The 2012 FIU Writer's Conference Approaches

The Biltmore Hotel & Resort in Coral Gables, Florida

This October, FIU's 2012 Writers Conference, put on in partnership with Books & Books, will be held at the Biltmore Hotel and Spa in Coral Gables, FL.

From October 25-27, writers, teachers, editors and agents will be on hand, bringing their expertise to conference attendees.  Here's a quick look at who'll be there and the topics covered:

● novel, Scott Spencer (Endless Love) ● non-fiction/memoir, Ann Hood (Comfort) ● food and fiction writer, Steven Raichlen (Island Apart, The Barbecue Bible) ● fiction, John Dufresne (Requiem, Mass.) ● poetry, Denise Duhamel (Ka-Ching!) ● revision process, Lynne Barrett (Magpies) ● novel, Debra Dean (The Madonnas Of Leningrad) ● screenwriting & structure, Les Standiford (Bringing Adam Home) ● the book concept, Ellen Sussman (DirtyWords, French Lessons) ● memoir, Julie Wade (Small Fires) ● Richard Pine, Inkwell Management Literary Agency ● Jill Bialosky, Editor (W.W. Norton)

Conference director Les Standiford says, "Of course we hope that everyone will want to join us at the legendary Biltmore, with its many amenities, but as always, the heart of the matter is writing. Our program offers intensive, hands-on workshops and discussions intended to help writers at all stages of development."

For more information, the schedule, availability of manuscript conferences, and registration details, visit the conference page at the FIU Creative Writing program website here.

A look back in history.

Alumni Reading at Books & Books

Four recent graduates of FIU's MFA Creative Writing Program read vibrant and thought-provoking works Sept. 9 at our annual alumni Writers on the Bay reading at Books & Books in Coral Gables. Yaddyra Peralta's birthplace, Honduras, came alive in her verse. Ex-military men confronted horrors in a Nazi research facility in postwar Germany in James Elens' novel. A failed psychic set-up shop in Anjanette Delgado's novel to help jilted women navigate divorce court. Poet Guillermo Cancio-Bello tackled the old human mysteries, love and nature. A wonderful Sunday afternoon to celebrate literature!  Many thanks to Fabienne Merritt for photographing the event.

Guests socialize before the reading.

Professor Deborah Dean welcomes the audience.

MFA Program Director, Les Standiford, introduces the readers.

Guillermo Cancio-Bello

Anjanette Delgado

James Elens

Yaddyra Peralta

Professor Lynne Barrett congratulates her former student.

Professor John Dufresne and members of the MFA community catch up.

Debra Dean's The Mirrored World Published

Debra Dean’s second novel, The Mirrored World, has just been published by Harper Collins.  In the book Dean reimagines the life of Russia's Saint Xenia, whose journey from a life of privilege to  tending the poor in St. Petersburg's slums is told from the point of view of her younger cousin and friend, Dasha. Learn more about the book by going to Debra Dean's Facebook Author page.

On Thursday, Sept. 6th, at 8 PM, everyone's invited to Dean's launch reading at Books & Books, 265 Aragon Ave, Coral Gables.  Readers can learn here where else her book tour is taking her.