PLNU Writer’s Symposium by the Sea Features Star Authors Gilbert, Hornby

The 29th Annual Writer’s Symposium by the Sea at Point Loma Nazarene University will bring award-winning writers from diverse perspectives and genres beginning Feb. 19.

Set to speak during the four-day symposium, which concludes Feb. 23, are best-selling authors Paulette Jiles, Elizabeth Gilbert, Nick Hornby and Susan Orlean.

The schedule:

Feb. 20 – Jiles, a novelist, poet, and memoirist whose newest book is Chenneville: A Novel of Murder, Loss, and Vengeance. She is known for her books Enemy Women Stormy Weather, The Color of Lightning, Lighthouse Island, and News of the World, a finalist for the 2016 National Book Award.

Feb. 22 – Gilbert, the author of the novels City of Girls, The Signature of All Things, and Stern Men, the story collection Pilgrims, and the nonfiction mega-hit Eat Pray Love, has been a finalist for several major awards, including the National Book Award.

Feb. 23 – Hornby and Orlean will appear together. Hornby, an award-winning author and twice Oscar-nominated screenwriter, wrote the novels High Fidelity, About A Boy, How to Be Good, Juliet Naked, and 2020’s Just Like You. His latest nonfiction book is Dickens and Prince: A Particular Kind of Genius. Orlean has been a staff writer at The New Yorker since 1992. She is the New York Times author of seven books, including The Library Book, Rin Tin Tin, Saturday Night and The Orchid Thief. Her most recent book is On Animals.

Tickets, which in some cases may be purchased in packages with books, start at $15. Most events take place on the PLNU campus, but Gilbert’s talk will be at the downtown Balboa Theatre.

The event includes the PLNU Student Short Film Festival at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 19, with award-winning student films and a discussion with director/photographer Jon Lowenstein.