“Writing at a time of a threatened natural world”
2024 Keynote Speaker
Click on each author for a short biography.
2024 Faculty Members
Click on each author for a short biography.
2024 North Words Panels & Workshops
Below is the initial list of panel and workshop topics. A final list with faculty assignments will appear on the 2024 schedule in March.
* Panel discussion followed by breakout writing workshop
1) Narrative Bridges: Writing Across Cultures
Pondering preparation for writing about cultures beyond your own, including research beyond the page. Thoughts about being a Storycatcher without writing like a voyeur.
In memory of Brian Doyle, Father Michael Oleksa, and Nora & Richard Dauenhauer
2) Small Town Tales: Trivial or Universal?
The stream of small stories in a rural community can feed your imagination, but how will distant readers relate? How do rural writers shine light for urban readers without getting lost in the weeds?
3) First, Final, Foremost: Where to Start, How to End, and What’s Important *
Will you begin at the beginning? Conclude at the conclusion?
* followed by breakout writing workshop
4) Weaving Historical Details into a Magic Carpet
How a thousand loose ends may be woven into a strong storyline.
5) Settler’s Fantasy: Ways to Escape, Exploit, or Call It Out
What is it and how aware do Alaskan writers need to be?
Reference: Alaska Myth podcast led by Tia Tidwell, Inupiaq professor at UAF (listen at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2209768/13803576)
6) The Saddest Pleasure: Travel Writing Beyond the Straight Facts *
Discovering the heart’s voice, the richness of other voices, your authentic voice.
* followed by breakout writing workshop
7) Heal Me, O Story: The Healing Power of Stories *
Start with the place where you most need to heal; the universal will follow.
* followed by breakout writing sessions incorporating art pieces
•••••••
Additional Writing Workshops
EARLYBIRD WORKSHOP ON HARVESTING THE DETAILS: Basically how to set up the room, space, landscape for the poem or story you want to tell. Broken into poetry and prose sections at Skagway Public Library to start the first full day of the conference.
TRAIL WRITE WORKSHOP: Part of Saturday excursion to Denver Glacier Trail on WP&YR railroad.
There also will be time for one-on-one consultations with all of our Alaska-NW faculty and three places on the schedule to read your own work.
Faculty Publications
2024 Alaska/Northwest Faculty Selected Works
See selection of covers at bottom of page
Lily H. Tuzroyluke
tuzroyluke.com
Sivulliq: Ancestor
Daryl Farmer
darylfarmer.com
Bicycling beyond the Divide • Where We Land
Melinda Moustakis
melindamoustakis.com
Homestead • Bear Down, Bear North
John Messick
johnlmessick.com
Compass Lines
Don Rearden
donrearden.com
Without A Paddle (poetry) • The Raven’s Gift (novel) • Never Quit & Warrior’s Creed (co-authored)
Christine Byl
christinebyl.com
Lookout • Dirt Work: An Education in the Woods
Also check out these books from our Organizing Faculty:
• Gagaan X’usyee/Below the Foot of the Sun: Poems, by X̱’unei Lance Twitchell
• Across the Shaman’s River: John Muir, the Tlingit Stronghold and the Opening of the North, by Daniel Henry
• Skagway: City of the New Century: The True Story of Skagway, Alaska including the White Pass, Dyea and the Chilkoot Trail, co-authored and edited by Jeff Brady
• Before the Grave: Poems by D.S. Poorman, edited with an afterword by Kent Fielding.
All of these books are available from Skaguay News Depot & Books or through bookshop.org supporting independent bookstores.
North Words Writers Symposium Schedule
Wednesday, May 29 – Day 1
1) Yoga Nidra with Mandy Ramsey – 1:00-2:00 PM at Arctic Brotherhood Hall. More details forthcoming. Sign up online and bring your own mat or blanket to spread out on floor. If you need to borrow a mat, let us know.
