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 34th year!   

This year’s conference keynote speaker will be Julie Schumacher. As the author of the Thurber Prize winning book, Dear Committee Members, Julie will talk about the seriousness of humor and her own experience as the writer of three comic satirical novels. In her keynote talk, The Serious Side of Humor, Schumacher will show how humor can distract with laughter while skewering a target.

Three other presenters will join Julie during the day-long conference, digging into the process of writing as well as selling what you write. Leif Enger’s presentation, The Wily Rewrite, will focus on how to keep what works, jettison what doesn’t and transform pages that stumble into stories that soar. Dian Jarvi will discuss the variety of ways to create song lyrics that are uniquely our own in her presentation, I Sing Your Evening Into Stars. Michael Tisserand will tackle the questions that face non-fiction authors, such as “How do you create a narrative that is compelling to read yet is faithful to the facts,?” in his presentation, Turning Facts Into Stories.

This highly praised conference has, in past years, attracted such renowned keynote speakers as Frederick Manfred, Robert Bly, Jon Hassler, Carol Bly, 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 5, 2024 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.

The Sinclair Lewis Writers Conference will again be available virtually as well as in-person. Cost for the virtual event is $40. 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: Writers Conference; Sinclair Lewis Foundation; P.O. Box 25: Sauk Centre, MN 56378.

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