"A Rural Setting for Serious Writing"

In its second year, the Surprise Valley Writers' Conference is a four-day gathering of writers held in the northeastern corner of California. Sponsored by the Modoc Forum, the Surprise Valley Writers' Conference is a collaboration between Michael Croft, founder and former director of the Truckee Meadows Community College Writers Conference, and Barbara and Ray A. March, founders of the Modoc Forum and publishers of the Modoc Independent News.

Keynote speaker this year will be Mary Austin (aka Judy Temple of University of Arizona, Womens' Studies Department). Last year's keynote speaker was William Kittredge, whose novel “The Willow Field” was recently released by Knopf.

Workshops will be offered in poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction. For the first time a workshop titled "Treasurers to Type" will be offered. This workshop, given by Professor Judy Temple, is designed for participants who wish to create a work for...