Featured writers and critics: Rudy Wiebe, Jean Janzen, John Ruth, Di Brandt, Julia Spicher Kasdorf, Hildi Froese Tiessen, Ann Hostetler, Jeff Gundy, G. C. Waldrep, Keith Ratzlaff.
Now also committed to appear: Nathan Bartel, J. L. Conrad, Todd Davis, Cheryl Denise, David Elias, Rhoda Janzen, Janet Kauffman, David Kline, Joanne Lehman, Evie Yoder Miller, Leonard Neufeldt, Barbara Nickel, Shari Wagner, Linda Wendling, David Wright, Yorifumi Yaguchi, and many others.
A lively and full program is in the works, beginning with Kathleen Norris's keynote address on Thursday evening and culminating Sunday morning in a worship celebration and final panel discussion reflecting on the event and future directions for Mennoniite/s writing.
| Thursday, Oct. 26 | |
| 3-8 p.m. | Registration |
| 7 p.m. | Keynote . Kathleen Norris |
| 8 p.m. | Reading by Di Brandt, Julia Spicher Kasdorf, David Waltner-Toews, Rudy Wiebe |
| 9:30 p.m. | Reception |
|
Friday, Oct. 27 | |
| 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | Registration |
| 8:30-10 a.m. | Concurrent session 1 |
| 10 a.m. | Break and refreshments |
| 10:30-11:15 a.m. | Kathleen Norris on Writing and Vocation |
| 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. | State(s) of the (Mennonite) Art? by Jeff Gundy, Ann Hostetler, Hildi Froese Tiessen |
| 12:15-1:30 p.m. | Lunch (optional interest groups) |
| 1:30-3 p.m. | Concurrent session 2 |
| 3 p.m. | Break and refreshments |
| 3:30-5 p.m. | Concurrent session 3 |
| 5:30 p.m. | Dinner |
| 7p.m. | A Conversation with Jean Janzen, John Ruth and Rudy Wiebe. Moderator: Julia Spicher Kasdorf |
| 8 p.m. | New Book Celebration with David Elias, G.C. Waldrep, Todd Davis, Rhoda Janzen, J. L. Conrad, Keith Ratzlaff |
| 9:30 p.m. | Book signing/reception |
| 10 p.m. | Late night music . Brad Yoder |
|
Saturday, Oct. 28 | |
| 8:30-10 a.m. | Concurrent session 4 |
| 10 a.m. | Break and refreshments |
| 10:30 a.m.-noon | Concurrent session 5 |
| 12:15-1:30 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1:30-3 p.m. | Plenary session 6: Half in the Sun: Anthology of Mennonite Writing Connie Braun, Maryann Jantzen, Elsie Neufeld, Leonard Neufeldt, Barbara Nickel |
| 3 p.m. | Break and refreshments |
| 3:30-5 p.m. | Concurrent session 6 |
| 6:30 p.m. | Banquet: Tributes to Jean Janzen, Sarah Klassen, Nick Lindsay, Dallas Wiebe Readings by Jean Janzen, Sarah Klassen, Nick Lindsay |
| 9 p.m. | Late night music by Carol Ann Weaver and Rebecca Campbell |
|
Sunday, Oct. 29 | |
| 9:30 a.m. | Worship/Celebration: Meditation by Scott Holland |
| 10:30 a.m. | Concluding plenary panel . Di Brandt, Todd Davis, Rhoda Janzen, Jessica Smucker Falcon, Paul Tiessen; Jeff Gundy (moderator) |
Program. The complete conference program will include academic papers, readings of poetry and fiction, and panel presentations by nearly 90 writers and critics. The program listing here will be refined as more details are available.
Lunch Interest Groups. Plans are in progress for lunch-time table gatherings on a variety of subjects, including college alumni magazines, Mennonites and film, teaching Mennonite literature, teaching creative writing, publishing, and putting together a book manuscript. See the registration form for your chance to propose another interest group.
Publication. Selected papers from the conference will be published in a special issue of The Mennonite Quarterly Review and in Conrad Grebel Review. Authors who wish to submit papers should leave them with conference co-chairs at the end of the conference. Both journals require that documentation follow The Chicago Manual of Style.
Meals. Conference participants may purchase a meal package for $38.50 which includes lunches and dinners from Thursday night through the Saturday night banquet in the Marbeck Commons on the Bluffton campus. The banquet can be purchased separately for $14. Meal service is also available in Bob’s Place, the snack bar in Marbeck Center. Other dining options near campus include the Common Grounds coffeehouse on Main Street and the Willow Café (lunch only) on Vine Street. Fast food is plentiful near the interstate.
Travel. Bluffton is located on I-75 between Toledo and Dayton. For detailed instructions and a campus map, visit www.bluffton.edu/admission/visit/directions/. The closest airports are Toledo (one hour) and Dayton (1 ¼ hours). Flights into other airports (especially Detroit and Columbus, both ca. 2 hours from Bluffton) may be cheaper. Rental cars are available at all these airports.
Lodging. Blocks of rooms at two local motels are available for the conference. Contact them by Sept. 26, 2006, and mention the conference to receive the special rates below. Space is limited, so reserve early!
Comfort Inn 419-358-6000 ($65/night, includes continental breakfast)
Knights Inn 419-358-7000 ($43.95/1 person, $49.95 2 persons)
Some housing is available in local homes. Students may request to be housed in a room with a Bluffton University student.
Download the registration PDF, print, complete the information requested and mail with payment to Susan Collier, Bluffton University, 1 University Drive, Bluffton, OH 45817, U.S.A.
Jeff Gundy, Bluffton University (co-chair)
Hildi Froese Tiessen, Conrad Grebel University College (co-chair)
Ervin Beck, Goshen College (emeritus)
Ann Hostetler, Goshen College
Lamar Nisly, Bluffton University
Julia Spicher Kasdorf, Penn State University
Paul Tiessen, Wilfrid Laurier University
For more information, contact:
Jeff Gundy
gundyj@bluffton.edu
419.358.3283
