NASHVILLE TN -- Ruben Navarrette Jr., a nationally syndicated columnist with the Washington Post Writers Group, will be the keynote speaker for the 13th annual Minority Writers Seminar to be held May 1-4 at the Freedom Forum Diversity Institute.

Also an editorial writer and board member for The San Diego Union, he will address the group of experienced minority journalists at the dinner meeting on May 3. The second-generation Mexican-American is one of fewer than 10 Latino syndicated columnists in the United States, and one of the country's youngest syndicated columnists overall.

Sponsored by the National Conference of Editorial Writers Foundation in partnership with the Freedom Forum Diversity Institute at Vanderbilt University, the seminar provides an opportunity for the journalists to explore the nuts-and-bolts of the profession of opinion writing.

"And it is just as valuable as 'basic training' for those who are new to the profession," Lyons said.

Participants work closely with experienced opinion writers by attending simulated editorial board meetings and writing editorials that are critiqued.

One of the highlights of the seminar is an interactive presentation on "Getting Your Word's Worth," from Rick Horowitz, a writing coach and syndicated columnist based in Milwaukee.

Enrollment is limited to 20 and includes those who have been writing opinion less than two years, said Lyons. The deadline to apply is March 15.

Lodging and food at the seminar are covered and participants will be reimbursed up to $200 for their transportation to and from Nashville.

The Seminar is also supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation among others.

The application can be found at www.ncew.org. Please complete and send by March 15 to the seminar director:

Doug Lyons

Senior Editorial Writer

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

200 E. Las Olas Blvd.

Fort Lauderdale FL 33301-2293

954/356-4638

Fax 954/356-4624

dlyons@sun-sentinel.com