Anne McKee is a free-lance writer. In July 2008, she was selected for The Mississippi Arts Commision (MAC), Artist Roster as a literary artist. In this position Anne McKee's creative work is recommended by MAC, and in part, her fees are paid through MAC grants. This offers an opportunity for Mrs McKee to visit the Mississippi Public Schools as a storyteller - with the uniqueness of telling her originally written stories rather than stories published by other authors. She is a founding board member for Mississippi Writers Guild and served as the first executive director, a weekly contributor for The Meridian Star daily newspaper, monthly contributor for Today’s Mississippi Woman Magazine. Her work can be read in Mississippi Magazine, and also several journals, including Oxford So and So, USA Deep South, Magnolia Quarterly, and Women On Writing. She is a speechwriter with the most recent speech written for Miss Rodeo Mississippi and presented at the national convention, Las Vegas.She has distinguished herself among the writers selected for The Commentaries Program on Mississippi Public Broadcasting/Radio, plus several award winning competitive writings. Anne McKee is the originator of the historic literary event, Honoring Historic Mississippi Writers, and the creator of Friendly Beginnings for New Writers, a workshop geared toward the baby boomer age group, but open to all. The workshop was most recently taught at The Eudora Welty Library, Jackson Mississippi,  and Meridian Mississippi Activities Center. Supporting the craft of writing stirs her passion and creativity. As a playwright, Anne McKee’s award winning one-act-drama, "Friday Morning at the First National Bank" was staged by The Philadelphia/Neshoba Arts Council, Philadelphia MS, and at the Roxy Theatre, Newton Mississippi. An additional award winning play, "Hoo-Ray For the Chitterlings" was produced by TheTallahatchie River Players, New Albany Mississippi. Anne McKee's Mississippi Heritage Program for children, including her signature character, Mrs. Mockingbird, has reached children from preschool to upper middle grades at libraries, Mississippi Public elementary schools, and  Headstart Programs through out the state. Anne McKee was accepted by the Mississippi Alliance for the Arts Teaching Artist Workshop held at Ole Miss in Oxford MS July 17-18, 2007, which took place simultaneously with the Mississippi Arts Commission Whole Schools Initiative Summer Institute. Over 200 educators attended the statewide conference.  As a professional storytellers, Anne McKee and Sarah Mutziger created a new storytelling group based at Meridian Mississippi, The group, named Tall Tales & Recollections Storytellers, welcomes storytellers of every genre. The group is affiliated on the state level with guidance from Mississippi's storytelling advocate, Kathryn Lewis and support from Diane Williams, a well-known storyteller. A Mississippi/Alabama Storytelling Festival is planned in Meridian for 2009. Anne McKee's characters, Brutus & Felix, (talking cats) brings storytelling to an exciting level as Anne broadens her storytelling expertise. The collection of stories, "Celebrate The Holidays With Brutus & Felix" tell of two best friends who share their day-to-day activities as they see their world through the eyes of imaginative minds and innocent outlooks. When competitiveness and jealousy rears its ugly head with their friendship, the kitties quickly learn to bystep that pathway and rely on true values. The kitties tell of the integrity of genuine friendships -- a lesson for all ages.

Bio
Anne McKee – updated September 2008.


2001

One Act Drama - “The Duchess, The Tea Party and Tess”
Placed first in the state of Mississippi –Mississippi Federated Women’s Clubs
Creative writing competition.

One Act Drama – “The Duchess, The Tea Party and Tess”
Presented to Druid Hills UMC.

Short Story – “The Committee”
Placed first in the State of Mississippi – Mississippi Federated Women’s Clubs
Creative writing competition.

Short Story – “The Committee”
Presented to: MFWC State Convention, Jackson, Mississippi
American Business Women meeting, Meridian, Mississippi
Beta Sigma Phi meeting, Meridian, Mississippi
Ethridge Lincoln/Mercury Inc Christmas Party

One Act Drama – “Meridian, the early years” written by Anne McKee
Presented to: Merrehope, The Historic Home, Meridian, Mississippi
Beta Sigma Phi meeting, Meridian, Mississippi


Graduate of The Southern Baptist Board school of Christian Clowning


2002

Short Story “The Halloween Wish” written by Anne McKee
Placed first in the state of Mississippi MFWC creative writing competition.
Presented to: The youth of Druid Hills UMC
Merrehope, the Historic Home, Meridian, Mississippi

One Act Drama – “On Grandma’s Porch”
Placed first in the state of Mississippi MFWC Creative Writing Competition.
Presented: District II Convention, MFWC, Philadelphia Ms
Druid Hill UMC
American Business Women
Druid Hills UMC Youth Summer Camp


2003
One Act Drama – “The Birthday Day Party”
Placed first in the state of Mississippi MFWC creative writing contest

Mississippi Public Radio Commentary Program
“Ole Red and Me”
“You have Cancer”

The Meridian Star guest columnist
“You have Cancer”



2004
One Act Drama – “Friday Morning at the First National Bank”
Placed first in the state of Mississippi MFWC creative writing contest.
Placed 2nd nationwide for the Mississippi Federated Women’s Clubs competition.

