The Plough Young Writers Weekend is a limited-attendance gathering of university students interested in writing, publishing, and Christian community. The aim of the weekend is to explore the big questions together: What gives life meaning and purpose? How can we live well together? As well as that, students will take part in workshops led by professionals within the publishing industry. Attendance, food, and accommodation are free of charge. The gathering is hosted by the Bruderhof, the Anabaptist Christian community that publishes Plough.
Registration is closed for this year's event.
While we prize a variety of viewpoints and convictions at Plough, our common starting point is the magazine’s motto: Another Life Is Possible.
Schedule
Friday, June 28
-
1:00–2:30 Welcomes, registration, and lunch
- 2:30–5:30 Conversations on Media with Susannah Black Roberts
- Peter Mommsen on Small Magazines
- Bria Sandford on Book Publishing
- Tara Isabella Burton on Fiction Writing
-
5:30–6:30 Break
-
6:30: Dinner Conversation: What is the Bruderhof? with Alan Koppschall, Roger Meier, Christine Mason, and Dylan Meier
-
8:00: Reception
Saturday, June 29
-
8:30 Breakfast
- 10:00 Panel Discussion: Free Speech in the Public Square
- Santiago Ramos, Dhananjay Jagannathan, Diarmuid Wheeler, moderated by Susannah Black Roberts
-
11:00 Tara Isabella Burton: Philosophy, Fiction, and Subcreation
-
12:00 Stephen Adubato: Good Work
-
1:30 Afternoon activities at Camp Deneen
-
5:00 BBQ Dinner
-
7:45 Campfire and Conversations
-
9:00 Return to the Mount Community
Sunday, June 30
Location
- The Mount Community is a Bruderhof community where 150 people live in a kind of village by the Hudson River surrounded by fields and woods, with a school, community buildings, family dwellings, a medical clinic, a small farm, and the Bruderhof’s high school.
- To get a sense of the Mount Community, see the Bruderhof website for a brief overview or the website of the high school.
Travel
- For those flying in, the closest airports are SWF Stewart, 40 minutes from the Mount Community. Or use the NYC airports (approximately a 104-minute train ride or 120-minute drive).
- The train connection from NYC is Grand Central to Poughkeepsie, New York (eighteen minutes away), with taxi and Uber options from there to the Mount.
- For those driving or using cab service, our address is: 1001 Broadway, Esopus, NY 12429.
- If you need assistance covering the costs of your travel, please email events@plough.com.
Dress
- Not your typical formal conference attire! Please wear what makes you comfortable for activities outdoors as well as in (including for the dinner and reception). Bear in mind that most indoor spaces on the community won’t be air-conditioned.
- You will be surrounded by friendly Bruderhof residents in modest, informal attire. Please know that guests are not expected to adhere to the Bruderhof dress code. Visitors are welcome as they are.
Lodging
- Attendees will stay in the dorms at the Mount Community.
Food
- Meals will be provided starting with dinner on Friday, June 28, through breakfast on Sunday, June 30.
- Important: Please let us know as soon as possible if you have particular dietary preferences (vegetarian, gluten free, kosher, etc.).
Questions?
Please feel free to get to us with any questions or RSVP details.
