ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS (May 12, 2023) — After twenty-plus years, the David R Collins Writers’ Conference (formerly known as the Mississippi Valley Writers’ Conference) will return to the campus of Augustana College this summer, June 22-24. Featuring our stellar Conference Faculty (Kali White VanBaale, Keith Pilapil Lesmeister, Jesus “Chuy” Renteria, and Rebecca Wee) leading three-day workshops, participating in a Community Conversation keynote event, and holding a public reading. The Conference will also host a community book fair on Saturday, 6/24 for local/regional authors, publishers, booksellers, and more.
Registration is open now, via the Midwest Writing Center website or by calling the MWC office at (309) 732-7330. We will continue to offer scholarships to students, veterans/active-duty service members, and those with financial need.
This year’s conference offers four three-day workshops, led by accomplished faculty members, and returning Midwest Writing Center favorites:
- “Where Is Language Coming From? Point of View in Novels” with Kali White VanBaale
- “Half-Court Offense, Full-Court Press: A Generative Short Fiction Workshop” with Keith Pilapil Lesmeister
- “Mapping Our Memories for Storytelling: Memoir Workshop” with Chuy Renteria
- “Making New Poems” with Rebecca Wee
Complete course descriptions as well as bios for the Conference’s distinguished faculty are available on the MWC website: mwcqc.org/events-opportunities/david-r-collins-writers-conference/
DRC Writers’ Conference Public Events
Keynote Event: Community Conversation featuring Writers’ Conference Faculty
Thursday, June 22, 6–8PM at Figge Art Museum (225 W 2nd St, Davenport, Iowa)
Public Reception at 6pm, Keynote Event at 7PM
For this year’s keynote event, the Conference faculty will start a conversation MWC will be continuing in a series of events throughout the year by responding to a simple question: Why is writing important?
They will give their individual responses, to begin a conversation among themselves, and then attendees will be invited to join via Q&A. The event will start with a reception, 6-7PM, and the Community Conversation will start at 7PM.
Conference Faculty Reading and Participant Open Mic
Friday, June 23 at Rozz-Tox (2108 3rd Ave, Rock Island, Illinois)
Social at 6pm, Faculty Reading at 7PM, Participant Open Mic at 8PM
Join us at Rozz-Tox to hear Conference faculty reading their work. Followed by an open mic for Conference participants. Free and open to the public.
Community Book Fair
Saturday, June 24, 10am-4pm at Gävle Hall (in the Gerber Center for Student Life,
Augustana College, 3435 9½ Ave, Rock Island, Illinois)
Book fair for local/regional authors, publishers, booksellers, and more. Registration fee not required to participate in the books fair. Tables for participants are $10, or two for $20. Free and open to the public.
For more information about the Writers’ Conference, please contact Ryan Collins, ryan.collins@mwcqc.org, 309-732-7330, www.mwcqc.org/events-opportunities/david-r-collins-writers-conference/.
The 2023 David R Collins Writers’ Conference is made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and grantors: Modern Woodmen of America, Founding Sponsor; the Regional Development Authority; Illinois Humanities; the Illinois Arts Council Agency; Augustana College; the Figge Art Museum; and Rozz-Tox.
