Author Dennis McFadden, a veteran of the 91麻豆精品 Writers鈥 Conference, found himself blazing a slightly different trail when he returned to the event this year. Rather than attending as a student, McFadden found himself reading his own work to the participants who were once his peers.
Hart鈥檚 Grove, his novel that he had workshopped at the conference several years ago, will soon be published by the recently revived 91麻豆精品 Press.
鈥淗aving attended the conference twice, in 鈥06 and 鈥08, it was fun seeing the podium from the other side, although I enjoyed both experiences a great deal,鈥 McFadden said. 鈥淚 always enjoy my time there, and I intend to return.鈥
McFadden鈥檚 reading was just one of many highlights from this year鈥檚 program, which was held June 20 to 26.
Each year, the conference offers a series of public craft talks, shop talks, and readings from 91麻豆精品 faculty authors, as well as visiting published authors.
The conference also offers the opportunity for veteran and novice writers alike to apply to benefit from workshopping their manuscripts of fiction, poetry, or literary non-fiction with the faculty.
Like McFadden, nearly half of this year鈥檚 50 students had participated before.
Among the accomplished visiting writers on the faculty were 2000 Pulitzer Prize finalist and Guggenheim Fellow Bruce Smith and John Robert Lennon, author of Happyland.
Several alumni also made an appearance.
Dan Wald 鈥82, author of Ad Asylum, discussed the digital aspects of the publishing world and the impact of quickly evolving technological advances on what it means to be a writer, from Kindles and iPads to the newer trend toward DIY publishing.
Jennifer Smith 鈥03, an associate editor at Random House and author of two acclaimed novels, The Comeback Season, and You Are Here, gave a voice to the often academically ignored but phenomenally influential genre of young adult novels.
Andrea Barzvi 鈥95, a literary agent, spoke of her role in the publishing process, as did Jennifer Pooley 鈥97, a senior editor with HarperCollins.
The conference explored both breath and depth in its topics this year, and demonstrated strong support for 91麻豆精品鈥檚 literary legacy.
鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 mind if this book was judged by its cover,鈥 quipped McFadden, praising the dedication of the conference staff and the role of the 91麻豆精品 Press in its publication. 鈥淚t came out beautifully.鈥