Alaskan Writing Events

We are lucky to have two large gatherings for writers in Alaska every summer. Here’s some information for those of you who keep thinking “I’d love to go to Alaska some day,” and need an extra incentive to book those tickets. :-)

 

The biggest writing conference in Alaska is Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference, set in Homer, Alaska.

(photo of Kachemak Bay by Lynn Lovegreen)

KBWC is sponsored by the Kachemak Bay Campus of Kenai Peninsula College, part of the University of Alaska Anchorage system. There are always excellent workshops led by writing instructors and other writing professionals. Plus, they have a nationally-known keynote speaker every year--this year’s is Naomi Shihab Nye.

I always learn a lot from the conference. But my favorite element is the camaraderie. No matter how much experience you have, whether you’re published or not, you are part of the writing community. I feel comfortable talking to everyone there, and it’s great to be surrounded by fellow writers.

 

(This year’s dates are June 14-18; check for space available.)

See more at:  http://writersconference.homer.alaska.edu/ 

A similar atmosphere is found at the North Words Writers Symposium in Skagway, Alaska.

(This year’s dates are May 29-June 1st.; check for space available.)

I haven’t been to that one yet, but I hear it is a smaller gathering that has workshops, plus more in-depth discussions and memorable events in and near Skagway. This year’s keynote is author and environmental advocate Kathleen Dean Moore.

Check out their website at:  http://www.nwwriterss.com/
 

Alaska’s scenery is inspirational enough, but combining it with a writing event is a heady experience. If you’re thinking of coming up to Alaska in the summer, why not time it so you can attend one of these? Bookmark these sites and make it part of your plan to come up, whatever year your Alaska adventure takes place. And don’t be shy about introducing yourself to your fellow attendees--you may have connected with them already on this website! :-)

Lynn Lovegreen writes young adult historical romance set in Alaska, and her first book will be published by Prism Book Group this fall.

Check out her website at:

 www.lynnlovegreen.com