Mississippi Writing Resources
Posted by David Duhr in 
Mississippi is known as the Hospitality State, which is fitting because Mississippi is up next in our State Writing Resources series, and Justine and I spent Thanksgiving week there and enjoyed some of the finest Southern hospitality we’ve experienced yet. (Although said hospitality was delivered by Northerners, they proved to be quick studies.)
When one thinks of Mississippi writing, two names pop immediately to mind: Welty and Faulkner. But the list of writers with ties to the Magnolia State carries many, many more household names: Richard Wright. Donna Tartt. Tennessee Williams. John Grisham. Jesmyn Ward. Natasha Trethewey. Various Barthelmes. And many more. It’s like the ’27 Yankees. (But not, because few Southerners would align themselves with a team called the Yankees.)
Perhaps living in a state whose postal abbreviation is the same one we use for manuscript is part of what makes Mississippi such a fruitful place for writers.
Presented in no particular order, here are ten Mississippi writing resources, from conferences to local critique groups to literary magazines. If you live in the Magnolia State or are planning a move there, these are some organizations you might want to take a peek at.
Mississippi Writers Guild (“MWG” or “The Guild”) is a nonprofit working to build its membership and community involvement in the arts and education within Mississippi.
2) The Mississippi Gulf Coast Writers Association
Based on the Mississippi Coast, GCWA strives to provide opportunities and encouragement for all writers, from individuals who dream of writing their first story or poem to experienced, published authors.
3) Mississippi Writers and Authors Group
A place for writers to mix and mingle, and discuss issues of mutual interest.
4) Mississippi Christian Writers Association
A great place to connect with Mississippi Pentecostal authors.
The Mississippi Authors Awards seek to recognize and encourage Mississippi authors and promote interest in local authors’ books.
Established in 1977 by Frederick Barthelme, who worked with managing editor Rie Fortenberry to create what is now one of the oldest and most respected literary journals in the country.
A quarterly literary journal that uses poetry, fiction and prose to examine and celebrate the social, political and aesthetic accomplishments of African Americans with an emphasis on Afro-Mississippians and Afro-Southerners.
8) Big Muddy
A journal of the Mississippi River Valley.
Affiliated with the National Federation of State Poetry Societies, this organization holds annual contests, a literary festival and more.
10) Oxford Creative Nonfiction Writers Conference and Workshops
A gathering of the top creative nonfiction writers and instructors in America.
Help us add to this list, Mississippians! Do you run a local writing group or a lit journal we should be aware of? Feel free to share info and links in the comments section below.