DENTON (UNT), Texas – The 17th annual Mayborn Literary Nonfiction Conference, hosted by the University of North Texas Frank W. and Sue Mayborn School of Journalism and Mayborn Graduate Institute of Journalism, will feature a line-up of award-winning journalists and authors in an effort to dissect and discuss the stories behind the headlines of the past year.

One of the nation’s premier conferences for aspiring and experienced writers, the Oct. 15-16 conference will be a hybrid event with both in-person and virtual sessions. Through the conference theme, “To Your Health: Healing the Nation, Healing the News, Healing Yourself,” sessions will explore issues such as health care, mental health, trust in news and social justice.

“This year’s Mayborn Conference is designed to capture the stories and voices of those journalists and authors who have been writing about some of the prescient issues affecting our nation and the world,” said Cornelius “Neil” Foote, Jr., the conference director and principal lecturer in the Mayborn School. “Our panelists are expert storytellers and eager to share their passion, advice and strategies.”

The Mayborn Literary Nonfiction Conference provides aspiring and established storytellers, reporters, photographers and narrative nonfiction writers from all walks of life an opportunity to learn, engage and network with the nation's best authors, journalists, editors, educators and agents through workshops, seminars and keynotes. More than 40 Pulitzer Prize winners have presented or served as panelists over the years.

Each year, the Mayborn offers opportunities for writers to publish their work or win recognition and cash awards for their outstanding stories.

The conference's partners this year are Bloomberg News, PEN America, Interabang Books, Texas Tribune, Denton Media Company, Brown Books Publishing and KERA.

FEATURED SPEAKERS

DeNeen Brown, a veteran reporter for The Washington Post and for the National Geographic Channel documentary “Rise Again – Tulsa and the Red Summer” will talk about the nation’s history and writing about the soul of America.

Kristen Brown, Bloomberg News health team reporter, will explore the challenges of reporting and writing the technical nuances of the COVID-19 pandemic, balancing facts, science, reality and debunking myths.

Major Garrett, a CBS Chief Washington Correspondent, three-time author and veteran D.C. reporter, dives into the tumult of the past year, sharing his strategies and approaches to storytelling.

Eli Saslow, a Pulitzer-Prize winning Washington Post journalist whose new book, “Voices from the Pandemic: Americans Tell Their Stories of Crisis, Courage and Resilience,” captures heart-wrenching personal stories.

Dr. Seema Yasmin, an Emmy Award-winning journalist, medical doctor and author, looks at storytelling in the age of COVID-19 and what lessons we’ve learned about facts and “misinfodemics.” 

Other speakers include: Authors Curtis Bunn, Nicole Chung, Michael H. Cottman, Patrice Gaines, Nick Charles, Keith Harriston, Wanda Lloyd and Fernanda Santos; Marty Baron, retired executive editor of The Washington Post; Alana Rocha and Elvia Limón of Texas Tribune; freelance journalist Olivia Messer; Alex Samuels of FiveThirtyEight; and former Sen. Connie Mack.

MAYBORN LITERARY NONFICTION CONFERENCE

What: “To Your Health: Healing the Nation, Healing the News, Healing Yourself,” 17th annual Mayborn Literary Nonfiction Conference

When: Friday session at Interabang Books, 5600 Lovers Lane, Suite 142, Dallas; Saturday sessions held online

Cost: Tickets are $99. Register and see a full schedule at themayborn.com.