2025 Windhover Writers' Festival

Dear Fellow Writers and Thinkers,

We are thrilled to announce the return of the Windhover Writers' Festival, taking place February 19-21, 2025, after a five-year hiatus. This year's festival promises to be a vibrant gathering that explores the profound intersection of faith and creativity, with a central theme of The Vocation of Christian Literary Arts.

The Windhover Writers' Festival has long been a cherished space for writers, scholars, and readers to connect, share their work, and delve into the power of words. We invite you to be a part of this exciting event by submitting a proposal for an individual or a panel discussion.

Proposals:

We are seeking proposals for engaging and thought-provoking discussions that explore the festival theme. Here are some potential areas of focus:

• Craft talks on specific elements of the writing process and the ways in which the practice of our faith guides our work
• The role of the Christian writer in a secular world.
• How faith informs and shapes the creative process.
• The ethical considerations of Christian storytelling.
• The unique challenges and rewards of writing for a Christian audience.
• The intersection of faith and specific genres (e.g., fantasy, mystery, poetry).
• Examining the legacy of Christian literary giants.
• The evolving role of Christian publishing.
• Fostering a vibrant Christian literary community.
• Community involvement projects and discussions
• Creative Panels/Papers are invitation only since we invite contributors from the most recent Windhover issue to read at the festival.
• We also welcome proposals that explore the theme in new and innovative ways.

Submission Guidelines:

• Proposals should be no more than 300 words and should include:                                                                                
  • A clear and concise title for your panel/individual proposal.
  • If a panel proposal, the names and brief biographies (less than 75 words) of all panelists (including yourself). 
  • If an individual proposal, your name and a brief bio (less than 75 words).
  • A description of the panel/individual topic and its relevance to the festival theme.
  • Format of the panel/individual presentation (e.g., lecture, Q&A, creative writing exercise).

   Please submit your proposal by December 20, 2024.

We look forward to receiving your proposals and to welcoming you to the 2025 Windhover Writers' Festival. For more information and updates, please visit our festival page.

Proposals will receive a 10% discount off festival registration.

Accepted presenters will receive a 15% discount off festival registration. Discount codes will be sent the first week of December.
 

Sincerely,

Toby F. Coley, PhD

Director, Windhover Writers' Festival 

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor