SCN Editor in Chief Patrice Johnson presents at writing conference touted as one of three best in country
by Judy Williams
Stockbridge Community News’ own editor in chief, Patrice Johnson, was selected as one of 13 authors to present at the prestigious Rally of Writers, held Sat., April 14, in the Lansing Community College Conference Center.
Linda Peckham, chairman of the committee that plans the event, recalled the growth of Rally, now in its 31styear. “Our local community of writers soon encompassed the state, and then the Midwest,” she said. “We now run with a maximum seat count of 200, and a few years ago, we were featured by Writer’s Digest Magazine as one of the three best writing conferences in the country.” Peckham added, “I think Rally has such a big draw because of its organization and the caliber of the speakers. It is the warmest, best one-day conference in the state.”
“We now run with a maximum seat count of 200, and a few years ago, we were featured by Writer’s Digest Magazine as one of the three best writing conferences in the country,” Linda Peckham said. “I think Rally has such a big draw because of its organization and the caliber of the speakers.”
Johnson, author of The Fall and Rise of Tyler Johnson and a graduate of Stockbridge schools, holds a master’s degree in English literature from Michigan State University. She conducted 1-hour workshop on “Crossing the Bridge: Moving from business writing to creative nonfiction. Learning new tools of the trade.”
“It was fun,” she said, “and I met a lot of amazing writers.”
Johnson also participated in Storypalooza, the Rally Warm-Up on Friday, April 13, at Schuler Books in Okemos. Using no notes, she and a handful of what the Rally billed its “super storytellers” spoke for 8 to 10 minutes each on the theme, “When everything changes.”
Rally of Writers is funded in part by Lansing Community College, the MSU Press, the WSU Press, and the Michigan Humanities Council, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.For more information see arallyofwriters.com.
Hope Salyer
Managing Editor, Newsprint Designer and Reporter for theStockbridge Community News. Board Member of the Stockbridge Area Educational Foundation. Public Relations Director of the Ann Arbor Electrical JATC and Union 4 Life charity.