The Missouri Writers’ Guild “Show Me” Writers Conference

2026

Registration Now Open

We are pleased to announce that Registration is Now Open for The Missouri Writers Guild Annual Writers Conference scheduled on Saturday September 12, 2026 at the Drury Plaza Hotel Creve Coeur in St. Louis, Missouri. If you ae planning to stay in St. Louis, we’ve arranged for discounted room rate of $139 for September 11-12.  HERE is the link to booking and HERE is an info page on the Hotel and our Group # is 10180276.

Conference schedule is 8am to 4pm and includes lunch.

REGISTER EARLY – Seating capacity is limited to 75 – MWG members have priority – registration will close when all seats are filled

MWG Members Early Bird Registration $40  HERE (Register by June 30, 2023) – MWG Member Registration $50 HERE

Chapter Members Early Bird Registration HERE  $50 (Register by June 30, 2023) – Chapter Members Registration $60 HERE

Non- Members Early Bird Registration $65  HERE (Register by June 30, 2023) – Non- Members: Registration $75  HERE

Our Keynote speaker is Ellen Hopkins, #1 New York Times bestselling author of fourteen young adult novels, two middle grade novels, and four novels for adult readers. Our other scheduled speakers and topics are: Bart Baker, Novelist, Screenwriter, Playwright, Producer / Cole Lanahan, Literary Agent from The Seymour Agency / Joan Fernandez, The Van Gogh Entrepreneur / Gregory Stout, A Path to Publication / Ed Protzel, From blending novels and screenplays / Doug Sikes, “A Publisher’s Perspective in 2026” / Warren Martin, President MWG, Audiobooks: Why & How

ELLEN HOPKINS

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Ellen Hopkins is a poet, former freelance journalist, and the award-winning author of twenty nonfiction books for children, four novels for adult readers, two middle grade novels-in-verse, and fourteen New York Times bestselling young adult verse novels. After six decades in the West, Ellen moved with her extended family to five acres of Missouri woods near Cape Girardeau. “Currently, I hold the not entirely enviable title of “Most Banned Author in America.” All fourteen of my young adult novels have been removed from school, and in some cases, public libraries in some parts of the country. I continue to be a strong supporter of the first amendment and soldier in the anti-book banning army.”   https://ellenhopkinsbooks.com/

BART BAKER

With eleven novels, eight plays, and twenty produced film and TV credits, Bart has been writing for over 40 years. Starting in the theater, the movie rights to Bart’s play, RELAY, were bought by Warner Bros., which led him into screenwriting. Bart has had eighteen films produced for either the big screen or television. His most recent are TERRY MCMILLAN PRESENTS: FOREVER, starring Taye Diggs and Meagan Good, for which landed Bart a 2025 Writer’s Guild of America Award nomination for Best Screenplay For a Movie For Television Or Streamer, TERRY MCMILAN PRESENTS: HIS, HERS & OURS, which starred Taye Diggs and Lesley-Ann Brandt. and most recent, WHEN I SAID I DO, inspired by the Clint Black/Lisa Hartman Black song. Presently, Bart’s beloved novel, HONEYMOON WITH HARRY, is in production for the big screen. The Amazon/MGM movie, to be released in late 2027, stars Kevin Costner, Jake Gyllenhaal and Sarah Pidgeon. Bart’s most recent novel, B*TCHES GIVE STITCHES, was released this year, a three book series about a group of marginalized women in St. Louis who counterfeit designer clothes. You can find out more about Bart and his work at:  www.bartvbaker.com.

COLE LANAHAN

As a literary agent representing The Seymour Agency, I bring a diverse skill set to the publishing industry. I hold a degree in Organizational Leadership from Colorado State, and my professional journey includes impactful advocacy in the United States Congress for enhanced mental health initiatives. I’ve successfully led a multimillion-dollar mental health nonprofit, forged strategic corporate partnerships, and executed large-scale marketing campaigns. When it comes to my literary preferences, I value an engaging narrative that captivates readers from start to finish. High-concept fresh plots, killer voice, and page-turning pacing are pivotal elements will always catch my attention. I am particularly passionate about promoting diverse voices, with a keen interest in BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ authors crafting stories they are genuinely passionate about, rather than adhering to perceived expectations.  https://www.theseymouragency.com/

JOAN FERNANDEZ

After three decades as a senior marketing executive, Joan Fernandez retired to apply her professional frameworks to uncovering women’s stories. Beyond her award-winning novel, Saving Vincent, her short fiction is featured in two Feisty Deeds anthologies. Joan is a master of community building; as the founder of the WFWA Historical Fiction affinity group, she grew the organization from its infancy to nearly 200 members.

