Sinclair Lewis Writers’ Conference

“I think the Sinclair Lewis Writers Conference in Sauk Centre is one of the best values going in the Midwest. It allows aspiring writers to plug in for a day with well-known authors and fellow book lovers. You’ll learn a lot, and it’s downright fun.”   Will Weaver

One of the longest-running, most respected writers’ conferences in the Midwest is back in Sauk Centre for its 32nd year on October 8th, 2022! 

Read more below!

“I think the Sinclair Lewis Writers Conference in Sauk Centre is one of the best values going in the Midwest. It allows aspiring writers to plug in for a day with well-known authors and fellow book lovers. You’ll learn a lot, and it’s downright fun.”   Will Weaver

One of the longest-running, most respected writers’ conferences in the Midwest is back in Sauk Centre for its 32nd year!   

This year the conference keynote speaker will be Don Shelby. Don, a nationally acclaimed television news anchor and journalist, is also a collector of rare books and a fan of Sinclair Lewis’s novels. In his keynote talk, The Unchanging World of Sinclair Lewis, Don will share his journalist’s perspective on how Lewis’s themes are ever-present and still in style.

Three other presenters will join Don during the day-long conference, digging into the process of writing as well as selling what you write. Lorna Landvik, popular author and humorist, will speak about the creative process in her presentation, Don’t Be Afraid of Your Imagination. Sarah Warren’s presentation will focus on How to Write With Integrity and Intention. Kyle Tran Myhre, in his presentation, Spoken Word Poetry as Practice and Culture, will highlight the relationship between the written and spoken word.

This highly praised conference has, in past years, attracted such renowned keynote speakers as Frederick Manfred, Robert Bly, Jon Hassler, Carol Bly, Leif Enger, Bill Holm, Bart Sutter, Patricia Hampl, Jim Klobuchar, Kevin Kling, Don Shelby, James Bradley, Faith Sullivan, Will Weaver and Gary Paulsen. 

The conference is on Saturday, October 8, 2022 at the Sauk Centre High School auditorium in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.  Cost is $85, including a catered lunch and breaks.  College students and senior citizens may register for $80; high school students may attend for free, but must register and pay $25 for lunch and breaks.  The conference day ends with a reception at the local Palmer House Hotel (door prizes and cash bar). 

The Sinclair Lewis Writers Conference will again be available virtually as well as in-person. Cost for the virtual event is $70. For details about the conference, go to www.sinclairlewisfoundation.org.  You can register online or send your check payable to “Sinclair Lewis Writers Conference” and mail it to Jim Umhoefer; 39336 Wild Rose Ct; Sauk Centre, MN 56378.

The Sinclair Lewis 2022 Writers Conference is made possible by the financial sponsorship of the following organizations: Minnesota National Bank of Sauk Centre, First State Bank of Sauk Centre, Magnifi Financial Credit Union, Stearns Electric Association, and the Sinclair Lewis Foundation.    Private donors include Pat Hanauer and Dick and Pat Lewis. Sauk Centre Community Education is a co-sponsor of the event.