Frequently Asked Questions

The DNRS Conference, an annual creative writing conference at Arizona State University (ASU), features nationally recognized writers presenting a variety of classes, workshops, panels, and craft talks on creative writing art and practice.

DNRS is for writers of all levels, and anyone with an interest in literature and/or creative writing. Our faculty include diverse exceptional writers, editors, agents, critics, translators, educators, publishers, and other creative writing professionals.

DNRS was founded at the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing in 2003, and, except for 2010 and 2020, it has been held every year since. 

DNRS is two and a half days long. Generally, sessions begin at 9:00 a.m. and end around 5:00 p.m. Some readings and offsite events may take place in the evenings.

As a mid-sized conference, DNRS is an intimate, community-focused environment drawing 300-400 attendees each year.

Early registration for the conference is $250. Standard registration is $300. Other discounts or options are available. To learn more about registration, visit our registration page.

A discounted rate of $135 is available for Arizona educators, students, seniors, military and ex-military personnel. A $95 rate is available for ASU affiliates and people with disabilities. A student rate of $75 is also available, and ASU students can attend for just $50. For more information, visit our registration page.

Discounts for businesses, educational institutions, groups, or other organizations may also be available through our sponsorship program. To learn more, visit our sponsorships page.

Refunds will be offered up to 4 weeks before the conference. We must receive written notice by 5:00 p.m. MST on September 12th. To request a refund, please send an email to DNRSConference@asu.edu. All conference refunds will require a $25 processing fee.

We do offer a limited number of scholarship and fellowship opportunities each year. Scholarships cover the full cost of conference registration. To learn more, visit our Scholarships page. 

We also offer discounted or free registration in exchange for presenting at the conference. Learn about how to host a conference session.

Each year 10-20 writers receive Conference Teaching Fellowships, which offer free registration in exchange for teaching a workshop at the conference. 

DNRS offers numerous ways for individuals, businesses, or other organizations to invest in the conference. To learn more, view our sponsorship levels and benefits.

Unfortunately, we are not able to offer any travel assistance at this time.

Conference registration includes access to all classes, workshops, panels, and readings. Classes are designed to be small enough that students receive direct feedback, and benefit from dialogue and interchange with conference instructors. Registration also includes access to supplemental and social events like the nightly off-site readings. All registrants also receive a conference tote with some branded conference items.

Registration for the conference will open on June 1, 2025, and close on September 30, 2025, or until sold out.

Late registrations may be available. For late registrations, please contact DNRSConference@asu.edu.

Of course! To purchase a gift registration simply register for the conference and enter the specified information as necessary and appropriate for your recipient. For more information, contact DNRSConference@asu.edu.

The conference typically features between 60-90 sessions over three days, with 5-7 sessions running at the same time. To learn more, stay tuned for the release of this year's schedule.

Sessions are 75 minutes with 10–15-minute breaks between each session and longer breaks for lunch.

We offer a variety of craft talks, classes, panels, generative workshops, interviews, conversations, discussions, and Q&As. The conference also features readings, networking opportunities, and other ways for participants to connect.

Beyond major forms like poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, our conference covers a genres and topics of current literary interest, including but not limited to essays, memoirs, short stories, novels, hybrid forms, young adult, science fiction, fantasy, genre, screenwriting, and more. Several sessions are devoted to editors, agents, query letters, publishing, and other aspects of the business of writing.

While each session varies according to faculty and format, sessions typically feature lecture or presentation, small and large group discussion, plentiful in-class writing exercises and activities, and Q&A. Panels, interviews, or similar formats may be more focused on conversation, discussion, and Q&A.

While most sessions average between 25 and 40 attendees, larger sessions or panels may draw as many as 70 or 80, with the keynote having up to 300 attendees.

TBD. Last year, the conference took place at the Memorial Union (MU) at 301 E Orange St., Tempe, AZ 85281 at Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ. View our Maps and Directions page.

The Memorial Union (MU) is located at 301 E. Orange St. on the ASU Tempe campus. Visitor parking is available at the Apache Blvd. Parking Structure.

Yes. Our light-rail stop is College Ave and Veterans Way; campus is also served by numerous modes of public transportation.

Tempe in October is generally dry, fairly warm, and temperate, with high temperatures around 85 degrees. As a desert, nights can be somewhat chilly. We recommend checking the weather and planning appropriately.

As such, we recommend packing for spring or summer, including a light coat for lower temperatures in the early mornings, nights, or the off-chance that it rains.

As we live in a desert, we might also recommend bringing a water bottle, sunscreen, or any other items you might need to stay cool and comfortable.

If you're planning on spending any additional time in Phoenix or Arizona—hiking, visiting museums, restaurants, or other attractions, etc—we might also suggest a pair of good walking shoes.

Each year, we select a conference hotel in the area. This space will be updated with that information soon.  You can also view hotels in the area on the ASU travel information for visitors page. ASU has negotiated special ASU rates with a wide range of hotels in the area. All of these are available for registrants along with the special rate we offer at the annual conference hotel.

Lunch is provided during the conference for an additional daily fee to those who select this option in their registration.

Yes. Conference attendees are welcome to bring their own food. However, please note that no refrigerators or other places to store food are available at the conference venue.

Several restaurants, stores, and other dining options are located at Memorial Union and other walkable areas on campus. We generally work to secure some coupons for restaurants nearby, which we will share with conference participants.

Yes. The Piper Center is committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive environment for all. For more about accessibility, visit our accessibility page.

Yes. The hashtag for the conference is #desertnightsrisingstars and #dnrs followed by the year (e.g. #dnrs2025). You can also use #piperwriters and #piperwritershouse.

No. ASU is a tobacco-free campus. You can take a short walk off-campus to smoke. Please note that this includes e-cigarettes. To learn more, visit ASU’s Tobacco-free Initiative page.

Yes. Photography at the conference is welcome. That being said, please be respectful of faculty, attendees, or other individuals who may not wish to have their pictures taken.