Islanders Write 2018

 ABOUT THE ART, CRAFT, AND BUSINESS OF WRITING
PANEL DISCUSSIONS, WORKSHOPS, AUTHOR SIGNINGS, AND MORE
FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN WRITING AND THE WRITING LIFE 

AT THE GRANGE HALL IS WEST TISBURY:
Free and open to the public. First come, first seated.

Sunday, August 5 at 7:30 pm
Politics and the Press – Covering the Chaos
Should the press be taking an unconventional approach to covering an unconventional president?
The year in coverage and thoughts on moving forward
Bob Drogin
Melinda Henneberger
Richard North Patterson
Charlayne Hunter-Gault  ~ moderator

MONDAY, AUGUST 6, FROM 8 AM – 5 PM
Panel discussions, writing workshops, open-mic,critique sessions, author signings, and more

PANEL DISCUSSIONS UPSTAIRS:

8:30 Why Write a Column? The Pros and the Cons
Four columnists for Vineyard publications discuss their approach and turning your column into a book.
Chris Baer
Nicole Galland
Tom Shelby
Arnie Reisman ~moderator

9:30 True Crime Writing
Digging down with detective work and coming up with a narrative. How true crime writers work with sources, develop stories, and stay sane.
Frank Bergon
Joshua Hammer
Nancy Rommelmann
George Brennan ~ moderator

10:30 Pitch Panel – Pitch Your Book Project
Make your pitch and hear feedback from an editor, agent, and author.
John Hough, Jr.,
Rosemary Stimola
Gretchen Young
Torrey Oberfest ~ moderator

Interested in pitching your book project? Click here for pitch panel guidelines.

11:30 Writing Dialogue
“And how are you?” How to help your characters speak. The do’s and don’ts of dialogue.
LaShonda Katrice Barnett
Halley Feiffer
Misan Sagay
John Hough, Jr. ~ moderator

12:30 Can Writing Heal? Narrative Medicine
Working through trauma, sickness, and other life upsets with the written word.
Nancy Aronie
Judith Hannon
Christine Cissy White
Peter Kramer ~ moderator

1:30 Writing to Make a Point: Advocacy and Activism
How your writing can change the world.
Callie Crossley
Alissa Quart
Alexandra Styron
Tony Horwitz ~ moderator

2:40 A Conversation about Writing, Writers, and Life
Two Pulitzer Prize winning novelists, essayists, and journalists who have been at this for a while sit own for a chat.
Geraldine Brooks and Richard Russo

3:40 The Songwriters: Working with The Muse
Three members of a legendary songwriting family join us for our final panel of the day.
Kate Taylor
Sally Taylor
Isaac Taylor

Writing workshops:

8:00: Wake up and Write! With Lara O’Brien
Start your morning with an interactive writing exercise

Justen Ahren is back and giving two workshops
10 am & 11:30 am Creating a daily Writing Practice

Also:

1:30  – 2:30
The Five-Minute Writing Slam

Read your piece about the Vineyard at our open mic – click for details
(This event takes place at The West Tisbury Library)

One-on-One Manuscript Feedback with Lashonda Katrice Barnett.
This event is full. Click here for guidelines if you’d like to submit your piece for the waiting list.

Author signings with Bunch of Grapes, repurposing books, shop talk, food, and more