2) Bike Rentals – Sign up online for voucher for an all-day bike rental Wednesday sponsored by Sockeye Cycle (5th b/w Broadway & State)
3) Red Onion Saloon Brothel Tour (available any day, choose your time). Voucher in your packet – check at RO after you arrive for daily tour schedule and pick your time. Sponsored by Red Onion Saloon (2nd & Broadway)
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3:30 – 4:30 PM • Early Bird Book Signing with Participant Authors
Skaguay News Depot & Books – 208 Broadway across from AB Hall
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3:30-5:00 PM – Participant & Faculty Check-in & Packet Pickups
AB Hall conference room • Broadway between 2nd & 3rd
For those arriving on Alaska Fjordlines or on late flights, packets will be available at the opening reception.
4:30-5:00 PM – Faculty Meeting
AB Hall conference room • Broadway between 2nd & 3rd
5:00 – 6:00 PM • Organizing Faculty Book Signing
Skaguay News Depot & Books – 208 Broadway across from AB Hall
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7:00 – 9:00 PM – Opening Reception at BrewCo
Skagway Brewing Co., 4th b/w Broadway & Spring, enter through first floor bar to outside patio
Food & First Drink Provided
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Thursday, May 30 – Day 2
6:45 – 7:55 AM – Early Bird Workshop at Library
Skagway Public Library • 8th & State
(register online in advance, choose poetry or prose)
Workshop: Harvesting the Details
How to set up the room, space, landscape, etc. for the poem or story you want to tell.
Poetry group led by Don Rearden and Kent Fielding
Prose group led by Daryl Farmer and Melinda Moustakis
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Thursday at AB Hall
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM – Continental Breakfast – AB Hall
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8:30 – 9:00 AM – Welcome! Announcements, Remembrances, Introductions
Jaime Bricker, Skagway Tribal Council president
Organizing Faculty, Everyone
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9:00-10:15 AM – Opening Panel
Narrative Bridges: Writing Across Cultures
Pondering preparation for writing about cultures beyond your own, including research beyond the page. Thoughts about being a ‘Story catcher’ without writing like a voyeur. Introduction by Dan.
In Memory of Brian Doyle, Father Michael Oleska, and Nora & Richard Dauenhauer
Panel: Jamie, Don, Lily, Christine
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(Morning Stretch during break led by Mandy Ramsey)
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10:30 – 11:45 AM – Small Town Tales: Trivial or Universal?
The stream of small stories in a rural community can feed your imagination, but how will distant readers relate? How do rural writers shine light for urban readers without getting lost in the weeds?
Panel: Lily, Don, Melinda, Christine
—— ——
11:45 AM – 1:30 PM – Lunch On Your Own!
Discover local cuisine/menus at Skagway Visitor Center in AB Hall or visit www.skagway.com
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12:45 – 1:45 PM – Book Signing: Jamie Ford, Keynote author of The Many Daughters of Afong Moy, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, other titles
Skaguay News Depot & Books – across Broadway from AB Hall
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2:00 – 2:30 PM– Participant Readings #1
Individual readings of no more than 5-6 minutes (limit of 5 readers in this slot, sign up online)
—— ——
2:30 – 3:30 PM – First, Final, Foremost: Where to Start, How to End, and What’s Important*
Will you begin at the beginning? Conclude at the conclusion?
* Includes breakout writing exercise
Panel: Christine lead, John, Daryl, Dan
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3:30 – 5:00 PM – Faculty Consultations
AB Hall or other arranged locations
Half-hour sessions with faculty and staff; sign up in advance
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5:00 – 7:00 PM – Dine out on your own in Skagway!
Discover local cuisine/menus at Skagway Visitor Center in AB Hall or visit www.skagway.com
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7:00 – 8:30 PM – Faculty Readings at Eagles Hall
Location: Eagles Hall Theatre • 6th & Broadway
Sponsored by the Days of ’98 Show & Skagway Arts Council
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
(also may be open to public for viewing on Facebook Live)
——– ——–
Friday, May 31 – Day 3
Friday at AB Hall
8:00 AM – 8:45 AM – Continental Breakfast, Announcements – AB Hall
Organizing Faculty, 49 Writers
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8:45- 9:15 AM – Participant Readings #2
Individual readings of no more than 5-6 minutes (limit of 5 readers in this slot, sign up online)
—— ——
9:30 AM – 10:45 AM – Settler’s Fantasy: Ways to Escape, Exploit, or Call It Out
What is it and how aware do Alaskan writers need to be?
