FIRST LOOK 2025 SCHEDULE
(DRAFT for early release 01/31/25 • Schedule subject to change)
The 15th annual
North Words Writers Symposium
May 28-31, 2025
We are accepting the first 40 participants who register and then will start a wait list. REGISTER by May 10! After registration closes, we will take a few daily registrations. Email us for details.
2025 Faculty
Eowyn Ivey (keynote author)
dg nanouk okpik • Nickole Brown • Marc Cameron
Eva Holland • Andromeda Romano-Lax • Bailey Williams
Aiders & Abettors (Organizing Faculty/Volunteers)
Jeff Brady, Katrina Woolford, Daniel Henry,
Kent Fielding, X̱’unei Lance Twitchell
Mandy Ramsey, Kurtis Lowe
GETTING HERE
See our TRAVEL page for updated information on how to get to/from Skagway on the days around the symposium.
IMPORTANT NOTE
We will have online sign-up forms this year for Early Bird Workshops, Faculty Consultations, Participant Readings, and some activities. Sign-up begins in early May after registered participants receive an email with Google links to the forms.
Wednesday, May 28 – Day 1
1) Bike Rentals – Sign up online for voucher for an all-day bike rental Wednesday. Sponsored by Sockeye Cycle (5th b/w Broadway & State)
2) 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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ARRIVALS
Alaska Marine Highway ferry arrives at 1:45 pm, Alaska Seaplanes flights all day, Fjordland arrives at 7:30 pm
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MAIN SCHEDULE BEGINS
3:00-4:30 PM – Check-in & Packet Pickups for all Participants and Faculty
AB Hall conference room • Broadway between 2nd & 3rd
For those arriving on on late flights or Alaska Fjordland, packets will be available at the opening reception in the evening or at the AB Hall on Thursday.
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3:30 – 4:30 PM • Early Bird Book Signing with
Participant Authors and Organizing Faculty
Skaguay News Depot & Books – 208 Broadway across from AB Hall
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4:30-5:00 PM – Faculty Meeting
AB Hall conference room • Broadway between 2nd & 3rd
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6:00 – 8:00 PM – Opening Reception at BrewCo & Introductions
Skagway Brewing Co., 4th b/w Broadway & Spring, enter through first floor bar to outside patio – food & first drink provided – Introductions of everyone at 7 after we eat.
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Thursday, May 29 – Day 2
6:45 – 7:55 AM – Early Bird Workshops at Library
Skagway Public Library • 8th & State
(register online in advance, choose poetry or prose)
- Poetry: How to Explicate a Poem with dg nanouk okpik
- Prose: Writing Action Scenes with Marc Cameron
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Thursday at AB Hall – Broadway between 2nd & 3rd
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM – Continental Breakfast
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8:30 – 9:00 AM – Welcome & Announcements
X̱’unei Lance Twitchell, Skagway Tribal Council
Organizing Faculty Announcements
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9:00-10:00 AM Panel – Pathway to Publication
From big publishers to indie presses, literary journals, and in-between … or taking the self-publishing plunge.
Panel: Eowyn lead, Dan, Marc, Eva
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(Morning Stretch during break led by Mandy/Linda)
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10:15 – 11:15 AM Panel – Editing Ourselves
How to revise, self-edit, and harmonize with professional editors.
Panel: Andromeda lead, Jeff, X̱’unei Lance, Nickole
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11:15 AM – 1:15 PM – Lunch On Your Own!
Discover local cuisine/menus at Skagway Visitor Center in AB Hall or visit https://www.skagway.com/restaurants/
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12:15 – 1:15 PM – Keynote Book Signing at Bookstore
Eowyn Ivey, author of Black Woods, Blue Sky,
The Snow Child, To the Bright Edge of the World
Skaguay News Depot & Books – across Broadway from AB Hall
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1:15 – 2:30 PM Workshop – Language of Embodiment
Trusting your story with Bailey Williams
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2:30 – 3:15 PM – Participant Readings #1
Individual readings of no more than 5 minutes (limit of 7 readers in this slot, sign up online)
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3:30 – 4:30 PM – Faculty Consultations #1
AB Hall or other arranged locations
Half-hour sessions with faculty and staff; sign up in advance
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4:30 – 7:00 PM – Dine out on your own in Skagway!
