2005 Summer Writer�s Conferences: Taos Summer Writers’ Conference

April 25, 2005 by J.C. Hewitt · Comments Off

Taos Summer Writers’ Conference

When:
July 9 – 15

Where:
Taos, New Mexico

English-born writer D.H. Lawrence first traveled to Taos in 1922 at the invitation of Mabel Dodge Luhan. In the 11 months he spent there, over the course of three separate visits, he arrived at a keen understanding of the compelling nature of this landscape. Now, years after Lawrence first set eyes on the dramatic sweep of northern New Mexico, it continues to be a powerful draw for countless artists and writers. Thus, part of the key to the conference’s success lies in the ability of Taos itself to bring people together in the force of its beauty’s impact. Indeed, participants have been known to arrive in this little town a full week before the conference begins, filling their days with museums, galleries, restaurants and vistas that are Taos’ trademarks. Even after the start of the conference, writers can be found using their free time to explore its riches, among them the ranch where Lawrence himself lived and worked and where his ashes purportedly lie. Lawrence’s widow Frieda gave the ranch to UNM in 1955, eight months prior to her own death. She stipulated that it be used for educational, cultural, and recreational purposes. Nothing could fit this bill better than the conference Sharon Oard Warner directs.

What:
We have designed our Conference both for working writers and for people getting started on their writing. Our weekend and week-long workshops offer intensive instruction balanced with ample free time. To create the right mixture of group support and individual attention, each workshop is limited to twelve participants. Experienced writers will find peers and mentors here, and beginners can explore a variety of new forms. We invite you to take a week away from the demands of your “regular” life – come to Taos, and feed the artist within.

A published novelist and the head of the University of New Mexico’s creative writing program, Sharon Oard Warner herself is no stranger to these writerly gatherings. She has attended, as a contributing writer and as faculty, places like Bread Loaf in Vermont and the Iowa Summer Writing Festival. As founder and director of the Taos Summer Writers’ Conference, Warner drew on her experiences with other such programs in developing her own. Despite her affiliations with UNM, the conference is its own entity financially. Spiritually, it transcends the walls of the university. It remains important to its founder that the essence of this gathering reaches out to “serve the writing community in New Mexico to the greatest possible degree.” But as a cornerstone in this effort lies a distinct conference philosophy that attracts writers from not only all over the U.S., but Canada, Taiwan and West Africa. It begins with place.

Who:

Amy Beeder
Sophy Burnham
Maureen McCoy
Sean Murphy
Loida Maritza P�rez
Levi Romero
Wendy Weil
Kathleen Alcal�
Andrea Hollander Budy
Pam Houston
Matthew McDuffie
Antonya Nelson
Diane Thiel
Jeff Davis
Greg Martin
Daniel Mueller
Lisa Tucker
John Dufresne
Lisa D. Ch�vez