The 13th annual
North Words Writers Symposium Schedule
May 24–27, 2023
IMPORTANT NOTE: We will have online sign-ups this year for Faculty Consultations, Workshops, Participant Readings, and some menus and group activities. Sign-up begins in early May after registrants receive an email. We are accepting the first 40 participants who register and then will start a wait list (currently at 27). Masking optional at indoor gathering locations that we use.
FACULTY
Karen Russell (keynote author)
Marybeth Holleman • M Jackson • Leigh Newman
Marie Tozier • Caroline Van Hemert • Emily Wall
Aiders and Abettors (Organizing Faculty):
Jeff Brady, Katrina Woolford, Daniel Henry, Katie Craney,
Kent Fielding, X̱’unei Lance Twitchell
Tuesday, May 23 (for early arrivals)
Early arrivals may choose Alaska Seaplanes from Juneau any day, the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry on May 22-23 (two sailings) or an Alaska Fjordlines boat on May 22. More info about discounts on the Travel page of our website.
6:00-8:00 PM • EARLY ARRIVALS SUP & SLAM – SORRY CANCELLED!
(not enough interest – we will work on something there next year but please patronize the restaurant)
Historic Skagway Inn – 7th & Broadway
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Wednesday, May 24 – Day 1
1) Bike Rental & Bike Tour of Skagway with Katie – (10-11:30 am Wed.)
Sign up online before arrival • Sponsored by Sockeye Cycle
2) Red Onion Saloon Brothel Tour (choose your time any day)
Voucher in your packet – check at RO after you arrive for daily tour schedule and pick your time.
Sponsored by Red Onion Saloon
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The Wednesday ferry arrives at 1:45 pm. Arrivals should go to place of lodging first, then proceed to conference headquarters at Arctic Brotherhood Hall (Broadway b/w 2nd & 3rd) to pick up packets from 3:45 to 5:00 pm.
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2:00-3:00 PM • Early Bird Book Signing with Participant Authors
Skaguay News Depot & Books – 208 Broadway across from AB Hall
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3:00 – 3:45 PM – Faculty Meeting
AB Hall conference room • Broadway between 2nd & 3rd
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3:45-5:00 PM – Final Registration, Participant Packet Pickups
AB Hall conference room • Broadway between 2nd & 3rd
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6:00 – 7:30 PM – Opening Reception
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 25 – Day 2
6:45 – 7:55 AM – Early Bird Workshops
Skagway Public Library • 8th & State
(register online in advance, choose one)
1) Workshop on Character – Pathways to your chosen people led by M and Leigh, or
2) Poetry Workshop led by Marie and Emily
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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
X̱’unei Lance Twitchell, Skagway Tribal Council
Organizing Faculty, Everyone
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9:00-10:15 AM – Opening Panel:
In the Eye of the Raven: Ways of Seeing and Knowing
Perspective, point of view, and writing a world the way it means to be known
Panel: Caroline & Karen co-lead, other faculty welcome
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(Morning Stretch during break led by Mandy & Linda)
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10:30 – 11:45 AM – Nothing About Us Without Us
Writing with context and heart. Who made your story possible? Do you have permission to bring them in?
Panel: X̱’unei Lance, Marie, Dan or Jeff
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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 – 2:00 PM – Book Signing: Karen Russell, Keynote author of Swamplandia, Orange World, other titles
Skaguay News Depot & Books – across Broadway from AB Hall
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2:00 – 3:15 PM – How Stories Keep Us Alive: Writing Through Loss Toward Reimagined Futures
Floating stories of healing and hope in the maw of the tsunami
Panel: M lead, Marybeth, Caroline, Marie
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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)
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Friday, May 26 – Day 3
Friday at AB Hall
8:00 AM – 8:45 AM – Continental Breakfast, Announcements – AB Hall
Organizing Faculty, 49 Writers
8:45 AM – 9:00 AM – A message from your body
Led by Linda Buckley & Mandy Ramsey
Reflection, Breathe, Release
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9:00 AM – 10:35 AM – Writing the Neighborhood (Including Ghosts)
Place as an organizing principle, foil, or character. When where becomes who.
Followed by a generative workshop with Karen on writing ghost stories.
Panel: Marie lead, Leigh, M, Karen (workshop leader)
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10:45 AM – 12:00 Noon – Blending Genres: Searching for the Mix
When a single category is not enough. Even more when you are a collaborator, not just a perpetrator.
Panel: Emily lead, Marybeth, M, Katie
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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
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12:30 – 2:00 PM – Faculty Book Signing
12:30-1 • M Jackson and Leigh Newman
1-1:30 • Marybeth Holleman and Emily Wall
1:30-2 • Marie Tozier and Caroline Van Hemert
Skaguay News Depot & Books – across Broadway from AB Hall
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2:15 PM – 4:00 PM – The Golden Staircase to Publication
Sustaining your climb toward print at long last
Panel: Katrina & Leigh co-lead with focus on agents/queries, then breakout workshops with M/Leigh (fiction), Emily/Marie (poetry), Caroline/Marybeth (non-fiction)
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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, May 27 – Day 4
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM – Coffee/tea service at AB Hall, then we will walk or shuttle to Skagway Small Boat Harbor for
MORNING EXCURSION TO BURRO CREEK WATERFALL LODGE
Sponsored by AlaskaX & Burro Creek Waterfall Lodge
Sign up in advance! Dress for boat ride & being outdoors.
(sack lunch provided – pre-order form from Glacial Espresso)
8:45 AM – Boat leaves for Burro Creek, across bay from Skagway
9:30-10:30 AM – Hike to falls, write on the grounds
10:30-11:45 AM – Rounding the Human Corners: Finding How We Fit in a World Far Richer than We Conceive
People are only part of the picture. Which places still need to be addressed? Writing exercise follows.
Panel: Marybeth lead (writing coach), Leigh, Caroline, Emily
12 NOON – Boat leaves for Skagway
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Saturday afternoon sessions at AB Hall
1:30 – 2:30 PM – Writing Despite It All: Balancing Your Creative Vision with Family, Work, and the Box of Distractions
Trust the vision and the time you need to sculpt it.
Panel: Leigh lead, Caroline, Emily
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(Afternoon Stretch during break led by Mandy & Linda)
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2:40 – 4:15 PM– Participant Readings
Individual readings of no more than 6-8 minutes
Sign up before conference.
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Rest of afternoon free to explore or shop in downtown Skagway, go for a walk, or rest up before evening.
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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)
Welcome by Skagway Traditional Council & Municipality of Skagway representatives
Keynote by Karen Russell following dinner at approximately 8:00 PM
Off Book to follow in downtown Skagway
THANKS FOR BEING PART OF NORTH WORDS 2023!