A Week That Can Change a Writer’s Life

Writers from across the country came to Stony Brook Southampton July 15-19 for the 51st annual Southampton Writers Conference and Children's Literature Conference. Photos by John Griffin.

For a half century, the Southampton Writers Conference has brought writers together to learn and build a creative community on the East End

For 51 summers, writers have gathered on Long Island's East End to learn from some of the nation's most accomplished authors while finding inspiration of their own.

On the wooded campus of Stony Brook Southampton, mornings began in intimate workshops, afternoons unfolded with readings and conversations, and evenings ended under the stars with fellow writers who understood both the joy and solitude of the creative life.

That tradition continued July 15-19 as Stony Brook Southampton welcomed writers from across the country for the 51st annual Southampton Writers Conference and Children's Literature Conference, continuing one of the nation's longest-running literary gatherings.

Directed by Christian McLean, lecturer in Stony Brook University's MFA in Creative Writing Program, the conference brought together novelists, poets, memoirists, teachers, children's authors and lifelong learners. Some participants arrived hoping to write their first novel. Others came to strengthen their poetry, memoir or children's writing, enhance their teaching or simply spend a week surrounded by people who understand the often solitary work of writing.

"Writing is often a solitary pursuit, but it doesn't have to be a lonely one," McLean said. "Our workshops are intentionally small because we believe the best learning happens through personalized conversation between accomplished writers and committed students. For five days, participants become part of a creative community where they can focus entirely on their work."

Bobby Crace led the Emerging Writers Workshop at the Southampton Writers Conference.

That master-apprentice approach has long defined the Southampton Writers Conference. Admission is selective, with prospective participants submitting writing samples, and workshop enrollment is intentionally limited to encourage meaningful discussion, individualized attention and thoughtful critique.

Each morning, participants met in small workshops before spending afternoons attending lectures, panel discussions and readings. Breakfasts, lunches and dinners, along with author receptions and book signings, created opportunities for conversations that often continued long after the formal sessions had ended.

Held alongside the writers conference, the Children's Literature Conference offered specialized workshops in picture books, middle grade and young adult fiction. Teachers, writers and illustrators worked closely with award-winning authors, illustrators and editors while exploring the unique challenges and opportunities of writing for young readers.

Throughout the week, nationally recognized authors, poets and publishing professionals shared their experience and insights through lectures, readings and panel discussions. Featured guests included former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins; bestselling novelists Susan Minot, Meg Wolitzer, Megan Giddings, Matthew Klam, Maya Shanbhag Lang and Molly Gaudry; poet Jenny Xie; bestselling children's author and illustrator Peter H. Reynolds; bestselling young adult author Gayle Forman; and dozens of other distinguished writers, editors and publishing professionals.

This year's conference also introduced the inaugural Emerging Writers Workshop, expanding opportunities for developing authors while highlighting Stony Brook's commitment to cultivating new literary voices. Participants also learned about the university's MFA in Creative Writing Program, with conference credits eligible to be applied toward the graduate degree.

From left: Jessica Lewis, Salvatore Juliano and Lucy Gardner, all attended the conference to learn how to write their first novel. Photo by Rita Langdon.

Beyond the classroom, participants found inspiration in Stony Brook Southampton's coastal setting, where wooded trails, open lawns and nearby beaches have long provided a creative backdrop for reflection. Between sessions, many browsed the conference bookstore, curated by Canio's Books of Sag Harbor, or gathered informally with faculty and fellow writers to continue conversations sparked in the classroom.

The conference concluded Saturday evening with a live presentation of Selected Shorts, the nationally acclaimed public radio program and podcast, in the Avram Theater. Hosted by author and Stony Brook MFA faculty member Meg Wolitzer, the performance featured acclaimed actors Joe Morton, Katrina Lenk and Mike Doyle, who brought stories by Dave Eggers, Alice McDermott and Steven Millhauser to life before a live audience, providing a memorable finale to a week devoted to storytelling.

For more than half a century, the Southampton Writers Conference has offered writers a place to step away from everyday distractions, immerse themselves in their craft and learn alongside some of the nation's most accomplished authors. The tradition will continue this fall with Stony Brook's part-time MFA in Creative Writing, with classes beginning Aug. 24.

Designed specifically for residents of Long Island's East End with classes held in Southampton, the program expands access to graduate-level creative writing education while building on the literary community that has made Southampton a destination for writers for 51 summers.

- Rita Langdon