The Annual Pamlico Writers’ Conference is here for its seventh year at the historic downtown Turnage Theatre, today and Saturday. It’s the one place you can surround yourself with the passion of the written word in so many different forms. Regardless of the genre you love, there’s always something new to learn and to broaden your knowledge of the literary world.

The Pamlico Writers’ Group was founded back in the late 1970s by Jerry Cuthrell, a business owner and native of Beaufort County. His love of poetry and a vision to help others experience the powerful emotion and meaning of the written word, is where it all started. The Pamlico Writers’ Group is continually dedicated to helping others improve their skills as writers and to help aspiring writers achieve their writing goals. The annual conference offers tips of the trade with plenty of inspiration to carry you to the next paragraph or verse, and gives encouragement to new writers starting their first projects — that, paired with the PWG’s local and an online critique group, helps build a foundation for quality writing and pursuing the business of writing.

“Each year, we strive to find topics that are current and offer our attendees the tools they need to be accomplished writers,” said PWG chairperson and author of “White Gold,” Sherri Lupton Hollister.

Friday evening will kick off this year’s conference with an opportunity to meet with a publisher, one on one. A reception and book signings by several authors will follow before the night will conclude with this year’s keynote speaker, Katharine Ashe, USA Today bestselling author, and a keynote address “Write What You Desire.”

Saturday offers a full day, including a breakfast reception followed by an interview with Katharine Ashe. The workshops of your choice will be one morning session and two in the afternoon. These sessions are suitable for teens as The Pamlico Writers’ Group awarded two scholarships to local students for this year’s conference. Lunch will be provided before an open mic session as the afternoon winds down with gift basket raffles and time to shop with our vendors. As the final preparations are made today for this event, don’t forget to make your final preparations as well by visiting the Pamlico Writers Conference website at pamlicowritersgroup.wildapricot.org to register or register at the door.

Kimberly Riggs is the circulation manager at the Washington Daily News and a member of the Pamlico Writers’ Group steering committee.