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from the issue of May 5, 2005
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Pulitzer winners headline UNL writers' event
BY TROY FEDDERSON, UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS
The Nebraska Summer Writers' Conference is adding a new dimension to the UNL English department.
Readying for a third year, conference director Jonis Agee, professor of English at UNL, said the annual event (June 18-24) is drawing some top publishing talent - both in workshop presenters and participants.
"The whole idea of this conference was to enhance our program nationally," Agee said. "We knew we had a small, strong graduate program in creative writing. But, we wanted to make other people aware of it as well."
Three years ago, Agee and the English department forged the foundation for a summer writers' conference and applied for UNL Program of Excellence funds. They received funding for five years, through which the conference must work to become self-sufficient.
"It takes a great deal of money to bring these writers and presenters to our program," Agee said. "But, it has been worth every penny."
This year, Agee expects well over 200 participants in the conference. Among the draws this summer are three Pulitzer Prize winners in U.S. Poet Laureate Ted Kooser (a UNL English professor), novelist Robert Olen Butler and poet Stephen Dunn.
Additional names of note include best-selling novelist and screenwriter Rita Mae Brown, novelist Ron Hansen, Ladette Randolph (executive editor at University of Nebraska Press) and Hilda Raz (editor of the Prairie Schooner).
A total of 18 faculty members, along with Agee, are expected at the conference. Also among those are Jonathon Lazear, a publishing executive, Emma Sweeney, a literary agent, and Webster Younce, senior editor at Houghton Mifflin in New York.
Workshops offered include those on narrative nonfiction writing, poetry, adaptation, point of view, revision and making movies.
The conference is also adding a master's level of classes taught by Hansen, Raz, Nicholas DelBanco and Jane Barnes. Participants with a book-length novel or collection of poems will be able to work with these authors. They will also have the opportunity to have their manuscript read and critiqued prior to the conference.
Lazear, Sweeney, Randolph and Younce will also offer manuscript consultations.
However, while those consultations are for advanced writers, Agee said the conference is designed for all levels of ability.
"We try to offer something for everybody," Agee said. "Everyone believes they have a novel inside them. What we do is give them the tools to get it out."
One of the most important aspects of the conference, Agee said, is that it allows writers from across the nation - and sometimes world - to forge new friendships.
"These are not just people who can help with your writing," Agee said. "It's about forming contacts and friendships in the business. It's also the opportunity to jump start your writing."
She also said the many of the writers who journey to UNL for the conference - either as presenters or participants - learn to enjoy Nebraska.
"Unfortunately, Lincoln, Nebraska, is not on a route for most book tours," Agee said. "But, when we bring writers here, they discover this place. They are always surprised at how much they end up liking Lincoln."
The Nebraska Summer Writers' Conference is broken down into two sessions: weekend workshops on June 18-19, and weeklong workshops from June 20-24.
Each workshop is limited on the number of participants, so early registration is encouraged. However, Agee said she would accept enrollees on the day of the conference if space allows.
Weekend workshops cost $280, while weeklong sessions are $540.
For more information on the Nebraska Summer Writers' Conference, go online to www.nswc.org, or contact Agee at jagee@unl.edu or 472-1834.
GO TO: ISSUE OF MAY 5
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