What is happening in these mountains this spring!

Aren't we lucky to live in Western NC and North Georgia?

2014 Blue Ridge Writers’ Conference

When: April 4-5

Where: Historic Fannin County Courthouse at 420 West Main Street, Blue Ridge, GA 30513.

Website:  www.blueridgewritersconference.com/about-our-speakers.html

17^th Annual Conference for writers

…to learn to write well, we need other writers and mentors and teachers.  We have many wonderful writers in our area, and they are always striving to improve.  The Blue Ridge Writers’ Conference is an opportunity for them to meet professionals in the industry and get accurate information about how to publish a book or find an online market or get an article accepted somewhere.  It’s also a chance to meet other writers and network with them. 

                ---Carol Crawford, Conference Coordinator for Blue Ridge Writers’ Conference

2014 BLUE RIDGE BOOKFEST
When: April 25-26
Where: Blue Ridge Community College, 180 W. Campus Dr., Flat Rock, NC
Website: http://www.blueridge.edu/blueridgebookfest
Join us at the 6th Annual Blue Ridge Bookfest.  Preliminary list of authors: Bill Ramsey, Renee Kumor, Joe Perrone, Jr. The Featured Speakers are Ken Grossman, co-founder of the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company and author of Beyond the Pale, and Cassandra King, author of Moonrise and four other Southern novels.

NETWEST SPRING WRITERS' CONFERENCE
When: Saturday, May 10, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Where: Jackson County Library, 310 Keener St. Sylva, NC
Judy Goldman will be our Keynote Speaker in the morning, and will lead an afternoon workshop on writing creative nonfiction.  (We hope to have more information on this event soon)

We are fortunate to live in an area where so many literary events bring us together where we can learn and meet other writers and people in the literary field. I try to take advantage of every opportunity to attend and support these organizations. I have learned that other areas, even in large cities, have few affordable conferences and workshops for local writers. I urge all of you within traveling distance to attend at least one of these events this spring. 

If you live far away, look for similar opportunities in your area. Check with libraries, book stores, colleges and online. Contact writers in your town and ask them about literary events you might attend. Start with attending a writer or poet speaking at a local college. You might hear of something near you or you might meet another writer who takes classes. The best way to improve your own writing is to attend workshops and classes by good teachers and by writing as often as you can.