ssociated Writing Programs, a nonprofit organization of writers and creative writing programs, is holding its annual conference this year in Albany on April 14–18 at the Omni Albany Hotel and Empire State Plaza Convention Center. The conference, with this year's theme of Bringing Writing Off the Page and Into the Life, consists of a four-day series of lively events including:
For registration and fee information contact AWP at (703) 993–4301 or e-mail [email protected].
- readings by outstanding writers;
- open-mike readings;
- workshops;
- forums on the teaching of creative writing;
- panel discussions;
- a bookfair.
As a cosponsor of the AWP Annual Conference, the New York State Writers Institute is hosting the following events at the Omni Albany Hotel free-of-charge and open to the public:
Wednesday, April 14 7:00 p.m. READING: DENNIS SMITH
Dennis Smith is the author of the bestseller Report From Engine Company 82 (1973) and his recent memoir, A Song for Mary: An Irish-American Memory (1999), which Frank McCourt calls ". . . an odyssey of bewilderment, anger, discovery, redemption."
Thursday, April 15 4:30–6:00 p.m. WRITING AND HEALING: DONALD FAULKNER and RICHARD SELZER
Donald Faulkner and Richard Selzer will discuss creative nonfiction and writing as a healing art, as well as read from their work. Faulkner is the author of the forthcoming Something Rich and Strange: An Artist's Journey in a Hospice. Selzer, Troy surgeon and writer, is the author of Mortal Lessons (1976), Letters to a Young Doctor (1982), and The Doctor Stories (1998).8:00 p.m. KEYNOTE ADDRESS: FRANK MCCOURT
Frank McCourt, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir Angela's Ashes will present the AWP Annual Conference Keynote Address, an informal talk on writing, the teaching of writing, and his own experiences as a teacher and writer.10:00 p.m. FILM SCREENING: AFFLICTION
Based on Russell Bank's novel, Affliction is directed by Paul Schrader and stars Nick Nolte, James Coburn, Sissy Spacek, Willem Defoe, and Mary Beth Hurt.Friday, April 16 12:30–2:00 p.m. POETRY READING: JOHN ALLMAN, RUTH STONE, CHASE TWICHELL
John Allman, author of Inhabited World: New & Selected Poems 1970–1995 and Evolving Brains (1999). Ruth Stone, author of ten poetry collections including Simplicity (1997). Chase Twichell, author of Perdido (1991) and The Ghost of Eden (1995).4:30–6:00 p.m. THE WRITER AS FILM WRITER, THE DIRECTOR AS AUTEUR
A discussion on adapting fiction into film from the perspectives of the writer and the director. With Russell Banks, whose novels The Sweet Hereafter and Affliction have been adapted into film, and others TBA.8:00–10:00 p.m. POETRY READING: ROBERT CREELEY, MAXINE KUMIN, JOHN MONTAGUE
Robert Creeley, Black Mountain poet, New York State Poet, 1989–1991, author of Echoes (1994), and Life & Death (1998). Maxine Kumin, author of Up Country: Poems of New England (1972), which received the Pulitzer Prize, Looking for Luck (1992), and Connecting the Dots (1996). John Montague, Ireland Professor of Poetry, author of The Rough Field (1972), Time in Armagh (1993), and Collected Poems (1995).
For additional information on authors listed above click on their name:
1999 Complete Conference Schedule
Associated Writing Programs
Times Union Article
Welcome Letter to Conferences Attendees
