The Mid-South Creative Nonfiction Writers' Conference

"Oxford is a New South arts mecca."
-- USA Today

Mid-South CNF Conference Conference Workshops

Conference Schedule Conference Faculty Accommodations Pre-Conference Workshops
This intensive three-day conference offers a rare opportunity for writers interested in travel narrative and memoir to hear first-hand from the most influential editors in the field about what they're looking for and how they choose the work they publish. Featured speakers will include internationally recognized magazine expert Samir "Mr. Magazine" Husni, Journalism Department chair at The University of Mississippi, and Lee Gutkind, the award-winning editor and founder of Creative Nonfiction. Other speakers are prominent writers, editors, and agents from across the publishing landscape. Participants will also have the opportunity to meet with agents and editors one-on-one and to network at informal social events. Have a blast while taking your writing to the next level! Tentative Conference Schedule
Thursday, February 28 & Friday, February 29
all day	Pre-conference workshops
Friday, February 29
3-5 p.m.	Registration
5:30 – 7:30	“A Roomful of Writers"—Welcome Reception Enjoy light refreshments while you mingle with writers, editors, agents and other conference participants. Featured speakers include Samir "Mr. Magazine" Husni and Lee Gutkind, "the godfather behind creative nonfiction."
7:30	Dinner (on your own)
Saturday, March 1
9-10:45 a.m.	"Travel Narrative/Creative Nonfiction"—Panel Discussion Magazine editors Ted Moncreiff (Conde Nast Traveler), June Thomas (Slate.com), and Virginia Morell (National Geographic) discuss the magazine market for travel memoir and literary narrative. What are the approaches, subjects, and voices editors are seeking? Q-and-A to follow.
11-11:30	Insight into Craft and Technique—Mini Sessions
11:30-1 p.m.	Ride the double decker bus to Oxford's historic Square for lunch (on your own).
1-2:45	Books: Writing and Publishing Travel Narrative and Memoir—Panel Discussion Editors Charlie Conrad (Doubleday/Broadway) and Webster Younce (Houghton Mifflin) and literary agent Gillian MacKenzie will discuss current trends and the market for narrative travel memoir. How can you tell if you have a good book idea? What information should you include in a proposal? Is the memoir craze dead? Q and A to follow.
3-5:30	One-On-Ones Try out your ideas and give it your best shot. Conference participants will have the opportunity to meet with agents and editors individually to pitch their story ideas and get feedback.
7:30	Party at Memory House Join other conference participants and guests for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and dancing.
Sunday, March 2
9-10:45 a.m.	The Writer’s Life—Panel Discussion Rebecca Skloot (The New York Times Magazine), Mike Rosenwald (The New Yorker, Esquire), Virginia Morell and other conference faculty offer concrete tips for scheduling your writing, supporting yourself as a writer, networking and making connections, and building relationships with editors.
11:00	Farewell Remarks – Lee Gutkind

Conference registration fee is $350. Please note: as of noon on Wednesday, Feb. 27, phone and online registration are closed. It is possible to register for the conference at the door: Registration tables will be set up in the Atrium on the Ole Miss campus from 3 to 5 p.m. on Friday, February 29, and also on Saturday morning. The Atrium is located on the Grove Loop between Farley Hall and the Overby Center. Signs on campus will direct you to the Atrium.
Conference Sponsored by: The Creative Nonfiction Foundation, The University of Memphis Creative Writing Program, Nautilus Publishing, The Oxford Tourism Council, The University of Mississippi School of Journalism, SonEdna Foundation, The Five Twelve, Southside Gallery, The Mississippi Hills, Plein Air, The University of Mississippi Law School, The Center for the Study of Southern Culture, The Overby Center, Uptown Coffee, and Star Package.