The 2021 Kauai Writers Conference has been postponed until November, 2022, due to the pandemic and new Hawaii regulations. More information and registration for the rescheduled event will be available soon on this page.
Our online programs have been greatly expanded. We invite you to learn about them here.
2021 Conference Schedule
Breakfast and lunch are provided each day in a setting where participants and presenters mix.
This is close to the final schedule but is subject to change.
Friday, November 12th, 2021
| Time | Kauai Ballroom 2 | Kauai Ballroom 1 | Puna Classroom 1 | Puna Classroom 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7:30 – 9:00 |
– BREAKFAST – Puna and Kauai Courts (Registration table open 7:30 by Puna Ballroom) |
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| 9:00 – 9:30 | WELCOME AND BLESSING Kumu Sabra Kauka and her hula halau |
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| 9:30 – 10:30 | Meg Wolitzer, Christina Baker Kline, Richard Russo Sources of Inspiration Moderated by Kevin Larimer |
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| 10:45 – 11:45 | Luis Urrea Writing from the heart |
Charles Johnson, Nicholas Delbanco What makes good writing good? |
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| 12:00 – 1:00 |
– LUNCH – Puna and Kauai Courts |
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| 1:15 – 2:15 | Joshua Mohr Workshop: Plaracterization – The kiss between plot and character |
Lauren Groff Workshop: Plot Structure |
Adrienne Brodeur Workshop: Memoir |
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| 2:30 – 3:30 | Amy Ferris, Linda Schreyer Workshop: Memoir |
Amanda Eyre Ward Workshop: Story Arc |
Laura Lentz Workshop: Writing about Sex |
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| 3:45-4:45 | Jean Hanff Korelitz, Dale Launer Writing with the screen in mind |
Sharyn Skeeter, Charles Johnson Biofiction: bringing historical characters to life |
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| 6:00 – 9:30 | – LUAU – Dinner followed by Punua Family performance At the Luau Gardens under the tent. |
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Saturday, November 13th, 2021
| Time | Kauai Ballroom 2 | Kauai Ballroom 1 | Puna Classroom 1 | Puna Classroom 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7:30 – 9:00 |
– BREAKFAST – Puna and Kauai Courts |
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| 9:00 – 10:00 | Christina Baker Kline, Amanda Eyre Ward Workshop: Grab your readers’ hearts and don’t let go |
David Henry Sterry, Arielle Eckstut Four Paths to Getting Published |
Mary Roach Workshop: Nonfiction |
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| 10:05 – 11:05 | Paula McLain, Priya Parmar, Amanda Eyre Ward The writer’s path with individual breakout sessions |
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| 11:10 – 12:05 | Richard Russo How and why I write |
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| 12:15 – 2:15 | BEACH SIDE LUNCH Under the tent at the Kalapaki Beach Luau Grounds |
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| 2:30 – 3:25 | Women’s Voices Amy Ferris, Linda Schreyer, Brooke Warner, Adrienne Brodeur |
Paula McLain The Exquisite Risk: Inviting mystery, uncertainty and vulnerability into the creative process |
Elizabeth Stark Ellen Sussman Those crucial first four pages |
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| 3:35 – 4:25 | Stephanie Oliver Reflections on on a life in publishing |
Nicholas Delbanco Charles Johnson Voice and point of view |
Kevin Larimer The craft and business of journalism |
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| 4:35 – 5:25 | Christina Baker Kline Creativity (multimedia presentation) |
Brooke Warner She Writes Press: A Model for Alternative Publishing Channels |
Dale Launer How and why I wrote My Cousin Vinny |
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| 8:00 – 9:30 | – CONCERT – Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Very special guest to be announced Under the tent at the Kalapaki Beach Luau Gardens |
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Sunday, November 14th
| Time | Kauai Ballroom 2 | Kauai Ballroom 1 | Puna classroom 1 | Puna classroom 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00 – 11:00 |
– COURTYARD BRUNCH – |
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| 11:00 – 12:30 |
– PITCHAPALOOZA –
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– Our Writing Process –
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| 12:45-1:45 | Richard Russo Workshop: Character Development |
Joshua Mohr Workshop: Finding & Honing Your Voice |
Michelle Tessler, Susan Golomb, How agents evaluate your work |
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| 1:55-2:55 | Lauren Groff, Elizabeth Stark, Ellen Sussman Workshop: Creating emotion on the page |
Andy Ross, Alia Habib, Stephanie Oliver Surviving and thriving in today’s new publishing landscape |
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| 3:05-4:05 | Luis Urrea Why I write |
Jean Hanff Korelitz What compels readers to turn the pages? |
Elizabeth Rosner Telling stories from the inside out. |
Kevin Larimer, Brooke Warner Many Paths to Publishing Success |
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| 4:15-5:00 | Meg Wolitzer, Richard Russo Write what you know and love (or hate) |
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| 5:00-5:20 | Closing Ceremony | |||||