5th Annual Writers Weekend

The Mark Twain House & Museum announces finalized lineup for 5th ANNUAL WRITERS WEEKEND April 15 through 17th.
Tennessee Williams Biographer JAMES GRISSOM kicks off weekend in discussion with MICHAEL WILSON
LARRY KRAMER keynotes Saturday Dozens of workshops and quiet writing time in Mark Twain's library among highlights.

“The 5th Annual Writers Weekend is a writers conference that ONLY could happen at the Mark Twain House,” said Jennifer LaRue, Director of Writing Programs. “From the opening reception, when participants will mingle with Olivia Clemens and members of the household staff, to a discussion about what constitutes an “American voice” in literature and opportunities to write in Mark Twain’s own library during the quiet morning hours, the weekend celebrates Mark Twain’s writing legacy. We hope participants will be inspired by that legacy and feel a deep connection to Twain throughout the weekend.”

LaRue notes that the conference has something for every writer, including practical workshops focused on making a career of freelancing, self-publishing, social media for authors, the business of ghostwriting, and producing a podcast, plus sessions that help writers refine their craft by delving into such topics as storytelling techniques, writing for children, memoir, screenwriting, humor, creative nonfiction, and adapting works of fiction for the stage. “Writers are going to have a tough time choosing which workshops to attend,” LaRue said, adding that she hopes attendees will share their experiences with one another on Facebook and Twitter during the weekend and beyond.

THE 5TH ANNUAL MARK TWAIN HOUSE & MUSEUM WRITERS WEEKEND SCHEDULE & DETAILS:
Registration is $250 for the entire weekend; $200 for members of The Mark Twain House & Museum.

NEW! SINGLE-DAY TICKETS! Join us for either Saturday or Sunday for $150 ($135 for MTH&M Members).

TO REGISTER: (860) 247-0998 or click here.

Questions? Contact Director of Writing Programs Jennifer LaRue: jennifer.larue@marktwainhouse.org.

This schedule is subject to change.

FRIDAY, APRIL 15 7:00 pm: Opening Reception

Welcome to Mark Twain’s House! Enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres with your fellow writers.

8:00 pm: Opening Author Conversation with JAMES GRISSOM & MICHAEL WILSON

Considered by many to be America's greatest dramatist and one of the 20th century's finest authors, Tennessee Williams and his plays, novels, and poetry have left an indelible impact on our American consciousness. Join biographer and Williams associate JAMES GRISSOM as he discusses his acclaimed work FOLLIES OF GOD: TENNESSEE WILLIAMS AND THE WOMEN OF THE FOG.

Former Hartford Stage Artistic Director and preeminent Williams interpreter MICHAEL WILSON moderates this fascinating look at an amazingly prolific writer, complicated man, and national treasure. Followed by book sale and signing.

SATURDAY, APRIL 16
ALL DAY: Bananagrams and bananas in The Nook!

ALL DAY: Twain Trivia Contest -- Answer all the questions correctly, win a prize!

BOOK SIGNINGS: Participating presenters will sell and sign copies of their books directly after the sessions they present. 7-9 a.m. Writing in Mark Twain’s Library: Bring your laptop or journal to Mark Twain’s library for two hours of quiet writing. $30; limited to 15 participants; advance registration required. To register for this add-on, click here.

9-10 a.m. Coffee and Pastry in Hal Holbrook Hall 10:00-11:15 am: Workshops Session 1

Starting and Maintaining a Successful Critique Group: A Conversation with the Wednesday Writers, a group of children’s book authors.

Poetry as Memoir: Bessy Reyna
Humor Writing: Hank Herman
Creative Nonfiction - Beth Richards

11:45-1: Workshops Session 2 Storytelling Techniques for Writers: Matthew Dicks

Writing for Children: Pegi Deitz Shea

Diagramming Sentences for Fun and, Well, Just Fun: Lucy Ferriss

Screenwriting: Gary Maynard

1-2:30: LUNCH

2:30-3:45: Critics & Criticism Panel Discussion with Frank Rizzo, Mary Ellen Fillo, and Lauren Yarger

4:00-5:15 Workshops Session 3

Ghostwriting 101: Dan Gerstein, president, Gotham Ghostwriters

Self-Publishing: Patrice Fitzgerald

Panel Discussion: Defining the American Voice: Moderated by Steve Courtney

5:30-6: Pre-Keynote Wine & Cheese

6 p.m. Keynote Conversation: MARK MY WORDS with LARRY KRAMER. Larry Kramer is an American playwright, screenwriter, public health advocate, and gay rights activist. For more details on this special event, please click here. Admission is included in your Writers Weekend registration.

Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Semi-Finalists Announced.

Dinner on the town! 10 percent discount with your Writers Weekend lanyard at our partner restaurants!

SUNDAY, APRIL 17:

ALL DAY: Manuscript consultations by appointment with participating presenters.

ALL DAY: Bananagrams and bananas in The Nook!

ALL DAY: Twain Trivia Contest: Answer all the questions correctly, win a prize!

BOOK SIGNINGS: Participating presenters will sell and sign copies of their books directly after the sessions they present.

7-9 a.m. Writing in Mark Twain’s Library: Bring your laptop or journal to Mark Twain’s library for two hours of quiet writing. $30; limited to 15 participants; advance registration recommended. To register for this add-on, click here.

9-10 a.m. Coffee and Pastry in Hal Holbrook Hall

10:00-11:15 am: Workshops Session 4

Podcasts that Pop! Julia Pistell.

Panel Discussion: Connecticut’s Poets Laureate

Adapting Twain for the Stage: Noah Altschuler

How to Capture and Preserve a Family History/Memoir: Sarah Merrill

12-1 p.m.: Light lunch

1-2:15 p.m.: Workshops Session 5

Printing 101: Hartford Prints helps you hand-rub a print.

Take this Job and Leave it: Preparing for a Full-time Writing Career While You're Still Employed by Someone Else: Jane Haertel

How Writers Can Leverage Social Media: Marie Shanahan

TO REGISTER, CLICK HERE.

The Mark Twain House & Museum has restored the author's Hartford, Connecticut, home, where the author and his family lived from 1874 to 1891. Twain wrote his most important works during the years he lived there, including Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, andA Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court.

In addition to providing tours of Twain's restored home, a National Historic Landmark, the institution offers activities and educational programs that illuminate Twain's literary legacy and provide information about his life and times.

The house and museum at 351 Farmington Ave. are open daily from 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. The house and museum is closed Tuesdays in January and February. For more information, call (860) 247-0998 or visit www.MarkTwainHouse.org.

Programs at The Mark Twain House & Museum are made possible in part by support from the Connecticut Department of Economic & Community Development, Office of the Arts, and the Greater Hartford Arts Council's United Arts Campaign. The Waterford Hotel Group is the official hotel group of The Mark Twain House & Museum.