For Dean Nelson, the annual Writer’s Symposium by the Sea that he founded 30 years ago and hosts at Point Loma Nazarene University never gets old.
And Nelson, who directs the university’s journalism program, said he believes this year’s symposium is especially exciting. Three award-winning writers whom he considers among the best storytellers alive — Jesmyn Ward, Sandra Cisneros and Mitch Albom — will be on hand for discussions during the event, which runs Wednesday through Friday, Feb. 26-28.
“Since this is the symposium’s 30th year, we wanted to go big and bring in the best of the best,” Nelson said. “The public will get a firsthand experience of why these people move us and inspire us.”
Jesmyn Ward
Ward, author of “Salvage the Bones” and “Let Us Descend,” is best known for books based in the Deep South.
“With Ward, the audience is going to hear an authentic Southern voice along the lines of writer Toni Morrison for her ability to give voice to African American communities,” Nelson said. “She speaks from a place so rare and authentic [that] people will get a dimension of the human experience they will not get from any other writer.”
In a recent list by The New York Times of the 100 best books of the 21st century so far, three were written by Ward: “Sing, Unburied, Sing,” “Salvage the Bones” and “Men We Reaped.”
Sandra Cisneros
Cisneros, one of the leading voices in Chicano literature, is best known for her novel “The House on Mango Street,” about a young Hispanic girl who doesn’t feel she fits in anywhere.
“We all wonder where we fit into this world, and she gives voice to that,” Nelson said. “If you read great writing to feel less alone, this is a perfect way to experience what you think.”
“The House on Mango Street,” published more than 40 years ago, is still being used in schools, Nelson said.
Cisneros’ other books include “Caramelo,” “Martita, I You,” “Woman Hollering Creek and Other Stories” and several collections of poetry.
Mitch Albom
Albom is known for “Tuesdays with Morrie,” and many of his books have been made into movies, including “The Five People You Meet in Heaven.”
Albom’s latest book, “The Little Liar,” is set during the Holocaust.
“He’s been able to articulate what we feel about telling the truth, about death, and he makes you feel it in a way that I think is unusual,” Nelson said. “Many readers say he is the only author that makes them cry.”
He’s also “one of the greatest sportswriters this country has ever produced,” Nelson said.
In addition to his novels, Albom has long written a sports column for the Detroit Free Press and hosts several sports broadcasting programs.
‘The power of great storytelling’
Nelson emphasized that the Writer’s Symposium isn’t a popularity contest. Rather, he said, he chooses the writers based on who has drawn his attention over the years through the quality of their writing and their body of work.
He also goes to great lengths to ensure the discussions with the writers during the symposium aren’t dry conversations filled with the “usual” questions. He said he reads every one of their books, knows their evolution as writers and isn’t afraid to get into what he calls “the nitty gritty” — specific details about their writing.
Nelson said the initial catalyst for the symposium was “to show our students what great writing could look like as a career and as an important dimension to society. It was kind of a lofty thing, to bring in writers to inspire the students.”
But the symposium immediately attracted people from elsewhere in the community. “The public was excited about this,” Nelson said.
As a result of the annual event, Nelson said, many people, not just university students, have been inspired to become writers.
“Going to one of these events, where you hear the authentic voice of the writer, can change how you think about yourself as a writer,” Nelson said. “I can’t quantify it, but writers often say the event has helped them find another gear in their own work.”
While many first- and second-year students see the symposium as an obligation, by the time they are in their third or fourth year, they realize the rarity of the opportunity, Nelson added.
“In an age where we seem to get most of our information from social media posts or videos, it’s more important than ever to showcase the power of great storytelling,” he said. “Stories teach us, warn us, bind us together. And these writers will awaken the storyteller in all of us.”
The dozens of past guests at the Writer’s Symposium have included Amy Tan, Ray Bradbury, Alice Walker, Anne Lamott, Bill Moyers, Amor Towles, George Plimpton, Jeannette Walls, Krista Tippett and Pico Iyer.
Writer’s Symposium by the Sea
• Feb. 26: Jesmyn Ward, 7 p.m. $15, or $27.99 with a copy of “Let Us Descend.” Free concert by Bobby Cressey at 6:15 p.m.
• Feb. 27: Sandra Cisneros, 7 p.m. $15, or $26 with a copy of “Woman Without Shame.” Free concert by Shhhhh at 6:15 p.m.
• Feb. 28: Mitch Albom, 7 p.m. $15, or $36.99 with a copy of “The Little Liar.” Free concert by the Coastline Trio at 6:15 p.m.
Location: Brown Chapel at Point Loma Nazarene University, 3900 Lomaland Drive
Information and tickets: pointloma.edu/2025writers
