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

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!

T.C. Boyle at UC San Diego

Acclaimed author T.C. Boyle’s forthcoming work, San Miguel, is the latest entry in what The New York Times called Boyle’s “own fascinating, unpredictable, alternately hilarious and terrifying fictional history of utopian longing in America.” The novel is a soaring historical narrative about two families—one in the 1880s and one in the 1930s—starting new lives on a windswept, near-desolate island off of the Santa Barbara coast.

In the latest installment of UC San Diego Extension’s Revelle Forum, now airing and online on UCSD-TV, Boyle presents excerpts from his new novel, followed by a reading of his gripping short story, The Lie.

Watch “Revelle Forum: T.C. Boyle” this month on UCSD-TV and online now.