Writing in the Ozarks '24

Writing conferences took a hit during the pandemic. Some stopped for good.

That brought more attention to the ones still going strong, like Writing in the Ozarks last weekend in Eureka Springs. Ozark Creative Writers has presented the conference since 1968.

Heck, that makes it older than me, if not by much.

Conferences are a uniquely personal way to learn from successful authors. Dozens of writers from across the region, and as far as California this year, gathered at the Inn of the Ozarks for three days of learning and camaraderie.

This year’s first keynote speaker was Steven James, whose nearly two dozen fiction and nonfiction books have sold more than a million copies. His inspirational go-get-’em’s and practical plotting tips were equally appreciated.

One of the other talks I saw was by husband-and-wife duo Gary Rodgers and Kim Vernon, the King and Queen of Writing Contests. Gary’s deadpan Ozarker wit cracked everyone up, and it’s no wonder why they both win so many prizes.

Speaking of contests, I notched one under my belt this time around with the chapter about Quigley’s Castle from my upcoming book, Welcome to Eureka Springs: The I-Sh*t-You-Not History Of America’s Quirkiest Town. That story nabbed first place in the conference’s Hometown Nostalgia Column contest.

To celebrate, I plan to read it at this month’s Poetluck. Everyone is welcome to come enjoy good food, good company, and good stories this Thursday, October 17, at the Writers Colony at Dairy Hollow. The featured reader will be local storyteller Judy Montgomery.