Short story – “It All happened down at the Car Lot”
Placed 2nd in the state for Mississippi Federated Women’s Clubs

The Meridian Star guest columnist
“Keeping Watch Over Merrehope”

Mississippi Public Radio Commentary Program
“Car Dealing Vs. a Root Canal”





2005
Mississippi Public Radio Commentary Program
“The Wild Flowers of my Life”

The Meridian Star, guest columnist
“The Wild Flowers of my Life”

Mississippi Public Radio Commentary Program
“Going to Town”

The Meridian Star, guest columnist
“Going to Town”

The Meridian Star, guest columnist
“Daddy was a Studebaker Man”

The Civitian Ladies Club
“The Committee”
“My Mississippi Heart”

Meridian Community College Literary Forum
3rd Place for short story – “The Chitterling Cook off”
3rd Place for essay – “On Being Blonde”

Mississippi Writers Guild State Board Meeting – Jackson, Ms
Organizing meeting

Good Morning Meridian
Promoting Literary Artist on Stage for MWG

Alive at Five
Promoting Literary Artist on Stage for MWG

One Act Drama – “Watching the Neighbors”
Placed first in the state of Mississippi MFWC’s writing competition.

Merrehope, the historic home, Meridian Mississippi
Literary Artists on Stage for MWG
“The Committee”
“On Being Blonde”

Miss Rodeo Mississippi Speech for Cari Keyes
Miss Rodeo, America Contest
Las Vegas Nov 2005


“Experience a Victorian Christmas”
Merrehope, the historic home, Meridian Mississippi
Anne McKee wrote script and directed the event

2006
Mississippi Alliance for the Arts workshop
Union Station, Meridian

South Central Shrine Lady’s luncheon – Union Station
“Watching the Neighbors”
“The Valentine Princess”

Long Creek Community Club
“Watching the Neighbors”
“The Valentine Princess”

Oxford So and So Southern Journal
“Little Town of Lovely”
“That Ole Stumped Tow”


Horeb Baptist Church Senior Luncheon
“Spring Revival”
“At the Day Lily Village”

Mississippi Public Radio
Recorded in Jackson office for “Drive Time”

The Round Table Club
“Watching the Neighbors”

Art in the Park, Meridian
Artist Stage
“Watching the Neighbors”
“Friday Morning at the 1st National Bank”

ABWA Spring Convention
The Silver Star, Choctaw, Ms
Judge for newsletters

Mississippi Writers Guild
Honoring Mississippi Historic Writers
The Mississippi Welcome Center, Meridian

Combined Lauderdale County Community Clubs
“The Committee”
“Roll ‘Em”

Mississippi Federated Women’s Clubs State Convention
The Eagle Center, Raymond, MS
“Watching the Neighbors”

The Round Table Club
“The Committee”

Literary Artists on Stage/Mississippi Writers Guild
The Daily Grind, Meridian, Mississippi
“A 1930 Murder”
“Searching for You – remembering abused children”

Retired US Government Employees Luncheon
Meridian Ms
“Watching the Neighbors”




The Meridian Star – guest columnist/ 2006

“Fat, Dumb and Happy”
That Ole Devil Squirrel”
Grand Canyon or Bust”
“You Might Not be a Redneck”
“Orange Kitty”
“Same Day Surgery”
“How Handy is Your Bag?”
“Fried Chicken and Cat-Head Biscuits”
Beauty is More than skin Deep”
“Luck of the Irish”
“Spring revival”
“A Little Grease at the Time”
“No News”
Pink Piccolina”
Day Lily Village”
“Just a Knot Away from Purr-fection”


Meridian Community College Creative Writing Contest
Literary Review
“Short story 2nd place – “Roll ‘Em”
HM essay “The Valentine Princess”
HM essay “Just a Knot Away from Purr-fection”

Miss Rodeo Mississippi Speech
Andienne Borden
Miss Rodeo America Competition, Nov 2006
Las Vegas
Oxford So and So Journal/May 2006 issue
“Daddy was a Studebaker Man’
Meridian Star - Guest Colmnist/2006 (continued)

