Festival of Faith and Writing

Tomorrow is the early registration deadline for one of my favorite events, The Festival of Faith and Writing at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, held this year on April 19 - 21.  I've attended this  biennial festival five times and have heard Mary Karr, Salman Rushdie, Ernest Gaines, Michael Chabon, Elizabeth Strout, Yann Martel, and many other amazing writers speak.  In addition to large lectures, the festival (and it really is more of a festival than a conference) features panel discussions, small groups, and much much more.  This year the keynote speakers will be Gary Schmidt, Jonathan Safran Foer, Marilynne Robinson and Chimanada Ngozi Adichie.  I'm also eagerly awaiting hearing Kate Braestrup, Mark Richard, Debra Dean, Luis Alberto Urrea, and several others.  


Give yourself a Valentine and register today: http://festival.calvin.edu/festival-2012


The early registration rate is $175 (until February 15, 2012), after that the rate is $195.  This includes three full days and nights of concurrent events that will have your head spinning as you attempt to choose which ones to attend.  They're almost all exceptional as is the spirit of the event.