It’s Time to Talk about Process: A Multi-Genre Panel

November 19, 2024, four acclaimed Alaska-based writers will come together for the 49 Writers event, It’s Time to Talk ÌÀÄ·ÊÓƵ Process: A Multi-Genre Panel. Held via Zoom from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., this event will delve into the often-overlooked topic of creative process in writing. Whether you’re a seasoned author or just beginning your journey, this panel promises practical tips and engaging insights to help you cultivate a fulfilling creative life. Registration is required and offered on a sliding scale, making it accessible to all.

Moderated by 49 Writers Director and UAF MFA alum Alison Miller, the panel features poets, novelists, and essayists from across Alaska. Attendees will explore strategies for developing a regular writing routine, overcoming blocks, and silencing inner critics. In addition to gaining insights from all four panelists, participants will have the opportunity to engage directly during an audience Q&A session.

Notably, panelist Annie Wenstrup will return to Fairbanks on April 17, 2025, as part of UAF’s Midnight Sun Visiting Writers Series, giving local audiences another opportunity to connect with her work and wisdom.

 

It’s Time to Talk about Process: A Multi-Genre Panel, image poster

Meet the Panelists:

Summer A.H. Christiansen (she/they) is a queer, neurodivergent educator, writer, & mother living on the unceded land of T’aaḵu Kwáan and A’akw Kwáan. Her work has been published in Bell Anthologies, Silver Rose Magazine, Tidal Echoes, Alaska Women Speak, and Drizzle Review. She is a graduate of the Rainier Writing Workshop and holds an MFA in Creative Writing: Non-Fiction. She teaches regular writing and yoga classes and serves on the board of 49 Writers and SEAGLA.
Joseph Holt is author of the story collection Golden Heart Parade. He grew up in South Dakota and graduated from the Center for Writers at the University of Southern Mississippi. Holt has taught at Catapult, the American College of Norway, the University of Minnesota, and elsewhere. He now serves on the MFA faculty at the ÌÀÄ·ÊÓƵ. His writing has appeared in The Sun, Prairie Schooner, The Iowa Review, and has received an AWP Intro Journals Award.
Dante Medema is the author of The Truth Project and Message Not Found. The Truth Project was an Indies Introduce Title as well as an Indie Next Pick and was nominated for the YALSA Quick Pick for reluctant readers in 2021. Message Not Found was the Sequoyah Book Award winner in 2024. A former board member for the Alaska Writers Guild, Dante remains active in her writing community. She’s presented on numerous subjects at The Alaska Writers Conference, sat as the Writer in Residence at Alaska Pacific University, and has participated in several mentorship programs. Passionate about helping other authors reach their goals, she shares her journey across her social media platforms. Dante lives in Anchorage, Alaska with her four daughters, two pups, and a room full of alien memorabilia—and books, of course. When she’s not writing, she dabbles in baking, cake decorating, and reading up on enneagram personality types.
Annie Wenstrup (Dena’ina) is the author of The Museum of Unnatural Histories, forthcoming from Wesleyan University Press (March 2025). Annie is the recipient of the 10th annual New England Review Emerging Writer’s Award, and is the 2024 Stephen Donadio Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference Scholar. In 2023, she received the Alaska Literary Award and support from The Rasmuson Foundation. Annie’s held a Museum Sovereignty Fellowship with the Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center (Alaska office) supported through a Journey to What Matters grant from The CIRI Foundation, and was an Indigenous Nations Poets Fellow in 2022 and 2023. Her poems have been published in Alaska Quarterly Review, Ecotone, Poetry, and elsewhere. She lives in Fairbanks, Alaska with her family. Fairbanks locals can look forward to her visit on April 17, 2025, as part of the Midnight Sun Visiting Writers Series.

Joseph Holt, Assistant Professor in the UAF Department of English, brings a wealth of experience to the panel. His teaching philosophy emphasizes writing as both a discipline and a form of creative play. His "Writing Regimen" spreadsheets, available on his website, provide a unique glimpse into how he approaches writing with a marathoner’s mindset—balancing routine and flexibility. He stresses the importance of blocking out distractions and approaching writing with curiosity rather than rigid benchmarks.

"The process of writing is different for everyone, especially across genres like poetry and prose. Most important, I think, is that writers set their intentions, disconnect from the internet, and immerse themselves in the imaginative work," Holt says. "Lots of times, we don't know what we want to say until we say it. To get to that point of concentration, we need to try our best to block out distractions—including distracting thoughts. Easier said than done, of course. For me, a successful writing session can't be measured by word count or time spent at the desk. Instead, it's successful when it feels less like work and more like play."

Golden Heart Parade by Joesph Holt
Event Information

Date
Tuesday, November 19th, 2024

Time
6:00-7:30 pm

Location
via Zoom

What is 49 Writers?

49 Writers, the nonprofit organization hosting this event, supports Alaska’s literary community through workshops, mentorships, and public readings. They aim to inspire writers at all levels and foster a deeper connection between Alaskan authors and readers.

How to Participate

It’s Time to Talk ÌÀÄ·ÊÓƵ Process will be held on Zoom. Registration is required and operates on a sliding scale, with fees ranging from $5–$20 based on membership status. Secure your spot and join the discussion by registering at .

Don’t miss this opportunity to reflect on and refine your creative process with these talented writers!