Jackie Lee Miles, author of “All That’s True,” “Cold Rock River,” and “Divorcing Dwayne,” will be the keynote speaker at the Harris Arts Center Northwest Georgia Valley Writer’s Conference. The event will be May 6 and 7.

This year’s conference will begin on Friday night with dinner at the Velo Vinyard in downtown Calhoun and workshop “What a Publisher wants from you,” with local publisher Tony Burton. The meal is $15 and not included with the $50 registration fee.

Saturday’s conference will begin at the 8 a.m. at the HAC with registration and booksignings. There will be various workshops throughout Saturday.

Events include “Five things that make a good story great,” with Miles, workshops on writing cookbooks with local author Aletia DuPree, writing through grief with Jessica Handler, writing for children and young adults with Donny Seagraves, historical fiction Amanda Gable, writing tips with Barbara Tucker and marketing advice from Renea Winchester. There will also be panel discussions on the changes in the publishing world and living the writer’s life.

Afterwatds, attendees are invited to join some of the authors and workshop leaders at Ruby Tuesday’s on Hwy. 53.

Cost: $50 To register call the Harris Arts Center at 706-629-2599 or drop by at 212 South Wall Street Calhoun, Georgia. There is no charge to attend end-of-day events on Saturday. The 5:45 panel “Living the Writer’s Life” is free and there is no need to register for this event. Registration is required for the dinner at Velo’s Vineyard.

Learn more about Jackie Lee Miles at www.jlmiles.com.