Dayton, Ohio -- According to the rave reviews of the last Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop, attendees learned valuable writing tips, were entertained and ate well.

"I was totally impressed to be rubbing shoulders with writers and columnists I admire," wrote one attendee. "I would attend again at any cost!" wrote another.

"All those wonderful speakers -- and such good snacks!" wrote a third. Rest assured: The great snacks will be back as well as some of the most popular speakers.

Lee Salem, executive vice president and editor of Universal Press Syndicate, will be back to speak about "How to Become Syndicated." USA Today columnist Craig Wilson will return to discuss human interest writing. Liz Carpenter, former White House press secretary and staff director for Lady Bird Johnson and author of "Start with a Laugh" will make a repeat appearance, as will Matt Bombeck, made-for-TV movie screen writer and Erma's son.

New speakers for the March 9, 2002 workshop include Emmy award-winning TV talk show host Phil Donahue, who lived on the same street as the Bombeck family early in his career. Nationally syndicated humor columnist W. Bruce Cameron will tell how his first book, "8 Simple Rules for Dating my Teenage Daughter And Other Tips from a Beleaguered Father (Not That Any of Them Work)" made it to #14 on the New York Times Best-Seller List. Humor columnist and TV personality Loretta LaRoche will also debut at the 2002 workshop. In all, more than 15 speakers will present 24 sessions on humor writing, human interest writing and getting published.

Erma Bombeck, who graduated from the University of Dayton in 1949, credited Brother Tom Price, an English professor, with saying three little words that changed her life -- "you can write!" The workshop honors her memory.

Online registrations are being accepted at http://erma.udayton.edu. Writers can save $20 off the $95 registration fee by signing up and paying before December 14, 2001. Those who register early will also receive a free Erma Bombeck mouse pad and be entered in a drawing to win an Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop poster autographed by Bil Keane, creator of the "Family Circus" comic strip. The last workshop sold out quickly. Writers are encouraged to reserve their spot soon.

The $75 early bird registration fee for the workshop would be more than twice as much if not for generous support of sponsors. Sponsors of the 2002 Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop include Andrews McMeel Universal, Writers' Digest Book Club, Dayton Daily News, ActiveDayton.com, Books & Co., Suburban Newspapers of Dayton, WHIO-TV, WYSO Radio and the University of Dayton National Alumni Association.

Writers can also sign up for a free e-mail newsletter that includes articles on writing, online resources, book giveaways and updates on the workshop. New subscribers get a free Erma Bombeck screen saver for writers. Information is available at: http://www.udayton.edu/~erma/FREEstuff1.htm

The first issue of the newsletter can be found at: http://www.udayton.edu/~erma/Sept.issue.htm

For more information, visit the workshop Web site at:  http://erma.udayton.edu.