Writers at Work, the Park City writers conference, has earned some bragging rights. At a time when most writers conferences ignite, sputter and fizzle within three years, W@W (as organizers affectionately label it), is now in its eighth year.
The site will be the Yarrow Hotel in Park City. The dates are June 21 through June 26. Brochures are available by calling 298-9936."We've been successful because the structure of the conference lets us bring in faculty members who take personal interest, who are willing to make themselves available outside the classroom," says Kevin Avery, president of the board of directors. "Last year we had visiting writers taking students out for pizza, planning future parties. That, I think, is the biggest reason we've done well."
The conference also has its share of success stories. Both Rick Bass and Pam Houston - major young American writers - were "brought along early" by Writers at Work.
This year the organizers have tried to fine-tune things to make the conference run smoothly. They are also adding some new elements to keep things fresh. There will be a playwriting workshop offered by Eric Overmyer, who teaches at the Yale School of Drama and has worked on the show "Sisters." To make the poetry workshops more popular, the conference is bringing in David Lee from Southern Utah University. Lee is known for his populist, performance-oriented verse.
The other "Players," as the group of visiting writers and editors are being billed, include Al Young, author of 15 works of fiction; Antonya Nelson, winner of the Flannery O'Connor Short Story Award; and headliner Judith Freeman, a nationally renowned author and lecturer.
Other "name-brand" writers and editors are Ron Carlson, Phyllis Barber, Michael Curtis (senior editor at the Atlantic), Robert Finch, Francois Camoin, Carol Houck Smith and Betsy Marston, who was named one of "the West's 20 movers and shakers."
Seminars and panels will feature topics ranging from "Finding a Voice" and "Marketing Your Work" to heady discussions on humor, political correctness and screenwriting.