Attend conversation on writing with best-selling author Ann Hood

oin Salve Regina for an afternoon conversation entitled “The Writing Life” with Ann Hood, a “New York Times” best-selling author and the founding director of The Newport MFA at Salve Regina. Hood will discuss her reading habits, her writing hang-ups and how to conquer the blank page on Saturday, Feb. 29, from 1-3 p.m. in Bazarsky Lecture Hall.

“The Writing Life” event will offer a glimpse into Hood’s own relationship with books–including when she started to read as a young girl in West Warwick, Rhode Island, and how she ended up becoming a writer. For those who are interested in pursuing the writing life more seriously, the MFA program will be discussed, and at the end of the talk, Hood will also walk the audience through a writing exercise.

“Ann is such a visionary, and she’s one of the most hilarious people you’ll ever spend time with,” said Jen McClanaghan, associate professor and writer-in-residence at Salve Regina, as well as the current director of The Newport MFA. “She is able to attract strong students and published writers not just because of her own work and recognition, but also because she is able to create and foster such a strong community.”

Ann Hood’s newest book is “Kitchen Yarns: Notes on Love, Life and Food,” a “New York Times” Editor’s pick and Amazon’s Best Cookbook for December. She is also the author of the best-sellers “The Book That Matters Most,” “The Knitting Circle,” “The Red Thread,” “Comfort” and “An Italian Wife,” among other works. She is the recipient of two Pushcart Prizes, a Best American Spiritual Writing Award, a Best American Food Writing Award, a Best American Travel Writing Award and the Paul Bowles Prize for Short Fiction. She lives in Providence, Rhode Island.

In June 2018, Hood established the MFA curriculum at Salve Regina based on her thorough experience of many years of teaching in various low-residency MFA programs around the country. She uses her contacts in the writing and publishing world to bring in renowned authors like Alice Hoffman, Andre Dubus III, Garrard Conley and Melissa Febos. She also brings in well-known agents, editors and publishers to campus.

“‘The Writing Life’ is funny and sad and everything in-between,” said McClanaghan. “For anyone who loves a good story, they won’t want to miss the event.”

Go here to find more information and to register, or contact the Office of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education at (800) 637-0002 or graduate_studies@salve.edu.