This year's conference will be held October 6-8 at the Best Western Inn of the Ozarks in scenic Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
This year's faculty includes agents, editors, publishers, and writers, some of whom you might have seen on the History Channel or other television programs.
One of the most attractive features of the conference is that registrants can enter more than 30 writing contests.
There is no additional fee for conference registrants to enter the contests, and there is a contest for everyone, with thousands of dollars in total prize money. The awards are presented on Saturday evening, with a lot of hoots and hollers and applause.
In the past I've served as a judge for a few contests, but this year I'm excited and honored to serve as the contest chair. The entries have begun to arrive, with some folks entering more than a dozen contests, so that gives you a hint at how treasured winning one of these contests is for writers.
But wait. There's more: The Ozark Mountain fall foliage is eye-popping in October, and the drive from St. Charles County goes quickly. So, if you're looking for a fun, informative, and rewarding conference, I hope you will join me at the OCW 50th Anniversary Contest in Eureka Springs.
Looks like I'll be out of town that weekend. Maybe next year...
ReplyDeletePat
Critter Alley
Hope you can make it next year.
DeleteThanks for the information, Donna. I'll have to keep this on my calendar, would like to go this year.
ReplyDeleteHi Mary,
DeleteIt would be great if you can make the conference this year.
I've heard a lot of good things about this writer's conference over the years, but I've never been to it. If I didn't live so far away from it, I'd love to go. Thank you for the information about it. Thanks for visiting and commenting on my blog too!
ReplyDeleteHi Connie,
DeleteYou're welcome. Your Location poem was very cute!
Hi, Donna. This sounds like a great conference with a Publishers Row and all those contests!
ReplyDeleteHi Janet,
DeleteToo bad you live so far away. Wish you could make it.
Those contests look tempting, and even though it's kind of on the way to Oklahoma (new college home of The Pony)...I don't think it's in the cards for me.
ReplyDeleteHi Val,
DeleteHard to believe The Pony is already college bound--and to Oklahoma. Maybe you can make it next year.
Thx Donna. I love OCW and Eureka Springs. I plan a writing retreat/vacation around it. Winning a place in a contest is always fun - one year I decided not to enter and really regretted that. There is so much to participate in, from Open Mic to the musical Jam Session, the Auction and Banquets. The folks are friendly and the scenery of Eureka Springs can't be beat. Last year I stopped on the way and toured the Laura Ingalls Wilder Farm and Museum. This year I plan on seeing the art at Crystal Bridges. I'll be staying at the Writers Colony at Dairy Hollow and my sister is coming from North Carolina again to come with me!
ReplyDeleteOf course I should mention that the conference speakers and teachers are high quality and well worth coming to learn from. Agents, editors, publishers, and even radio and film producers. The cost is one of the best bargains, less expensive than most, a good restaurant on site, nice rooms at the Inn of the Ozarks.
DeleteThanks for this heads up. i will check into it.
ReplyDelete