Rusty White is a featured instructor for a two-day writing conference that begins today at DeKalb Technical College Newton Center, 8100 Bob Williams Parkway, in Covington.

The event is sponsored by East Metro Atlanta Christian Writers and is open to the public. Sessions begin each day with a continental breakfast and registration at 7:30 a.m. Admission is $199 for both days, or $99 for one day, according to a release.
Wright is an award-winning author and lecturer who provides training in effective communications.

Other instructors include Reg Forder, founder of American Christian Writers; Josh Talkington and Ben Rigsby of SnapShot Interactive, a multimedia company; and Michael Frederick, a martial arts instructor who will teach an all-ages class on Saturday afternoon.

The winner of a contract with WestBow Publishing will be announced at 5:45 p.m. Friday. The contract is valued at $2,799. Nine local authors entered the contest.

Wright will lead sessions on Effectively Communicating Christ to Secular Audiences, Analyzing Your Audience, Unblocking Writer's Block, How Freelancers Can Hit Home Runs for Editors and on How to Manage Your Time.

Talkington will discuss Becoming the Expert and Forder will present information on The Self-Publishing Option and Writer's Tools. Rigsby will lead a session on how to Put Your Website to Work.

You can register at the door. Learn more by calling (404) 444-7514, or see www.emacw.org.