna
Sounds like a great conference, but a little far for me to travel. We just had our WVWriter's Conference at Cedar Lakes a few weeks ago. They are a great place to meet other like minded people.
ReplyDeleteHi Janet,
ReplyDeleteI think you posted about the conference. Did I read that you got a couple of awards there?
Donna
I have a business of providing IT and networking solutions and we want hire some keynote speaker those help us in our conference. He should be talented enough to motivate the audience to the ongoing topic.
ReplyDeleteMotivational speaker