Ridgefield Writers Conference Celebrates Fifth Annual Event

From the Ridgefield Writers Conference: Now celebrating its fifth consecutive year, the Ridgefield Writers Conference returns to a full lineup with a Friday evening reading and a networking reception followed by a full day on Saturday of workshops, panels, breakout sessions, and a keynote address by acclaimed author Carlos Eire. The conference takes place at the Ridgefield Library on Friday, Sept. 22, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., and on Saturday, Sept. 23, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The conference kicks off Friday evening, Sept. 22, with readings and an author Q&A panel featuring renowned memoirist Peter Selgin, bestselling author Jamie Cat Callan and award-winning novelist Pete Nelson. This Friday kickoff event is free and open to the public, and includes a wine and cheese networking reception.

The Saturday workshops, patterned after those of the MFA in creative writing, offer instruction and inspiration in the craft and art of writing. This year’s faculty includes renowned author Peter Selgin (advanced nonfiction and memoir), award-winning novelist Hollis Seamon (master class in fiction, young adult and middle grade), award-winning author Chris Belden (long and short fiction), bestselling author Jamie Cat Callan (creative nonfiction), James Chesbro (nonfiction and essay), and award-winning editor Adele Annesi (the art of revision).

To celebrate its fifth annual event, the conference is pleased to feature as its keynote speaker the acclaimed Carlos Eire, author of Waiting for Snow in Havana, winner of the National Book Award in Nonfiction in the U.S. Also the author of Learning to Die in Miami,Dr. Eire received his Ph.D from Yale University and has taught at St. John’s University in Minnesota and the University of Virginia.

New to this year’s conference are two Saturday afternoon breakout sessions: Young Writers in Residence, for young writers and those who support them, and What's Next in the Writing Life, with tips for emerging and established writers of all genres. Also on Saturday, the conference features afternoon readings by attendees and a wine and cheese networking reception. The readings and reception are free and open to the public.

Sponsored by the Ridgefield Library and Word for Words, LLC, the Ridgefield Writers Conference provides book and resource tables, as well as book signings throughout the event. The conference runs from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.Saturday, Sept. 23. Early bird registration (by July 1) is $175; regular registration is $195 (bySept. 15). An education discount rate of $150 may be available for students and faculty.

Registration is now open. For details and an application, visit here. Or contact Adele Annesi at a.annesi@sbcglobal.net or at 203.894.1908. Registration for the open events on Friday and Saturday is available through the Ridgefield Library Events page here.

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