Some of the best writers, creative thinkers and film directors have gathered on Point Loma Nazarene University’s campus to talk about more than just writing — about humanity. That’s the goal of journalism professor Dean Nelson, who had an idea 31 years ago.
The annual Writer’s Symposium, from Feb. 23-27, will feature broadcast journalist and former anchor of PBS NewsHour Judy Woodruff, novelist and Harvard professor Jamaica Kincaid and author of “Lincoln in the Bardo” George Saunders on the topic of “writing across the divide.”
Past events have included conversations with Cornel West, Ray Bradbury, Anne Lamott, David Brooks and Anthony Doer — some big names, and others smaller. But Nelson said there isn’t a method to who he chooses.
He said he looks for people who have a series of work that students could aspire to. He tries to find someone in different forms of media to reach audiences around the spectrum.
“I’m looking for something that has some lasting value,” he said.
Nelson begins preparing about four months in advance. He aims to read every piece of work his guests have produced — from professional to high school essays.
He began in September of 2025, reading all of Kincaid’s work. He spent November and December on Saunders and recently finished his novel, “Vigil,” which was published on Jan. 27. More recently, he’s watched and read Woodruff’s work, going back to the 1970s.
When he’s finished reading, he goes through his notes and margin scribbles to begin forming his questions.
“I’ve probably got 18 pages of questions on a legal pad,” Nelson said. In the next week, he’ll structure his order of questions. “It takes a lot of concentration.”
For the award-winning broadcast journalist, he said he wants to see how she and journalism have changed since the ‘70s. Their interview is on Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. in PLNU’s Brown Chapel.
“If we see [journalism] through the lens of one person who has been going through journalism for the last 50 years, that’s going to be way more insightful and interesting,” Nelson said.
He’ll talk with Kincaid on Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. in PLNU’s Crill Performance Hall, and Saunders on the 27 at 7 p.m. in Brown Chapel.
On top of Nelson’s evening interviews with the creative minds, the Writer’s Symposium is sponsoring Q&A sessions with each of them, with PLNU’s Master’s in Writing Program hosting Saunders and Kincaid. These sessions are free to attend.
Lindsey Lupo, PLNU dean of the School of Humanities, Arts and Public Engagement, is moderating the 3 p.m. session with Woodruff in the Colt Forum on Feb. 25.
“I could go 1,000 different ways [with the Q&A],” Lupo said. “I could spend three hours talking to her.”
Woodruff wants to engage with students during the session, Lupo said. She also said it’s a crucial time in the country to objectively understand what is happening in politics.
“Media is a really key way [to understand politics],” Lupo said. “[Woodruff] can speak to … the importance of a free and unbiased press in a democracy.”
Robbie Maakestad, director of the PLNU Master’s in Writing program, said he is excited to lead the Q&A with Saunders at 3 p.m. in the Fermanian Conference Center on Feb. 27. “He’s one of my favorite writers,” he said.
Many of the Master’s in Writing students attend these more intimate sessions for a chance to interact with the writers, Maakestad said.
“I think it’s real important for students to get that interaction with folks who have been publishing for as many years as Kincaid and Saunders,” he said. “[It] allows students the opportunity to bring questions to the table and have the writer weigh in.”
Kincaid’s Q&A, led by writing and environmental studies professor Breeann Kirby, will be livestreamed and archived on YouTube.
Ella Hachee, a second-year Master’s in Writing student, said the Writer’s Symposium is one of the reasons she chose to study at PLNU.
“I’ve learned so much about my own craft as a writer from the afternoon workshops,” she said. “It’s a chance to get new perspectives. … It’s nice to hear from new voices.”
This event isn’t just for the writers, directors and creatives, though. Nelson said this is for everyone because everyone is a storyteller.
“Everybody tells stories. Everybody loves to hear a story,” he said. “This is a conversation about why [stories] matter, and how we do it, how we can do it better, and how we can demand more of our cultures. … It’s the only thing that holds us as a civilization together.”
Carson Dillon