Writers share their experiences

Since its inception the creative writing program has invited hundreds of writers into our community, from Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners to young authors on the cutting edge of contemporary literature. Our Living Writers Series is unique, in that it is a large lecture course required of our majors, but open to the public at large as well. Visiting writers to the series are representative of the five different genres offered by the program.

During the fall semester, 6-9 authors visit the class and talk about the writing process, as well as the paths traveled toward success as a writer. Students read and discuss an author's work in preparation for each visit. The course encourages students to get to know the visiting writers, to immerse themselves in the author's writing, to participate in the Q&A, to go to dinner afterward with the author.

Because of the public nature of the course, creative writing majors and minors are welcome to attend any Living Writers event over the course of their time at SUNY Oswego.

PDF icon Living Writers Fall 2022 Brochure

In 2022, the Living Writers series welcomes Emmy-award winning writing Ann Austen, CNY poet Phil Memmer, novelist (and Oswego alum) Chris Motto, screenwriting and fiction duo Keith and Juliet Giglio, comic illustrator Zach Howard, playwright and storyteller Lester Eugene Mayers, nonfiction writer and journalist Jeff Rea, actor and comic writer Kevin Grevioux, and YA author A.S. King. For more information on these authors and their visits, click the schedule above!

Past Living Writers Series Guests

David Benioff, Game of thrones showrunner
David Benioff
Game of thrones showrunner



Laurie Halse Anderson, author of Speak
Laurie Halse Anderson
NY Times bestselling Young Adult, and award winning author of Speak, Chains, Wintergirls, Catalyst, Prom and Twisted.



Jeff Gardiner video game producer with Bethesda Softworks
Jeff Gardiner
A SUNY Oswego Creative Writing alum and video game producer with Bethesda Softworks, one of the premier game companies in the country.