IU Writers’ Conference: A Participant’s Perspective

Interested in registering? We have spots remaining in our science fiction, fiction, and poetry workshops, but they’re going quick!

I first learned about the Indiana University Writers’ Conference in the spring of 2015 after meeting with the then-associate director, Trevor Mackesey. We spoke about our styles of writing for some time, and when we were done, he encouraged me to register for the conference. I didn’t feel confident enough in my skill level, and told him as much. He responded by telling me that, not only was that okay, but that everyone else at the conference would be feeling the exact same way.

In the end, I listened to him, and spent four days of my life in a whirlwind of writing.

Those four days provided me not only with new tools to use, but hilarious stories to tell my friends. The conference faculty were all incredibly approachable and seemed enthusiastic to talk to everyone. Linda Berry, one of the workshop instructors is and was the most eclectic and enthusiastic woman I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet, let alone be taught by. Listening to her and the other faculty talk about their growth as individuals and as writers was exciting and reassuring, as they painted a realistic yet hopeful portrait of what life as a writer looked like for them.

It may seem daunting to approach a writers’ conference, particularly if you’re young, or if you don’t feel your skill is ‘up to par’. After my experience last year, I can only encourage you, young or old, to attend. The IU Writers’ Conference is open to writers of all ages, genres, and levels of skill. Judgement is not a thing; the people who attend are all excited to be there and are eager to share their writing.

This year’s conference runs from June 4thto June 8th. The faculty this year includes:

• Dana Johnson, author of Elsewhere, California, teaching our fiction workshop.
• Wesley Chu, author of The Lives of Tao, teaching our science fiction workshop.
• Gabrielle Calvocoressi, author of The Last Time I saw Emilia Earhart, teaching our poetry workshop.

Authors Salvatore Scibona, Amelia Martens, Walton Muyumba, and David Crabb, will also be teaching daily classes on poetry and prose.

There are student perspectives on the conference here, as well as video profilesof last year’s faculty. If you are a writer, and you’re interested in meeting other writers like you, I encourage you to register for the IU Writers’ Conference. We’ll be waiting for you with our pens and journals in hand.

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