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The University of North Georgia (³ÉÈËBÕ¾) Press is partnering with the Dahlonega Literary Festival to host its first mini-conference, titled "Creative Transactions: Sessions on Publishing and Presses." This event on March 1 will address author-publisher relationships and how to keep them thriving during the publication process.  

"We're very excited to host press directors from the University of South Carolina, Clemson University, and Hub City Press for these conversations, along with one of our own award-winning authors," Ariana Adams, ³ÉÈËBÕ¾ Press assistant managing editor, said.  

The conference is set to last from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Library Technology Center at ³ÉÈËBÕ¾'s Dahlonega Campus featuring the following guests: 

• Stephen Hundley, author of "The Aliens Will Come to Georgia First" (³ÉÈËBÕ¾ Press) and the novel "Bomb Island" (Hub City Press). 
• Dr. Michael McGandy, director of the University of South Carolina Press 
• Dr. Alison Mero, director of Clemson University Press and former editorial assistant and managing editor for the Journal of Musicology 
• Meg Reid, executive director of Hub City Writers Project and publisher of Hub City Press 

The day will begin with opening remarks followed by two panels on the different perspectives of publishing. By 1:30 p.m., attendees will be able to participate in a question-and-answer session and a refreshment break. 

Creative Transactions will conclude with a book pitch judging session conducted by ³ÉÈËBÕ¾ Press staff, who will be providing feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of two pre-selected book pitch submissions. 

"This Dahlonega Literary Festival crossover event celebrates books and publishing, connects publishers with authors and readers and vice versa, and demonstrates the values of liberal arts education —creativity, communication, narrative arts, the human experience — to the publishing business that relies on all these values," Dr. BJ Robinson, ³ÉÈËBÕ¾ Press director, said. "It suggests how businesses and careers enriching our region are also collaborating with and supporting what students are learning at ³ÉÈËBÕ¾." 

During the activities March 2, ³ÉÈËBÕ¾ will have representation on some of the panels, including Dr. Tanya Bennett during "Writers Never Stop Learning" and ³ÉÈËBÕ¾ visiting author Julia Watts during "Writing for Young Adults." Melissa Lockaby, one of our ³ÉÈËBÕ¾ Librarians, will also be conducting a session interviewing Stephen Hundley on his short story collection, "The Aliens Will Come To Georgia First".