Have you ever pondered what it would be like to become a writer? Ana Menéndez will tell you in her craft lecture “How To Become A Writer in 10,000 Easy Steps” on July 22. If time is more your interest, Peter Orner will be discussing “The Problems (and Joys?) of Narrative Time” on July 24. These are just two of the seventeen different readings and lectures presented by the faculty of the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference, July 18-24, 2010.

The readings and lectures associated with the Conference – which are free by the way (thanks to our Conference sponsors) – are a true gem in summertime Port Townsend. Artistic Director Cristina García has invited a terrific group of faculty to teach aspiring and working writers during the week, including Chris Abani, Erin Belieu, Denise Chávez, Martín Espada, Dana Levin, Ana Menéndez, Bich Minh Nguyen, and Peter Orner. They, along with Conference participants themselves take to the stage for interesting and provocative readings and discussions about the craft of writing.

One of the most compelling speakers to take the stage is Chris Abani. Imprisoned three times by the Nigerian government, Abani turned his experience into poems that Harold Pinter called “the most naked, harrowing expression of prison life and political torture imaginable.” His novels include GraceLand and The Virgin of Flames. Here is a video of Chris Abani at the 2008 TED Conference.

Visit our Writing site for a complete reading and lecture schedule.