Join us this year at the Appalachian Writer's Conference 2024

Conference Agenda Meet the Faculty Register Lots to Do in Berea, Kentucky #AWC23 September 3-5 Historic Boone Tavern in Writers' in Berea, Kentucky "Where Art's Alive"100 S Main St. North, Berea, KY 40403
The Appalachian Writer’s Conference, or AWC23, is a literary workshop that offers beginning and intermediate writers a chance to sharpen existing skills and learn new techniques from award-winning, seasoned novelists, non-fiction writers, memoirs, and poets - and now pod-casters turned book authors! It all happens in the heart of Appalachia in Berea, Kentucky, the state’s Artisan Capital, where guests will stay at Historic Boone Tavern Hotel and enjoy hiking, biking, kayaking, shopping at the many craft stores, and have a chance to meet Kentucky Artisans. Come join us! info@appalachianwritersconference.com Conference Begins - Day 1 Tuesday, September 3 REGISTRATION AND BREAKFAST
7 to 8 a.m. Registration at the Banquet Hall 8 to 9 a.m. Light Breakfast in the Banquet Hall and conference Kick-off MORNING SESSIONS
9 to 10:00 a.m. – Writing Your Memoir Story Discovery & Framing - Dr. Melissa Newman
This memoir writing workshop (part 1 of 2) will help you discover what type of memoir best suits your story and which pieces of your story should become anchors for major and supporting themes.
10:05 to 11:05 – Non-fiction, Historical Non-fiction Presentation & Workshop - Dr. Pam Parry
This non-fiction workshop will help you learn how to identify historical figures worthy of exploration. Where do you find historical topics? How do you research those topics? What are the barriers of writing about people who are gone? How do you honor their memory and their story? How do you evaluate credible sources? What are the best sources to use? This workshop will help you answer those questions and so much more.
11:10 to 12:10 – Screenwriting - Mark Daniels
Learn to navigate your book or concept into a screenplay for Hollywood! Mark will introduce you to the structure of a screenplay, recommended software, management, festivals and marketing. LUNCH (served in the banquet room by Boone Tavern Restaurant. There will be Spoonbread!)
12:30 to 2 p.m. AFTERNOON SESSIONS
2 to 3 p.m. – Writing Your Memoir, Tools, Mechanics, and Legal Considerations - Dr. Melissa Newman
This memoir writing workshop (part 2 of 2) focuses on how to move back and forth seamlessly through moments in time, how to bring readers along during pivotal moments in your timeline, and how to show your "why." This workshop also focuses on questions about who and what can you write about without opening yourself up to legal issues.
3:05 to 4:05 p.m. – Non-fiction, Historical Non-fiction "Making the Narrative Interesting" - Dr. Pam Parry
This non-fiction workshop will explore how to write about historical figures and find the potential markets for those stories. This workshop will provide writing tips and strategies for transforming your historical research into a readable, interesting narrative that is ready for the marketplace. How do you identify your readers? How do you write for their interests? After this workshop, you should know how to write, market, and sell your historical writing.
4:15 to 5:15 p.m. – Book Publishing Contracts & How to Protect Your Creative Work
Your creative work is an asset and should be treated as such, with potential for having considerable value now and in the future. During this session you will learn what's important to watch for in your contract and how to negotiate terms. FRIDAY MORNING SESSIONS8 to 9 a.m. Designing a Framework for Your Genre Fiction - Summer Hanford
In this workshop, participants will focus on well-crafted work and maintaining the joy of creating. By the end of this workshop, attendees will have the tools they need to properly research their genre of choice, a broad framework for their novel, and a strong understanding of what goes into a well-rounded, well-crafted work that other people will enjoy reading.
9:05 to 10:05 a.m. - Historical Fiction - Merrill Davies
Historical Fiction has its own challenges. What must be correct historically? If you’re basing the novel on a real person, how much of it must be true to his/her life? This session explores several guidelines for creating a realistic scene in historical novels. Those attendees who are working on a historical fiction project, please be prepared to share a little about it with other workshop participants.
10:10 to 11:10 a.m. - Characteristics of Literary Fiction - Dr. Sherry Robinson
This workshop will explore the characteristics of literary fiction. What makes fiction literary? Can fiction be both literary and genre? Does literary fiction deserve the perception that it is “boring” or “pretentious”? How do you tell a compelling story using literary characteristics? The workshop will provide several examples of literary fiction's characteristics and allow participants to explore their own use of the characteristics.
11:15 to 12:15 a.m. Optimize Your Genre Fiction - Summer Hanford
In this workshop, we’ll go step by step from concept to starting your novel, all while keeping an eye on the end goal of creating a ‘sellable’ book, whether direct to consumers via self-publishing, to agents or agents, or to a publishing house. And, almost as importantly, you will better understand the steps required to get your work in front of readers. LUNCH 12:30 to 2 p.m. Lunch in the Banquet Hall
AFTERNOON SESSIONS2 to 3 p.m. - Poetry Workshop - Merrill Davies
At Poets.org, a section of A Poet’s Glossary by Edward Hirsch is quoted in which he says that “Poetry is a human fundamental, like music. It predates literacy and precedes prose in all literature. There has probably never been a culture without it, yet no one knows precisely what it is.” During this workshop participants will explore their understanding of what poetry is and how to better use their skills to write poetry that connects with our culture. A copy of "Branches of Love," a collection of poetry written by Merrill Davies will be provided.
3:05 to 4:05 p.m. – Literary Fiction - Characters and Setting - Dr. Sherry Robinson
This workshop will concentrate on characters and setting in literary fiction. This workshop will dig deeper into creating compelling characters that will drive action within the story. Participants will learn how to create vivid settings. This will be an active workshop with significant interaction with participants.
Special Session Alert!4:15 to 5:15 p.m. - "The Common Mystics"
Psychic sisters Jennifer James & Jill Stanley of the Common Mystics podcast share tips and techniques for opening up to Spirit and recognizing how Spirit engages with them in everyday life. Let the sisters inspire you to trust your own intuitive gifts as inspiration for your creative work. CONFERENCE BANQUET
6 p.m. Banquet Begins (please be seated by 6:30 p.m.)
6:30 p.m. Psychic Sisters Jennifer James & Jill Stanley explain the concept behind the Common Mystics podcast and its origins and share stories of their favorite travel experiences uncovering the stories of the voiceless dead. The sisters will perform a stage adaptation of a story not included in their book or on their pod.
NIGHTCAP ON THE PORCH & PATIO - Conference Closing Event
8 p.m. “Writer’s Night Cap on the Porch & Patio" Boone Tavern. Enjoy famous Kentucky Bourbons, a glass of local wine from Chenault Vineyards, or a Southern Sweet Tea at The Frost Cafe located inside the hotel.
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