 
CLAIRE COOK, at left
CHRISTINA KATZ, at right
SAINT LOUIS – Best-selling author Claire Cook of Must Love Dogs and The Writer’s Workout author/coach Christina Katz will deliver the keynote speeches during the Missouri Writers’ Guild 97th Annual Spring Conference, slated to run April 20-22, 2012, at the Doubletree Hotel and Conference Center of St. Louis, 16625 Swingley Ridge Rd., Chesterfield. Registration is now open for the event which is being billed as the “Write Time! Write Place! Write Now!” writing conference. Writers and authors will want to secure their spots as soon as possible, not only for conference breakout sessions, packed craft specific courses and inspiration, but for additional extras offered, including individual agent pitch sessions, two early bird arrival seminars and in-depth Sunday morning workshops.
Attendees will be able to pitch their completed projects/manuscripts to featured agents, magazine editors or book editors. Additional opportunities include the Saturday night banquet, Sunday master classes, attendee book signing event and book signings with featured speakers.
“I’m thrilled to announce our absolutely stellar line up. Our presenters, which include well-known authors, agents, book and magazine editors, and even a lawyer, will motivate everyone who attend and remind them that it’s always the ‘Write Time and Write Place’ to ‘Write Now,’” said MWG conference chair Tricia Sanders.
The Guild has announced the names of the conference faculty for 2012. In addition to Cook and Katz, they are:
- Susan McBride: St. Louis author of Little Black Dress
- Christie Craig: Award-winning author/photojournalist/speaker
- Katharine Sands: Agent with Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency
- Debra Hess: Senior editor of Highlights for Children magazine
- Jane Friedman: Author/writing professor and former editor of Writer’s Digest
- Rhonda Penders: Editor-in-chief of Wild Rose Press
- Ann Behar: Agent with Scovil Galen Ghosh Literary Agency
- Walter Bargen: Missouri’s first Poet Laureate
- Karen Docter: Award-winning romance/mystery writer
- Sarah LaPolla: Agent at Curtis Brown LTD
- Shawntelle Madison: Urban fantasy author
- John C. McManus: Author and professor of history
- Paul Lesko: Intellectual property lawyer/columnist
- Linda Gerber: Young adult author of Trance
- Ann Collette: Agent at the Rees Literary Agency
- Carol Carr: Victorian mystery author
- Michele Mortimer: representative from Darhansoff & Verrill Literary Agency
“Attendees can expect to spend the weekend with a huge amount of writing talent and expert industry professionals,” Sanders said. “Regardless of whether they’re published or not, attendees will have an opportunity to network with writing professionals from around the country who can help them reach their writing goals.”
Early registration runs through December 31, 2011. The fee is $135 for MWG members, $145 for chapter members and $165 for the general public. Registration includes access to two early-arrival seminars on Friday, Apr. 20 and the Saturday, Apr. 21 panel discussions, break-out workshops, and pitch sessions in addition to scheduled networking times during evening hours and a Saturday luncheon with Cook.
Tickets for Saturday night’s writing awards banquet with keynote speaker Katz, may be purchased for an additional $40 for conference attendees or $45 for the general public. In-depth master classes, that offer writers opportunities to work closely with one of the professional speakers, are available Sunday morning for an additional $50.
Registration information and payment through PayPal is available here.
A block of rooms has been reserved at the conference hotel until March 29, 2012. Special rates are $75 per night (single or double), $85 (triple) and $95 (quad). To make a reservation phone (636) 532-5000 and mention the "Missouri Writers' Guild Conference."
For additional information contact Tricia Sanders, conference chair, here.
About the Missouri Writers' Guild and Joplin chapter
Established in 1915, the Missouri Writers' Guild is a statewide, non-profit organization for professional writers in all genres.
The Guild has 16 chapters throughout Missouri that provide regular opportunities to network with other writers, listen to presentations by successful writers, and learn more about the craft of writing.
The Joplin Writers' Guild meets at 6 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month at the Joplin Public Library. The 2011 president is Claudia Mundell and the chapter representative is Larry Wood. For more information send an e-mail here or stop by at a meeting.
For a membership application and well as information on membership levels and fees go here. Go Back | 
