Writers are invited to sharpen their skills at the 2008 Hot Springs Writers Conference, "Write Now," set for Friday and Saturday, March 28 and 29.

The conference will feature David Allan Evans, South Dakota's poet laureate, and Wyoming author Craig Johnson. Evans, a retired professor of English and writer in residence at South Dakota State University, is the author of five books of poetry and the author or editor of seven other books. Johnson is the author of four novels, including "The Cold Dish" and "Death Without Company."

The conference will emphasize hands-on writing in poetry and fiction with time for interaction and critique. Additional seminars will be offered on Internet blogging and marketing, and reading your work aloud. Evans and Johnson also will present a public reading and book signing.

Here is the schedule:

Friday, March 28

n 6 p.m. - Registration at the Red Rock River Resort, 603 N. River St.

n 6:30 p.m. - "Spoken Word," a workshop by Andy Thorstenson of Hot Springs. Thorstenson recently finished a collection of poems, "crossing the 100th meridian," and reads and performs his work at poetry events throughout the country.

n 7:30 p.m. - "Wording with Technology," a workshop by Eric Lochridge of Rapid City. Lochridge writes "After Long Busyness: A Poetry Blog," where he discusses poetry with an emphasis on the poetry of South Dakota.

Saturday, March 29

n 8 a.m. - Registration and coffee at the South Dakota Veterans Home Canyon Cottage, 2500 Minnekahta Ave.

n 9 a.m. - Poetry workshop by Evans, at Canyon Cottage.

n 12:15 p.m. - Lunch at the Red Rock River Resort

n 1:30 p.m. - Fiction workshop by Johnson, author of four novels and the recipient of a Wyoming Council for the Arts Award, at Canyon Cottage.

n 7 p.m. - Reading and book signing with Johnson and Evans, at the Wild Burro Bookstore, 503 N. River St.

For more information or to register, call 890-1212 or 745-7340 or e-mail andy@ andythorstenson.com or go to www.thewildburro.com/2008writenow.html.