Taos Summer Writers' Conference

Book News for Two Taos Alums!

2012-01-27T09:43:00.000-08:00

Herb Silverman took Rob Wilder's memoir workshop in the summer of 2010, and we just got word that the manuscript he worked on with is now being published! The book is called "Candidate Without a Prayer: An Autobiography of a Jewish Athiest in the Bible Belt," and Herb says that the revisions he worked on at Taos were instrumental in polishing the manuscript. It's coming out from Pitchstone

Joy Harjo Talks with Poet Janice Gould, February 13th in Santa Fe!

2012-01-26T13:52:00.000-08:00

Joy Harjo Here's a great event for those of you in and around Santa Fe: Joy Harjo, who will be teaching a Master Class at this year's Taos Conference, will be speaking with fellow poet Dr. Janice Gould: this year's Indigenous Writer-in-Residence at the School of Advanced Research. Janice is an accomplished scholar, poet, and musician: you can read more about her background here. Her residency

Exciting News for Taos Alum Tami Canaday!

2012-01-23T13:36:00.000-08:00

Tami Canaday, a writer based in Denver, attended the Taos converence in 2010 and took took Priscilla Long's class in prose style. Tami shared two pieces of exciting news with us: her long one act play, The Two Day Moth, will be published by the Canadian publisher, OAPD, in 2012. Also, UncleRooster, a commissioned piece by Count Down to Zero Theatre opens in Denver on February 17, 2012.

"Four Poets Respond" at 516 Arts, Featuring Valerie Martinez!

2012-01-03T06:38:00.000-08:00

Valerie Martinez Happy 2012, everyone! There's a lot we're excited about in the coming year...and here's one really cool event to start us off: It's called "Four Poets Respond," and it was founded by Taos Instructor Valerie Martinez in 2009 as an opportunity for women poets to respond to contemporary art dealing with issues that relate to women. This year, the performance--which is

Publication News For Richard Vargas!

2011-12-20T19:21:00.000-08:00

2011 Hispanic Writer Award Winner Richard Vargas has a new essay in the December Issue of Kweli Journal! You can read an excerpt of the essay, called "My Father's Gift," here. It's a beautiful piece of writing. Congratulations, Richard!

Registration Now Open for Taos 2012!

2011-12-02T09:58:00.000-08:00

And classes are already starting to fill! Make sure to check out our awesome lineup of workshops and instructors here. And then go to this link, and click Register Now to sign up! Happy Winter, everyone!

Another Publication for Debra Monroe!

2011-11-30T13:32:00.000-08:00

The prolific and talented Debra Monroe has a new piece featured in the online journal Wake! It's a wonderful essay, with a wonderful title: Appallingly Specific Unhappy Christmases. Say that ten times fast. (It also has a kind of amazing accompanying photo: see above!) Congratulations, Debra--and everyone else: enjoy!

Publication News Galore! Check out Debra Monroe, Emily Rapp (again) and Sharon!

2011-11-21T14:41:00.000-08:00

Greetings, everyone! Happy almost-Thanksgiving Break! We've got lots of new (ish) publications to tell you about today... First, our very own Conference Founder and Director Sharon Oard Warner has a new story in the Fall issue of Fifth Wednesday Jounal: it's called "Whatever's Good Will Be Gone" and, having had the recent privilege of hearing Sharon read the piece aloud, I can tell you that it

Emily Rapp on NPR!

2011-11-18T09:03:00.000-08:00

We're so very proud of our girl, Emily Rapp, for all of the gorgeous writing that she's produced under very sad circumstances: her son, Ronan's, diagnosis with Tay Sachs Disease--a terminal illness. Most recently, she wrote this piece in the New York Times. And this week, she talked about the article, and her experience parenting Ronan and writing his story, on NPR's Talk of the Nation. Emily

New Holiday Anthology from John Dufresne!

2011-11-16T12:20:00.000-08:00

Longtime Taos instructor, novelist John Dufresne, has edited a new anthology of seventeen holiday-themed stories called Blue Christmas: Holiday Stories for the Rest of Us John tells us that the collection will feature "original and unsentimental holiday stories" from him, as well as acclaimed writers Diana Abu-Jaber, Preston Allen, Steve Almond, Lynne Barrett, Tricia Bauer, Colin Channer, Jon

Check Out Priscilla Long's Science Blog at The American Scholar!

