Suzanne Farrell Smith is a writer, editor, and teacher. This is her first time attending HippoCamp, where she will read from her new memoir The Memory Sessions in the debut author panel “A Night of Nonfiction.”

 

HM: Tell us a little about your involvement this year at HippoCamp. If you’re running a break-out session or workshop, what can attendees expect? If you’re on a panel with others, what are you most excited to share?

SFS: I’ve bought the books by my fellow “Night of Nonfiction” panelists, and I can’t wait to read them in the months leading up to the conference. During our event, I’m eager to share how I grew to believe one could write a memoir without memory, as well as lessons from my path to publication, which was a long and winding one.

 

HM: Our motto is “memorable creative nonfiction.” Tell us about one of the more recent memoirs, essay collections, or individual essays you’ve read and why it was memorable.

SFS: David McVey’s “On the Wonder of the World” (Longridge Review) captivated me. I wrote a post about why I love the piece and why I think of it often.

 

HM: What made you decide to participate in HippoCamp this year as a speaker?

SFS: I’ve wanted to attend HippoCamp since its inaugural year, but the date conflicts with my twin sons’ birthday. This year, with the publication of my memoir in August, I knew I wanted to celebrate my book’s birthday at HippoCamp. (The boys will have a lovely backyard birthday beforehand!)

 

HM: What’s going to keep you busy between now and HippoCamp?

SFS: I’m launching a journal with two fellow writer/editors, finishing up as a mentor with AWP’s Writer to Writer Mentorship Program, and taking the very first steps toward my third book. Raising three young boys keeps me incredibly busy as well.

 

HM: Since you’ll also be attending the conference, when you’re not wearing your “speaker hat,” what are you most looking forward to learning or doing?

SFS: I’m really looking forward to Lilly Dancyger’s session on writing detailed prose when you don’t remember everything. Right up my alley!

 

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Thanks you, Suzanne! We’re happy to welcome you to Lancaster and to celebrate your book’s publication.

Reader, do you still want to learn more about HippoCamp 2019? Click here to see the other speakers and sessions, or click here to register.

 

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