Discover local cuisine/menus at Skagway Visitor Center in AB Hall or visit https://www.skagway.com/restaurants/
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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)
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Friday, May 30 – Day 3
Friday at AB Hall
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM – Continental Breakfast, Announcements – AB Hall
Organizing Faculty, 49 Writers
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8:45 AM – 10:00 AM – Generative Writing Workshop: Climate Catastrophe and the Writer’s Task
Presentation and workshop led by Nickole Brown,
followed by breakouts with X̱’unei Lance and Kent
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(Morning Stretch during break led by Mandy/Linda)
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10:15 – 11:15 PM Panel – Research – Getting It Right
Folding facts into your story.
Panel: Marc lead, dg, Eva
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11:15 – 12 Noon – Participant Readings #2
Individual readings of no more than 5 minutes (limit of 7 readers in this slot, sign up online)
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12 Noon – 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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12:00 – 1:30 PM – Faculty Book Signings at Bookstore
12:00-12:30 • Marc Cameron & Eva Holland
12:30-1 • dg nanouk okpik & Nickole Brown
1-1:30 • Andromeda Romano-Lax & Bailey Williams
Skaguay News Depot & Books – across Broadway from AB Hall
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1:30 – 2:30 PM Panel – Writing the North
Knowing its Land and People
Eva lead, dg, Eowyn
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2:30 – 3:30 PM – Faculty Consultations #2
AB Hall or other arranged locations
Half-hour sessions with faculty and staff; sign up in advance
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Evening Alderworks BBQ Schedule
4:30 PM – Van/Shuttle Pickups for ride to Dyea
Pickup locations: White House (8th & Main), Morning Wood (4th & State), Skagway Inn (7th & Broadway), Westmark (3rd & Spring).
Courtesy of SMART Bus
5:00 – 6:00 PM – Dyea Activities
– Walk in the Deiyáa woods (Tlingit pronunciation day-yah, meaning pack trail) with X̱’unei Lance
– Tour of Alderworks Writers & Artists Retreat with Jeff
6:30 – 8:30 PM – BBQ at Alderworks
Hosted & Sponsored by Alderworks Alaska Writers & Artists Retreat, catered by Peppers (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, May 31 – Day 4
MORNING EXCURSION ON WP&YR and DENVER GLACIER TRAIL WRITING
PASSPORTS REQUIRED!!!
Sponsored by White Pass & Yukon Route
Sign up in advance! Dress for being outdoors & bring extra water. Outdoor activities at Denver weather permitting. If you elect not to go, AB Hall will be open for you to use starting at 8 AM
CHOO CHOO MORNING SCHEDULE
7:15 AM – SMART Bus pickup from hotels for ride to 10th Street Loading Platform
7:55 AM – Train departs platform, arrives Denver 8:20 AM
8:30-11 AM – Split into 3 groups:
– Write by fire pit & caboose with Andromeda
– Hike and write with Dan
– Hike with a guide, no writing
11:20 AM – Return to Skagway on train. Walk back to hotels or downtown. (SMART bus by request).
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FREE TIME – LUNCH ON YOUR OWN
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Saturday afternoon at AB Hall
1:15 – 2:15 PM Panel– The Writer’s Life
Navigating from the page to the personal
Panel: Andromeda lead, Bailey, Nickole, Eva
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(Afternoon Stretch during break led by Mandy/Linda)
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2:30 – 4 PM– Participant Readings #3
Individual readings of no more than 5 minutes (priority given to those who have not yet read – sign up online before conference)
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FREE TIME
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Saturday Evening Keynote Banquet Schedule at Holland America Westmark Skagway – 3rd & Spring
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Closing Banquet at Westmark’s Glacial Lounge (upstairs above lobby)
(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 Eowyn Ivey following dinner at approximately 8:00 PM
Off Book to follow in downtown Skagway
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THANKS FOR BEING PART OF NORTH WORDS 2025!