Schedule (24–31 May 2012)

Sozopol Fiction Seminars (24–27 May 2012), Sozopol

Thursday | 24 May

17:00-18:00 Registration
19:30 Opening at the Art Gallery *
Faculty readings by Elizabeth Kostova and Krassimir Damianov
Presentation of Absinthe #17
20:30 Reception

Friday | 25 May

9:00-12:00 Workshop for NES writers with Elizabeth Kostova
9:00-12:00 Workshop for BG writers with Krassimir Damianov
10:30-11:00 Coffee break
12:30 Lunch
15:00-16:30 "Four Pitfalls in Memoir Writing" *
Workshop with Debra Gwartney
16:30-18:00 Free time
18:00-19:30 Lecture and reading by Deyan Enev *
19:30 Dinner

Saturday | 26 May

9:00-12:00 Workshop for NES writers with Elizabeth Kostova
9:00-12:00 Workshop for BG writers with Krassimir Damianov
10:30-11:00 Coffee break
12:30 Lunch
14:00-15:30 "Writing Place: Place as a Source of Inspiration and Object of Research” *
Round table
Speakers: Barry Lopez (writer), Ben George (editor, Ecotone), Jill Schoolman (publisher, Archipelago Books), Steven Wingate (assistant professor, South Dakota State University), Anthony Georgieff (publisher, Vagabond), Susan Curtis-Kojakovic (publisher, Istros Books).
Moderator: Jeremiah Chamberlin (editor, Fiction Writers Review)
Contributors: Dwayne D. Hayes (editor, Absinthe), Christopher Buxton (translator), Deyan Enev (writer), Elizabeth Kostova (writer), Krassimir Damianov (writer).
16:00-17:40 One-on-one consultations
The session is offered to all fellows. Signing up is required (24–25 May)!
18:00-19:30 Lecture and reading by Barry Lopez *
19:30 Dinner

Sunday | 27 May

9:00-11:30 Workshop for NES writers with Elizabeth Kostova
9:00-11:30 Workshop for BG writers with Krassimir Damianov
10:30-10:45 Coffee break
11:30 -12:00 Joint workshop/discussion/Q&A session for both groups with Barry Lopez, Deyan Enev, Elizabeth Kostova, Krassimir Damianov
12:30 Lunch
14:00-15:40 One-on-one consultations
The session is offered to all fellows. Signing up is required (24–25 May)!
15:30-18:30 Free time
18:30-19:30 Fellows Reading *
20:00 Gala-dinner

Monday | 28 May

9:30-10:00 Debriefing meeting (Faculty and Staff)
10:30 Departure to Sofia

Background information:

Working languages: Bulgarian and English; translation and interpretation will be provided.

Attendance: All public events are marked with *. Please note that the fiction writing workshops and the one-on-one consultations are strictly closed for audience. The selected participants (10 fellows) work in groups of five led by an instructor. In 2012 instructors will be: Elizabeth Kostova (NES group) and Krassimir Damianov (BG group).

Venues: All events will take place at the Art Gallery of Sozopol (Old town).

CapitaLiterature (29–31 May 2012), Sofia

Tuesday | 29 May

11:00 Brunch with Absinthe #17
A special issue of the American magazine focused on Bulgaria.
Intro by Dwayne D. Hayes, editor, and Reading by featured authors and translators.
In English | Free admission
+ tova | 30 Marin Drinov Str.
19:00 An International Literary Performance & Party
With Bistra Velichkova, Cab Tran, Delaney Nolan, Garrard Conley, Garth Greenwell, Kathy Flann, Nikolay Fenerski, Nikolay Petkov, Palmi Ranchev, Philip Anastassiu.
In English and Bulgarian | Free admission
The Red House Center for Culture and Debate | 15 Lyuben Karavelov Str.

Wednesday| 30 May

11:00 “Writing about Trauma”
Brunch and talk with Debra Gwartney.
In cooperation with the Bulgarian Donors’ Forum
In English and Bulgarian | Free admission
Before 10 | 1 Milko Bichev Str.
17:00 “The Geography of the Story”
A lecture by the 2012 distinguished guest lecturer Barry Lopez.
In English | Free admission
British & American Resource Center, University of Sofia | 15 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd.

Thursday| 31 May

10:00 “Blogging and the Social Media: Changing Roles and Rules in Literary Critisism”
A conversation about contemporary literature, reading and criticism.
In cooperation with Next Page Foundation
In English and Bulgarian | Free admission
American Corner | 4A Slaveykov Sq.
18:00 Partner event!
Book-premiere: “Wifeshopping” by Steven Wingate (Ciela Norma, 2012)
In English and Bulgarian | Free admission
Ciela Bookstore (located in the subway next to the University of Sofia) | 22 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd.

The events take place with the kind support of: America for Bulgaria Foundation, Lois Roth Endowment, Embassy of the United States in Bulgaria, Municipality of Sofia’s Culture program, dedicated to the European Capital of Culture application, National Culture Fund and in collaboration with: Culture of Wine Foundation, Sofia Airport, Bulgarian Donors’ Forum, Next Page Foundation, Ciela Norma, the Municipality of Sozopol and the Art Gallery of Sozopol.