2019 Writer’s Symposium by the Sea

One of the top journalists in Washington, a Christian poet, and a new voice in the Marvel Black Panther Universe – three writers with very different backgrounds and styles, all sharing their insight into the art of putting pen to paper. Join founder Dean Nelson as he welcomes E.J. Dionne, Christian Wiman and Nnedi Okorafor to the 2019 Writer’s Symposium by the Sea at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego.

Nnedi Okorafor (https://www.uctv.tv/shows/33945)

International award-winning novelist Nnedi Okorafor discusses her wide-ranging work, including Black Panther comic books, young adult fiction, and her novel “Who Fears Death” which is being made into an HBO series produced by George R.R. Martin of “Game of Thrones” fame. She delves into her unique upbringing, what sparked her interest in African-based science fiction, and how a surgery gone wrong played a pivotal role in her becoming an author.

E.J. Dionne (https://www.uctv.tv/shows/33946)

Veteran journalist E.J. Dionne has spent decades reporting on American politics. He worked at the New York Times before joining the Washington Post, where he writes a twice-weekly column. His books include the 1991 release, “Why Americans Hate Politics” and his most recent effort, “One Nation After Trump: A Guide for the Perplexed, the Disillusioned, the Desperate, and the Not-Yet Deported.” Dionne discusses the changing landscape of journalism and why it is more important now than ever to talk politics with those with whom we disagree.

Christian Wiman (https://www.uctv.tv/shows/33947)

The former editor of Poetry Magazine, Christian Wiman is both a poet and an essayist who teaches Literature and Religion at Yale Divinity School. Wiman discusses his books including, “He Held Radical Light: The Art of Faith, the Faith of Art,” and “My Bright Abyss.” He opens up about a three-year writing drought when he felt poetry was taken away from him and he was diagnosed with cancer. He explains how falling in love and a random visit to the corner church turned his life around.

Browse past seasons of Writer’s Symposium by the Sea to watch interviews with Joyce Carol Oates, Tracy Kidder, Billy Collins, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and more!

Browse more programs in Writer’s Symposium By The Sea

UCSD + PLNU = Great TV!

8232Our friend Dean Nelson celebrates the 20th year of Writer’s Symposium by the Sea, the wildly popular interview series that brings renowned authors from around the world to the beautiful campus of Point Loma Nazarene University for conversations about their prose and, in typical Dean fashion, lots of humor about the pain and suffering that lead to completed manuscripts.

Dean opens the 2015 series with Lysley Tenorio, author of “Monstress,” and then turns the interviewer chair over to his colleague, Karl Martin, for a talk with PLNU alum and screenwriter/film director Destin Daniel Cretton. Dean returns the final night for a feisty and revealing exchange with the literary luminary Joyce Carol Oates.

It’s been such great fun to bring this series to our viewers all these years and we know you’re watching, because the Writer’s Symposium by the Sea programs have been accessed more than 2.5 million times on our website. Happy Anniversary, Writer’s, and here’s to the next 20!

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Contributed by Public Affairs Producer, Shannon Bradley

April News & Highlights

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Featured This Month
Program Highlights
New to Video On-Demand


FEATURED THIS MONTH

An Evening with Poet Billy Collins


Don’t miss this chance to enjoy American poet Billy Collins as he reads a selection of humorous poems and discusses the craft of writing with Dean Nelson and an appreciative audience at the keynote event of the 2013 Writer’s Symposium by the Sea, sponsored by Point Loma Nazarene University.

An Evening with Billy Collins
Premieres April 1 at 8pm

Find more video from past 
Writer’s Symposium by the Sea events
.


Is the Human Mind Unique?

New from CARTA, scientists from different fields discuss cognitive abilities often regarded as unique to humans, including humor, morality, symbolism, creativity and preoccupation with the minds of others. They assess the functional uniqueness of these attributes, as opposed to the anatomical uniqueness, and whether they are indeed quantitatively or qualitatively unique to humans.

Is the Human Mind Unique? Premieres April 8.


To Be Musical Concludes

We wrap up the six-part series on what makes music musical this month with two fascinating presentations. On April 2 at 9pm, Grammy-winning soprano and UCSD Professor of Music Susan Narucki presents “Utterance, Ritual, Expression: Why Singing Makes Us Human.”

Then on April 16, Diana Deutsch, UCSD Professor of Psychology, shows the striking difference in how people hear simple musical patterns in “Musical Illusions, Perfect Pitch and Other Curiosities.”

Browse all To Be Musical programs.


PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

All programs repeat throughout the month. Visit the Program Schedule on our web site for additional air dates and times.

Health & Medicine

Living for Longevity: The Nutrition Connection

More >>

Science

“Perspectives on Ocean Science”

Genetics and Gray Whale Behavior

More >>

Public Affairs

Global Climate Change and Emerging Infectious Disease with Stanley Maloy and Alan Sweedler –The Silent Spring Series

Transforming Conflict through Nonviolent Coalitions with Nobel Peace Laureate Leymah Gbowee

More >>

Arts & Music Arts & Music

Murder in the Cathedral – Opera Spotlight

Aida – Stars in the Salon

Aida – Opera Spotlight

More >>

Check out the latest additions to our online video archive

Travel Medicine – Health Matters

Federalism at the Border: Immigration Policy and the States, with Gabriel Chin

More videos and podcasts>>

Poetry Spring Fling with Billy Collins

No foolin’…. April is National Poetry Month and we’re headlining our linguistic Spring fling with a delightful presentation featuring American poet Billy Collins, who reads a selection of humorous poems and discusses the craft of writing with Dean Nelson and an appreciate audience at the keynote event of the 2013 Writer’s Symposium by the Sea at Point Loma Nazarene University.

“An Evening with Billy Collins” premieres tonight (April 1) at 8pm and is also available online, along with excerpts of Collins’ readings of individual poems.

You can also browse our astounding archive of programs from past Writer’s Symposium events, going all the way back to 2000 with guests Otis Chandler, former publisher of the LA Times, and best-selling author George Plimpton. There’s even a remarkable conversation with legendary author Ray Bradbury!

If you’re hungry for more poetry, make sure to browse our complete poetry library, loaded with established and emerging writers from around the world.

This is no April Fools’ prank, we promise!

Remembering Ray Bradbury

Today we remember legendary writer Ray Bradbury, who passed away this week at the age of 91.

A prolific writer who helped elevate the literary reputation of the science fiction genre, Bradbury has also been one of the most popular guests on the “Writer’s Symposium by the Sea” series from Pt. Loma Nazarene University.

He appeared in 2001 to talk about his craft in “An Evening with Ray Bradbury,”, and sat down with host Dean Nelson for an in-depth and frank conversation about his life and love of writing. Both videos are online and ready for you to enjoy and fondly remember this iconic American writer.