Finding hope for the future and healing from tragedy through the act of writing, as well as honoring and learning from our literary ancestors are among the topics covered in a series of afternoon panel discussions at the Elk River Writers Workshop, taking place during the week of August 14, at the Chico Hot Springs Convention Center in Paradise Valley. Evenings during the week will feature readings by workshop faculty and staff. Presenters for these events are among the nation’s premiere ecology and social justice writers.
On Monday, Aug. 14, workshop director CMarie Fuhrman will lead a discussion with faculty members on “Writing Toward Hope,” exploring how writers can sustain their faith that literature can restore and re-story the earth in this day of climate crisis, contentious politics and the lingering consequences of a global pandemic. 1:30 – 3 pm.
On Tuesday, Aug. 15, memoirists Maggie Anderson, author of Between Rock and a Hard Place and Brad Orsted, author of Through the Wilderness, will discuss “Writing Through Trauma.” Moderated by workshop Elise Atchison, author of Crazy Mountain. 1:30 – 3 pm.
On Wednesday, Aug. 16, two acclaimed nature writers discuss their literary lineages, what has been passed down to them and how to be a good literary ancestor in “Literary Ancestors: A Conversation between Doug Peacock and J. Drew Lanham.” Moderated by CMarie Fuhrman. 3:30 – 5 pm.
Faculty and staff readings will be held each of these evenings, from 7 to 8 pm. Monday will feature Marc Beaudin, CMarie Fuhrman, and Sterling HolyWhiteMountain. Tuesday’s authors are Sean Singer, Laura Pritchett, and J. Drew Lanham. On Wednesday, Sean Hill, Debra Magpie Earling, and Jamie Ford will read.
The discussions and readings are free and open to the public. Books by presenters will be available for sale, and authors will be on hand for signings.
Elk River Arts & Lectures is a nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating and celebrating the literary arts in Park County. For more information, visit elkriverarts.org.
