News Release

WINONA LAKE — The Grace College Department of Humanities is pleased to announce it will host the inaugural Winona Christian Writer’s Conference on the Grace campus this summer from Thursday, July 17 to Saturday, July 19. The three-day conference costs $350 and offers four workshop tracks for attendees: poetry, fiction, nonfiction and writing for young readers.

“The Winona Christian Writing Conference aims to create a nurturing environment where Christian writers can deepen their craft, develop their creative voices and engage with like-minded individuals,” said Dr. Lauren Rich, chair of the Department of Humanities. “With its rich literary history and picturesque location, Winona Lake offers the perfect setting for writers to reflect, learn and grow.”

The conference was born from a shared vision between Rich and Dr. John Poch, Grace College professor of English, to create an affordable, craft-focused writing conference that fosters creativity. Their vision was made possible by the generosity of Luke and Dawn Grossman.

Dr. Jessica Hooten Wilson, the Fletcher Jones Chair of Great Books at Pepperdine University, will serve as the keynote speaker at the conference.

“Dr. Wilson is one of the sharpest and most exciting Christian public intellectuals out there right now,” said Poch. “We are excited for the ways she will challenge us to see reading and writing as spiritual disciplines.”

Wilson is the author of numerous books, including “Flannery O’Connor’s Why Do the Heathen Rage?” “Giving the Devil his Due” and “The Scandal of Holiness.” Wilson has been awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to Prague, a Biola University sabbatical fellowship funded by the John Templeton Foundation and the 2017 Emerging Public Intellectual Award.

The conference will feature four distinguished faculty, each an award-winning author in their respective fields: Dr. George David Clark will lead the poetry track, Shemaiah Gonzalez will lead the creative nonfiction/memoir track, Katy Carl will lead the fiction track and Dr. Gary Schmidt will lead the writing for young readers track. These accomplished writers will each lead three workshops.

In addition to the conference faculty, guest writers Dr. James Matthew Wilson, David Marsh and Dr. Katherine Higgs-Coulthard will contribute to the conference, as attendees will participate in manuscript consultations, craft talks, a keynote banquet, an open mic event and a publishing roundtable. The conference will also include time for a guided nature walk, a tour of the Billy Sunday Home and a letterpress demonstration.

The conference is open to adults 18 and older and writers of all experience levels.

“Whether you’re just starting your writing journey or you’re an experienced author, the Winona Christian Writing Conference provides a unique opportunity to grow in your craft and your faith,” said Poch.

The $350 fee includes most meals, individual manuscript consultation and a swag bag. K-12 educators are eligible for a $100 discount on registration and may earn Professional Growth Points/Continuing Education Units for attending. To inquire about the discount, email [email protected].