The April 17th Carolinas Writers Conference drew 125 presenters and attendees from North and South Carolina.
     Authors Ellen Bache and Michael Malone, and editor and writer Chris Roerden's presentations were separated by snmaller breakout workshops where attendees could choose among several presenters.
     Bache led off the conference with tips for writers of fiction. Malone shared humorous anecdotes about the writing life along with advice for would-be writers. Roerden gave pointers on making a novel rejection proof.
     The day concluded with a panel discussion with Bache, Roerden, J.D. Rhoades, Maureen Sherbondy, Michelle Buckman, Judi McCoy and Susan Sloate. The authors told how they succeeded in getting published. Moderator Karen MacMurray, chairman of the CWC oversight committee, asked each author how many rejection letters they received before they became published. Rhoades quipped that he lost count after the first 25.
     Other presenters included Dixie Land, David Shaffer, Barbara Cole, Suzanne Adair David Drake M. Scott Douglass, Claudia Dain, Bill Mitchell, Susan Sipal, Karen-Eve Bayne, and sisters Joy Brown and Barbara Thomas.
     Participants included members of the Morganton Writers’ Club and a group from Fayetteville Technical Community College and the Fayetteville library system.
     Barnes and Noble representatives manned a table filled with autographed books by presenters for purchase by attendees.
     Sponsors of the writers conference were the Anson County Writers’ Club, South Piedmont Community College and the Hampton B. Allen Library. The Anson County Arts Council sponsored the box lunches for authors, volunteers and attendees.
     For more information about the presenters, go to the "Carolinas Writers Conference" tab on the menu.