Events

You’ve produced some important research or a policy plan that could create meaningful change. How do you make your ideas and proposals stand out and get read? Creative nonfiction offers a way for researchers, policy wonks, program managers, grant writers, and writers of all forms to turn their ideas into compelling narratives.

Join Lee Gutkind, the “Godfather” behind creative nonfiction (Vanity Fair), on November 16 from 12:00-1:00 pm for an in-person CSPO Conversation! He will introduce and deconstruct the basic techniques of the genre and how they can be applied to make complicated ideas more appealing to a general audience.  There will be a special emphasis on scene writing, a technique that will help readers understand and relate to scientific issues and ideas.

Masks are required. A livestream will also be available.

Register here

Hosted by Goucher College’s Creative Nonfiction writing program, join Lee for a live virtual discussion of his memoir My Last Eight Thousand Days and the future of the creative nonfiction genre.

Register here to join.

Tune in to KFAI’s Write On! Radio segment, from 7:30-8:00 p.m. CT November 17th, for a conversation with Lee about his new memoir.

Join Creative Nonfiction for a free Webinar & AMA with the magazine’s founding editor Lee Gutkind. In this hour-long event, Lee will discuss memoir’s risks and rewards, follow by a Q&A session where attendees can ask Lee anything they want about writing, teaching, or his life as a creative nonfiction pioneer.

Register here to join

Join a virtual conversation with Lee and award-winning journalist Steven Beschloss for a reading hosted by the Arizona-based Changing Hands Bookstore, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. PST (9:30-10:30 p.m. EST) on October 20th. Beschloss is senior director for Narrative Development at Arizona State University and director of ASU’s ASU’s Narrative Storytelling Initiative.

Register here to join.

Presented in partnership with Creative Nonfiction and the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Arts & Lectures presents Made Local: Lee Gutkind, from 7-8 p.m. EST on October 19th.

More event details here.

Tune in to KFAI’s  Write On! Radio segment, from 7-7:30 p.m. CT October 13th, for a conversation with Lee about his new memoir.

More details coming soon.

Join Lee and Barbara Abercrombie, author and professor of writing at UCLA as they discuss art, craft and secrets of memoir writing. The virtual event is set for 6-7 p.m. PST (9-10 p.m. EST) on October 6th, and is hosted by Chevalier’s Books in Los Angeles.

Register here to join.

Join a virtual conversation with Lee and award-winning critic and memoirist Vivian Gornick, hosted by The Strand Bookstore, from 7-8 p.m. EST on October 1st, the day of the launch of Lee’s new memoir.

Register here to join. Sign up for e-newsletters in the footer below to receive invites to your inbox.

This year’s Annual Conference will feature a moderated lunchtime discussion with authors of recent books related to international development.  Many in the international development world have lived and traveled extensively, engaged with people from all parts of the world and in a broad range of situations, have encountered countless challenges, witnessed success and failure, and learned from it all. And some have been able to corral their experiences, insights, and ideas into books. Our panel of authors of recently published books will look at their varied experiences and stories. Lee Gutkind, the “godfather behind creative nonfiction,” will moderate the discussion with Amb. Rick Barton, author of Peace Works: America’s Unifying Role in a Turbulent World, Alex Dehgan, author of the The Snow Leopard Project and other Adventures in Warzone Conservation, and Dr. Azar Nafisi, author of Reading Lolita in Tehran. 

For more on the event and its featured speakers visit: Writer’s Panel: Telling the Story.

Effectively communicating your story is more important than ever. No matter your professional background or career goals, sharing your ideas with diverse audiences is critical.

Writing True Stories That Matter will give you the tools to transform information into compelling nonfiction narratives. The first course to be offered at Arizona State University’s Washington, DC headquarters, this graduate-level writing workshop is led by ASU professor Lee Gutkind, the “Godfather behind creative nonfiction” (Vanity Fair) and founding editor of Creative Nonfiction magazine.

