The 22nd Annual Horace Greeley Writers' Symposium, held each year in Poultney, Vermont, is a celebration of Horace Greeley's life. The symposium, hosted by the Horace Greeley Foundation, explores the art of writing as presented by publishers and writers in the fields of literature, poetry, philosophy, and history. This year's symposium will take place on Saturday, October 19th from 10-3pm at the East Poultney Baptist Church and will feature three esteemed speakers.

This year's keynote speaker Melanie Finn is the author of four novels including The Gloaming, a New York Times Notable Book of the Year and The Hare, winner of the Vermont Book Award in 2022. The writer and producer of Disney Nature's award-winning wildlife epic "Crimson Wing: Mystery of the Flamingos", she is currently producing "Birds of America: Stories to Save Us" with her husband, wildlife filmmaker Matt Aeberhard. Melanie is also the co-founder and director of the Tanzanian-based charity, Natron Healthcare, which brings health education and sustainable healthcare to two remote Masai communities. She and her family live the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. For more information on Melanie visit: http://www.melaniefinnwriter.com.

Speaker Dr. Bruce M. Venter is president of America's History, LLC, a tour and conference company which offers unique tours relating to the Revolutionary War, the French & Indian War, the Civil War and the Indian Wars out west. The company's annual conference on the American Revolution is considered the premier symposium for Revolutionary War enthusiasts, public historians and scholars.

Bruce has authored two non-fiction books. Kill Jeff Davis: Union Raid on Richmond in 1864 was published by the University of Oklahoma Press in their prestigious Campaigns and Commanders Series. In 2019 a Smithsonian Channel documentary film, based on this book, aired under the title "Targeting Jefferson Davis" with Bruce appearing on screen as a consulting historian. His The Battle of Hubbardton: The Rear Guard Action that Saved America, was selected as one of the "100 Best Books on the American Revolution" by the editors of the Journal of the American Revolution. His history-related articles have appeared in American History, Blue & Gray, Civil War, Patriots of the American Revolution, Washington Times, Goochland County Historical Society Magazine and the Fort George Post. Bruce is a native of Albany, New York, now lives in Goochland County, Virginia and spends the summer season at Lake George, New York.

Speaker Tom Sykes is a long-time Poultney resident and author. He has written three books: The Trip: A Modern Odyssey, which is a comical lyrical story of a young man's road trip to visit his aunt and uncle in Cape Cod. Secrets and Little-Known Facts of Poultney, Vermont, which is a humorous combination of both real and fictious historical events in and around the village of Poultney, Vermont. He departed from humorous writing in 2023 with a serious novel entitled, Aimee.

Tom will be briefly discussing his varied background and his extended and at times contradictory journey into the world of writing. In his talk and workshop entitled, "What Makes it Funny?", he will explain and illustrate, by examples from books, short stories and films many of the components of comedy writing.

Cost of the symposium is $65 and can be paid through the Venmo app @horacegreeleyfoundation or checks can be sent to Horace Greeley Foundation 95 On The Green, Poultney, Vermont 05764.

To learn more about the Horace Greeley Writers Symposium visit: https://www.facebook.com/HoraceGreeleyFoundation

Event Info

Sep 21, 2024, 8 AM to 1 PM

Sep 23, 2024, 6 to 7 PM

Sep 26, 2024, 6 to 9 PM