PINEVILLE, Ky. -- Have you always wanted to be a published writer, but never knew how to get started?  Pine Mountain State Resort Park will offer a unique, information-packed retreat for aspiring writers on March 30-31. 

            The workshop explores techniques and methods for improved writing and features up-close instruction and personal tips from renowned Kentucky authors.  Whether you’re a poet, novelist, essayist, or short-story writer, you’re sure to depart the workshop with new energy and ideas for taking your writing to the next level.

            This year’s workshop will feature the talents of noted fiction writer Crystal Wilkinson, the author of two short-story collections and Blackberries, Blackberries, named Best Debut Fiction by Water Street.  Enjoy celebrated central Kentucky poet Jane Gentry, past winner of two Al Smith Fellowship Awards and author of the acclaimed poetry collection, A Garden in Kentucky.  Also appearing this year is noted outdoor author and past recipient of the Kentucky Arts Council’s Al Smith Professional Assistance Award Ron Ellis, who gave us the fictionalized memoir, Cogan’s Woods.

            If you’ll have someone along who won’t be participating in the workshop, they’ll still find plenty to do.  Pine Mountain State Resort Park is located in the tri-state area of Kentucky-Virginia-Tennessee, a virtual treasure-trove of things to do!  You can visit the Kentucky Coal Museum at Benham, Kentucky’s Blanton Forest, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Cumberland Falls near Corbin, the Lost Squadron Museum in Middlesboro, or enjoy hiking and photography along any of the 14 trails maintained by the park.

             An all-inclusive event package is available; contact the park for details.  The fee for non-package participation is $30 per person, but is waived for those electing to take the event package.  Lodge reservations must be made separately.  For more information, contact the park toll-free at 1-800-325-1712.  For more information about the park, visit the web site at http://parks.ky.gov/resortparks/pm/index.htm.

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The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 52 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Commerce Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges -- more than any other state. Each year, Kentucky parks draw 7 million visitors and contribute $317 million to the economy. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our Web site at http://www.parks.ky.gov