2013 Writer’s Conference. File Photo.

It’s that time of year again. In just a couple of weeks, the annual UND Writers Conference will return to campus.

Since 1970, the Writers Conference has been bringing together writers of all kinds to share their talent, work and ideas with the community. Each year it’s put together by the faculty and students of the English Department.

What makes the conference at UND unique is it’s both free and open to the public. A series of panels, films, workshops and readings make up the three day event.

“Voices of the Valley” is a community writing project that will be featured at this year’s Writers Conference.

A January announcement for “Voices of the Valley” reached out to all writers interested in participating in the nonprofit volunteer project aimed at giving voices to those who may otherwise not have their stories heard.

In a process spanning the past couple of months, the writers involved were given the task to interview and spend time with international residents. These residents could be a combination of New Americans, refugees or citizens originally from a different country.

After learning the stories of their chosen subject, the writers then worked together with the interviewee to tell their story through a short piece of creative nonfiction.

The goal in mind with this project is to better connect the community with the diverse population of the Red River Valley region. The area is home to individuals from all over the world, and “Voices of the Valley” is about sharing their stories by offering a “local, artistic experience for the entire community.”

Erin Kunz and Emily Hill are co-directors of the project, in charge of the editing and review process.

Though many of the works submitted will be featured in a printed collection entitled “Writing Stories: Voices of the Valley, 2nd edition,” three or four will be showcased at readings during the Writers Conference. The selected works will be read at 6 p.m. Mar. 26 in the ballroom of the Memorial Union.

The 46th Annual UND Writers Conference will take place March 25-27 in the Memorial.

Serianna Henkel is a staff writer for The Dakota Student. She can be reached at [email protected].