Previously set for April, the Southern Writers Conference has been rescheduled for July 5 and 6, when a small army of writers will converge on Newnan, Ga. for the first annual Southern Writers Conference.

The conference will include workshops, panels, and discussions by publishers, authors and editors. Areas to be covered include writing for magazines, writing news releases, author self-promotion and advice on e-publishing as well as traditional publishing.

“Seating is limited,” said conference organizer Vickie Kennedy. “We can accept only 100 attendees at this event.”

In conjunction with the conference, eTreasures Publishing and Jawbone Publishing Corporation are sponsoring a writing competition with a June 1 deadline. First place winners in each category will receive an award, professionally published paperback copies of their winning entries and a contract with eTreasures publishing. Submission details are available at www.etreasurespublishing.com.

Presenters include Christina Barber, an editor, award-winning author and monthly contributor to The Muse Marquee, an online magazine. Barber will be sharing her knowledge of the urban fantasy genre as well as tips on book promotion.

Forrest Schultz will explain the procedure for writing news releases. Schultz, who holds degrees in engineering and theology, is past president of the C.S. Lewis/J.R.R. Tolkien Society of Philadelphia. A resident of Coweta County, he writes news releases covering local arts activities. Leader of the Coweta Writers Group, Schultz coordinated the Coweta Authors' Book Signing Extravaganza in September 2007.

Vickie Kennedy, EPPIE award winning novelist and owner of eTreasures Publishing, will explain e-publishing. Her writing course will be available on CD-ROM at the conference. She will also have her books available as well as those she has published.

Kimberly Miller Wentworth will present "Wordsmithing - Simple Ways to Punch Up Your Writing." She has taught several subjects for the past 20 years, including college freshman English. Presently she assists deaf adults in preparation for the GED. She has published “The Tare in the Wheat,” a novel, as well as several short stories and essays for Southern Distinction magazine. Her short story, “Five Thanksgiving Turkeys,” was awarded first place at the 2007 Southern Christian Writers Conference.

A newcomer to Coweta County, Swanee Ballman, president of Jawbone Publishing Corporation and an editor and award-winning author, will offer a workshop on the good, the bad, and the ugly aspects of book publishing. Ballman is a former board member of the Florida Publishers' Association and former writing consultant for Charlesbridge Publishing Company (Watertown, MA). Since 2000 she has assisted authors in the publication of more than 150 paperback and hardcover books.

“Jawbone is a complete printing facility, capable of producing perfect-bound and case-bound books,” said Ballman. Additional information on Jawbone is available at www.JawbonePublishing.com.

The conference, which has a full slate of presenters, is open to writers of all genres. Authors with published titles will have the opportunity to participate in a book signing/sale during the conference.

The public is invited to attend the book signing on Sunday, July 6 from 3-6 p.m. at no charge. Contact eTreasures Publishing at 770-683-1963 for details.

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