The Harris Arts Center presents the third annual Northwest Georgia Valley Writer’s Conference with three days of events March 30 – April 1. Attendees choose from a variety of activities that include workshops, dinners, a panel discussion and— open to the general public, as well—a book sales and signing. Registration is available at the door on Saturday March 31, but attendees are highly encouraged to pre- register at the arts center 212 South Wall Street, by phone 706-629-2599 or on line www.harrisartscenter.com

This year’s keynote speaker, Barbara Casey, is president of her own literary agency, representing authors from the Unites States, Britain and Japan in both fiction and nonfiction. Casey is also a manuscript consultant and, in addition to her workshop, is offering one-on-one review sessions during the event. The sessions cost an additional $35 and must be arranged with Barbara at barcafer@aol.com

Casey is the author of seven award-winning novels, receiving national recognition, including the Independent Publisher’s Book Award for Shyla’s Initiative, published in 2007 and was considered for a Pulitzer nomination for her 2008 novel The House of Kane. Her latest novel, The Cadence of Gypsies, written for young adults, was reviewed by the Smithsonian for its list of “Most Noteable Books.”

Friday, March 30 kicks off at 7:00 PM with a workshop dinner at the Velo Vineyard for $35. Pre-register for this event, as seating is limited. What Hole Does Your Pigeon Fit In? The Correct Genre for Your Manuscript will be led by author, editor and CEO of Wolfmont Press, Tony Burton. “Often authors will write a book but hurt their chances to sell the manuscript because they don’t know what category they fit into, and thus, where to market it,” explains Burton.

Saturday is the main conference for $65. Registration/check-in is at 8:00 AM and workshops begin at 9:00 AM. “Whether you are a novice or experienced writer, novelist or short story writer, prose or poet—there is something for everyone,” says Gray Bridges, Literary Chair.

The first workshop, How to Get Your Manuscript Read by a Publisher, is with Casey. After that, attendees choose 3 from 6 other workshops throughout the day, including; Passionate Murder; Expressing Values in Mystery Fiction with Becky Wooley, Evocative Poetry with Marsha Mathews, Basics for Beginners; Publishing in the Inspirational Market with Lettie Kirkpatrick Burress and Putting Your Characters in Their Place with Calhoun’s “native daughter,” Mignon Ballard. Author bios and workshop descriptions can be read on-line or in the registration brochure, available at the arts center.

The general public is invited to join attendees at no charge for end-of-day activities that include a panel discussion, Trends in Publishing, and a book sales and signing. Authors and attendees meet for an informal dinner at a local restaurant after the event.(The cost of dinner is not included in the conference.)

“Because authors like to read from their own work, and we have folks spending the night Saturday, we’ve added a post-conference event this year,” says Bridges. “We’re excited about our 8:30 AM Open-Mic breakfast at Fork in the Road Diner on Sunday.” Usually closed Sundays, the restaurant is opening just for this event. The only cost is that of your breakfast.

For more information, or to register for the conference, contact the Harris Arts Center at 706-629-2599 or visit www.harrisartscenter.com