FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 21, 2012
CONTACT: Erica Asmus-Otero 505-259-2202 Erica@griffinassoc.com

‘Taos Summer Writers Conference’ Will Inspire Aspiring Writers from across U.S. July 15-22

TAOS, NM — Aspiring writers from across the country will be given an invaluable opportunity to learn from a number of nationally acclaimed, successful writers and authors during the 14th annual Taos Summer Writers Conference in Taos, New Mexico from July 15-22, 2012.

Named one of the “Top 10 Writers Conferences in the U.S.” by USA Today, the Taos Summer Writer’s Conference is an annual, weeklong gathering that draws writers from all over the country to the inspirational setting of Taos. Taos has long been an attraction to writers such as D.H. Lawrence and Gertrude Stein whose light, ancient culture, and natural beauty stimulate creativity. The Taos Conference offers numerous workshops in fiction, poetry, non fiction and screenwriting.

This year’s keynote speaker will be Dani Shapiro, author of Moments of Being which features insightful essays of the writing process. Shapiro is also the bestselling author of the memoirs Devotion and Slow Motion, and five novels including Black and White and Family History. Her work has appeared in The New Yorker, Granta, Tin House, One Story, Elle, The New York Times Book Review, The Los Angeles Times, and has been widely anthologized. Shapiro will give her keynote remarks at 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 15 as the conference commences.

This year, a new workshop will be added to the Master Class, featuring novelist Les Standiford. Titled “The Art and Craft of the Novel,” the class will focus on shaping the manuscripts for the intended audience. Standiford has published over twenty novels, including The Man Who Invented Christmas – a New York Times Editor's Pick in 2008. Openings are still available for Standiford’s novel Master Class.

Additional Master Classes are being offered, though many are by waiting list only. A maximum of six students in allowed in each Master Class. Author instructors include 2012 Guggenheim Award winner, John Dufresne, Novel (waiting list); Joy Harjo, Poetry (one spot remaining); Gregory Martin, Memoir (waiting list); Antonya Nelson, Novel (waiting list); Les Standiford, Novel (four spots remaining); Summer Wood, Novel (waiting list).

In addition to Master Classes during the conference, weeklong workshops are also available and led by a number of accomplished authors and novelists such as Sarah Sentilles, author of her recent memoir Breaking Up with God: A Love Story. Sentilles will help aspiring writers tackle the tricky business of writing a spiritual memoir in her class, “Seen and Unseen: Writing the Spiritual Memoir.”

Nearly a dozen weeklong workshop classes will be taught giving student a chance to hone their writing skills with everything from poetry, to novels, to a memoir. Classes are led by professional writers including: Amy Breeder, Poetry (five spots remaining); Robert Boswell, Fiction (waiting list); Laura Brodie, Novel in Progress (waiting list); Alice E. Dark, Fiction (waiting list); Priscilla Long, Prose Style (three spots remaining); Carolyn Meyer, YA Fiction (seven spots remaining); Ruth Ozeki, Meditation and Writing (four spots remaining); Eric Puchner, Fiction (one spot remaining); Hilda Raz, Poetry (five spots remaining); Sarah Sentilles, Spiritual Memoir (eight spots remaining); Jesse Lee Kercheval, Novel (two spots remaining); Mark Sundeen, and Travel Memoir (eight spots remaining).

Weekend workshops are also available for students interested in learning more about writing Children’s Picture Books, Poetry and Prose, and screenwriting, among others, and are led by authors including: Michael Amundsen, Screenwriting (nine spots remaining); Ana Baca, Children’s Picture Books (eight spots remaining); Carole DeSanti, Fiction (waiting list); Emily Forland and Wendy Weil, Two Agents Tell All (nine spots remaining); Valerie Martinez, Poetry and Prose (eight spots remaining); Daniel Mueller, Flash Fiction/Prose Poetry (one spot remaining); and Emily Rapp, Memoir (waiting list).

Publishing consultations are also available for students registered for a workshop(s). Scheduling will be done via email in June. To participate, email a query letter including author background and a summary of work along with 15-20 page of submitted manuscript to taosconf@unm.edu. The materials will then be forwarded to an editor. Price for a consultation is $150. Space is limited.

A non-refundable deposit is required when you register to reserve a space. If you register before June 1, 2012, your tuition balance will be due June 1, 2012. If you register on or after June 1, 2012, the total tuition will be due with your registration. Until June 11, 2012, registrations paid in full are eligible for a partial refund; all deposits are non-refundable. No refunds will apply to cancellations made on or after June 11, 2012.

For a complete list of workshops, registration information, Master Classes, and a schedule of readings and ongoing events during the Taos Summer Writers Conference, visit www.unm.edu/~taosconf/ Online registration is available this year at www.unm.edu/~taosconf/Registration/Registration.htm.

Special conference rates are available at three Taos lodging facilities. Sagebrush Inn, a Taos landmark since 1929, is offering special conference rates ranging from $69 - $109 per night, which includes full breakfast. Call 800-428-3626 or email sagebrush@newmex.com to reserve. Comfort Suites is offering a discounted rate of $69, which includes full breakfast. Call 888-751-1555 or comfort@newmex.com to reserve. Quality Inn is also offering a $69 rate including full breakfast. Call 800-845-0648 or quality@newmex.com.

For more information about Taos, visit www.taos.org.

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