UCA sets Women Writers conference

The University of Central Arkansas Department of Writing and the College of Fine Arts and Communication will hold a “First to Know” gathering at the UCA President’s Home on April 27 for the creation of The C.D. Wright Women Writers conference.

The gathering is set for 6:30-8 p.m. at 140 Donaghey Ave., across the street from the main part of campus.

The conference, named after C.D. Wright, an Arkansas poet who wrote about the state’s people and politics who died unexpectedly in January, will be held annually beginning in November 2017.

“Because there remains a gender bias in the publishing world, the goal of the conference will be to recognize, promote and encourage women writers of all genres, with special emphasis given to writing inspired by or written in the South,” said Sandy Longhorn, an assistant professor of Writing and director of the new conference. “Hosting this conference at UCA will serve women writers from Arkansas and beyond, helping UCA grow our commitment to the literary arts.”

While the conference will feature women writers as panelists and presenters, men will be welcome as audience members and especially as publishers or editors looking for new writing talent.

For more information, contact Longhorn at (501) 450-5108 or slonghorn@uca.edu.

The UCA College of Fine Arts and Communication includes the Departments of Art, Communication, Mass Communication and Theatre, Music, and Writing. The college’s primary mission is the preparation of the next generation of artists, educators, and communicators. For more information about CFAC, visit www.uca.edu/cfac or call (501) 450-3293.