Florida Gulf Coast University invites working and aspiring writers to learn from and mingle with published authors, editors and literary agents at the 13th annual Sanibel Island Writers Conference, Nov. 8-11.
Participants may now register for a variety of paid workshops, panels, lectures and readings presented by acclaimed and experienced writers and teachers during the gathering at BIG Arts on Sanibel. Bestselling authors Ann Hood and Joyce Maynard and celebrated singer-songwriter Alastair Moock headline the conference, which also features some free events.
Keynote speaker Hood is the author of 14 novels, including the bestsellers “The Knitting Circle,” “The Obituary Writer” and “The Book That Matters Most.” She has published three memoirs, most recently “Morningstar: Growing Up with Books.” Hood’s address is free and open to the public and begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10 in Schein Hall at BIG Arts, 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel. Authors Jill Bialosky and John Dufresne also will do readings.
Maynard’s most recent memoir, 2017’s “The Best of Us,” is about finding her husband and losing him to cancer four years later. She also wrote the darkly comic novel “To Die For,” which was adapted as a film starring Nicole Kidman. Maynard will give a free public reading along with award-winning poet January Gill O’Neil and bestselling travel writer Stephanie Elizondo Griest at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9 in Schein Hall.
Folk and Americana singer-songwriter Moock will perform at 6 p.m. on the conference’s opening night. Poet Major Jackson and bestselling author Steve Almond will give readings before the free public show in Schein Hall.
For a complete schedule of workshops, presentations, panels and readings, consult the conference website, where you can also register. Contact conference director Tom DeMarchi at [email protected] or (239) 590-7421 for additional information.