Be inspired at the FIU Writers Conference Oct. 25-27

The next J.K. Rowling, Stephen King or Alice Walker can get a boost toward publishing a manuscript by attending the FIU Writers Conference Oct. 25-27 at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables.

The annual gathering offers workshops and discussions to help aspiring writers at all stages of development. They will hear from and work with established authors, teachers, editors and agents specializing in a variety of genres. Each day will include morning classes, afternoon panels on practical topics such as editing and getting published, and nightly readings. Several of FIU’s Creative Writing faculty will lead the activities.

Now in its 26th year, the conference – which has taken place at locations throughout Florida – welcomes attendees from across the United States but is small enough to offer intimate classes and personal attention, says Les Standiford, director of FIU’s MFA Program in Creative Writing and leader of the conference.  The friendly atmosphere and hands-on learning has helped more than one attendee get out a book.

“Maryanne Stahl’s first novel, Forgive the Moon, was hatched at the FIU Conference at Seaside,” Standiford recalls. “And New York Times best-selling author Barbara Jane Parker came back to the conference several times to get inspired as she worked on various of her Suspicion of titles.”

Early birds can take advantage of a reduced registration fee of $400 by signing up no later than Wed., Aug. 1. For an additional $75, a limited number of attendees can have their manuscripts professionally reviewed. Special hotel rates are also available. Click here to view the current faculty list and download the registration form.

The conference is co-sponsored by Books & Books.