Thanks to feedback from last year’s participants, we’re offering two pre-conference workshops, more hands-on activities and events, opportunities for one-on-one feedback from presenters, and other exciting opportunities. Please read below about some of these new activities and opportunities that will be available this year, and please visit our Conference Schedule page for details about when/where these events will take place.

Panel Discussions
Each panel discussion will feature three or more writers who will take turns giving a short presentation on the declared topic. They will then open up the floor to participants’ questions and comments, and take turns answering those questions, creating a two-way flow of interest and information on writing-related topics between panelists and participants.

Craft Sessions
Conference presenters have designed craft sessions around a particular aspect of or approach to writing as well as around genre. Participants will read something, write something, and discuss something with the session leader. Similar to a workshop but with more participants, craft sessions are a chance for you to consider a particular aspect of writing, respond to a prompt on-site, and see what others make of the same assignment.

The Workout Room
If you want to slip away and write, or receive a little one-on-one feedback, one or two presenters at a time will staff a “workout room” on Friday, June 20, complete with water and high-energy snacks, in the sunny Alumni Building (across the road from Independence Hall). You can come to the workout room anytime between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and stay as long as you like, although presenters may not be able to give more than ten minutes of feedback to any one person.

Readings
We have a number of readings by presenters scheduled throughout the conference, from keynote addresses to “sampler” readings (short texts by a number of readers) that will leave you wanting more. Participants’ chance to shine comes on the last evening of the conference in the Independence Auditorium, which seats over 200 people. At this event, you will be able to hear your new acquaintances’ work and share your own.

Book Signings
On Friday and Saturday afternoon, presenters will be at the book table in the Independence Hall lobby to sign their books — but you can buy books anytime!