The events and gathering opportunities listed below are either sponsored in some way by the Lutheran Writers Project or are events sponsored by others but of special interest to our project.
Upcoming:
Writing about Nature
A Writing Workshop about Nature will take place on Wednesday April 10, 2013.
More information to come.
Previous Writing Symposiums:
Writing about War
A Writing Workshop about War with Mark Mustian and Robert Schultz
Giving Sorrow Words
A Writing Workshop about Grief and Loss
The Lutheran Writers Project at Roanoke College is offering a writing workshop for those who would like to try several writing exercises and strategies that will give life to their writing about loss, loved ones, and healing. This workshop is open to all; no writing experience is necessary, and the purpose of this workshop is not critical or evaluative. The workshop, led by award-winning writers Jill Alexander
Essbaum, whose first book of poetry was awarded the Bakeless Prize, and
Paul Shepherd, whose novel won the Mary McCarthy Award, will run from 4 to 5:30 pm on Wednesday, February 16th on the campus of Roanoke College. The cost to the general public is $15.00; participants will receive a free copy of one of the workshop leaders’ books. Enrollment will be limited to 15 participants. To register, or for more information, email Paul Shepherd at paul@paulkshepherd.com.
Writing about Grief
A conversation with Gary Fincke and featured guests Jill Alexander Essbaum and Ned Wisnefske
The evening of February 16th, at 7:30pm in the Colket Center at Roanoke College, the Lutheran Writers Project will sponsor readings and a panel discussion. Gary Fincke has published over 20 books of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Director of the Writers Institute and a professor of creative writing at Susquehanna University, his latest work is a series of essays on loss and grief that he is writing in the aftermath of his father’s death. Jill Alexander Essbaum is author of Necropolis, a meditation on both the deaths of her parents, who died while Jill was still young, and the impossible mystery of The Resurrection. Ned Wisnefske is the Schumann Professor of Lutheran Theology at Roanoke College. His latest book is God Hides.
2011 Lutheran Author Tour
Jill Alexander Essbaum is an award-winning poet with a national audience and will be touring the U.S. speaking at Lutheran colleges, seminaries, and synod sites, reading from her work and speaking about arts and the Christian imagination. Jill's visits generally include an evening reading and book signing, with time for questions. If time permits, Jill is also available for chapel talks and visits with classes or campus ministry groups. Jill's poetry will have students, faculty, and the community laughing, blushing, and wondering. And while her work is published by the best of our literary presses, Jill is a writer who genuinely embraces—and struggles with—a life of faith. Described as a "Christian erotic" poet, Jill's work may not be for the faint of heart—but her words will leave listeners considering art, spirituality, and passion in a new light. For more information about Jill, refer to the Authors page. For more information about setting up a tour date in your location, contact Paul Shepherd at paul@paulkshepherd.com.
Workshop Groups
Writers who are interested in forming online or actual workshop groups can contact the Writing Group Coordinator, author Linda Gillis, from Sun City, Arizona, at lindagillis@yahoo.com.
We're on Google!
We're beginning with a group, the Lutheran Writers Project Group, on Google, where you can sign up to begin meeting each other, finding common interests, and building new groups. Just follow this link, or type "Lutheran Writers Project Group" into Google.
Among other suggested events we’re interested in developing and advertising (with your help!) are:
- Sermon Workshops in which pastors and seminarians can explore the roles of narrative and poetic techniques in sermon-writing.
- Local Writer Gatherings in which authors with local and Lutheran connections can find each other.
- Lutheran Publication Workshops for writers interested in learning more about Lutheran-sponsored publication needs and opportunities.
- Literature and Theology Seminars for writers and readers interested in learning about Lutheran themes in their own creative writing or the writings of others.
- Gatherings of Lutheran college student writers.
