Do you remember what's happening one-and-a-half weeks from now? That's Saturday, June 16. The Siloam Springs Writers Guild will host its second annual Summer Writers' Conference.

This is a one-day event from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. As mentioned above, it will be Saturday, June 16, 2018; and Dr. Steve Abbott, the pastor of the Siloam Springs First Baptist Church, has graciously allowed us to use the FBC facility.

The theme of the event is, "Chasing the Dream: The Road to Success!" Our four speakers are: Dr. Patsy Watkins, Roy Lessin, Carolyn Steele and Jennifer McMurrain.

Dr. Patsy Watkins, our keynote speaker: associate professor, print (magazine) journalism, joined the University of Arkansas in 1984 where she served as chair of the Lemke Journalism Department 1992-2010. Her teaching areas include media ethics, computer-assisted graphics, periodical publications, and graphic design. Her research has focused on visual communication in news photography and publication design. Professionally, Dr. Watkins has worked in newspaper reporting, magazine editing, freelance graphic design, radio and university public relations. In addition, she was a congressional legislative assistant for Texas Congressman J.J. Pickle, and for 10 years had her own publishing company: Picadilly Press. She has published about 30 books of poetry and short stories.

Roy Lessin: In 1971 Roy Lessin and three other men started a Christian publishing company called Outreach Publications in Covina, Calif. After its first year in business the company created a Christmas card with the message "When you get right down to it, the only thing that really matters is Jesus." That card was the beginning of DaySpring Cards. Since that time Roy spent many years in various creative and editorial roles bringing hope and encouragement to the body of Christ. Roy is an active Bible teacher and continues to be involved with DaySpring Cards. He serves in various pastoral responsibilities as well as helping to create new literary products. He has written numerous gift and devotional books.

Carolyn Steele: Combining her knowledge of storytelling and genealogy, Carolyn presents programs designed to inspire others to preserve ancestral legends. Her non-fiction book, Preserving Family Legends for Future Generations, a first-place winner in the Heartland Bookfest, was written as an aid to those wishing to craft their own family stories. Nominated for a Pushcart Prize, Carolyn has won numerous awards and has countless short stories published in 17 anthologies. Multi-talented, Carolyn is most comfortable writing in the historical genre. After garnering a number of awards, her historical novel, Spirit of the Crow, was released March 2017 by Wild Rose Press.

Jennifer McMurrain: Having a great deal of wanderlust, Jennifer built a bank of memories while traveling the countryside working in many places before becoming a full-time writer. She's done everything from working in the wilds of Yellowstone National Park, to being a Bear Researcher in the mountains of New Mexico. After finally settling down, she received a Bachelor's degree in Applied Arts and Science from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas. She has won numerous awards for her short stories and novels, and in 2017 she was the first-place winner in the IDA contest OKRWA. She lives in Bartlesville, Okla., with her husband, daughter, two spoiled cats, and two goofy dogs.

I haven't met the spoiled cats or goofy dogs; but I do know our four speakers, and I know you will benefit greatly by listening to and learning from them. Their in-depth topics will enable you to strengthen your writing skills and increase your understanding of your audience. But if you haven't begun writing your stories yet, this will be a good place to start. You'll have opportunities to meet the speakers and learn personally from them.

Call, e-mail, or get on the website to register for the conference.

Date: Saturday, June 16, 2018.

Time: 8:30 a.m. -- 5 p.m.

Place: Siloam Springs First Baptist Church

2000 Dawn Hill Rd., Siloam Springs, AR 72761

The conference fee is only $35 by cash or check. To register, send check to:

Siloam Springs Writers Guild,

1600 Rosewood Lane,

Siloam Springs, AR 72761

On the memo line put: Writers Conference. On a separate piece of paper print the name of each registrant as preferred on the name tag.

We welcome authors to the conference. For an additional $10, you may display your books.

For further information, please write to [email protected] or [email protected]. Or visit the Siloam Springs Writers Guild web site: www.sswritersguild.org.

-- Gene Linzey is a speaker, author, mentor and president of the Siloam Springs Writers Guild. Send comments and questions to [email protected]. The opinions expressed are those of the author.