ASHLAND, Ky. -- The Life Writing Class directed by John Patrick Grace, executive director of Huntintgon-based Publishers Place, will launch its 29th edition overall and first in the state of Kentucky on March 18 in the Board Room of the Jesse Stuart Foundation, 1645 Winchester Ave., Ashland, Ky.

To date, 17 books have been published by alumni of this program involving seven different publishers. Two more works written by alumni are currently in production and expected to be issued in spring or summer 2010.

Two authors from previous classes have won prestigious awards: Carter Taylor Seaton achieved finalist status for "Father's Troubles" in the historical fiction category of the ForeWord Magazine awards in 2003 and Justine Rutherford was named Tamarack West Virginia author of the year in 2005. Rutherford is the author of "Rough Lumber" and "Wild Mustard," both memoirs with the latter being also part cookbook.

Classes at the Jesse Stuart Foundation will run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for 10 straight weeks beginning March 18.

Participants may work on memoirs, essays, or even poetry, or else fictionalize life experiences into a novel or short stories. Participants are welcome to bring a snack and drink.

In-class exercises and discussions are all designed to help participants build their book projects.

Grace is a former Associated Press reporter, editor and foreign correspondent. He is the author or co-author of five nonfiction books, has published articles in The Atlantic, America magazine and many other periodicals, and has edited dozens of books for publication, some with major national publishers.

He also writes a weekly editorial-page column for The Herald-Dispatch.

Fees for the class are $185 for new students and $165 for returning students. To register or for further information, call Publishers Place at 304-697-3236 or 304-617-1292 or e-mail publishersplace@gmail.com.

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