Writing conference

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. -- West Virginia Writers Inc. will hold its first Fall Writers Conference from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Graceland Inn and Conference Center in Elkins.

The conference is limited to 75 attendees, so pre-registration is highly recommended. Prices, which include lunch, are $85 for nonmembers, $75 for members and $45 for seniors 62 and older, high school students and full-time college students. Students 13 or younger may attend free if accompanied by a paying adult. Their registration should be attached to the accompanying adult's registration. There is a $10 discount for registering before Oct. 15.

Courses will include both the craft and the business of writing. "Pass the Tissues" covers emotions in writing. "Discipline vs. Muse" explores inspiration and structure in poetry. Other topics are "Getting Your Novel Into Shape," "Avenues of Publishing" and "Writing and Submitting Fiction for Anthologies and Magazines."

For an online registration form, visit www.wvwriters.org/conference.html. For other questions, contact West Virginia Writers President Teresa Newsome at wvwp...@gmail.com or 304-601-2460. For a paper form, mail Wilma Acree, 1024 28th St., Vienna, WV 26105, or call 304-295-6599.

Lewisburg poetry jam

LEWISBURG, W.Va. -- A nationally ranked slam poet will join local poets in a free midweek poetry jam, starting at 7 p.m. Oct. 17 at Harmony Ridge Gallery, downtown Lewisburg.

Joe Limer is former Clarksburg resident and a graduate of West Virginia University and Fairmont State University. He is a member of the 2012 San Diego Poetry Slam Team, which is ranked in the top 15 such teams in the country.

Unlike a poetry slam, which is a fast-paced live poetry competition, a poetry jam is simply a gathering of poets to recite their work. Local poets will include Sarah Elkins and Tim Armentrout. Accompanying the poets will be disc jockey DJ Merrick, who will spin music throughout the jam.

Library ghost tales

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Mack Samples will share ghost stories and tales from his youth and read from two of his books, "The Devil's Tea Tables: West Virginia Ghost Stories" and "Other Tales and Elk River Ghost Tales and Lore" at 6 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Clendenin branch library and at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Cross Lanes library.

New sci-fi novel

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Lawrence Johnson, of Charleston, has written a science-fiction novel titled "Escape 2 Earth 2012," published by Trestle Press. The 242-page paperback is available in paperback and e-book.

According to the author's summary, "Crop circles embedded by the outlaw group of aliens called Earth's Guardians were discovered by the U.S. government. Ominous messages foretold of Earth's destruction ... . The messages also include a means of escape for every human on the planet.

"Countries around the globe are working around the clock to prepare for evacuation before the galactic catastrophe would occur. Little did they know a cunning, crafty alien dictator was ready to unleash a plan that would doom every human on earth."