The Writers Among Us and How They Survive
Tuesday, October 18, 2:00pm – 4:30pm*
Organized and moderated by Frances Phillips, Program Director, Arts and the Creative Work Fund, Walter & Elise Haas Fund.
Presented by Nimo Farah, Independent Writer; Patricia Kirkpatrick, Poet; Mary Moore Easter, Creative Nonfiction Writer and Poet, and Professor Emerita, Carleton College; Bao Phi, Spoken Word Poet and Program Director, The Loft Literary Center; Connie Wanek, Poet; and Diane Wilson (Dakota), Fiction and Creative Nonfiction Author and Director, Dream of Wild Health.
National data suggest that literature receives only 2 percent of total arts funding, yet American writers are esteemed around the world. While commercial publishing contracts and reorganizes, nonprofit publishing, literary centers, and other support systems for writers are more important than ever to delivering diverse voices and quality books to the reading public. Minnesota and the Twin Cities host a robust literary community. Participants will hear three dyads featuring Minnesota writers who will read briefly from their work and interview one another about money. How do they make a living? Which grants, awards, publishers, bookstores, literary centers, and funding programs have enabled them to thrive? What would they like grantmakers to know about meaningful support for writing and literature?
This session will be held at Landmark Center.
*Off-site session schedule:
- 1:45: Group gathers in Great River Court
- 2:00: Walking group departs from hotel
- 2:30 – 4:00: Session
- 4:00 – 4:20: Site visit
- 4:30: Bus departs to hotel