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2004: C. Michael Curtis, Elizabeth Cox, Mark Shaw, Barbara D'Amato, Michael Martone, Mary Ann O'Roark, April Pulley Sayre, Eugene Gloria, Layne Cameron, Dennis Hensley, Holly Miller, Alan Garinger, Wes Gehring, Matthew Clemens, Jane Friedman

2003: George Plimpton, Haven Kimmel, Robert Greer, Gene Brewer, Dennis Hensley, Susan Neville, Patti White, Alan Garinger, Peter Jacobi, Maris Soule, Gary Hensley, Jane Friedman

2002: John Gilstrap, John Riddle, Philip Gulley, Peter Rubie, Gloria Gaither, Nathan Aaseng, Eleanor Taylor Bland, Brenda Hiatt, Ann Gasser, Dianne Despain, Holly Miller, R. Karl Largent

2001: Bill Brashler, Ken Wales, Susan Wales, Tom Mullen, Jeff Herman, Deborah Levine, Hank Newer, Mark Zubro, Donna Guthrie, Brent Bill, Maurice Manning, Mark Masse, R. Karl Largent, Dianne Despain

2000: Richard Lederer, Terence Faherty, Karyn Whitmer-Gow, Karen Kovacik, Valiska Gregory, R. Karl Largent

1999: Donald Westlake, Robert Greer, Tom Clark, Margo LaGattuta, Dennis Hensley, Jane Chelius, Wes Gehring, Holly Miller, Jim Watkins, Mel Boring, Donna Penticuff, Earl Conn, Alan Garinger

1998: Joyce Carol Oates, Bill Brashler, David Collins, Alice Friman, Tom Mullen, James Alexander Thom, Lee Pennington, Linda Tomblin, Rich Barber, Nat Benchley

1997: Steve Bell, Marilyn Hammer, Mary Brown, Kathryn Fanning, Sam Hughes, Merline Lovelace, Loriann Hoff Oberlin

1996: Janette Oke, Liz Curtis Higgs, R. Karl Largent, Alana Nash, Mary Evans, Margo LaGattuta, Holly Miller, Susan Neville

1995: George Plimpton, Tom Clark, Christopher Keane, Hank Nuwer, Louis Brodsky, Linda Konner, Peter Rubie

1994: William Zinsser, Peter Jacobi, Alice Friman, Darlene Mathis-Eddy, David Page, James Sherbourne, Geri Toma, Linda Tomblin

1993: Rita Berman, Jeff Herman, Bill Myers, Lee Pennington, Virginia Muir, Dennis Hensley, Mildred Trivers, Wes Gehring

1992: Bill Brashler, Alan Seaburg, R. Karl Largent, Pamela Ahern, James Riordan, Darlene Mathis-Eddy

1991: Tom Clark, Jim Wayne Miller, James Alexander Thom

1990: Sally Stuart, Jonellen Heckler, Louis Daniel Brodsky

1989: David Collins, Christopher Keane, Alana Nash, Hank Nuwer, Dennis Hensley, Tom Koontz

1988: Bill Brashler, Lois Duncan, Gary Provost, Joe Hensley, Victor Oliver, Alan Seaburg, Dick Stodgill

1987: Lawrence Block, Donald Baker, David Collins, Hank Nuwer, Holly Miller, Marilyn (Kay Kay) Sharp, Dennis Hensley

1986: Clive Cussler, Tom Mullen, Guy Mendes, Stella Pevsner, Joan Vayo, Tom Mullen, Holly Miller

1985: James Alexander Thom, Bill Brashler, Lee Pennington

1984: Mary Higgins Clark (unable to be present), Lee Pennington, Marilyn (Kay Kay) Sharp

1983: William Brashler, Siv Cedering, Floyd Thatcher, Holly Miller, Maroin Bauer, John Zehring, Joseph Costa

1982: David Collins, Tom Mullen, Floyd Thatcher, William Brashler, Sharon Sorenson, William Kienzle, Thomas McAfee

1981: Jim Wayne Miller, Victor Oliver, Guy Owen, Stella Pevsner, Jane Bachman, Bill Thomas, Gordon Weaver

1980: Robert Newton Peck, Harry Mark Petrakis, Joe Hensley, Tom Mullen, Floyd Thatcher, Grace Butcher, Bill Thomas

1979: Jared Carter, Jack Matthews, Tom Mullen, Stella Pevsner, Janet Hickman, Floyd Thatcher, Bill Thomas, David L. Smith

1978: Dorothy Hamilton, David Collins, Kate McNair, Lee Pennington, Lois Swann, Guy Owen, Bill Thomas, Walter Tevis

1977: David Collins, Dorothy Hamilton, Joe Hensley, Jack Matthews, Kate McNair, Lee Pennington, James Treadway

1976: Madeline L'Engle, Harry Mark Petrakis, Tom Mullen, Lee Pennington, John Knoepfle, Berniece Rabe, Hollis Summers

1975: Jesse Stuart, Tom Mullen, Harry Mark Petrakis, Jamie Lee Cooper, Dorothy Hamilton

1974: Jessamyn West, D. Elton Trueblood, Frederic Birmingham

The Beginning

The late Dorothy Hamilton, a successful children's writer and encourager of other writers from the Muncie area, was instrumental in founding the first Midwest Writers Workshop in 1974. The following is an account, in Dorothy's own words, of how the MWW tradition began.

The Beginning of the Midwest Writers Workshop by Dorothy Hamilton

On April 10, 1973, I spoke to a class in Religious Journalism at Ball State University at the request of Dr. Earl Conn. A few days later, I called him to express gratitude for an honorarium and added this thought, "Why can't we have a writer's conference at Ball State?"

Earl said, "I think that's a fine idea, Dorothy. Do you care if I take the ball and run with it?"

Since I didn't know where to begin, I was relieved to have someone take on interest in the idea, which was only a dream to me. On May 12^th the move was given another spurt of energy.

Dr. Dick Renner came with Beverly [his wife] to an autograph party at a Muncie bookstore. He suggested I choose people from the community and he and Earl Conn would ask individuals from the university to serve on a planning committee.

In retrospect, it is clear that this venture was a co-operative effort between area residents and Ball State from the beginning. This combination and the dedication and sincerity of the purpose of the committee members have proved to be a sound basis for growth.

The committee met for the first time June 6, 1973, in Dick Renner's office. No one thought that we could have a conference in 1973. There was too much to do and to learn.

We met frequently during the rest of that year until August of 1974. Early in our deliberations we set the goal which we've kept in mind during all our effort making.

We hoped to have our gathering of writers be a place where they could receive as much help and encouragement as possible, not merely a showcase for established writers.

Out of this purpose came the name MIDWEST WRITERS WORKSHOP, suggested by Earl Conn.

Midwest Writers is now celebrating its 34th year!