“Just a Knot Away from Purr-fection”
“One of a Kind – Miss Lucy Carter”
“An Ole Mother’s Tale”
“A Day at the Garden Center I”
“A Day at the Garden Center II”
“Vacation Bible School One more Time”
“Map Reading IOI”
“Sipping the Sweet Tea of Life”
“Camp Meeting Time”
“Eating my way Through the 4th of July”
“Christmas in July”
“A Thinking Mississippi Woman”
“Do the Air Blow Cold?”
“Point of Privilege”
“We Buried Lady Bird Today”
“The Mysterious Beauty Ritual”
“Oh, My Aching Back”
“My Aunt Eula’s Garden”
“Allergies or Irritants”
“Perfect Hair Day”
“I’m just a Soccer MeMaw”
“Rut-Filled Life Style”
“Harvest Moon, Football and a Red Poodle Skirt”
“Be Thankful for your Troubles”



Poplar Springs Baptist Church, Meridian, May 16, 2006
“The Committee”

Mississippi Welcome Center, Meridian, May 17, 2006
Meridian/Lauderdale County Heritage Day

Literary Artists on Stage, May 20, 2006
The Daily Grind, Meridian
“Friday Morning at the First National Bank”

The Coffee Bean, Philadelphia, Ms on June 3, 2006
Play “Friday Morning at the First National Bank”

Featured on Walt Grayson’s Look Around Mississippi
The Coffee Bean, Philadelphia, MS June 3, 2006


Mississippi Welcome Center, Meridian on June 10, 2006
Honoring Historic Mississippi Writers

Literary Artists on Stage, Meridian on June 17, 2006
“A Luv Letter from Rabbit”

Mississippi Welcome Center, Clarksdale, MS on June 25, 2006
Featuring “Honoring Historic Mississippi Writers”

Participated as a Judge for The Mississippi Writers Guild creative writing contest
July 5, 2006 at The Meridian Museum of Art

The Meridian Museum of Art Reception and Awards Night
July 8, 2006

The Mississippi Welcome Center, Vicksburg, Ms on July 9, 2006
Honoring Historic Mississippi Writers

June 1, 2006
Meridian Plus Magazine
Senior Plus Editor

June 1, 2006 Meridian Plus Magazine
“Hysterical over Historical”

June 16, 2006 Meridian Plus Magazine
“The Sparkle is Still There”

July 1, 2006 Meridian Plus Magazine
“Anne McKee Explores Rose Hill Cemetery”

July 16, 2006 Meridian Plus Magazine
The Meridian Swim Team
The Mississippi Writers Guild

August 1, 2006
Renee Weiler, Meridian Plus Volunteer of the Month
“The Temple Theater”

August 16, 2006 Meridian Plus Magazine
“Meet William Faulkner” Anne’s World Feature – “Looking Back at the Neshoba County Fair”

September 1, 2006 Meridian Plus Magazine
“The one that Didn’t Get Away”
“NE Elementary National Anthem Project”

September 20, 2006 Meridian Plus Magazine, Special Edition
Newton Theater Company presents Oliver.

Oxford So and So Journal/ Sept/Oct 2006
“We know, Yes, We Know”

October 1, 2006 Meridian Plus Magazine
Writer Spot Light, “Meridian’s ghost Buster” – Dr. Alan Brown”
“Is it more than a Fresh Coat of Paint?”
“Practicing with the Barber Shop Chorus”

Ann’s World, Meridian Plus Magazine
“Miss Mississippi Rodeo Contest”
“Touring Rose Hill Cemetery”
“Those Zany Red Hat Ladies”
“Visiting the Temple Theater”

The Plantation Coffee House, Columbus, July 22, 2006
“Honoring Historic Mississippi Writers”

Main Street Books, Hattiesburg MS on August 12, 2006
“Honoring Historic Mississippi Writers”

Tourism Talk Newsletter, Lauderdale County Tourism
“Honoring Historic Mississippi Writers”

The Skyline, NAS Meridian Newspaper
July 13, 2006, The Mississippi Writers Guild

The Commercial Dispatch, Columbus on July 21, 2006
“Honoring Historic Mississippi Writers”

Today’s Mississippi Woman Magazine, statewide
Anne McKee, Contributing Writer, July 2006
“One of a Kind: Miss Lucy Carter”
“Mississippi’s Literary Wealth”

Today’s Mississippi Woman Magazine, August, 2006
“Daddy was a Studebaker Man”

Today’s Mississippi Woman Magazine, September 2006
“Just a Knot Away from Purr-fection”

Today’s Mississippi Woman Magazine, October 2006
“Perfect Hair Day”