2011-11-11T08:37:00.000-08:00

Taos Instructor Priscilla Long is blogging over at the American Scholar's blog, The Daily Scholar: posting each Wednesday in her column, Science Frictions! Her newest post is about oceans; the one before that about dogs. She's also written about bugs, coal, the moon and, you know, Demodex folliculorum. Very cool and interesting stuff. Check it out, and congrats, Priscilla!

BBC Radio Doc on D. H. Lawrence in New Mexico

2011-11-02T13:01:00.000-07:00

Those Lawrence devotees among us may be interested in a new BBC production, narrated by author Geoff Dyer, about D.H. Lawrence's time in New Mexico. Dyer travels to the D.H. Lawrence ranch, and explores the writer's remarkable creative output there--just down the road from the Conference. The documentary feature "Lawrence in New Mexico" will be broadcast tomorrow, Thursday November 3rd, at 11:

At Long Last...the Faculty Lineup for Taos 2012!

2011-10-31T13:40:00.000-07:00

Well, we just couldn't wait any longer to share with you our faculty lineup for the 2012 Taos Conference: yes, that's how excited we are about it. We need a few more weeks to get you the full bios and course descriptions (keep your eyes peeled), but for now, here's what we've got lined up: Teaching weeklong workshops in Fiction: Laura Brodie, Alice Elliott Dark, Robert Boswell and Eric Puchner.

Mark Sundeen on Huffington Post!

2011-10-31T12:20:00.000-07:00

We've already shared the exciting news that Taos Instructor Mark Sundeen's newest book, "The Man Who Quit Money," will be coming out in March from Riverhead Books. And while you wait, you can get a small taste from reading a new essay from Mark, up today on the Huffington Post: it's called "The Other One Percent," and it explores the connection between the Occupy Wall Street movement and Mark's

Attnention Albuquerque Locals: Joy Harjo and Tanaya Winder Reading This Saturday at UNM Bookstore!

2011-10-26T11:41:00.000-07:00

Well, first of all, there's the exciting news that Joy Harjo is going to teach a Master Class in Poetry at this year's Taos Conference. Yay. Then, there's the exciting news that Joy, along with UNM MFA student Tanaya Winder, has a new book out: "Soul Talk, Soul Language: Conversations with Joy Harjo." The book uses all kinds of different forms--interviews, columns, essays--to explore, among

D. H. Lawrence Fellow Darlin' Neal Interviewed on Public Radio!

2011-10-24T16:01:00.000-07:00

We were wowed by the stories (as well as the lovely, warm personality!) of 2011 D.H. Lawrence Fellow Darlin' Neal, who participated in Robert Boswell's workshop this past summer. And we were so excited to hear her get the chance to talk about her background, her inspiration, and her time in Taos on the public radio show Images, which airs on the Southern New Mexico NPR affiliate KWRG. Darlin'

Ruth Ozeki to "Re-Train" our Writer Minds at this Year's Taos Conference!

2011-10-21T08:04:00.000-07:00

Here we are again, to announce another exciting addition to our line-up of instructors for this year's conference! (A full list coming soon, we promise...) In the meantime, we're thrilled to spread the word about novelist Ruth Ozeki: author of two acclaimed novels, "The Year of Meats" (best title ever, no?) and "All Over Creation." This will be her first time at the Taos Conference, and

Emily Rapp in the NYT!

2011-10-17T14:12:00.000-07:00

Emily and her son, Ronan Taos instructor, memoirist and novelist and teacher extroardinaire Emily Rapp has an article featured in the Sunday Review section of this week's New York Times. The essay, called "Notes from a Dragon Mom," is about Emily's experience with her son, Ronan, who has Tay Sachs disease: a terminal illness. Some of you may have met Ronan when he and Emily's husband paid a

Hilda Raz To Teach Poetry Workshop!

