Invest in yourself and your writing goals! Join us for BWC's fourth annual Conference of Writers.
When: April 26, 2025, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Venue: Kentucky State University's Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration Farm in Frankfort KY
Details are underway to make this 4th Conference of Writers the best yet. We're putting together a program with plenty of opportunities to learn, network, market, and connect with the pros! Our staff (so far) includes:
"Kentucky's Everyday Heroes" Author Steve Flairty
Publisher, Author, and Screenwriter Tony Acree
Poet, Author, and Editor (Accents Publishing) Katerina Stoykova
Bookmark this page and visit often for the latest developments!
Schedule of Events
View our 2024 schedule
Become a sponsor
Advertising space is now available for the Conference of Writers program book.
Directions
Please follow these directions. We want you to arrive on time!
Speaker Lineup
View our list of speakers and guests.
2024 Schedule of Events
8:30 a.m. - Gathering at the Frankfort Country Club
Check in at the registration desk, shop in the conference bookstore, grab a cup of coffee, and chat with your fellow writers.
9:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. - Welcome, Housekeeping, and Introduction of Guests
Emcee Ginny Smith will welcome all attendees to BWC's third Conference of Writers.
9:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. - Breakout Sessions
Breakout Session #1: "From Poetry to Children's Books" - George Ella Lyon
Long before she wrote books for children, George Ella Lyon was a poet. The author of numerous books for readers of all ages, she was named Kentucky Poet Laureate for 2015-2016. Ms. Lyon will present a session on transitioning from poetry to children’s literature.
Breakout Session #2: "Ten Keys to a Sensational Short Story" - Paul Stansbury
Distilling the essence of a whole universe into a few pages of prose is one of the great joys of short story writing. In addition, short story writing is a great way to hone your writing prowess whether you are writing short stories, plays, or novels. This presentation will present ten essential keys to sensational story writing at any level.
Appointments with Alice Spielburg and Virginia Underwood will be conducted during this time period. Pre-registration is required.
10:20 a.m. - 11:20 a.m. - Breakout Sessions
Breakout Session #3: The Elusive Literary Agent: How to Find and Secure Your Publishing Representative - Alice Spielburg
Authors looking to publish their work with large, commercial publishers often find that most of these publishers do not accept any submissions without a literary agent. Literary agent Alice Spielburg will discuss with attendees why publishers often establish that rule, what services an agent can provide to an author, and how each person might find the perfect agent who will guide their career where they want it to go. As most encounters with a literary agent involve a query or pitch, this class will also cover the basic structure for a query letter, tips and tricks for improving an elevator pitch, and tactics to avoid.
Breakout Session #4: The Heart of Fiction - People - Ann H. Gabhart
Characters are at the heart of all fiction. Writers need to create and develop characters who can jump off the pages of your story and into your readers’ hearts. Ann H. Gabhart will share what she’s learned walking story trails with the many characters she’s brought to life in the more than 35 published books to her credit. Points covered in her workshop will be why we remember some famous characters we’ve all met, how to visualize and name your characters, and ways to come up with answers on why characters do what they do. She'll leave time for character brainstorming and Q&A.
Appointments with Virginia Underwood will be conducted during this time period. Pre-registration is required.
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Breakout Sessions
Breakout Session #5: FINISH THAT BOOK with The Chunky Method - Allie Pleiter
Do you feel like you can never find the time to write? Have you been chipping away at the same manuscript forever without much progress? Do you need a system that can get you to typing “The End” with success and satisfaction? Wrangling a fickle muse to meet a deadline—or just to get rid of that looming blank page—is a life-skill for everyone who wants to get serious about their writing. Allie Pleiter, the bestselling author of over 60 books, shares the nuts and bolts of how to manage your muse. You'll learn how to set goals and deadlines that reflect your personal writing style and speed--and smart ways to get faster when you need it. Join the thousands of other writers who have mastered the writing process using Pleiter's popular Chunky Method. With a useful mix of the practical, the inspirational, and the nitty-gritty real life of it all, this workshop gives aspiring or working writers the tools they need to make the magic happen.
Breakout Session #6: From Page to Stage: Scriptwriting - Jerry Deaton
Jerry Deaton is a Frankfort writer, by way of Breathitt County, KY, and has been involved in all forms of writing. Jerry started out as a writer/researcher for the Kentucky General Assembly and from there went on to write two books on his eastern Kentucky heritage. He has written/directed/produced two documentary films for KET and has written/directed/produced four stage plays. Jerry will share his journey from business writer to the world of script and dialogue writing.
