Northwestern Holds 10th Annual Summer Writers’ Conference

CHICAGO --- Northwestern University is calling on writers of fiction, nonfiction and poetry to gather for three days of writing workshops this year at the 10th annual Summer Writers’ Conference.

The conference will take place July 31 through Aug. 2 on the Chicago campus in Wieboldt Hall, 339 E. Chicago Av., Chicago. Participants may register for the conference for $675 for three days, $475 for two days or $250 for one day. Reduced tuition is available for students.

This year’s conference includes a keynote presentation by acclaimed novelist and poet Chris Abani, author of “The Secret History of Las Vegas,” on Thursday, July 31. Abani will read from his own work and converse about the process of writing and publishing.

Other keynote speakers are Michele Weldon, an award-winning author, journalist and assistant professor emerita in service at the Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications on Friday, Aug. 1, and Megan Stielstra, author of the new essay collection, “Once I Was Cool,” and the story collection, “Everyone Remain Calm,” a Chicago Tribune Favorite of 2011, on Saturday, Aug. 2.

Literary event “Written in Chicago” will feature a free public reading by novelists Peggy Shinner (“You Feel So Mortal / Essays on the Body”), Christine Sneed (“Portraits of a Few of the People I've Made Cry”), Simon Muench (“Lampblack & Ash”) and Sarah Hollenbeck (“A Goldmine"). The event will take place at 7 p.m.  Friday, Aug. 1, at Women & Children First Bookstore, 5233 N. Clark St., Chicago.

“As the only writers’ conference of its kind in the Chicago region, this program is designed to attract a diverse audience and to help students gain inspiration and build confidence and opportunities to network with other writers,” said Stephanie Teterycz, director of Summer Session and Special Programs at Northwestern.

Conference topics include fiction, nonfiction, poetry, character writing and publishing. Workshops and panels will be tailored to writers of all genres, backgrounds and levels of experience. The conference also welcomes anyone seeking a fuller understanding of the craft of writing.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn everything from how to create a story from scratch to how to write for an online audience. There also will be manuscript consultations with workshop leaders.

For more information about the conference or registration, visit the Northwestern University Summer Writers' Conference.