2011-10-12T12:42:00.000-07:00

Another instructor who we're really excited is coming BACK to teach at Taos (it's a frequent pattern, you may have noticed...) is the super accomplished poet, editor and teacher Hilda Raz. Hilda will be teaching a weeklong poetry workshop. She's the author of numerous collections of poetry, co-author of the memoir "What Becomes You," and editor of several anthology collections. In addition to

Wendy Weil and Emily Forland to Teach 2012 Publishing Workshop!

2011-10-10T13:49:00.000-07:00

Back with another exciting addition to the 2012 conference! Wendy Weil Literary agents Wendy Weil and Emily Forland will be returning to Taos to reprise their weekend workshop on publishing! Wendy and Emily work together at the Wendy Weil Agency in New York, where their impressive list of clients includes Andrea Barrett, Alice Walker, Anthony Doerr, Lawrence Wright and Sarah Vowell.

Sarah Sentilles Coming to 2012 Conference!

2011-10-07T08:20:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Albuquerque! The fall weather is finally showing up here, and as it does we are getting closer and closer each day to finalizing our lineup of faculty for the 2012 Conference! In case you haven't checked the website, we've announced the dates: July 15-22. Mark your calenders! There's lots to be excited about...and we couldn't resist sharing some of that with you before it all

Advance Praise for Mark Sundeen's "The Man Who Quit Money"

2011-09-14T14:21:00.000-07:00

After his reading at this year's conference, Mark got all of us anxiously awaiting the release of his new book: "The Man Who Quit Money." It's not coming out until March 2012 (from Riverhead/Penguin), but he's already getting impressive advance praise from the likes of Elizabeth Gilbert and Bill McKibben. You can check out what they're saying about the book, and read a summary, at the book's

Internships at TIFERET Journal

2011-09-14T09:43:00.000-07:00

TIFERET seeks an intern for a year-long project. Work can be completed off-site and requires 2-3 hours a week. Intern will be listed on TIFERET website and masthead and participate in editorial conference calls. The intern would oversee the Professor/Student Subscription Project offered by Council for Literary Magazines and Small Presses. This would require conversations with CLMP; an

Taos Instructor and Staff Weigh In on 9/11 Anniversary

2011-09-12T13:59:00.000-07:00

Last year, 2011 Taos Instructor and novelist Porochista Khakpour contributed this essay to the New York Times' editorial coverage of the ninth anniversary of 9/11. This year, for the tenth anniversary, she participated in this video that discusses the writing of and response to that op-ed. As you'll see at the link, you probably haven't heard of her fellow contributors: just Tom Brokaw, Daniel

Jane Ciabattari in Poets and Writers!

2011-08-22T15:21:00.000-07:00

Two-time Taos Conference fiction instructor and former President of the National Book Critics' Circle Jane Ciabattari has an essay in Poets and Writers about book reviewing. The piece is called "Back from the Dead: The State of Book Reviewing" and you can check it out here! Congrats, Jane!

2011 Participant Receives 1st Prize!

2011-08-12T11:19:00.000-07:00

Jim Herod has received notice that a short story he wrote won first prize in the category of fiction at the 2011 Alabama Writers’ Conclave. Herod’s 2500 word story titled “Hear What I See” was conceived from his experiences in Kenya last October. Marian Lewis, AWC contest chairperson, told Jim Herod, “Your descriptions and the presentation of your story are so rich, I almost felt as if I

A Few Photos from the 2011 Conference!

2011-08-03T13:18:00.000-07:00

Well, we're all getting back to work here in the office. And, any minute now, we'll feel recovered from the conference! Seriously, though, it was a truly wonderful week. We've started to go through the (many, many) photos Teddy took, and in a few weeks you'll all receive an email with your class photo. For now, though, here are a few shots to keep you going! Keynote Gail Caldwell Reading

Native Writer Award Winner Khara Ellasante Blogs About Her Taos Experience!

2011-08-01T11:19:00.000-07:00

One of the many highlights of this year's 2011 Conference was our two, wonderful Native Writer Award Winners: Monty Little and Khara Ellasante. Both Monty and Khara joined us in Taos for the weekend, shared their work with participants, and took Navajo poet Luci Tapahonso's workshop, "A Weekend Poemfest." Khara has written a really lovely post about her experience on the First Peoples blog.

New Essay from Debra Monroe!