The skills developed in this class will be applicable to all forms of nonfiction writing: long-form journalism, op-ed pieces, speechwriting, book proposals, grant applications, and white papers. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from luminaries in the field of creative nonfiction and network with editors and authors from Issues in Science and Technology, Creative Nonfiction, Slate, and others.

Writing True Stories That Matter is designed for busy individuals. You will draft and revise a long-form narrative essay, book chapter, or series of smaller pieces as a final product to earn class credit. The class meets every other week on Thursday and Friday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m., January 10 to April 19, 2019.

For more information about turning your research or ideas into a captivating narrative, visit http://cspo.org/program/true-stories/.

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To Register

If you are currently an ASU student, go to my.asu.edu to register for [HSD 598, class #32344].

If you are not currently an ASU student, you must first become a non-degree seeking graduate student. The process is quick and easy: Note: You must register as a non-degree graduate, college/school = ASU Graduate College.

• Go to https://students.asu.edu/graduate/nondegree. This web page links to the ASU Graduate Admissions application.

• In approximately 48 hours, you will receive an email confirming your non-degree status admission.

• You can then log into your newly established account (my.asu.edu). At the bottom of the “My Classes” box, click on “Registration”, “Add”, then search for [HSD 598, class #32344]. That will add Writing True Stories That Matter to your “cart” and finish the registration process.

WRITING TRUE STORIES THAT MATTER

Effectively communicating your story is more important than ever. No matter your professional background or career goals, sharing your ideas with diverse audiences is critical.

Writing True Stories That Matter will give you the tools to transform information into compelling nonfiction narratives. The first course to be offered at Arizona State University’s Washington, DC headquarters, this graduate-level writing workshop is led by ASU professor Lee Gutkind, the “Godfather behind creative nonfiction” (Vanity Fair) and founding editor of Creative Nonfiction magazine.

The skills developed in this class will be applicable to all forms of nonfiction writing: long-form journalism, op-ed pieces, speechwriting, book proposals, grant applications, and white papers. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from luminaries in the field of creative nonfiction and network with editors and authors from Issues in Science and Technology, Creative Nonfiction, Slate, and others.

Writing True Stories That Matter is designed for busy individuals. You will draft and revise a long-form narrative essay, book chapter, or series of smaller pieces as a final product to earn class credit. The class meets every other week on Thursday and Friday evenings from 6:00 to 9:00 PM, January 11 to April 27, 2018.

For more information about turning your research or ideas into a captivating narrative, visit http://cspo.org/program/true-stories/.

_________________

To Register

If you are currently an ASU student, go to my.asu.edu to register for HSD 598, class #30179.

If you are not currently an ASU student, you must first become a non-degree seeking graduate student. The process is quick and easy: Note: You must register as a non-degree graduate, college/school = ASU Graduate College.

• Go to https://students.asu.edu/graduate/nondegree. This web page links to the ASU Graduate Admissions application.

• In approximately 48 hours, you will receive an email confirming your non-degree status admission.

• You can then log into your newly established account (my.asu.edu). At the bottom of the “My Classes” box, click on “Registration”, “Add”, then search for HSD 598, class #30179. That will add Writing True Stories That Matter to your “cart” and finish the registration process.

Creative Nonfiction is the hottest genre of the publishing industry, not only in creative writing programs, but in science, technology, law, economics and throughout the humanities. Whether you are crafting personal essays, narrative reports or memoir, it’s crucial to keep the reader in mind.

This intensive day-and-a-half workshop, led by Lee Gutkind, acclaimed author and editor of Creative Nonfiction Magazine and Dinty W. Moore, editor of Brevity, a Journal of Concise Literary Nonfiction will delve into the craft of creative nonfiction.

Saturday, Oct. 14, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

and

Sunday, Oct. 15, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Arizona State University Washington Center, 1834 Connecticut Ave., Washington, D.C.

