California State University, Fresno alumnus Daniel Chacon, a dynamic young author whose work has been critically praised, will be the keynote speaker at the 25th annual Young Writers Conference on Wednesday, March 30.
The conference, which is sponsored by the English Department and the Masters of Fine Arts Program at Fresno State, begin at 9 a.m. in the Satellite Student Union.
The Young Writers Conference provides a valuable opportunity for young writers to hear a professional writer read his or her work and answer questions about the creative writing process and the profession in general.
Chacon received his master’s degree in creative writing in 1992 from Fresno State. He is a professor in the Master of Fine Arts program at the University of Oregon. Among his published works are the novel “And The Shadows Took Him” (2004) and a collection of short stories titled “Chicano Chicanery” (2000).
Four hundred of the most talented high school students in the Valley are expected attend the conference. Students will have the opportunity to interact with other student writers from across the Central Valley and get a taste of what a university level writing workshop might be like. Students also will have a chance to get feedback on their own writing.
Students who attend are encouraged to submit their own original works of poetry, fiction or creative non-fiction to the Young Writers Conference Writing Competition. Teachers are also encouraged to submit their work. Submissions will be considered for awards at the end of the session and for inclusion in Spectrum, the publication of the conference.
Copies of Chacon’s book “And the Shadows Took Him” will be available for purchase and signing by the author.
For more information about the Young Writers Conference, contact Laura Gribben at (559) 278-2553.
(Copy by University Communications student-intern Jodie Mocciaro.)
