New Speaker Alert -- Wow
...Margaret and Frank South
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HOLLYWOOD STORYTELLERS MARGARET AND FRANK SOUTH JOIN 2026 OKOBOJI WRITERS’ AND SONGWRITERS’ RETREAT
OKOBOJI, Iowa — Two veteran Hollywood storytellers whose combined careers span film, television, theater, memoir and publishing will join the faculty of the 2026 Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat, September 27–30 at the Iowa Lakeside Laboratory in West Okoboji.
Margaret South is a film producer, editor, publisher and writing coach who has worked with writers at every stage of the creative process for more than 30 years. She co-founded All Girl Productions with Bette Midler and Bonnie Bruckheimer and helped develop feature film projects for Disney, Fox and Tri-Star Studios, HBO, ABC and NBC. Her credits include the enduring film Beaches, starring Midler and Barbara Hershey.
South’s path through Hollywood story departments and literary editing rooms continues to shape her work with writers today. She brings a trained eye for story structure along with a compassionate understanding of the often messy and deeply personal process of putting a true story on the page. She is the founder of All Girl Publishing, which helps writers develop, complete and publish their books. Subscribe to her Substack:
Her husband, Frank South, is a playwright, television writer, producer, director and author. He first gained national attention when acclaimed filmmaker Robert Altman directed the Los Angeles and Off-Broadway productions of 2 by South, featuring Frank’s one-act plays Rattlesnake in a Cooler and Precious Blood. Altman later filmed both plays for ABC Arts.
Frank South went on to a 17-year career in Hollywood television. His writing credits include Fame, Cagney & Lacey and Melrose Place, where he also served as a showrunner and directed several episodes.
Drawing on articles he wrote for ADDitude magazine, Frank published the award-winning A Chicken in the Wind and How He Grew: Stories from an ADHD Dad. He also wrote and performed the acclaimed autobiographical one-man show Pay Attention: ADHD in Hollywood, On the Rocks with a Twist during extended runs in Honolulu and Los Angeles. His candid and frequently humorous work explores ADHD, addiction, marriage, parenting and the unpredictable realities of a creative life.
Margaret and Frank are currently completing a joint memoir, Let’s Pretend We’re Normal. Frank also serves as an editor at All Girl Publishing.
“Margaret and Frank bring an extraordinary range of experience to the retreat,” said founder Julie Gammack. “Between them, they have developed major motion pictures, written and produced network television, created plays, performed personal stories and helped other writers bring their work to life. Just as important, they understand the courage it takes to tell the truth on the page.”
The Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat brings together emerging and established writers, songwriters, filmmakers, journalists, playwrights, publishing professionals and other creators for four days of workshops, conversations and collaboration. More than 60 faculty members, including five literary agents, are expected to participate in the 2026 retreat.
The retreat will be held September 27–30, 2026, at the Iowa Lakeside Laboratory in West Okoboji.
For registration and additional information, including our roster of speakers, visit:
https://okobojiwritersretreat.com/
Watch for the agenda release coming tomorrow morning!
One More Very Important Thing
Yes, we draw major talent from around the country to the Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat. Margaret and Frank are the latest examples of the extraordinary experience our speakers bring to their panels and workshops.
But here’s the most important thing to know:
This retreat is for ALL skill levels.
Do not be intimidated. Do not listen to that inner voice saying, “You’re not a real writer.”
Come.
Seriously, what’s the worst that could happen? You meet a few dozen fascinating people, make some new friends and learn a thing or two about writing.
That sounds like a pretty good risk to me.
This retreat gives the opportunity to connect with creative and famous people I never would have had the chance to meet otherwise.