Oxford Town Bi-Weekly, Oxford, MS – September 1, 2006
“Remembering Camp Meeting Time”

Mississippi Magazine Sept/Oct 2006 Issue
Scrapbook Section – “Author, Author, Honoring Historic Mississippi Writers”

September, 2006 - Membership
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators”

Rotary, Philadelphia, MS August 28, 2006
“Honoring Historic Mississippi Writers”

WOKK Radio, Meridian August 18, 2006
Mississippi Writer’s Guild Ribbon-cutting

Mississippi Writers Guild Reception, August 19, 2006
Ribbon cutting and “Honoring Historic Mississippi Writers”

Spoken Word Fest, The Stran Theater at Louisiville, MS August 27, 2006
“Honoring Historic Mississippi Writers”

Newton Opera House, Newton, MS August 11 2006
Judge for Newton’s Idol Talent Contest

The Red Hat Ladies Meeting, August 16, 2006
“The Committee” Skit

Mississippi Writers Guild Meeting, August 19 2006
Literary Artists on Stage, The Daily Grind, Meridian
“Searching for you”

Walmart, Newton “Student Mississippi Heritage Contest”, Sept 2, 2006
Judge, Newton Mississippi

Literary Artists on Stage
The Coffee Bean, Philadelphia MS
“Perfect Hair Day”

WTOK TV, September 12, 2006
National Anthem Day for NE Elementary, Music teacher, Sharon Pratt
Star Spangle Morning at NE Elementary Elementary Sept 14, 2006
Skit- Mrs Mary Pickersgill and her flag shop, Baltimore, Maryland, 1814
Francis Scot Keye’s inspiration for the words to The National Anthem.

Literary Artist on Stage, The Daily Grind, Meridian, Sept 16, 2006
Ghost Poem – “To Meet Again, same time, Next Year”

The Round Table Club, Meridian, September 20, 2006
Mississippi Federated Women’s Clubs
Skit – State Winner, “Hi-Tech Me Maw”

Homemaker’s Convention, Forest, MS Sept 21, 2006
“Honoring Historic Mississippi Writers”

Kiwanis, Meridian Ms September 27 2006
“Honoring Historic Mississippi Writers”

Newton Library, Newton MS October 6 2006
“Honoring Historic Mississippi Writers”

Clarksdale Library, Clarksdale, MS October 15, 2006
“Honoring Historic Mississippi Writers”

October 25, 2006
Guest Story Teller, presenting "Halloweeen Wish"
Northeast Elementary School
Meridian, Mississippi

Eudora Welty Library, Jackson, Mississippi, October 26 2006
Workshop teacher:
“Friendly Beginnings for New Writers”


November 9, 2006
Guest Speaker, DAR, Decatur, Mississippi

November 18, 2006
Main Street Books, Hattiesburg, Ms
Writing Workshop teacher:
Friendly Beginnings for New Writers

November 15, 2006
Guest Story Teller, "Thanksgiving Friends"
Northeast Elementary School
Meridian, Mississippi



Central Baptist Church, Meridian MS November 28, 2006
“The Committee”

Poplar Springs Baptist Church, Meridian MS Feb 20, 2007.
“Honoring Historic Mississippi Writers”

Anne McKee and The Mississippi Writers Guild sponsors "MWG's Poetry Slam" for children and youth on March 3, 2007 in Meridian Mississippi

July 2008, Annie B. McKee was slected as a Roster Artist for the Mississippi Arts Commission. Annie B. McKee represents to the arts community in her roles as a storyteller, humorist, public speaker, creator of historic literary events, and Mississippi heritage. In addition, she serves as a teacher for creative writing workshops, guest playwright for several community theatres, and she is a founding Board Member of Mississippi Writers Guild and served as the first executive director. Humor is a large part of her creativity, as well as Mississippi Heritage. Both areas come to life through her fictional characters, Mrs. Mockingbird and the talking cats, Brutus and Felix. Her creative writing sessions offer an emphasis on life lessons, family values, and the integrity of true friendships.

Anne McKee is a founding Board Member of Mississippi Writers Guild and served as the first Executive Director. She is the originator of the event, "Honoring Historic Mississippi Writers."

Writers Bridge
Read Anne McKee's bio.

The Meridian Star
Local newspaper featuring a weekly editorial by Anne B. McKee.

Contributor
Contributor for Today's Mississippi Woman and Oxford So and So Southern Journal, and her work was featured in the Southern Scrapbook Section of The Mississippi Magazine's Sept/Oct 2006 issue,plus USA Deep South Southern Journal. annebmckee.com