Suffolk Reporter

The Southampton Writers Conference, hosted by Stony Brook University, is set to mark its 50th year this summer from July 9-13 at the Stony Brook Southampton campus. Known for its rich history of featuring renowned literary figures, the conference will again offer a five-day program, including workshops, lectures, and discussions, with applications due by April 15. Workshop spaces are limited.

Notable leaders for the upcoming sessions include Billy Collins, Carmen Giménez, Chloé Cooper Jones, Matthew Kam, Kekla Magoon, Lincoln Michel, Lesléa Newman, Frederic Tuten, and Azareen Van der Vliet Oloomi. Christian McLean, the conference's director and associate director of MFA in Creative Writing, expressed enthusiasm for this year's lineup, noting, “I’m so excited about the workshop leaders this summer.”

Participants will engage in small groups, designed for in-depth collaboration. The 2025 gathering will offer on-campus housing and emphasize building strong peer connections through daily interaction. The event will also include a lecture series featuring afternoon programming, evening readings, and social gatherings, with the attendance of notable speakers like Carmen Giménez and Meg Wolitzer. A highlight includes a Saturday night reading from “Selected Shorts.”

Throughout its history, the conference has hosted significant literary figures such as Joyce Carol Oates, James Baldwin, and Colson Whitehead. In recent iterations, it has continued to attract diverse talents like Meg Wolitzer, Vijay Seshadri, and Brit Bennett.

The general cost for attendance, including shared accommodation, is priced at $1,595, with additional fees for meals and lecture series access. Applications are available online.