Art & Craft :: Writing Conferences :: NewPages Guide

Art and Craft

The Northwestern University Summer Writers’ Conference

Office of Summer Session and Special Programs

Summer Writers’ Conference

405 Church Street

Evanston, Illinois 60208-4220

Website: www.scs.northwestern.edu/summernu/programs/writers.cfm

Phone: (847) 491-3458

Email: summerwriters[at]northwestern[dot]edu

Conference dates: July 26-28, 2012

Registration deadline: 2012 dates TBA

Location: University Hall, 1897 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois

Genres: Fiction, nonfiction, short stories, poetry, children’s literature

Workshop size: No more than 15

Cost: $675/three days or $250/day

Faculty: Vernoica Arreola, Jim Aylesworth, M. Molly Backes, Eula Biss, Scott Blackwood, Alice George, Fred Shafer

Conference description: The Northwestern Summer Writers' Conference is a summer institute in creating and revising novels, short stories, nonfiction, and writing for children. This three-day conference is tailored to new writers, established writers, and anyone seeking a fuller understanding of the craft—and business—of writing. Participants have the opportunity to select from a host of panels and workshops, all of which are designed to give participants new perspectives on their work in the supportive company of other writers.

Addressing a variety of genres and topics in writing, workshops will be composed of no more than 15 participants and will be two and a half hours long. In addition to other conference activities, students will have the opportunity to participate in two workshops a day. In these workshops, students will engage in free writing exercises and focus on brainstorming and experimentation.

Faculty instructors and guest speakers will read from their own works, discuss the writer’s craft, and converse about the process of writing and publishing their work.

Participants will receive constructive critique and encouragement from faculty and peers. This conference will help students gain inspiration, build confidence, and provide many networking opportunities.