Appointments with Alice Spielburg and Virginia Underwood will be conducted during this time period. Pre-registration is required.
12:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. - Lunch and Shopping
Lunch will be served in the main conference room and is included in the conference fee. After the meal, browse through the conference bookstore and select your next awesome read!
1:45 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Brain Break
A quick, fun game designed to engage your senses and release your creativity!
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. - General Session
Maurice Manning
Pulitzer Prize finalist Maurice Manning will talk about the connections between music and poetry. Using his guitar and banjo, he will discuss his approach to narrative poetry, and his use of the 4-beat line and how it can "work" in varying contexts and modes. You don't want to miss this informative and highly entertaining session!
3:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. - Snack Break
Grab a cookie and shop in the conference bookstore.
3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. - Breakout Sessions
Breakout Session #7: How to Approach a Publisher - Virginia Underwood
You’ve finished your book. Congratulations! Now it’s time to find a publisher. Ms. Underwood will outline the things you need to know when approaching an acquisition editor, the elements publishers like to see in a book proposal, and common mistakes authors make.
Breakout Session #8: Crafting Independence: Unraveling the Secrets of Self-Publishing - Shannon McRoberts
Are you considering self-publishing? In this session, USA Today bestselling author Shannon McRoberts will present the ins and outs of indy publishing. She’ll outline the mechanics and point out the pitfalls to avoid.
Appointments with Alice Spielburg will be conducted during this time period. Pre-registration is required.
4:15 p.m. - Closing Remarks
Ginny Smith
Sponsorship
Advertising space is now available for the Conference of Writers program book.
When you place an ad in the program book, your business will be seen not only by conference attendees, but we'll post your ad on the Bluegrass Writers Coalition's website for three months following the conference. Plus, you'll be supporting BWC's primary mission - to promote the literary arts in Kentucky. You'll be helping to support a thriving literary community right here in the Bluegrass.
Full Page: 5" x 8", $100
Half Page: 5" x 4" (landscape only), $60
Quarter Page: 2.5" x 4", $30
Reserve your ad space now!
In order to ensure your ad is included in the Conference of Writers program book, please let us know of your intention. We'll reserve the appropriate space for you.
To reserve your ad space, send an email to BluegrassWritersCoalition@gmail.com or through the Contact form on this website
Directions
Please follow these directions. We want you to arrive on time!
Directions to the Conference of Writers
Frankfort Country Club, 101 Duntreath Street, Frankfort KY
DO NOT use your GPS!
The Frankfort Country Club is located in the gated community of Two Creeks. There are two entrances into Two Creeks. One is accessible only by residents who have a key. If you approach in this direction you will not be able to enter. Instead, you will enter through the main entrance via US-60/Versailles Road. Please follow these directions. We want you to arrive on time!
From I-64
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Take exit 58 for US-60 toward Versailles/Frankfort. Turn west, toward Frankfort.
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Continue on US-60 for 2.8 miles.
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Turn right onto Country Lane. (Landmarks: on the left Rebecca Ruth candy shop and Captain D’s. On the right, a large WHISKEY sign before the traffic light for Country Lane.)
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Continue through the stop sign to the guard gate. Tell the on-duty guard you are attending the Conference of Writers at the clubhouse.
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In 0.9 miles, veer right onto Duntreath Street at the Y-intersection.
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In 0.5 miles, turn right into the country club parking lot. Enter through the front doors and proceed to the registration desk.
From US-420, Leestown Road in Lexington or downtown Frankfort via the Connector
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Proceed down Leestown Road (US-420 – the Connector in Frankfort) toward the east side of Frankfort.
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Exit on US-60, Versailles Road.
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Turn west, toward Frankfort.
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Continue on US-60 for 0.2 miles, to the next traffic light.
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Turn right onto Country Lane. (Landmarks: on the left Rebecca Ruth candy shop and Captain D’s. On the right, a large WHISKEY sign before the traffic light for Country Lane.)
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Continue through the stop sign to the guard gate. Tell the on-duty guard you are attending the Conference of Writers at the clubhouse.
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In 0.9 miles, veer right onto Duntreath Street at the Y-intersection.
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In 0.5 miles, turn right into the country club parking lot. Enter through the front doors and proceed to the registration desk.