Reference: Alaska Myth podcast led by Tia Tidwell, Inupiaq professor at UAF (listen at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2209768/13803576)
Panel: Don lead, Lily, Melinda
—— ——
11:00 AM – 12:00 Noon – Weaving Historical Details into a Magic Carpet
How a thousand loose ends may be woven into a strong storyline.
Panel: Melinda lead, Jamie, Lily, Jeff
—— ——
12:00 Noon – 2:00 PM – Lunch On Your Own!
Discover local cuisine/menus at Skagway Visitor Center in AB Hall or visit www.skagway.com
—— ——
12:30 – 2:00 PM – Faculty Book Signing
12:30-1 • Lily Tuzroyluke and Melinda Moustakis
1-1:30 • Don Rearden and Christine Byl
1:30-2 • Daryl Farmer and John Messick
Skaguay News Depot & Books – across Broadway from AB Hall
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2:15 – 2:30 PM – A message from your body
Led by Mandy Ramsey
Reflection, Breathe, Release
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2:30 PM – 3:45 PM – The Saddest Pleasure: Travel Writing Beyond the Straight Facts *
Discovering the heart’s voice, the richness of other voices, your authentic voice.
* Includes breakout writing exercise
Panel: Daryl lead, John, Don
——– ——–
Free time
——– ——–
Evening Alderworks BBQ Schedule
5:30 PM – Van/Shuttle Pickups for ride to Alderworks in Dyea
Pickup locations: White House (8th & Main), Morning Wood (4th & State), Skagway Inn (7th & Broadway), Westmark (3rd & Spring).
Courtesy of SMART Bus
6:30 – 8:30 PM – Hoedown at Alderworks!
Hosted & Sponsored by Alderworks Alaska Writers & Artists Retreat (1 West Creek Rd)
BBQ & music by the cabins and studio
8:30 PM – Vans/Shuttle departs Alderworks for Skagway
Drop offs: 8th & Main , 4th & State, 7th & Broadway, 3rd & Spring
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Saturday, June 1 – Day 4
MORNING EXCURSION ON WP&YR & DENVER GLACIER TRAIL WRITE
PASSPORTS REQUIRED!!!
Sponsored by White Pass & Yukon Route
(hiking part weather permitting)
Sign up in advance! Dress for being outdoors & bring water.
(sack brunch provided – pre-order form from Glacial Coffeehouse – coffee on train)
7:15 AM – SMART Bus pickup from hotels for ride to 10th Street Loading Platform
7:55 AM – Train departs platform
8:30-11 AM – Split into 3-4 groups: Write by fire pit with Dan, Hike and write with Christine and John; Hike with a guide, no writing; and possibly Hiking and yoga with Mandy.
11:20 AM – Return to Skagway on train. Walk back to hotels or downtown. (SMART bus by request).
FREE TIME – LUNCH ON YOUR OWN
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Saturday afternoon sessions at AB Hall
1:30 – 2:30 PM – Heal Me, O Story: The Healing Power of Stories *
Start with the place where you most need to heal; the universal will follow.
* followed by breakout sessions incorporating art pieces
Panel: John lead, Lily, Dan – Katrina & Katie workshop leaders
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(Afternoon Stretch during break led by Mandy)
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2:40 – 4:45 PM– Participant Readings #3
Individual readings of no more than 5-6 minutes (priority given to those who have not yet read – sign up online before conference)
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Free time
——– ——–
Saturday Evening Keynote Banquet Schedule
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Closing Banquet at Westmark Hotel’s Glacial Lounge (upstairs)
(Dinner menu emailed to participants/faculty – specialty menu upon request)
First drink on North Words 6-6:30 – Dinner begins at 6:30
Welcome by Skagway Traditional Council & Municipality of Skagway representatives
Keynote by Jamie Ford following dinner at approximately 8:00 PM
Off Book to follow in downtown Skagway
THANKS FOR BEING PART OF NORTH WORDS 2024!