About the Conference

Writing Workshops
The primary work of the Conference is conducted in writing workshops in the novel, short story, poetry, play, memoir, and creative nonfiction. This year’s workshop faculty includes authors of the first rank who are also experienced, accessible teachers, including Frank McCourt, Billy Collins, Amy Hempel, Roger Rosenblatt, Meg Wolitzer, Chris Durang, Derek Walcott, Melissa Bank, and Matt Klam. Workshop size is limited. Sessions meet for three hours on alternate mornings throughout the Conference; remaining mornings are devoted to lectures by faculty members and leading authors.

Guest Speakers and Special Events
Evening events will feature regular faculty and award-winning visiting authors. In the afternoons, participants may choose from a wide range of “elective” sessions, which include presentations by distinguished editors, publishers, and agents, as well as workshops on special topics in writing. Participants will also enjoy a rich schedule of formal and informal social gatherings—author receptions, a softball game, an open-mic night, and a comedy night. Special events will include a celebratory reading featuring conference authors and special guests and an evening of theatre.

Graduate Program in Writing
The Southampton Writers Conference is part of the Stony Brook Southampton Writing program. The regular faculty includes essayist Roger Rosenblatt, fiction writer Robert Reeves, and distinguished authors who work with the graduate program in writing as teachers and lecturers, including Frank McCourt, Billy Collins, Alan Alda, Ursula Hegi, Julie Sheehan, Alan Weinblatt, Kaylie Jones, Jules Feiffer, Matthew Klam, Lou Ann Walker, and Melissa Bank. More information is available by contacting the Writing Program.

Graduate Credit and Scholarships
Graduate Credit: Available to eligible students. Upon successful completion of the workshop three graduate credits may be awarded. The cost is an additional $288 per credit. Please call for more information. Scholarships: A limited number of partial scholarships are available.

Location and Housing
The seaside campus of Stony Brook Southampton is located in the heart of the Hamptons, a renowned resort area only 80 miles from New York City.
During free time, participants can draw inspiration from Atlantic beaches or explore charming towns. On-campus housing—doubles and small singles
with shared baths—is modest but comfortable. A limited number of single supplements is available at additional cost on a first-come basis.