ASPEN SUMMER WORDS
A Letter from the Director

Dear Friends,

In 1975, poet and then bartender Kurt Brown had an idea to create a writers' conference in his adopted hometown. He claims he knew nothing about putting on such an event, but of this he was certain: Aspen was a great place for writers.

The following summer, with a $1000 loan and a tiny staff of volunteers, a conference was born. Four poets, along with 50 students, descended upon Aspen for two weeks of workshops and revelry. Who knew that this small seed would have such grand ambitions?

Over the next thirty years, Aspen Summer Words (then known as the Aspen Writers' Conference) would grow into a nationally renowned annual celebration of words and ideas — featuring 30 top authors, agents and editors; workshops in a half-dozen genres; literature appreciation classes; professional consultations; and an accompanying literary festival. (Not to mention all the parties and fun that were there from the start!)

Today, Aspen Summer Words is one of the oldest writers' conferences in the nation and can rightfully stake its claim in the vanguard of the field. In fact, last year USA Today honored the Retreat and Festival as a Top 10 U.S. Literary Gathering. Please join us this year and discover why Aspen is still a great place for writers. Our 30th anniversary is going to be one for the books!

See you in June,

Lisa Consiglio
Executive Director