Take a look this spectacular slate of speakers! Seats are still available for the in-person Oct. 20-22 Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop.* Register here.
The 2022 workshop will feature New York Times’ bestselling authors, Saturday Night Live legends, Emmy Award winners, Thurber Prize winners, a Moth GrandSLAM winner, the author of the Bible (The New Comedy Bible, that is), screenwriters and a slew of celebrated comedians and authors. With her special blend of grace and humor, stand-up comedian Leighann Lord will emcee.
The registration fee is $499 and includes meals and full access to a *virtual* package of the keynote talks and the always-entertaining and educational Pitchapalooza for attendees to experience again long after the workshop ends. Full scholarships will be available for University of Dayton students, courtesy of the Alumni Association. Rooms at a special group rate are available at the Marriott at the University of Dayton. Reserve your room here.
For those interested in the virtual option only, the registration fee is $79. From the comfort of your home (think: pajamas!), you can enjoy the keynote talks in real time, participate in a live chat with other writers joining virtually or tap back in later at your convenience. The package includes Pitchapalooza, a virtual event at 7 p.m. (Eastern) on Sept. 28. Register for the virtual package only here.
For both options, expect to laugh, learn and network with a supportive writing community.
Here’s the line-up of keynote speakers:
W. Bruce Cameron and Cathryn Michon, authors and screenwriters for major motion pictures based on Cameron’s popular novels. New York Times’ bestselling author Adriana Trigiani will engage in an entertaining, lively conversation with the husband-wife duo.
Dion Flynn, improvisor, comedian and actor best known for playing Barack Obama onThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Cathy Guisewite, creator of the “Cathy” comic strip and author of two new books, Fifty Things That Aren’t My Fault and Scenes from Isolation.
Katrina Kittle, award-winning author of five books and popular public speaker.
Laraine Newman, writer, founding member of the LA-based comedy troupe, The Groundlings, and an original cast member on Saturday Night Live.
Read more about all of the 2022 keynoters and faculty, as well as the workshop sessions.
The Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop is the only one in the country devoted to both humor and human interest writing. Through the workshop, the University of Dayton and the Bombeck family honor one of America’s most celebrated storytellers and humorists.
Over the past decade, the workshop has attracted such household names as Dave Barry, Phil Donahue, Art Buchwald, Nancy Cartwright, Don Novello, Gail Collins, Connie Schultz, Roy Blount Jr., Mike and Peggy Rowe, Amy Ephron, Liza Donnelly and Alan Zweibel.
In 2019, The Writer magazine named the workshop the best writing conference in Ohio and “THE conference for humor writers.” Immensely popular, it attracts writers from all over the nation and beyond.
The workshop will kick off Thursday night with Cathy Guisewite’s keynote talk; feature book signings with keynoters and authors on Friday night; and finish with hilarity at an attendee stand-up comedy show on Saturday night hosted by stand-up comedian Wendy Liebman. In all, the workshop will feature 30 professional writers and teachers on the faculty, who will offer sessions on the craft of writing, turning an interest into a profession, writing humor, marketing, publishing and more.
The atmosphere is very supportive to both new and established writers looking for the kind of inspiration Erma received from University of Dayton professor Brother Tom Price: “You can write!”
And you’re guaranteed to laugh. A lot.
*Attendees will be required to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as defined by the Centers for Disease Control or provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result within 48 hours of arrival. Regardless of vaccine status, we encourage all attendees to test within 48 hours of arrival. Masks currently are required indoors for all attendees, regardless of vaccination status. The vast majority of faculty, staff and students are vaccinated on the University of Dayton’s campus.
