That's why this conference is so significant. Manuscripts submitted to the conference have a reputation for being very good and finished, more so than at other conferences. Not only does the writer make publishing contacts, but agents and editors get to know writers, too, he says. Here they can meet the writer and see if its someone they can work with and get a sense of his or productivity and professionalism. The conference is named for UGA's longtime continuing education writing instructor Harriette Austin, who inspires her students not only to write but to also seek out publishers.
Participants are usually serious writers ready to submit or refine their work.
Many have completed a novel, a collection of short stories, a memoir or children's book, and are beginning the arduous task of marketing themselves to a publisher or agent. We're trying to match up professionals in the industry with serious writers. This is the second year since the conference merged with the Southeast chapter of Mystery Writers of America. Connor says the Austin conference has always had a significant showing of mystery session topics and writers, because mystery is the largest publishing genre. Sessions especially for mystery writers include writing juvenile mystery, crime scene investigation, forensics and police procedures.