University of North Dakota Writers Conference

10/01/2026

We're celebrating two past UND Writers Conference authors making news in the literary world!

George Saunders (UND WC 2026) has been named the recipient of the 2026 Kenyon Review Award for Literary Achievement honoring his extraordinary career and influence on American literature.

Marlon James (UND WC 2018), winner of the 2015 Booker Prize, has once again been recognized by the Booker judges with his newest novel, "The Disappearers" and has been shortlisted for the 2026 Booker Prize.

Congratulations, George Saunders and Marlon James!

09/23/2026

Congratulations to Louise Erdrich (UND WC 1988 & 2004) and Marlon James (UND WC 2018) who have been longlisted for the National Book Awards for Fiction and to Layli Long Soldier (UND WC 2017) for Poetry!

07/29/2026

Congratulations to Marlon James (UND WC 2018), who was longlisted for the Booker Prize for his fifth novel, THE DISAPPEARERS. Marlon James previously won the Booker Award for A BRIEF HISTORY OF SEVEN KILLINGS. During our the 2018 Writers Conference, James read from A BRIEF HISTORY OF SEVEN KILLINGS, and he shared the stage for panel discussions with Molly McCully Brown, Lauren Markham, and Nicholas Galanin. To learn more, visit the Writers Conference website and check out our digital collection!

07/17/2026

Some dates are worth circling.

Join us March 22-24, 2027, as the UND Writers Conference returns for another season of stories, conversation, and connection.

We’ll have much more to share in the months ahead.

05/07/2026

The UND English Department is wrapping up the academic year this evening with an event recognizing the department scholarship recipients and the launch of the latest issue of Floodwall, UND's student-run literary magazine. Join the UND English Department in-person at 7:00 p.m. CT in room 225 of the Chester Fritz Library. We'll also livestream the event via Zoom—use the link below to register for online access!

An event celebrating the recipients of UND English Department scholarships and the publication of the newest issue of Floodwall, UND's student-run literary magazine. Livestream begins at 7:00 p.m. CT.

04/06/2026

We're immensely grateful to everyone who joined us for this year's UND Writers Conference, "Fables & Futures"—and we're grateful to Walter Criswell and the team at UND Today for spotlighting our work to build a literary community right here in Grand Forks and the Northern Plains region.

Event brings authors, artists and agents to UND, connecting them with the community through conversations, classroom visits and shared creative space

04/01/2026

We’re so grateful to our community for joining us at this year’s Writers Conference! It’s hard to believe that it’s already been a week since our 57th annual conference launched! It was such a joy to see everyone here in Grand Forks and online for three days of mystery, whimsy, stories, and lovely community!

We’ll share more photos in the weeks ahead, courtesy of our volunteer photographers Anna Kinney and Chloe Piekkola. (Until then, we’re stuck with the couple of photos our director managed to nab with his phone! Or, you can check out ’s wonderful posts from the conference!)

And a million thanks to the amazing writers and artists who joined us and made “Fables & Futures” a dazzling Writers Conference, one we’ll never forget! It was our immense honor to welcome George Saunders, Maria Dahvana Headley (), Anna Maria Hong, Megan Kamalei Kakimoto (), Ananda Lima (), Roque Raquel Salas Rivera (), Amber Sparks (), Beatriz Cortez (), and Penelope Burns () into our community for three inspiring and uplifting days of storytelling, poetry, and art!

03/26/2026

The second day of this year's UND Writers Conference is here! What do we have in store for you today? Another fun day of panels, discussions, readings, workshops, and more! Swipe and learn more!

Here's the agenda for today:
10:00 a.m. Panel Discussion: "Fables, Futures, & Creative Professions"
11:15 a.m. Coffee Break
12:00 p.m. Panel Discussion: "Fables & Our Communities"
2:15 p.m. Community Workshops led by Amber Sparks () and Penelope Burns ()
3:15 p.m. Coffee Break
4:00 p.m. Reading: Amber Sparks, followed by a book signing
6:00 p.m. UND Student Writing, Editing, & Publishing Showcase, hosted by
8:00 p.m. Reading: Maria Dahvana Headley (), followed by a book signing
9:30 p.m. Reception at the

Remember: all of our events are free and open to the public!

Today's panels will include appearances by everyone you see above, as well as Beatriz Cortez (), Megan Kamalei Kakimoto (), and Ananda Lima ().

(Also—sorry we missed posting yesterday's agenda in the midst of all the first day busyness! We won't make that same mistake twice!)

03/25/2026

We’re on-site in the Memorial Union—and this year’s UND Writers Conference, “Fables & Futures,” is finally here! Our student volunteers are welcoming folks at our info table outside the ballroom. They’re here to answer your questions and help you navigate the schedule!

03/25/2026

Thank you so much to Prairie Public for previewing this year's Writers Conference on the March 23 episode of "Main Street." We're honored to bring storytelling and the arts to everyone in the Northern Plains. All events at this year's "Fables & Futures" conference are free and open to all!

You can listen to the segment, including a short interview with our director, on the Prairie Public website, using the link below.

A look at Norwegian teachers who defied N***s, UND’s Writers Conference, and how loan limits could impact rural healthcare access.