Writers and readers will be descending on Homer for the Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference next week. The 17th annual literary arts event features workshops, panels, open mic sessions and more. But conference founder Carol Swartz said it’s the relationships that make the event.
“You can read a book on developing plot, character development if you will and different aspects of poetry, poetry writing, but the sense of community and the shared experience, people feel brings another level and another layer, another introspection to their writing,” she said.
Best-selling author Anthony Doerr will be the keynote speaker. He’s written in a variety of genres and won a Pulitzer Prize for his novel “All the Light We Can Not See.”
Writers attending the conference will have the opportunity to participate in manuscript reviews and to consult with an editor and agent. Swartz said writers also take inspiration and ideas away from just being in the Homer area.
“Landscape is a very powerful catalyst and an element that promotes people to write,” she said. “There aren't that many writers’ conferences in the country that have such a backdrop and it's one of the reasons why, you know, half the people have returned. It's like the shorebirds, they come every year at a certain time. It's sort of the literary shorebird festival.”
The conference will also feature readings open to the public. The event will run June 8-12, followed by a two day post-conference.
