Stars of literary world to teach at writing conference
<p> Desert Nights, Rising Stars, Arizona State University’s Writers Conference, will be back for the eighth year March 3-6.
</p><separator></separator><p> Nearly two-dozen well-known, award-winning writers, such as Gretel Erlich (PEN Henry David Thoreau Award), Tony Hoagland (Mark Twain Award for Humor in American Poetry), Cynthia Hogue, Naeem Murr, Andrea Barrett (National Book Award, MacArthur Fellow), Robert Boswell and David Shields will be on the faculty.</p><separator></separator><p> The conference, sponsored by ASU’s Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing, offers writers of all levels the chance to hone their craft in the classroom with distinguished writers, dialoguing with them during classes, readings and other events.</p><separator></separator><p> The conference begins the evening of Thursday, March 3, with an opening banquet and the introduction of faculty. Friday and Saturday will begin with a keynote talk for all participants, followed by discussion classes and master classes.</p><separator></separator><p> Afternoons will feature faculty readings and a combination of classes, panels and multi-faculty question-and-answer sessions. The day will conclude with faculty readings and book-signings.</p><separator></separator><p> Sunday will include readings and a panel discussion on how to sustain focus and growth.</p><separator></separator><p> Participants can expect an experience that is intimate and affordable, such as the master classes, which will offer five hours of instruction, spread over three days, in groups of no more than 10.</p><separator></separator><p> General registration for the conference is $350 ($315 early-registration discount through Oct. 31).
</p><separator></separator><p> The fee for Piper Friends is $315 ($280 by Oct. 31).
</p><separator></separator><p> ASU faculty, staff and students, ASU MFA alumni and Arizona teachers is $280.
Master class tuition is $125 (conference registration required). Piper Friends may register for master classes for $100.
</p><separator></separator><p> Master-class tuition for ASU faculty, staff, students, ASU MFA alumni and Arizona teachers is $100 (conference registration required).
</p><separator></separator><p> Piper Friends membership is $50.</p><separator></separator><p> Manuscripts for master classes must be submitted between Jan. 1 and Feb. 1. If a manuscript is not received by Feb. 1, the master class Master Class registration will be cancelled without refund. Late applicants for master classes can join a waiting list in case of cancellations.
</p><separator></separator><p> For more information, and to register, go to <a href="http://www.asu.edu/piper">www.asu.edu/piper</a> or call (480) 965-6018.
</p><separator></separator><p> Media Contacts:<br /> Tom McDermott, <a href="mailto:thomas.m.mcdermott@asu.edu">thomas.m.mcdermott@asu.edu</a><br /> (480) 727-0818
</p><separator></separator><p> Judith Smith, <a href="mailto:jps@asu.edu">jps@asu.edu</a><br /> (480) 965-4821
</p><separator></separator><p> <strong>Conference Faculty: </strong><br /> Tiffany Atkinson
<br /> Andrea Barrett<br /> Robert Boswell<br /> Gretel Ehrlich<br /> Beckian Fritz Goldberg<br /> Tony Hoagland<br /> Cynthia Hogue
<br /> Tara Ison<br /> Victor Lavalle<br /> Naeem Murr<br /> Antonya Nelson
<br /> Jem Poster
<br /> David Shields
<br /> Connie Voisine<br /> C. Dale Young
</p><separator></separator><p><!--StartFragment--> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><strong>Also participating:<br /> </strong>Sally Ball<br /> Jay Boyer<br /> Rus Bradburd<br /> Norman Dubie<br /> Lucy Hawking<br /> T.R. Hummer<br /> T.M. McNally<br /> Sean Nevin<br /> Laura Newbern<br /> Melissa Pritchard<br /> Jewell Parker Rhodes<br /> Alberto Rios<br /> Jeannine Savard<br /> Peter Turchi<br /> </span></span></span> <!--EndFragment--></p>