2011-07-14T07:21:00.000-07:00

At one of the fabulous faculty readings last night here in Taos, Debra Monroe read from a new essay posted on the website The Morning News, called "The Sex Trade in Northwest Wisconsin." As Debra put it, the title makes the piece sound a bit raunchier than it is! But regardless, it's a great essay--both to hear aloud and to read, about growing up and getting out of a small Wisconsin town. In

Taos Conference Getting Underway! Final Schedule of Events

2011-07-10T13:01:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Taos! We're about to get started with the opening ceremonies and keynote reading here at the Sagebrush and are looking forward to getting to meet all of you! There have been a couple of last minute additions and changes to the schedule: what's posted on the website is accurate, but here is the final version so you can check here as well. See you soon! Sunday, July 10

A Second Native Writer Award Winner: Khara Ellesante!

2011-07-09T09:02:00.000-07:00

We're so pleased to announce that we were able to award two Native Writer Scholarships for the 2011 conference. The first went to Monty Little, and the second to Tennessee native Khara Ellesante. Both will read from their work during the conference on Saturday the 16th, at 12:30 pm at the Sagebrush. Here's some info on Khara:

More Scholarship Winner Bios! Leo Love Winners Cedar Brant and Emma Rainey

2011-06-01T14:53:00.000-07:00

Poetry Winner Cedar Brant: Cedar Brant’s first book of poems, Like Any Other Dream Will Do was published in 2010 by FootHills Publishing. Her work has appeared in the Whitefish Review and the anthology Poems Across the Big Sky. She is co-founder of the poetry troupe Bentgrass, who tour Montana performing poetry and hosting writing workshops. In 2008 they received a grant from Humanities

Publishing Consultations Available with Bobby and Lee Byrd of Cinco Puntos Press!

2011-05-31T11:23:00.000-07:00

Bobby and Lee Byrd are owners and publishers of Cinco Puntos Press, which publishes books for children and young adults as well as fiction, poetry, nonfiction and graphic novels. Started in 1985, Cinco Puntos Press (CPP) is a small, very independent publishing company rooted in El Paso, Texas, not three miles north of the U.S. Mexican Border. Bobby and Lee Byrd are both writers and

Emma Sweeney at Conference July 11-14!

2011-05-26T08:42:00.000-07:00

EMMA SWEENEY Emma Sweeney is a member of the Association of Authors' Representatives and the Women's Media Group, where she served as president in 2003. She graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a BA in English Literature. Emma is also a writer whose own books include Tulipa (Artisan, 2000) and As Always, Jack (Little, Brown, 2002; Back Bay Books, 2003). Her clients

Shuttle Service from Albuquerque to Taos!

2011-05-26T08:37:00.000-07:00

Shuttle ServiceIf you would prefer to have someone else do the driving and want to take a shuttle from the Albuquerque International Sunport to Taos on the same day of your arrival, please plan your airline flight so as to arrive in Albuquerque well before 5 p.m. Here are some shuttle options: Twin Hearts - 575-751-1201 The schedule is as follows: Regularly scheduled departures from the

Scholarship Recipients Announced!

2011-05-25T09:52:00.000-07:00

2011 Scholarship recipients:D.H. Lawrence Fellow: Darlin' Neal, Orlando FL Hispanic Writer Award: Richard Vargas, Albuquerque, NM Native Writer Award: Monty J. Little, Santa Fe, NM Taos Resident Award: Linda Michel-Cassidy, Arroyo Seco, NM Leo Love Merit Scholarship in Poetry: Cedar Brant, Missoula, MT Leo Love Merit Scholarship in Prose: Emma Rainey, Farifiled, IA D.H. Lawrence Fellowship

Condo for Rent during the Conference!

2011-05-25T09:34:00.000-07:00

2 bedroom condo available for rent during the conference. $125/night plus $100 cleaning fee. Within 2 blocks of Sagebrush, 128 Dona Ana, #208, 87571, by Taos Spa. 950 sq ft, Washer/dryer, full kitchen, Kiva fireplace, covered parking. It's really a patio home. No shared walls and has a yard, with sitting area in back. Private quiet drive. Decorated by featured artist Peggy McGivern,

Taos Express: Travel Option from Santa Fe!

