Workshop on publishing brings big-name authors to the University of St. Thomas in June

Writing is hard, they say, but publishing is harder.

So to help make it easier — or at least understandable — the University of St. Thomas is offering a free daylong summer institute on publishing in early June. Writers, poets, publishers, editors and agents will give talks, serve on panels and answer questions about the mysterious process of turning written words into published articles, stories or books.

Speakers include poet and spoken-word artist Bao Phi of Minneapolis, who recently won a Minnesota Book Award for his picture book "A Different Pond"; award-winning young-adult novelist Swati Avasthi; and poet Chris Santiago, winner of Milkweed Edition's 2016 Lindquist & Vennum Prize for Poetry for his collection "Tula."

New York Times bestselling author Nathan Hill ("The Nix") will serve on a panel along with his editor at Vintage Books, Tim O'Connell, and his literary agent, Emily Forland.

The institute will take place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 2 in McNeely Hall on St. Thomas' St. Paul campus, 2215 Summit Av. The event is free, with parking and lunch provided, but registration is required. Go to stthomas.edu/publishinginstitute to sign up, beginning May 1. □

Laurie Hertzel • 612-673-7302

@StribBooks