Austin, a longtime writing instructor for the Community Programs at The University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education, is honored annually with a writers conference which carries her name. In its eight-year history, the Harriette Austin Writers Conference has gained a national reputation as one of the top writers conferences in the country, and has attracted some of the most desireable names in the publishing industry. Organized by some of Austin's former students, the annual Harriette Austin Writers Conference is directed to new and practicing writers of fiction and nonfiction works. Presentations are made at the annual conferences by local, state, and national publishing editors, literary agents, authors, and special experts. Attendees receive professional advice on getting published, manuscript critique and personal consultation, and information from experts in forensic techniques, criminal investigation and the law.
Workshops focus on all aspects of improving writing skills and the publishing world.
A Georgia Center instructor since 1972, Austin has been credited with inspiring several of her students to seek careers in writing and publishing. Inc. The company cosponsored the conference with the Georgia Center in its beginning. In 1999 the conference was integrated into the creative writing program of the Torrance Center for Creative Studies in the College of Education of The University of Georgia. She has served as mentor and gathering point for a community of writers. Because of her kind, benevolent and knowledgeable influence, an incredibly large number of her students have achieved success in writing.