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The Chattahoochee Valley Writers’ Conference (Inaugural Year)

In accordance with our mission to nourish and stimulate the development of the literary arts in the greater Chattahoochee Valley, a small ad hoc committee gathered to put together a writers’ conference available to any and all of the area’s population who write for fun or profit or who have an interest in writing, and inform them in subjects relating with these activities. An annual conference would allow for a common place and time for this like-minded group to mingle, network, and socialize, providing an opportunity for literary and cultural bonding through the shared experiences of learning from and meeting established, professional authors in a series of workshops and social situations. Of course, attendees would not be limited to writers only, but also be open to anyone in the public who enjoys books and reading.

The overall theme for this first year celebrated local writers who made good. And as such we singled out Columbus natives Shay Youngblood, Carson McCullers and Nunnally Johnson. We called on local historian and author Clason Kyle to be guardian angel and honorary chair. The fourteen authors providing presentations and/or  workshops all have connections with either the Chattahoochee Valley or the state of Georgia; with the exception of the Poet Laureate of Tennessee, Maggie Vaughn and the Poet Laureate of Alabama, Sue Brannan Walker.

Our original thrust for the first year was to reach within a 150 mile radius from the city of Columbus. The first thing we did was to have a member of our committee design and set up a Website (www.chattwriters.org).  We were able to post all pertinent information about the dates, location, cost, events, workshop titles, registration form and faculty bios. Posters and flyers were also designed by this same (quite invaluable) person and distributed to regional libraries, retirement homes, and businesses. Email blasts were provided to regional colleges and universities, writers’ groups and links were hosted by several writers’ organizations. Word of mouth was used by every committee member at various functions within our own communities such as Rotary, Alabama Writers' Conclave, Columbus after Business Hours, Chamber of Commerce, Columbus Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, churches etc. Two members of the committee appeared two separate times on WTVM newscasts and all area TV stations were sent press releases. Articles appeared in various local papers, with The Columbus Times being one of our greatest champions. We also had articles in The Ledger-Enquirer, Northland Neighbor, Columbus and the Valley magazine and The Bayonet at Fort Benning, as well as others in Alabama and surrounding areas. The conference was also touted by St. John Flynn on the Georgia Public Broadcasting radio station.