After a multi-year hiatus due to COVID-19, the conference will reconvene on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at the Northampton Center for Arts.

Jeffers, a novelist, poet, essayist, and scholar, commands an impressive portfolio. 

She has published five books of poetry, including The Age of Phillis, which reflects a decade and a half of dedicated research into the life of Phillis Wheatley Peters, the first African-American woman to publish a book. The work garnered critical acclaim, including recognition from the National Book Award in Poetry, The Los Angeles Times Book Award, and the NAACP Image Award for Literary Work: Poetry.

The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois is her debut novel and also won her widespread praise. It was chosen for Oprah’s Book Club, recognized by President Barack Obama in his 2021 Book Recommendations, and acclaimed by numerous esteemed publications including The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and NPR.

Since its first iteration in 1987, the WriteAngles Conference has been a celebrated gathering for writers in Western Massachusetts. Originally sponsored by the local chapter of the National Writers Union, the conference operated independently and was run by a committee of dedicated volunteers for many years. Last year, the committee handed over the management and running of the conference to the Straw Dog Writers Guild.

Known for its roster of renowned keynote speakers over the years, including Elinor Lipman, Jonathan Harr, Ann Hood, and Patricia Smith, the conference continues to create a platform for writers to share, learn, and inspire.

The WriteAngles Conference aims to attract a diverse array of writers who love language and are open to exploring its myriad forms. The organizers have expressed a commitment to writing that illuminates the complexities of our world, aiming to create dialogue, incite change, and heal wounds. 

This year, the conference also includes the Abel Meeropol Social Justice Writing Award, paying tribute to writers whose work centers on social justice. Jeffers will be the recipient of this year’s award. 

The award finalists are Carmen Maria Machado, Shanta Lee, and Cameron Awkward-Rich.

In anticipation of its 2024 return, the WriteAngles Conference warmly invites all writers — established, emerging, and aspiring — to be a part of this gathering. More information about the conference is available from the new conference website at www.writeanglesconference.com. The event promises a riveting exploration of the written word.

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