2011-05-19T12:22:00.000-07:00

As we've noted on our website, we are not coordinating with a shuttle service this year. However, we did want to notify you all about Taos Express: a shuttle that coordinates with the New Mexico Rail Runner--a train that runs between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. For those of you taking the Rail Runner, the Express would be a great option. The schedule for Taos Express can be found here. And

Another Rideshare Opportunity!

2011-05-18T13:52:00.000-07:00

Participant Maya Kapoor has offered some space in her car on the way from Taos to Albuquerque! She'll be leaving on Sunday the 10th and returning on Sunday the 17th. She'll have room for two, possibly three people in her car. Email her at mayalkapoor@gmail.com if you're interested! Thanks, Maya!

Spaces Open in SOMOS Publication Workshop July 9th!

2011-05-18T13:45:00.000-07:00

SOMOS, which stands for Society of the Muse of the Southwest, is a membership organization for both aspired and accomplished writers based in Taos. On the Saturday before the conference, July 9th, they'll be holding a workshop called "Preparing Your Manuscript for Publication" at the Mabel Dodge Luhan House from 1-4 pm. Barbara Scott, editor at Final Eyes and owner of Scott Group, a

Taos Pueblo Pow Wow, July 8th through 10th!

2011-05-18T08:35:00.000-07:00

As the conference approaches, we imagine that more and more of you are finalizing your travel plans! One thing you might want to keep in mind--and thanks to Summer Wood for reminding us about this--is that the Taos Pueblo Pow Wow takes place the weekend before the conference starts! Everyone is welcome at the Pow Wow, and we trust Summer that it's an "amazing experience"! If you've never been

New Essay By Taos GA Elizabeth Tannen!

2011-05-12T10:23:00.000-07:00

Our very own Elizabeth Tannen, the Graduate Assistant for the Taos Conference, has an essay up today--about her mom reading her blog--on the website "Style Substance Soul." It's the same site that featured Debra Monroe's piece a few weeks ago--which you must read if you haven't already! Both are part of the site's "Mom" theme in honor of Mother's Day. Enjoy!

Interested in Sharing a Suite at the Sagebrush?

2011-05-11T13:40:00.000-07:00

As we've announced on our website, the Sagebrush Inn only has suites remaining. Each of those contains two bedrooms, one with a queen bed and another with a queen murphy bed, and two bathrooms. Participant Ellen Kolton of Cambridge, Mass. is interested in sharing with another female--if you're interested, you can contact her directly at ellenkolton@gmail.com. Thanks, Ellen!

Literary Agent Kit Ward Coming to Taos!

2011-05-10T11:47:00.000-07:00

We've just announced the first of our editors and agents to attend the 2011 Taos Summer Writers' Conference and provide consultations: we're thrilled that Christina (Kit) Ward, the Boston-based literary agent, will be joining us! Kit represents a diverse list of writers, including our very own Debra Monroe, for her recent memoir, "On the Outskirts of Normal: Forging a Family Against the Grain"

Debra Monroe: on Women and Beauty, and Mothers and Daughters

2011-05-05T12:42:00.000-07:00

Be sure to check out this beautiful personal essay by Taos instructor Debra Monroe. Debra's memoir , On the Outskirts of Normal: Forging a Family Against the Grain came out to wonderful critical acclaim last year. This piece, published on the website "Style Substance Soul" takes on the subject of the way women are percieved--by men and by the world--changes as they age. It's truly a gourgous

Another Rideshare Opportunity!

2011-05-04T11:36:00.000-07:00

Participant Pat Shapiro will be driving up to Taos from Santa Fe on Sunday afternoon, July 10th, and is happy to take three people with her in her car! Please send us an email, at taosconf@unm.edu, if you're interested in driving with Pat and we'll connect you with her! Thanks, Pat, for the offer. And hope everyone is getting as excited as we are for the conference! Almost two months to go!

"Home in the World": Emily Rapp in Santa Fe Reporter

2011-05-03T12:07:00.000-07:00

If you haven't had a chance to already, check out Taos instructor and memoirist Emily Rapp's incredibly moving story, recently published on the cover of the Santa Fe Reporter, called "Home in the World." It's about her young son, Ronan, who was recently diagnosed with Tay Sachs disease, a rare and terminal illness. Emily's writing transforms a story that could be devastatingly sad into one that

BookPage Interview With Summer Wood!