This workshop will cover the following topics in depth:

• Developing ideas into compelling stories
• Crafting and recreating scenes from real life and from the past
• Communicating critical ideas and information
• Linking scenes together into longer, powerful narratives​

Participants will also get:

• An overview of creative nonfiction – scenes and basic structure, long and short form

• Tips on researching and interviewing

• An overview of the business of writing – queries, selling, the marketplace

This will be an intimate workshop; only a few spots remain. Sign up now!

Registration: Only $149, includes lunch

Science and religion co-exist in our world in many complex, interesting, and productive ways beyond the caricature of conflict and contradiction. Join us for readings, conversations, and the launch of “Science and Religion: Exploring the Harmonies”—the special fall issues of Creative Nonfiction and Issues in Science and Technology magazines.

This event is free. Please register here. 

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Keck Center

500 Fifth St., Northwest

Washington, DC 20001

Program Lineup:

Ross Andersen, science editor, The Atlantic

Adam Keiper, books and arts editor, The Weekly Standard

Dinty W. Moore, author and founder of Brevity

Sigal Samuel, religion editor, The Atlantic

William Wan, national correspondent, The Washington Post

Rachel Wilkinson and Jamie Zvirzdin, winners of the Think Write Publish Science and Religion writing contest.

Guests will receive complementary copies of both magazines.

An informal networking event will follow immediately at a nearby establishment. Light refreshments will be served.

Hosted by:

Arizona State University

Lee Gutkind, Founder and editor of Creative Nonfiction

Dan Sarewitz, editor of Issues in Science and Technology

Michael Zirulnik, Director of Think Write Publish

Blue Spirit, your home for a fun-filled week, is one of the foremost world-class yoga and meditation retreat centers in Costa Rica, providing an extraordinary setting for personal growth, writing inspiration, clean eating, and creative expression.

Located in one of the world’s 5 Blue Zones, Blue Spirit is perched on a hilltop overlooking the Pacific Ocean on a 5-mile white sand beach that is protected as a turtle refuge. The pristine nature, subtropical climate, dedicated staff, and the healing energy of the area create the ideal environment for our Yoga and Creative Writing retreat to become an unforgettable and deeply nurturing experience.

This week away from your daily busyness will help you: Rediscover your voice. Get filled with inspiration. Be free of distractions. Take your writing to a deeper level. Immerse into heart-fueling, creativity-expanding workshops and yoga sessions.

This retreat is open to everyone. It is designed for a broad range of writers—from barest beginners to those who are most experienced. You’ll polish your writing skills and expand your insights, whether you’re interested in writing as a profession, or to use it as a tool of personal self-discovery and exploration.

For more information visit: http://www.amazingyoga.net/yogaandwritingretreat/

Cuba is one of the most fascinating and beguiling countries in the world, a vibrant and complex blend of history, people, and contemporary culture. Political tensions have all but hidden the enchanting Cuban culture and people from most Americans until recently. This new educational program offers a rare opportunity to engage with the Cuban people and discover and explore the country’s cultural diversity and her physical beauty with words as our tool of discovery.

Turning ideas, observations, and experiences into informative and compelling stories is Lee’s mission and focus during this unique week in Cuba. Lee, the go-to expert for all things creative nonfiction, connects students with the real world through capturing and writing what Lee calls “the literature of reality”—the fastest growing genre in the publishing world. Techniques of memoir and personal essay fall under the creative nonfiction umbrella.

$3,695 per person, double occupancy* for 7 nights in Havana at Convento Santa Brigida, single supplement add $350; breakfast daily, four group lunches and three group dinners; airport transfers and ground transportation in Cuba; and all required visas and license. Airfare is not included. Round-trip charter airfare between Miami and Havana is approximately $550. *For those requesting double accommodations, we will do our best to pair you with a suitable roommate. Participants will be notified if a roommate is not available, in which case the single supplement must be charged.

