Conference set for writers to offer various speakers

MERCER, Pa. — The 17th annual One-Day Mercer County Writers Conference is set for 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Saturday at Emmanual Christian Church, 4495 Greenville-Sandy Lake Road.

Keynote speaker this year is Cynthia Ruchti, now in her 29th year as writer, and producer of a daily radio broadcast, “The Heartbeat of the Home,” created and recorded in central Wisconsin and aired on stations around the country.

Speaker to women’s groups, humor columnist, worship leader and workshop leader at writers’ conferences, editor and writer of articles and fiction, Ruchti will speak on “The Heart of a Writer” and will lead workshops: “Designed to Sell” (articles); and “Writing for the Ear.”

Other workshops include Sherris Moreira-Byers (editor of Views and Voices monthly magazine) and Mary Jo Rulnik, 2006 Bronze Winner, Parenting Magazine Publications of America, for their second consecutive appearances; poet Margaret Menanim; Stephanie Pedas covering the basics of screenwriting; Beverlee Blair, who has done research for both “CBS News 60-Minutes” and “Oprah Winfrey”; Lynne Gordon, a director of publications for denominational publisher; Salene Cowher on Academic Writing; and Mary Ann Haslett, a certified instructor in PraiseMovers‚Ñ¢ Christian alternative to yoga.

A catered lunch is included in the $50 price. Also included are a free six-page critique and the opportunity to enter a number of contests.

For more information, contact Gloria Clover at (724) 253-2635, or Evelyn Minsull at (724) 475-3239, or visit www.gloriaclover.com. http://stdavidswriters.com/mini.