2011-04-19T13:29:00.000-07:00

Congratulations again to Summer Wood, who keeps getting more and more great press about her new book, Wrecker! Check out this video interview, posted on the website BookPage--Summer even managed to get in a plug for the conference towards the end! And note that BookPage currently has Wrecker listed as one of it's top 20 books of the year, so far! Other titles on the list include Tea Obrecht's

Ride Available from Albuquerque to Taos!

2011-04-12T14:07:00.000-07:00

First-time attendee Karla Linden, a massage therapist here in Albuquerque, has offered to make her car available for a couple of folks who need rides up to Taos! Karla will be driving up from Albuquerque on Saturday July 9th and back on Saturday the 16th. She's got an SUV and says she should have room for two people to travel along with her and her Boston Terrier, Lulu! Send us an email at

UNM Recognizes Taos Conference for Commitment to Diversity and Social Justice!

2011-04-07T12:26:00.000-07:00

A bit of good news for the conference to share: we recently learned that the University of New Mexico's Office for Equity & Inclusion nominated the Taos Conference for a Presidential Luminaria Award. That award recognizes individuals and groups on campus for their dedication to diversity and social justice work. We can think of few things more important to celebrate, and are honored by the

Update on Transportation to Taos!

2011-04-06T12:11:00.000-07:00

It's just come to our (dismayed) attention that Taos Shuttle, the company we had been recommending for those of you who need a ride from Albuquerque to Taos, has closed down. Apologies for any confusion we've caused! We're currently scouting other options and will post, both here and on the website, as soon as we figure out the best alternative. In the meantime, anyone who has room in their

Mark Sundeen Travel Piece in New York Times!

2011-04-05T12:13:00.000-07:00

Nonfiction writer Mark Sundeen will be teaching two workshops at this year's Taos conference: an intermediate weeklong course called "The New Nonfiction: What Everyone is Reading but MFA Programs Aren't Teaching" and an all levels weekend workshop called "Mapping Memory: Finding Your Story." Mark recently published a travel piece in the New York Times on trekking in the highlands of Guatemala.

Priscilla Long in current issue of American Scholar!

2011-03-31T11:44:00.000-07:00

We recently wrote a post about Priscilla Long's new book, "A Writer's Portable Mentor:" a great book for anyone serious about writing. While you're at the bookstore grabbing that, you may also want to nab a copy of "The American Scholar:" Priscilla's also got an essay in their Spring issue. The essay is called "Interview with a Neandertal: What I always wanted to ask our distant cousins about

New Interview With Margaret Randall!

2011-03-30T13:12:00.000-07:00

Check out this new interview by Maria Maloneywith accomplished poet and Taos faculty member Margaret Randall. Margaret talks about her exraordinary experience living in places like Mexico, Cuba and Nicaragua as a writer, activist and mother. We're so excited that Margaret Randall will be teaching at this year's Taos Conference: her weekend poetry workshop is open to all levels.

Jane Ciabattari Moderating Panel on Family and Writing at Tennesee Williams Festival

2011-03-23T12:48:00.000-07:00

The Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival gets underway this week (in, of course, New Orleans), and several Taos faculty will be on hand to participate! Jane Ciabattari, who is returning for her second year as an instructor at this year's Taos Conference, will be moderating a panel on March 26th called "It's a Family Affair." The panelists two other former Taos folks, Dorothy Allison

Rideshare from Albuquerque to Taos, Sunday 7/10

2011-03-09T15:33:00.000-08:00

One of the continuing functions we hope this blog will have is to help anyone who's interested coordinate travel to the conference! And we've already got our first posting from a participant: Greg Winkler will be driving up to Taos from Albuquerque no later than 2 pm on Sunday July 10th. If you plan to come in before then and need a ride, email Greg at winkler@dogmail.com. And if you're

Memoir Scholarship for 2011 Will Honor Barbara Robinette Moss

2011-03-08T14:33:00.000-08:00

On June First, we will invite participants enrolled in menoir and nonfiction classes to apply for a scholarship being offered at this year's conference in memory of Barbara Robinette Moss, a dear friend of the conference. A note about the scholarship, from Founding Director Sharon Warner: At the 2011 Conference, Barbara Robinette Moss will be with us in spirit if not in fact. An accomplished

