Community Discussion Series
54th Annual UND Writers Conference Discussion Group: WE'RE BACK!
Formerly UND Writers Conference 101. This spring, the UND Writers Conference celebrates its 54th Anniversary. In 1970, the late John Little, a professor in UND’s English Department, was missing some of his literary friends from the South. He decided to invite them to share their words here in North Dakota, and thus a rich artistic tradition began. Since that first conference, some of the most laudable names in literature have visited the UND campus, including Allen Ginsberg, Truman Capote, Viet Thanh Nguyen, Louise Erdrich, Roxane Gay, Sherman Alexie, Sir Salman Rushdie, Alice Walker, as well as a number of this year's participants.
Around 1500 lovers of literature from all over North Dakota, as well as beyond our borders descend on the campus to listen to panel discussions, readings, and ask their questions of nationally and internationally prominent authors, while we have hundreds more joining via zoom from around the country (or the comfort of their own homes in Grand Forks).
Free and Open to the Public
The UND Writers Conference Community Discussion Series is not a UND course. It is free and open to all! Attend one or attend them all, it's up to you! In fact, the UND Writers Conference Community Discussion Series is designed to get you acquainted with some of the authors whom you might not know. Even the most voracious reader may not be familiar with the work of some of these award-winning writers. In fact, conference planners frequently receive praise for introducing readers to writing that challenges and inspires. But, wouldn’t it be nice to be acquainted with the work before the author arrives?
Spring 2023 Schedule
All discussions are from 2-3pm at the Grand Forks Public Library, Main Lobby/Living Room Area. The discussions are designed for ages 16 and older. Free and open to the public with no registration required. Bring your own books, although occasionally excerpt handouts may be provided.
- February 5: A discussion on Sinkhole by Juliet Patterson (Nancy Devine, leading)
- February 12: A discussion on The Man Who Could Move Clouds by Ingrid Rojas Contreras (Anna Kinney, leading)
- February 19: A discussion on The Town of Babylon by Alejandro Varela (Patrick Henry, leading)
- February 26: A discussion on Night of the Living Rez by Morgan Talty (Crystal Alberts, leading)
- March 5: A discussion on Such Color by Tracy K. Smith (Casey Fuller, leading)
Books
Books for the 2022 Writers Conference will hopefully be on sale at the UND Bookstore and Ferguson Books and Media. Some or all may also be available for check out at local libraries, including Grand Forks Public, East Grand Forks Campbell Library, and UND's Chester Fritz Library Community members may use the Chester Fritz Library!
Questions?
Contact:
Crystal Alberts
Director, UND Writers Conference
777-2393
crystal.alberts@UND.edu