FAQ

I'm new to writing, and nervous about showing my work. Is the Nebraska Summer Writers Conference for me, or is it only for experienced writers?

Don't be intimidated! This is the conference's ninth year as one of the Midwest's premiere literary events, and we've always prided ourselves on the great comfort writers take in the conference environment, regardless of their level of development. The conference offers workshops that are designed to benefit both the inexperienced and the experienced writer. For some of our conference attendees, their writing is very personal-they've had career paths that have taken them away from their creative expression and their goal now is to simply get some words down on paper. Meanwhile, other attendees have been developing their craft for years and have published their work in literary journals. We even offer master classes for writers who've completed book-length manuscripts and want their entire novels, memoirs, or poetry collections read by acclaimed authors.

What exactly happens in the workshop?

It depends on which one you sign up for, as each class has a particular focus, but basically you'll be writing, reading, and discussing fiction or poetry or memoir (or a mix of genres), and you'll gain insights on your work specifically and on writing in general. Check out the descriptions on the workshop page, and our list of faculty. The authors on our faculty are not only excellent teachers of creative writing, but they've excelled in their fields to an exceptional degree… some of our writers have had novels on bestseller lists within the last year; others are editors of some of the country's most renowned literary journals; others have won top awards. We also offer the opportunity to work with publishing professionals who are active in the industry.

What are some of the other components of the conference, other than the workshops?

We like to offer a variety of opportunities for those wanting instruction even beyond the workshop, including faculty readings, panel discussions, and evening events that allow for some socializing at the end of each day. And, of course, there are all the benefits of being on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus: you can visit the art collection of the Sheldon Museum, see a film at the Ross Theater, attend Jazz in June. And the campus is within walking distance of great restaurants, bars, bookstores, and the historic Haymarket area. (Check out our "Links" section in Travel / Accommodations for more info.)

I've looked over the list of workshops and faculty, and I still can't decide. What do I do?

Email the conference director, Timothy Schaffert, at tschaffert2@unl.edu, or the assistant director, Sarah Chavez, at nswc@unl.edu. We're always happy to tell you more about the conference and the faculty, and to help you figure out the best option.