Next we claim responsi-bility for the spectacular vistas on campus, and its soft, shaded hollows in which you may choose to nest with invitingly blank sheets of paper. Our renowned, veteran faculty is also a steady source of pride. We are happy to welcome new faculty. In 2000, The Other Lover made Bruce Smith one of four finalists for the National Book Award for Poetry, while Justin Cronin s Mary and O Neil has occasioned superlatives from its readers. Beyond all, we would assure those who are considering joining us for the first time that all our faculty, new and old, share, in addition to their gift of writing wonderfully and publishing prolifically, a love of teaching, and a desire to do so intensely, devotedly.
Alumni are equally a source of pride.
Karen Novak began as a participant at the Conference s inception in 1995, and has returned as a staff member ever since. For most of the fall, she has been on an extensive and successful reading tour. In addition to readings from faculty, alumni and participants, Joanna Karatzferi will join us to read from one of her stories, while Elizabeth Sheinkman, an agent for Elaine Markson, will share insights into the business of finding the right agent. Pam Durban will discuss other issues of publishing. New participants should know that they are warmly welcome, that there will be time to write, to talk, to create and to re-create.