1 John R. Milton Writers’ Conference
For its 12 th biennial event, the 2021 conference theme, “Prospecting: Uncovering New Veins and Voices in Identity, Genre, and Place” will explore important issues of place, form, and representation. The theme refers to the search for new avenues of expression for authors and will address these and other overlapping concerns.
September 16–18, 2021. The University of South Dakota, Vermillion, S.D. $60. Meals and shuttle services are available for additional fees. The event focuses on 500–1,000. The keynote presenter is Mary Gaitskill. Featured authors include: Duncan B. Barlow, Pete Dexter, Steven Dunn, Brandon Hobson, Leah McCormack, Lee Ann Roripaugh, Karen Salyer McElmurray, and Christine Stewart-Nuñez. Because of the event’s size, there are ample opportunities to speak with writers and publishers at social events. For more, visit the event website. Sponsored by The University of South Dakota and The South Dakota Humanities Council, this national literary conference debuted in 1998. They invite proposals for critical and creative panels, roundtables, and individual submissions engaging with the exploration of their conference theme. There are two airports that service the area: Sioux Falls is 60 miles away and Sioux City is 30. Reserve a ride with the event as their shuttle service is less expensive than private shuttles from the airports. In your free time, consider visiting Mulberry Bend Overlook (just south-west of Vermillion), Spirit Mound (hike in the footsteps of Louis and Clark), or simply follow the walking path along the river to find your inspiration. .