In Memoriam: Taos Participant Sandra Jones, December 18, 1948-November 27, 2010

2011-03-01T12:28:00.000-08:00

Sandra Jones, who attended the Taos Conference last year, passed away in November after many years of illness. She took Jane Ciabbatari's workshop--that's her on the far right in the above photo. Sandra was a beloved member of her writing community in Seattle. Wilhemina Condon, who also came to Taos and knew Sandra well throughout her cancer, wrote this remembrance: Sandra received a small

Laura Dave's New Book Now Available for Pre-order!

2011-02-24T13:20:00.000-08:00

Writer and journalist Laura Dave is a Taos success story: she attended the conference in 1999 and 2000--and then in 2007 (and 2008) she returned as an instructor! She's already published two successful novels, "The Divorce Party" and "London is the Best City in America." And now her third novel is coming out, from Viking Press in May--and copies are now available for pre-order on Amazon!

Check Out Priscilla Long's "Writer's Portable Mentor"!

2011-02-23T12:03:00.000-08:00

Those of you gearing up to attend this year's conference may want to help prepare with faculty member Priscilla Long's new book "A Writer's Portable Mentor: A Guide to Art, Craft and the Writing Life"! The book is designed for both beginning and advanced writers, and is a great resource for anyone who wants to focus on the pursuit of writing. Priscilla's book offers help with the micro as well

Weekend Workshop in Poetry with Margaret Randall--Now Open to All Levels!

2011-02-22T12:20:00.000-08:00

Poet Margaret Randall's Weekend Workshop, formally an advanced class, will now be open to all levels! Take a look at the new course description: Margaret Randall is now offering a weekend workshop for anyone who ever wanted to write a poem. "Adrienne Rich wrote "Poetry never stood a chance / of standing outside history..." Poets are still arguing about what that means. "A man walks by with

Summer Wood's "Wrecker" Out Today!

2011-02-15T13:19:00.000-08:00

We congratulated Taos faculty member Summer Wood recently on all the positive reviews coming out in advance of her new novel, "Wrecker." So we thought we'd remind you that today, you can finally go out and BUY the book! Order it on Amazon, or come by one of Summer's many upcoming readings and get her to sign your copy. Once again, congratulations, Summer!

New at this Year's Taos Conference: Screenwriting Workshop With Acclaimed Writer Peter Chiarelli!

2011-02-10T12:57:00.000-08:00

Over the years we've received numerous suggestions that we include a screenwriting workshop at the Conference in addition to courses in Fiction, Nonfiction and Poetry. Well, this year we're finally doing it--and we couldn't be more excited about who we've gotten on board as in instructor! Peter Chiarelli is a Hollywood producer-turned-screenwriter, perhaps best known for penning the Sandra

Upcoming Book release for Taos Alum Philip Cioffari!

2011-02-09T14:43:00.000-08:00

Philip Cioffari was the the D.H. Lawrence fellow at the 2007 Conference. He recieved that award for his second story collection, "A History of Things Lost or Broken." His third book, a novel called "Jesusville" is based on material Philip gathered during his attendance at two Taos conferences! The book comes out in May. Check out Cioffari's description of the book below: When Joshua

Summer Wood Soon to Hit the Road With New Novel, "Wrecker"!

2011-02-08T13:25:00.000-08:00

Beloved Taos faculty member Summer Wood has a new novel coming out with Bloomsbury Press this month, called "Wrecker," and we aren't the only ones eagerly anticipating its release! Publishers Weekly gave the book a terrific review in November, and last week Library Journal did the same (scroll down the page to check hers out...and note the comparison to fellow Taos teacher, Pam Houston!).

Memoirist Gail Caldwell to Deliver Taos Keynote!

2011-02-01T10:49:00.000-08:00

We're delighted to announce that Gail Caldwell, author of this year's acclaimed memoir, "Take the Long Way Home," has accepted our invitation to speak at this year's Conference! "Take the Long Way Home" is Gail's incredibly moving account of her friendship with fellow writer Caroline Knapp. Knapp, best known for her memoir of alcoholism, "Drinking: A Love Story," died of lung cancer in 2002.

