Talking to Writers

Through his careful research and humorous goading, Dean Nelson removes the mystery of writing and publishing in this delightful compilation of wisdom. He facetiously claimed that my being part of his Writer’s Symposium was the pinnacle of his career. I’m betting the wide appeal of this book will prove him wrong. – Amy Tan, author of The Backyard Bird ChroniclesDean Nelson is a national treasure who loves the written word and honors the craft of writing by encouraging those who long to express themselves to get out there and do it. In Talking to Writers, he offers genuinely helpful advice about how to get started—and how to keep going. Weaving together his insightful conversations with writers and his own reflections, Nelson inspires everyone who has stared at a blank screen to marry confidence with constructive self-criticism, and to allow their doubts to dissolve into hope. – E. J. Dionne Jr., author of Why Americans Hate Politics and Our Divided Political HeartI have done a number of interviews with Dean Nelson over the years, and there is no one I prefer to talk to more. His questions are always probing and meaningful, leading to illuminating conversations about writing and life. – Anne Lamott, political activist and writer, author of Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and LifeDean is a warm, well-prepared, magnanimous, funny, and absolutely terrific interviewer. – Anthony Doerr, author of All the Light We Cannot See and Cloud Cuckoo Land

Dean Nelson is the founder and host of the annual Writer’s Symposium by the Sea, which will be in its 30th year in 2025. He has interviewed many of the world’s greatest writers, including Amy Tan, Alice Walker, Anne Lamott, Ray Bradbury, Anthony Doerr, Carlos Ruiz Zafon, Don Winslow, Deepak Chopra, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, N. Scott Momaday and dozens more.

He is also the founder and director of the journalism program at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, and a practicing journalist. He has taught writing and journalism for 40 years. He has won several national and regional awards for his journalism.

His work with the Writer’s Symposium by the Sea has been recognized with awards from the San Diego Writer’s Festival, the San Diego Public Library, and various local civic groups.