Southern Vermont Writers’ Conference Announces Inaugural Lineup

By WU Advertiser | November 23, 2024 |

Co-founders Kim Place-Gateau (left) and Caren McVicker (center) discuss plans for the upcoming Southern Vermont Writers’ Conference with GMALL Executive Director Gloria Palmer (right)

A new writers’ conference is coming to Manchester, Vermont in early Spring of 2025. The Southern Vermont Writers’ Conference offers writers of all levels and genres an opportunity to focus on their craft, learn from experts, and build community. The conference will be held in the historic Equinox Resort and Spa from March 30 to April 4, 2025.

Co-founded by local writers Caren McVicker and Kim Place-Gateau, the conference is sponsored by Green Mountain Academy for Lifelong Learning and will feature three lead instructors, small class sizes, afternoon craft talks, and special events during the five-day retreat.

Poet, songwriter, and photographer Justen Ahren will teach his internationally acclaimed workshop Cultivating a Devotion to Writing. This workshop helps writers from all backgrounds tap into their creative abundance by using writing as a tool to discover and explore the stories, poems, and other writings already within them.

Obie award-winning actor, writer, and teacher Chris Wells will lead his group through a series of exercises, prompts, and craft discussions that will deepen each writer’s relationship with their characters and stories in his workshop, Creating Juicy Stories and Characters.

In her class, Writing Compelling Personal Essays, editor, teacher, and memoirist Sari Botton will share prompts and lead generative writing exercises. Writers will come away with several short pieces, which can later be developed individually, or together into one larger work.

Each workshop is limited to 15 participants to foster individual attention, opportunities for feedback, and a welcoming environment to share. The program also includes afternoon craft talks, evening salons, and a special afternoon with bookseller recommendations at Northshire Bookstore. The capstone event at the Manchester Community Library will feature author, journalist, and essayist Megan Mayhew Bergman who will present In Service of the Story: Researching and Writing the International Sweethearts of Rhythm.

“When Caren and Kim came to me with the idea of launching a writers’ conference it felt like a great fit for GMALL’s mission,” said Gloria Palmer. “We are hopeful this will be the first of many successful conferences.”