From Downtown Frankfort via Versailles Road
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Head east on Versailles Road toward Versailles, passing Brighton Park on the left and Speedway on the right
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Turn left onto Country Lane. (Landmarks: on the right is Wesbanco and Eastside Family Medicine)
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Continue through the stop sign to the guard gate. Tell the on-duty guard you are attending the Conference of Writers at the clubhouse.
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In 0.9 miles, veer right onto Duntreath Street at the Y-intersection.
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In 0.5 miles, turn right into the country club parking lot. Enter through the front doors and proceed to the registration desk.
2024 Speaker Lineup
Photo by Steve Cody
Maurice Manning’s first book, Lawrence Booth’s Book of Visions, was selected by W.S. Merwin for the Yale Series of Younger Poets and published in 2001. Since then, Manning has published five other collections, including The Common Man, which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 2011, and One Man’s Dark. Railsplitter was his seventh collection. Manning has held fellowships at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown and the Hawthornden International Retreat for Writers in Scotland. A former Guggenheim fellow, Manning teaches at Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, and for the MFA Program for Writers at at Warren Wilson College. He is also a regular member of the faculty for the Sewanee Writers’ Conference. He is a member of Kentucky Writers and
Artists for Reforestation and is vice chancellor of the Fellowship of Southern Writers. His poems and essays have appeared in various magazines and journals, including Time, Garden & Gun, The Sewanee Review, Commonweal, Plume, Virginia Quarterly Review, Five Points, and The New Yorker. Manning lives with his family on a small farm in Kentucky.
George Ella Lyon has published award-winning books for readers of all ages, and her poem, “Where I’m From,” has been used as a model by teachers around the world. Recent titles include She Let Herself Go (poems) and the following picture books: Which Side Are You On? The Story of a Song, and All the Water in the World (both CCBC Choices), The Pirate of Kindergarten (Schneider Award) and You and Me and Home Sweet Home (Jane Addams Honor). She was named Kentucky Poet Laureate for 2015-2016. Originally from the mountains of Kentucky, Lyon works as a freelance writer and teacher based in Lexington, where she lives with her husband, writer and musician Steve Lyon. They have two grown sons. Visit her website at www.georgeellalyon.com
George Ella will teach a workshop on poetry and children's books.
Photo by Ann W. Olson
Alice Speilburg is the founding agent of Speilburg Literary, where she represents commercial fiction and narrative nonfiction. She lives just outside of Louisville, Kentucky, so perhaps it’s not surprising that she is drawn to narratives set in the South, which is rich with complex people and stories. Alice is a member of the Association of American Literary Agents, as well as several writing organizations, and she previously worked at John Wiley & Sons, and Howard Morhaim Literary Agency. In more than a decade in publishing, she has worked with bestselling and award-winning authors, literary and professional societies, and branded content. Visit Speilburg Literary's website, or follow them on social media:
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Alice will speak to the conference on finding and securing a literary agent. Ms. Speilburg's appointment schedule has been filled. Check other appointment opportunities here.
Virginia H. Underwood is the founder and publisher of Shadelandhouse Modern Press, a women-owned, family-operated independent traditional small book publisher of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and children’s literature, located in Lexington, Kentucky. The press published its first title in 2016. Authors and titles of Shadelandhouse Modern Press have been recognized on a state, regional, and national level including being longlisted by PEN America Pen/Diamonstein-Spielvogel Award for the Art of the Essay and for the 22nd Thurber Prize for American Humor, being named a finalist for the Weatherford Award for Best Books about Appalachia (Poetry), receiving the Thomas and Lillie D. Chaffin Award for Appalachian Writers (Morehead State University), the North American Academy of Spanish Language Children and Young Adult Award Premio Campoy-Ada, Foreword Indies Books of the Year Awards (Foreword Reviews), IPPY Awards (Independent Publisher Book Award), Benjamin Franklin Award (Independent Book Publishers Association), and the International Book Awards. Titles have also received notable and starred reviews from trade reviewers, including Kirkus Reviews.
Underwood has more than forty years of combined experience as an educator, lawyer, higher education senior executive, and book publisher. She is a member of the Independent Book Publishers Association, the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, the Kentucky Bar Association, and the Virginia State Bar. View Shadelandhouse Modern Press's website at smpbooks.com
Virginia will speak to conference attendees about professionally approaching, contacting, and querying a publisher. She will also take private appointments with conference attendees. Request an appointment here.
