“Writing at a time of a threatened natural world”
2020 Keynote Speaker
Click on each author for a short biography.
2020 Faculty Members
Click on each author for a short biography.
Panel Discussion Topics 2019
2020 North Words Panel Topics
Special Theme: Writing at a time of a threatened natural world.
Writing while the world burns:
How to stand witness to challenges, change, and turmoil. Why do it at all?
Seeing your words in black-and-white:
The shifting dimensions of getting published.
The writer’s role as a source of hope:
From all these urgent, tragic, troubling stories—where is the light?
Making science stick among skeptics:
Data is real, stupid. Or is it? What was the question?
Stitching characters’ lives into a coherent fabric:
The quest to show purpose and place among relationships.
Writing with risk:
Why should you try? What happens if you do?
The performance side:
Your words—live and in person—flung at others.
Faculty Publications
Alaska/NW Faculty 2019 Selected Works
These authors will be signing books following the Faculty Reading on Thursday night.
ERNESTINE HAYES
www.ernestinehayes.com
Blonde Indian, an Alaska Native Memoir • The Tao of Raven
JONATHAN EVISON
jonathanevison.net
Lawn Boy • West of Here • The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving • This Is Your Life Harriet Chance! • All About Lulu
NANCY LORD
writernancylord.com
ph: A Novel • Made of Salmon: Alaska Stories from the Salmon Project • Early Warming: Crisis and Response in the Climate-Changed North • Rock, Water, Wild: An Alaskan Life • Beluga Days: Tracking the Endangered White Whale • The Man Who Swam with Beaver
DON REARDEN
www.donrearden.com
The Raven’s Gift • Never Quit (with Jimmy Settle)
EMILY WALL
www.emily-wall.com
Liveaboard • Freshly Rooted • Breaking Into Air: Birth Poems (forthcoming) • Letters from Mary • With Reverence
TERRENCE COLE
Fighting for the 49th Star • E.T. Barnette • Crooked Past • Banking in Alaska • Swiftwater Bill Gates
North Words Writers Symposium Schedule
Special Pre-North Words Book Event
July 28, 2020 • 4-5 pm ADT
Reading from their new books:
Eva Holland, author of Nerve
Heather Lende, author of Of Bears and Ballots
plus special guest Amy Gash, editor of Heather’s books at Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill
This virtual event will be hosted by Jeff Brady from our
independent bookstore sponsor Skaguay News Depot & Books.
Connect to link for this FREE Zoom session at www.skagwaybooks.com
Virtual North Words Schedule
August 2-4, 2020
Special Theme: Writing at a time of a threatened natural world.
For Zoom access, register at https://www.nwwriterss.com
($98 for full conference, or $35 per day)
Faculty: Keynote Bill Streever,
Heather Lende, M Jackson, Eva Holland,
Caroline Van Hemert, Bryan Fierro, Nicole Stellon O’Donnell
Your Hosts:
Daniel Henry, Jeff Brady, Kent Fielding, Katrina Woolford
Special Thanks to these Hosting Venues:
Alderworks Alaska Writers & Artists Retreat, Skagway Public Library, Skagway Convention & Visitors Bureau (AB Hall), Red Onion Saloon
Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020
6-9 PM (Alaska time)
Live from Alderworks in Dyea, Alaska
6-6:30 PM
Open Zoom Reception/Introductions/Buckwheat Memories
6:30-7:45 PM
Writing While The World Burns:
How to stand witness to challenges, change, and turmoil.
Why do it at all?
Panel: Bill (lead), Heather, Caroline, Eva, Bryan, Nicole, M
7:45-8 PM
Social Break / Stretch Time / Barnyard Tour
8-9 PM
Making Science Stick Among Skeptics:
Data is real, stupid. Or is it? What was the question?
Panel: M (lead), Caroline, Bill, Eva
Monday, Aug. 3, 2020
1-4 PM (Alaska time)
Live from downtown Skagway, Alaska venues
Co-hosted by Jeff (AB Hall), Kent (Library), Dan (Red Onion)
Jeff will start the meeting and then send to Kent at library.
Workshop can stretch to 2:15 if more time needed.
1-2 PM • Skagway Public Library
Writing Workshop
Virtual workshop led by Nicole and M
2:15-2:30 PM • Broadway Bound
Social Break / Stretch Time
2:30-3:30 PM • AB Hall
Writing With Risk:
Why should you try? What happens if you do?
Panel: Eva (lead), Nicole, Heather
3:30-4 PM • Red Onion Saloon
Wrap-up with RO ghosts
Follow Dan wherever he goes!
Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020
6-9 PM (Alaska time)
Keynote Eve Live from Alderworks in Dyea, Alaska
6-6:30 PM
Open Zoom Reception/Alderworks Tour
6:30-8:30 PM
Keynote by Bill Streever
“What It Is to be a Writer Today”
Q&A to follow remarks, leading into final panel discussion
(after 5 minute break)
The Writer’s Role as a Source of Hope
From all these urgent, tragic, troubling stories—where is the light?
Panel co-leaders: Heather, Caroline, Bryan
8:30-9 PM
Wrap-up by North Words organizers, final thoughts