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Activities In-Depth:
The Writers Conference at the AJC Decatur Book Festival
Presented by The Duck & Herring Co. and Agnes Scott College
Pairing the pastoral appeal of Agnes Scott College and the upstart
charm of Atlanta literary entity The Duck & Herring Co., the Writers
Conference will provide attendees with a refreshing and educational
window into the world of writing, editing and publishing. Among the
topics covered in collection of panels and workshops: a new definition
of "Southern writing," online fiction and its place in the literary
world, how to write funny, the modern writer and blogs (and other
e-marketing devices), editing and publishing a small literary journal,
and magazine fiction. Writers participating in the conference include
C. Michael Curtis, George Singleton, and Jack Pendarvis.
Schedule of Events
PANELS – SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
E-Storytelling: In which we discuss the new form of writing commonly referred to as online fiction, from short stories to comedy pieces to email-text-and-Instant-Message-as-storytelling device. 10 a.m.
- John Warner, editor of McSweeney’s Internet Tendency
- Jack Pendarvis, author of The Mysterious Secret of Valuable Treasure, Pushcart Prize winner
- Jamie Allen, editor of The Duck & Herring Co.
Hound Dog On the Porch: In which George Singleton discusses whether or not it should be put to sleep – southern writing, that is. Not the dog. 11 a.m.
- George Singleton, author of Novel
Real Writers Blog: In which we discuss whether today's writers need a web site, a blog, a podcast, and/or a MySpace account. 1 p.m.
- Laurel Snyder, poet and NPR contributor
- Tayari Jones, author of Leaving Atlanta and The Untelling
- Touré, contributing editor with Rolling Stone
- Amy Guth, author of Three Fallen Women
Old Skool: In which editors of small publications discuss publishing on paper, the challenges they face, whether or not it's relevant, and why they do it. 2 p.m.
- Jamie Allen, The Duck & Herring Co.
- Johnny Pence, The Blotter
- James Stegall, So New Media
Magazine Fiction: In which Atlantic fiction editor C. Michael Curtis
discusses the realities of rejection, cover letters, and other
literary matters. 5 p.m.
- C. Michael Curtis, Atlantic Monthly, author of Faith: Stories and God: Stories.
WORKSHOPS – SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
That's Not Funny: A Definitive Guide to Written Hilarity, Wit, and Mirth, By Prof. Rev. John Warner, Humorologist. 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
See No Narrative: In which poet Laurel Snyder helps workshoppers monkey around with structural narrative. 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
ADDED BONUS – SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
Brunch with The Nation's Victor Navasky 10:30 a.m.
Presented by The Duck & Herring Co. and Wahoo! A Decatur Grille
In Wahoo's garden setting, a limited number of attendees will be treated to a brunch and a talk on opinion journalism by Victor Navasky, longtime editor of The Nation. $13 per person. Reserve your space today by emailing jamie@decaturbookfestival.com.
All panels and workshops will be held on the Terrace Level of Evans Dining Hall at the Agnes Scott College campus in Decatur. The conference is free, however registration required. Please contact Jamie Allen at jamie@decaturbookfestival.com for more details.
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