NEW VOICES: Where Have We Been? Where Are We Going?

The Twenty-Sixth Annual Key West Literary Seminar

In this past January's Seminar, established writers introduced new and emerging writers for an exploration of the expanding boundaries of contemporary literature. Our 2009 seminar will be similar in structure.

Session 1: January 10-13
Workshop Program: January 14 - 17
Session 2: January 17-20

What does it mean to be a new voice in literature? What does a new voice sound like? What's it like to be a new voice? How does a new voice get heard? What was literature like then; and what's it like now? What was it like to be a new writer then, and now?

Across genres and across generations, these are some of the provocative questions we'll explore as established writers share the stage with new writers, exploring the boundaries of contemporary literature.

First Session: January 10-13

Mark Doty will deliver the John Hersey Memorial Address for this
session. His talk will open the session on
Thursday, January 10, 7:30 p.m.


In Conversation With...

Ann Beattie ~ Hannah Pittard
Judy Blume ~ Mary Hays, Bich Minh Nguyen
Mark Doty ~ Tina Chang, Terrance Hayes, Brenda Shaughnessy

Robert Richardson ~ Maggie Nelson

Edmund White ~ Vestal McIntyre, Patrick Ryan

Special New Voices Usadinma Iweala and Michael Thomas will appear at the first session.

 

Second Session: January 17-20

Lee Smith will deliver the John Hersey Memorial Address for this session.
Thursday, January 17, 7:30 p.m.


In Conversation With...

Judy Blume with Gigi Amateau and Carolyn Mackler
Billy Collins with Meghan O'Rourke and Kevin Young
Annie Dillard with Jake Silverstein
James Gleick with Janna Levin
Lee Smith with Silas House and Tayari Jones


With special guests Junot Díaz, Nell Freudenberger and
Daniel Menaker


Elisabeth Scharlatt, publisher of Algonquin House, will introduce new
voice Manuel Muñoz

We encourage new and emerging writers to attend our 2008 Seminar. We will be offering significant financial
assistance for new writers, assisting with registration fees for the Seminar and accompanying workshops, and helping with lodging expense. Scholarship details.