10. Networking. What could be better than hanging out all weekend with a bunch of other writers? This is the place to make connections.

9. Contests. Win cash prizes by competing in our annual contests. (Deadline for entry April 30, 2009) Winners to be announced Sunday morning. See website for details.

8. Feedback. Faculty members will conduct individual critiques of your manuscript during the conference. Find out what you're doing right and what you can do to improve your writing.

7. The Dead Writers Club. Meet Faulker, Welty and other famous Southern Writers (presented by Mississippi Writers Guild).

6. Sharing. There will be an open-mic reading Friday night so everyone will have an opportunity to share his/her work.

5. The Shadow Catcher. Learn from Thomas Lakeman, author of CHILLWATER COVE (2007) and THE SHADOW CATCHERS (2006), how to create heroes, villians and a strong set of secondary characters.

4. Not Your Ordinary Road Trip. Buckle up! Travel writer and journalist Gloria Ballard will give tips to help you rev up your travel writing as well as get more creative with other types of nonfiction.

3. The Poet. Peter Huggins, author of four volumes of poetry SOUTH (2009), NECESSARY ACTS (2004), BLUE ANGELS (2001) and HARD FACTS (1998), will help you find your voice and make your poems sing.

2. The Big Beautiful. Novelist Pamela Duncan, author of THE BIG BEAUTIFUL (2007), PLANT LIFE (2003) and MOON WOMEN will discuss how to raise the stakes and write books that editors and readers won't be able to put down!

1. Inspiration. Gin Phillips, author of critically acclaimed THE WELL AND THE MINE (Hawthorne Books, 2008) will share her story about the road to publication and tell us how to "Make History Come Alive."