Puerto Vallarta Writers Conference Susie Albin-Najera - The Mexico Report
February 13, 2012

Jacquelyn Mitchard, Keynote Speaker

The 7th annual Puerto Vallarta Writers Conference will take place February 24-26, 2012, at Biblioteca Los Mangos at Avenida Francisco Villa 1001 in Puerto Vallarta.

"Keeping Writing Short" is the focus this year and workshops will include Using Social Media, Writing Dialogue, Short Stories/Flash Fiction, Short Essays/Journal Writing and Writing for Children.

Presenters for the 2012 conference include Daniel Grippo, Joy Eckel and Eileen Obser of the Puerto Vallarta Writers Group, plus William C. Gordon, Mitchell Wieland, James Strauss, Joe Staszak and Marcy Posner, a literary agent with Folio Literary Management of New York City who will be holding meetings with those wishing to pitch their books and projects.

Jacquelyn Mitchard, a long-time journalist and essayist, comes to Puerto Vallarta with impressive credentials. She is the author of 19 books, the most prominent being "The Deep End of the Ocean." It was named by USA Today as one of the most influential books of the past 25 years (second to the Harry Potter series) and was chosen as the first novel in Oprah's Book Club. She is confirmed as the keynote speaker for Friday night's opening.

Mitchard says she is looking forward to visiting Puerto Vallarta because she has heard it is a "place that can make writers dream."

She will be encouraging those dreams as keynote speaker where talks, seminars, and workshops will focus on how to keep writing short.

"It's my belief that we make our writing lean, short, clear, and correct because writing is a performing art, a dance that isn't complete until the readers take our hand," she said. "It's not something we do 'for ourselves.' If you want to do something for yourself, work on your abs. It's easier."

For those who haven't read her novel, it's about a family that is torn apart when the youngest son is kidnapped and raised by a mentally ill woman, only to return to his real mother's doorstep nine years later to ask if he can mow the lawn.

As a hint of the advice she is going to offer, Mitchard says: "Never say that you don't have time to write. I have nine children, two grown, but one only six. I moved only two months ago, taking my family cross country from Wisconsin to Massachusetts. Priests say the mass every day, even in a hotel room. You write every day, even if you have to do it in the airport."

On a personal note she says she is looking forward to visiting Vallarta because her two adopted daughters are of Mexican heritage. Her friend Jodi Mikkelson "has opened her home to me and made this journey possible and I look forward to my days there as time to spend close to the warm sea."

A book festival and sale by local authors will be held on the library grounds on the Sunday afternoon of the conference.

Conference registration is available at $125 USD or 1,800 pesos.

Seating is limited so early registration is recommended. To register or for further information, email MariaRuiz102@gmail.com or langton64a@aol.com, or visit Puerto Vallarta Writers Group Official Site. 

Those wishing to attend only the Keynote Speaker presentation can pay 200 pesos at the door.

For those living in Puerto Vallarta, payments can be made to Maria Ruiz at the Saturday writers group meetings at Biblioteca Los Mangos. Others can pay by direct deposit or PayPal (for an additional $5).

  Learn about Biblioteca Los Mangos