We at the Mississippi Writers Guild are inviting the Miss-Lou to join us for our 10th Annual State Conference Aug. 5-6 in Natchez. Author Greg Iles, of Natchez, will receive the Second Lifetime Achievement Award during the conference, which will be at The Vue Hotel and Conference Center. In addition, the guild will honor the City of Natchez, which is celebrating its tricentennial, with a donation of several hundred books.

We have two packed days of workshops, lunches, keynote speakers, readings, book signings and more. All events are open to the public. However, pre-registration is required. Deadline is Monday, July 25 both at The Vue and with the Guild.

It is an extra honor to salute Greg Iles in his hometown. He has made a significant contribution not just to Mississippi literature, but throughout the world. He also is a terrific community leader. Folks can come just for the award luncheon if they wish. But, I hope you decide to take in some or all of our activities.

Iles will receive the award at a special luncheon Aug. 6. Author and Civil Rights leader James Meredith of Jackson received the First Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015 at the conference in Oxford.

The conference schedule includes:

Friday, Aug. 5: “Richard Wright Day,” a guided tour of locations prominent in Richard Wright’s life in Adams County, lunch, screening of the film “Richard Wright: A Force for Right,” tour of the Richard Wright exhibit at the Natchez Museum of African-American History and Culture, and a presentation of the vernacular in Richard Wright’s work. Presenters are: Charles Wright, Wright family historian; Dennis Harried, Wright scholar and G. Mark LaFrancis, Wright documentarian. Transportation will be provided to and from The Vue.

Friday evening Aug 5: Registration, light supper, keynote address, and Literary Artist on stage where authors read excerpts from their published or unpublished works.

Saturday, Aug. 6: A day of workshops, lectures, book sales, awards lunch and other activities. Workshop presenters and keynote speakers are: Tricia Walker, singer/songwriter; Chuck Galey, author/illustrator; Charlie Braxton, poet/playwright; David Armand, author/professor; Philip Shirley, author/ad agency executive; Susan Marquez and NancyKay Wessman, authors/marketing consultants.

More information as well as online registration is available on the guild web: www.mississippiwritersguild.com, or by contacting me at 601-442-0980.

 

Mark LaFrancis is the president of the Mississippi Writers Guild.