Joan splits her time between St. Louis and Sedona, where she finds balance wrangling with her grandchildren and enjoying her “foodie” husband’s cooking when she isn’t deep in a manuscript. She frequently speaks on the intersection of marketing strategy and the arts, mentors authors on finding their “uncontested market space,” and writes the popular Substack, Digging In. https://www.joanfernandezauthor.com/

ED PROTZEL

Ed began writing both novels and screenplays in college, influenced by his lifelong study of history and his love of chess. He continued writing in his spare time while working in investment management. He moved to Los Angeles briefly, where a film producer offered to option his script, DarkHorse (the basis of his historical trilogy). He also did freelance work for a major studio. But Ed couldn’t abide what he calls Hollywood’s “hyper-Darwinism,” and he returned home to complete his master’s in English Literature/Creative Writing at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Ed’s passions include a lifetime study of history, particularly the American Civil War; Thirteenth Century Europe to the Renaissance; and modern history, especially World War II. His literary influences embrace Southern writers like William Faulkner, Flannery O’Connor, and Tennessee Williams; modern American authors like Michael Chabon and Cormac McCarthy; and Shakespeare.

Ed lives in St. Louis, where he follows Blues Hockey and Cardinals Baseball.  https://www.edprotzel.com/

GREG STOUT

Greg Stout is the author of Gideon’s Ghost, and Connor’s War, both young adult novels set in small-town America in the mid-1960s, and Lost Little Girl, a detective novel set in Nashville, Tennessee, which received the 2021 Shamus Award from the Private Eye Writers of America for best first PI novel. His latest PI novel, Goodbye is Forever, the fifth in the series, was released in December 2025. His next release, When the Music’s Over, will be available in late 2026. He is also the author of 22 nonfiction railroad histories. Greg resides with his wife Carol, and two thoroughly disagreeable cats, Wallace and Gromit, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, where he is a member of the Heartland Writers Guild, president of the Southeast Missouri Writers Guild and is a member of the board of directors for the Missouri Writers Guild.    https://www.gregorystoutauthor.com/

DOUG SIKES

Doug Sikes is the sole owner and president of Acclaim Press, an award-winning, independent, full service publisher of community histories, police, fire, specialty and trade titles, comprised of an experienced staff with more than 35 years in the publishing industry. Acclaim Press is a full-service publisher whose services include project development, professional writing, typesetting and editorial services, page layout and graphic design, photography, advertising, marketing, warehousing, fulfillment, and shipping services. The company was formed 20 years ago when long-time publishers Douglas W. Sikes and Keith Steele assembled an all-star team of talented editors, designers, illustrators and presses that has become a leading publisher of collectors’-quality books for communities, military and civic organizations, law enforcement agencies and fire departments, calendars, travel guides, photographic art books, sports and much more. Acclaim Press’ trade publications are sold in every major book retail chain across the country, as well as global sales through this website and direct mail programs, and online distributors.  https://www.acclaimpress.com/

WARREN (MARTY) MARTIN

Warren (Marty) Martin is a retired Army Green Beret, current President of the Missouri Writers’ Guild and past President of the St. Louis Publishers Association (SLPA). He joined the writing community in 2011 and has been writing ever since. He has a Children’s book series based on his experiences with his grandchildren “Adventures with Pop Pop.”  He writes non-fiction and fiction with an interest in Mysteries and other works in progress. Warren earned an MBA, Ph.D. and teaches business and leadership at Bryan University and Southern New Hampshire University. Warren is a Stroke Survivor and published a book about the stroke experience, recovery and rehabilitation. Warren admits to being an obnoxious grandparent making everything about his three grandkids Dean, Levi, and Mirielle. Learn more at: https://martymartin.net/