Write @ the Logan Library: A new tradition for Utah writers
The Logan Library has begun a new tradition for writers throughout Utah.
On Jan. 28 the Logan Library held its first Write @ the Logan Library conference. The conference hosted five published Utah authors including Sarah Eden, Brock Dethier, Gregg Luke, Heather Frost and Lisa Mangum. All the authors spoke on how writers attending the conference could further improve their craft and how to eventually become published authors. More than 100 writers from all over Utah attended the event.
“We have held many writing events but never a conference like this one,” said Jason Cornelius, the conference director. “I’ve had this as a goal for 10 years but for one reason or another it just hadn’t happened until now.”
Cornelius has already begun preparations for next year’s conference, which he is planning to hold at about the same time of year this conference was held.
“In the future I would like to have even a larger group of authors to come to this conference,” Cornelius said.
The authors who attended the event this year all admitted they were impressed by the setup and execution of the conference.
“I like how organized and well done this conference was, especially for a first time,” said Heather Frost, author of the “Seers” trilogy.
“21 Genres” author and Utah State University professor Brock Dethier agreed that the conference was a success but bestowed some of the conference’s success to Utah State.
“Logan does remarkably well and part of that is because of the university,” Dethier said. “When I got here 20 years ago there was really only one creative writer … now there are eight professors focused on creative writing.”
Out of the five authors, three have lived or currently live in Logan and attended Utah State as either students or professors.
Those attending the conference weren’t just from Logan, though. Michelle Zollinger said she drove from Salt Lake City to attend the conference with two of her friends.
“It was totally worth the drive and time,” Zollinger said. “I learned so much not just about the hows but also the whys of writing.”
Lisa Mangum, managing editor at Shadow Mountain Publishing and author of the “Hourglass Door” series, believes that much of the success she sees from authors in Logan and throughout all of Utah is due the supportive nature of Utah’s writing community.
“I love how supportive and generous everyone is with their time and talent,” Mangum said. “Everybody has a bit of advice or a networking opportunity or a compliment for their book and it really is a great community to find success.”
Utah State junior Nichelle Pomery said she felt support from all those who attended the conference.
“It was informative and fun and just wonderful,” Pomery said. “I just want to go home right now and write.”
— shaniehoward214@gmail.com
@HowardShanie
Photo by Nikki Garrett