The Writer’s Symposium by the Sea is returning to San Diego Wednesday with another slate of influential writers, storytellers and journalists.
This year, Point Loma Nazarene University’s event, continuing through Feb. 27, welcomes Judy Woodruff, Jamaica Kincaid and George Saunders.
Dean Nelson, the founder of the symposium and director of PLNU’s journalism program, is hosting the 31st annual event. Each year, he tries to bring in relevant voices who can speak to the craft of writing or journalism in the context of their world. He said that this year’s writers each have a niche that is particularly pertinent.
Nelson’s interviews will kickoff Wednesday, with longtime broadcast journalist Judy Woodruff.
Throughout the years Woodruff has adapted with the changing landscape of news media. That’s part of the reason why Nelson said he asked her to come to this year’s symposium. He said events like the Washington Post’s recent mass layoffs are on his mind as he prepares to sit down with her.
“So she’s kind of the embodiment, for me anyways, she’s the embodiment of adjusting with the times,” Nelson said.
On Thursday, Nelson will interview Antiguan-American writer Jamaica Kincaid. Her prose focuses on themes of colonialism and the dynamics of mother-daughter relationships.
Nelson said he is looking forward to hearing what Kincaid has to say about immigration in the United States as an immigrant herself while also diving into her unique style of writing.
“I don’t care who designs (an) AI program but no one will ever be able to copy the voice and style of Jamaica Kincaid,” he said.
The final day of the Symposium, Friday, will feature New York Times bestselling author George Saunders. Nelson will interview Saunders on the heels of releasing his new book Vigil, which follows a spirit who ushers an unrepentant oil company CEO into the afterlife.
“I think a really good fiction writer always is a good mirror and a measure of society. [Saunders] writes with a certain level of morality that I think is super attractive,” Nelson said.
Get tickets, which are $22 for individual sessions, here.
