More than 80 published authors gathered at the Capital Hill Mall on Saturday to sign books, mingle with fans and lend free advice to aspiring writers.

The event capped the final day of the annual Western Writers of America conference.

First held in 1953, this year's event, which happened to mark the group's 50th anniversary, was only the second time the conference has come to Helena, the last being in the 1960s.

Many writers held the city in high praise, lauding the capital for both its history and fine citizenry.

"The people of Montana are especially warm and friendly," said JoAnn Roe, author of 14 books and one docudrama. "I never really realized so fully that Helena and Virginia City were such important gold camps."

But it was Roe's simple advice to aspiring writers that held the ear of many.

"I'd say read everything and develop the material to the type of reader the writer has in mind," Roe said.

Other writers had advice as well, including Elmer Kelton.

"Read, read, read -- write, write, write," Kelton said. "And hang on to your day job, usually in that order."

Kelton worked as a journalist for 42 years covering the agricultural and live stock beats in Texas. Since then, he's proven to be rather prolific, publishing more than 40 novels.

Kelton named his best-known piece as "The Time It Never Rained." He also published "Good 'Ol Boys," which was turned into a made-for-TV movie starring Tommy Lee Jones.

Kelton said he enjoyed his time in Helena. He visited the Historical Society Museum twice and marveled at the mural in the State Capitol.

"Even down in Texas everyone reveres Charlie Russell," he said. "When I got here, first thing I had to do was figure out how to navigate some of these streets. Once I figured that out, I was fine."

Also from Texas was Michael Searles, author of "Black Cowboys of Texas."

"When I was growing up, I had no idea there were blacks in the West," Searles said. "I thought that was pretty fascinating."

Searles found the discovery so fascinating, in fact, it lead to his latest book, a non-fiction work about the history of the black cowboy on the Western frontier. The book was published by Texas A&M University Press.

Closer to home, fiction writer Leonard Schonberg, who lives in the Elkhorn Mountains, was happy to see his counterparts enjoy their stay in Helena.

Like his peers, he too had advice for inspiring writers.

"Sit down and read and keep writing and read whenever you can," he said. "I don't know anyone that's a good writer that isn't also a good reader."

Schonberg, a former physician, published two medical thrillers, including "Fish Heads," before completing his latest piece, "Legacy," which he described as a family story that takes place in Butte and Helena.

"It's so much more fun being a writer than a doctor," he said.

Reporter Martin Kidston can be reached at 447-4086, or by e-mail at mkidston@helenair.com.