Ozarks Writers Conference 2012 – Hollister, Missouri

Last year’s Ozark’s Heritage Foundation Writers Conference was a huge hit – that must be why they’re doing it again!  AUGUST 16-18, 2012 writers from all around will gather to the historic town of Hollister, MO for a weekend of writing inspiration, mentoring, and fun.  There is still time to get the phenomenal registration rates and special historic English Inn room prices…just visit HERE for all you need to know about this upcoming event.

Author and Ye English Inn proprietor Janet Dailey welcomes writers to the 2011 Hollister, MO conference

This year’s menu features tips on manuscripts and editor communication, how to write the historical article, insight into how writing has changed, how to set up a blog and internet presence for the writer’s needs, and more.  Janet Dailey, Fred Pfister, Dusty Richards, and even Yours Truly will be serving up a mental meal fit for literary king!

Tempt your taste buds with this recollection from last year’s event, then get on over to the Writers Conference page and sign up!

More notes on last year’s speakers and the historic area of Hollister can also be found at the links below:

Can a man be shot for spitting on a window? Is it illegal to whistle on a public street?  You’d be surprised what was once law, and lawless, in the city of Hollister, Missouri!

Hollister City Manager, Rick Ziegenfuss, was kind enough to give our group at the Ozarks Writers Conference a brief tour of the historic district and a very informative slide show.  Here are a few photos of Ye Olde English Inn…and see if you can guess these town tidbits!

Ye Olde English Inn on historic Downing Street

Lobby & Grand Staircase

Balcony & Rock Work

Take it from the top…

Writers break for lunch at Little Hacienda Mexican Restaurant

Now, let’s see how you did…

Historic Downing Street was once named Front Street.  Otto Kohler was a strongman for the circus.  Birdcage Alley was once Broadway, where all the front doors of the buildings faced (away from the railroad).  That heavy-hitter was Babe Ruth, and only Popcorn Pete McAllister could be the demon barber of Downing Street!

Thanks for playing, and be sure to visit historic Hollister, Missouri!

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Educators Bring Great Literature Home

It’s no secret that education is dear to my heart.

After years of public school teaching and librarian work, moving to the home education field just made sense.  After all, where else could a gal that goes giddy over learning styles and curriculum guides satisfy her insatiable need for knowledge?

For many years, I have attended homeschool conferences – from Kansas to Florida – but the annual trek to Springfield, Missouri remains a favorite.  Hosted by SHEM, an area organization dedicated to assisting home educating families, the event has steadily outgrown its locations until it now resides at the spacious Springfield Expo Center.

What does a homeschool convention look like?  First to note is the extraordinary friendliness and hospitality of the staff and volunteers.  There’s no shortage of easily-identified members to help with registration, scheduling, and finding your way around.  For exhibitors, entire squads of eager young people are on hand to help load boxes, set up booth areas, and even bring a cup of coffee or ice water throughout the long shopping days.

Authors, teachers, and field specialists are booked from all over the country to speak to attendees on topics ranging from this year’s Native Landscaping for Learning (Jay Barber, Conservation specialist) to Uh-Oh, The Fractions Are Moving In (Tom Clark, Indiana Department of Education, and Houghton-Mifflin).

I was privileged to speak on Friday about Literature-Based Learning, focusing on the unique benefits (and just plain fun) of teaching with good quality books and integrated theme units.  Visitors lined up at the booth afterwards to get the new titles available from GoldMinds – for a special show price, of course!

                                  

Click on the Microphone to listen to an excerpt from “Literature-Based Learning”, recorded at a recent educator’s conference…

Although I have attended this particular show for many years – both as a homeschooling parent and as an exhibitor – I have to admit that this year’s event was the most streamlined and enjoyable.  Everywhere there was a buzz of excitement as parents and teachers discovered new ways to tap into their child’s learning potential, address the special needs of students, and embrace a whole-child approach to education.

The dates have already been set for next year’s conference (April 25-27, 2013), and my pre-registration form is ready to go!  See you there!

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Writer Friends

And now for a few photo highlights from the Ozark Creative Writers Conference 2011…

Karen Nelson and Betty Henderson, Youth Editor for High Hill Press

Betty was an instant “kindred spirit” when we met at the Creative Writing Workshop in Hollister, Missouri this August.  If there were a committee to make all writers feel welcome, she’d be the chairwoman!

Karen Nelson with Brenda Brinkley, Author and Photographer

Brenda Brinkley has been spotted in The Ozarks Mountaineer Magazine, True Grit, and other publications – both for her writing and her amazing photography.  (She’s also my secret sister in the fiber arts!)

Betty Henderson, Karen Nelson, and Ellen Gray Massey, Missouri novelist

Ellen Gray Massey is a Missouri treasure, and well-known for her many books and years as Bittersweet editor and writer.

Dusty Richards, Western author, with Arkansas Poet Laureate Peggy Vining

Dusty Richards is president of the Ozark Creative Writers conference, while Peggy Vining has a lifetime of contribution to poetry – and preschoolers!

Award-winning poet and short story author, Bud Hanks

Bud Hanks, and his wonderful wife, would also be great spokespersons for making writers feel at home.  His writing has won numerous contests and been published in anthologies.

Children's author and Six-Word Memoirist Beth Carter with Karen Nelson

Beth Carter has a wonderful gift for six-word memoirs and recently published her children’s book “What Do You Want To Be” – also, check out her blog listed to the right on my blogroll!

Thanks to all my writing friends for making it a great weekend!

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