Ann H. Gabhart has been called a storyteller. With 38 published books, the title fits. Ann wraps her stories around Kentucky historical times and settings. She’s written about Shakers in The Outsider and others, explored Appalachian history for stories like These Healing Hills, mined family history for Angel Sister, Scent of Lilacs, and more. Her recent release, In the Shadow of the River, is set on an 1800s showboat on the Ohio River. Ann keeps her keyboard warm on her Kentucky farm where her dogs, Frankie and Marley, make sure she gets plenty of exercise. Find more at www.annhgabhart.com. You can also follow her on Facebook, X (Twitter) and Instagram.
Ann will teach a workshop on Characterization.
The bestselling author of over sixty titles, Allie Pleiter's twenty-year career has sold 1.6 million books. Allie also coaches on writing productivity and speaks nationally on time management for creatives. Allie is an avid knitter, confirmed coffee junkie and firm believer that “pie makes everything better.” She lives in the suburbs of Chicago with her husband and the world’s most adorable dog. Visit her website at alliepleiter.com
Allie will present The Chunky Method, her acclaimed writing workshop to help writers identify and make the most of their unique writing style.
Jerry Deaton is a retired lobbyist, legislative employee and executive branch employee. He has written two books, Kentucky Boy, My Life in Twenty Words, (2013); Appalachian Ghost Stories, Tales From Bloody Breathitt (2011); he has published another book, Christmas Greetings, An Anthology by the Cherokee Roundtable Louisville Ky, (2014); he has written three plays, Appalachian Ghost Stories, Tales From Breathitt County (2016); Long Ago and Far Away, (2018); The Feuds of Bloody Breathitt (2021); he has written and directed two documentaries, The Feuds of Bloody Breathitt (2013); and Harry Caudill, A Man of Courage (2017). Jerry is currently working on his yet unnamed fourth play. He lives in Franklin County, Ky with his wife Leslie. Jerry will teach a session on scriptwriting.
Shannon McRoberts is a Creative Deconstructionist reimagining life around her one work at a time. At her core, the USA Today Best-Selling author, award-winning poet, and artist is a lover of all things fantasy. She works to weave myths and lore into the fantastical tomes she pens. Besides her own creative endeavors, Shannon also offers her services as a freelance artist and indie publishing consultant. You can find out more on her link page: https://sleek.bio/shannonmcroberts sleekbio.com/shannonmcroberts
Shannon will present a workshop on indie publishing entitled, "Crafting Independence: Unraveling the Secrets of Self-Publishing."
Paul Stansbury is a lifelong native of Kentucky. He is the author of the four volume Inversion Series as well as Down By the Creek – Ripples and Reflections. Over one hundred of his works have been published. His speculative fiction stories as well as his poetry have appeared in a number of print anthologies as well as a variety of online publications. He is Scheduling Coordinator for The Jeanne Penn Lane Celebration of Kentucky Writers. He is the owner of Sheppard Press. Now retired, he lives in Danville, Kentucky. Visit Paul's website at : paulstansbury.com and connect with him on Facebook www.facebook.com/paulstansbury Paul will teach a session on writing short stories.
Stephanie Feger, owner and chief strategist of the emPower PR Group, is passionate about emPowering authors and authorpreneurs with laser-focused marketing strategies and tactics to help write books that sell, promote books to those who need and want them most, and build meaningful businesses from emPowering messages. As an author of several books herself—including her forthcoming book series, The Book Marketing Habit—Stephanie merges her love for writing books and her skillset in marketing them, to help authors make their author emPact. She doesn’t believe in movement without strategy, and always keeps strategy front and center. She has also seen how emPowered people emPower people. In fact, her business is built around it! Learn more at www.emPowerPRGroup.com. Stephanie will take one-on-one appointments with attendees.
Bestselling author Virginia Smith’s first novel was published in 2006. Since then she’s written more than fifty books that have collected a satisfying number of accolades and awards, including two Holt Medallion Awards of Merit and a Library Journal top pic. Murder–writing about it – is one of her many passions. She loves Jesus, her family, writing, and geeking around on the computer – in that order. She lives in central Kentucky with a barky Maltese named Max. Learn more about Ginny and her books at www.virginiasmith.org.
Ginny will serve as this year's conference emcee.
That completes our guest lineup. It's going to be a great conference!