This program starts with a required group meeting at 8pm on Tuesday evening, January 31, at the Marriott Courtyard Miami Airport. Enrollment is limited to 16-20 participants

Package Price: $3,695

See more at: https://santafeworkshops.com/workshop/bringing-havana-to-life-creative-nonfiction-immersion/#sthash.awZvPF91.dpuf

Join us in Pittsburgh May 27th – 29th, Memorial Day Weekend, for the 4th annual Creative Nonfiction Writers’ Conference. Whether you’re starting to write your first essay or article or have a couple of books under your belt, we have something for you.

In just three days you can meet one-on-one with a literary agent or publishing consultant, get concrete advice from professional writers, hear what different kinds of editors are looking for, and hone your skills in an inspiring small-group session. You’ll also meet and mingle with writers from across the country who share your excitement about the writing process.

For more information, visit: https://www.creativenonfiction.org/creative-nonfiction-writers-conference-0

Writing Away the Stigma combines a series of free writing workshops and fellowships, a funded editorial fellowship, and public readings and events designed to help demonstrate that true stories can counteract the dangerous and shameful stigma surrounding mental illness.

In observance of Mental Health Month, we will be hosting a series of free events during May. We hope you’ll join us at one or more of the following events:

12:30 p.m. Brief readings from Writing Away the Stigma fellows will be followed by a discussion and conversation about the role of creative writing in fostering mental health. Light refreshments will be served. 

This event is FREE and open to the public.

Writing Away the Stigma combines a series of free writing workshops and fellowships, a funded editorial fellowship, and public readings and events designed to help demonstrate that true stories can counteract the dangerous and shameful stigma surrounding mental illness.

In observance of Mental Health Month, we will be hosting a series of free events during May. We hope you’ll join us at one or more of the following events:

3:30 p.m. Brief readings from Writing Away the Stigma fellows will be followed by a discussion and conversation about the role of creative writing in fostering mental health. Light refreshments will be served.

This event is FREE and open to the public.

Doors open at 6 p.m., reading begins at 6:45. The museum’s fantastic collection will be open to attendees, free of charge, starting at 6 p.m. Hearty appetizers & beverages will be served.

Online Registration for the 6th is now closed, please register at the door.

The Nursing Advisory Council invites Lee Gutkind as the keynote speaker at the annual Spring Luncheon to discuss the heroes of the medical profession.

Lee Gutkind joins T. Jefferson Parker and Hugh Martin in a conversation about writing the experiential.

Join Lee Gutkind and Sally Kitch in a discussion about publishing creative nonfiction, in the historic Old Main building at Arizona State University.

The Desert Nights, Rising Stars Writers Conference gathers writers, scholars, and lovers of literature for three days of instruction, conversation, and inspiration. We aim to provide practical information to writers of all levels, and to create a supportive environment for community building. Entering its thirteenth year, the 2016 conference will feature highly accomplished faculty in fiction, poetry, nonfiction, mystery, science fiction, fantasy, YA, and many who resist identification by genre.

Workshop and reading.

Creative Nonfiction founder and editor Lee Gutkind will offer a free writing workshop focused on telling true stories about mental illness. This workshop is part of our ongoing Writing Away the Stigma project.

Check-in will begin at 3:30 p.m. and the workshop will take place from 4-6 pm. A reception with light appetizers and drinks will follow, from 6 p.m.-7 p.m.

Presentation

Lecture and workshop
To learn more and register visit:
http://www.press.org/events/writing-true-stories-make-difference-law-and-order-it-all

Keynote Presentation

Keynote Presentation

Keynote Presentation

A lecture and workshop.

Keynote Speaker

Lecture and workshop.

Presentation of the Creative Nonfiction sustainability issue partnership with the Walton Sustainability Initiative.

A lecture and workshop.

A two-part workshop.

A lecture and workshop.

A reading.

A lecture and workshop.

A lecture and workshop.

A book talk.

A lecture and workshop.

Keynote Speaker

Keynote speaker and workshop leader.

Keynote speaker with presentation and reading for Western Pennsylvania chapter’s annual meeting.

Nonfiction and publication group leader.

A reading and celebration.

A reading and presentation.