Good News for Taos Native Writer Alum Oscar Hokeah!

2011-01-28T13:38:00.000-08:00

A belated congratulations to Oscar Hokeah, who won the Native Writer Award for the Conference in 2008. During the 2009 Conference, Oscar worked on a story, then called "Got Per Cap," in Pam Houston's workshop. (That's him on the far left of the class photo, below.) It's got a new title ("Our Day") but that same story was recently published by American Short Fiction! The story deals with Oscar's

Spaces Available in Newly Added Priscilla Long Weeklong Workshop!

2011-01-26T13:18:00.000-08:00

In case you missed it, we recently added a Weeklong Workshop with acclaimed writer and Taos alum Priscilla Long. The workshop is called "The Art of the Sentence, The art of the Paragraph" and there are still eight spaces remaining! Here's Priscilla's bio: Priscilla Long's new book is "The Writer's Portable Mentor: A Guide to Art, Craft, and the Writing Life." Her poems, stories, and essays

Debra Monroe on Barnes and Noble Review's "Year's Best Reading" List!

2011-01-25T12:13:00.000-08:00

Taos faculty member Debra Monroe's recent memoir, "On the Outskirts of Normal," has received enormous acclaim since she published the book in May of last yearAnd...the accolades continue! Barnes and Noble Review recently included the book in their list of Editor's Picks for the Best Reading of 2010.Congratulations, Debra! At this year's Conference Debra will be teaching a Master Class, "Honing

Cristina Garcia's New Novel Just Released!

2010-09-14T10:43:00.001-07:00

Cristina Garcia's 5th novel, The Lady Matador's Hotel, was released last week. All who attended Cristina's keynote address at the 2010 Taos Summer Writers' Conference will remember the book's stunning opening. Congratulations, Cristina!Cristina let us know about some of her upcoming readings and events, which we'll pass along:Sept. 16: Collected Works/ Santa FeSept. 27: Book People/ AustinOct. 16

Bring a Jacket!

2010-07-09T08:41:00.001-07:00

Weather looks good for next week's conference... mostly sunny, 80s and low 90s, scattered thunderstorms (and hopefully with some magnificent lightening)but it may be chilly (low 50s) in the evenings! Looking forward to the conference!

Debra Monroe in this Week's People

2010-07-08T10:15:00.000-07:00

Taos Summer Writer's Conference faculty member Debra Monroe's new memoir appears in this week's People magaize. Be sure to pick up the issue that feature's Sandra Bullock's "quickie divorce" on the cover. Congratulations, Debra! For more on Debra Monroe and her new memoir, On the Outskirts of Normal, visit her website: http://debramonroe.net.

Minrose Gwin Reading in Albuquerque July 8

2010-07-01T12:08:00.001-07:00

Greetings Taos Conference Attendees & Local Supporters:Faculty member Minrose Gwin will be reading from her acclaimed new novel, The Queen of Palmyra, at Bookworks in Albuquerque at 7pm, Thursday July 8th.As followers may recall, The Queen of Palmyra tells the story of a young girl in Civil Rights era Mississippi and the horrors she wintnesses one summer. The book has been favorably compared to

Getting to Taos from Albuquerque

2010-06-17T07:02:00.000-07:00

Hi,I'm flying into Albuquerque for a weekend workshop on Thursday, July 15. It looks like the New MexiTour Shuttle only runs on weekends. Anyone know the best (cheapest) way to get to Taos on a Thursday; or, even better, anyone also traveling from Albuquerque to Taos on the 15th?Thanks,Richard Parisio845-705-0640 (cell phone)

More Wonderful News for Debra Monroe

2010-06-16T09:04:00.000-07:00

Debra Monroe's new book, On the Outskirts of Normal, has been receiving excellent reviews and tremendous attention. The book will be featured in "The Reading Room" section of Oprah's magazine, O the Oprah Magazine, this August. The memoir is also the cover story on the new Barnes & Noble Review: http://bnreview.barnesandnoble.com/t5/Reviews-Essays/On-the-Outskirts-of-Normal/ba-p/2719; Salon.com