Frequently Asked Questions

The DNRS Conference is an annual creative writing conference at Arizona State University (ASU) featuring nationally-recognized writers presenting a variety of classes, workshops, panels, and talks on literary craft, technique, and other topics related to creative writing art and practice.

DNRS is for developing writers of all levels and people with an interest in literature and creative writing. Our faculty include writers, editors, agents, critics, translators, educators, publishers, and other creative writing professionals. Our instructors have published in venues like, Ploughshares, The Believer, The Kenyon Review, The New Yorker, and Tin House. They've received honors and awards including Guggenheim Fellowships, the National Book Award, NEA Fellowships, and more. They are here to help participants learn about the many aspects of being and becoming a writer.

The conference was founded at the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing in 2003 and, with the exception of 2010 and 2020, has run every year since. 

The conference is two and a half days long. Generally, sessions begin around 8:00 am and end around 5:00 pm. Keynotes, readings, and other activities begin around 5:30 pm.

As a mid-sized conference, we create a more intimate, community-focused environment, drawing around 300 attendees a year.

Early registration for the conference is $225. Standard registration is $275. Other discounts or options are available. To learn more about registration, visit our registration page.

Discounts are available for ASU-affiliated students, Arizona educators, students, seniors, military and ex-military personnel, and people with disabilities. For more information, visit our registration page.

Discounts for businesses, educational institutions, groups, or other organizations may be available through our sponsorship program. To learn more about sponsorships, visit our sponsorships page or contact assistant director Sheila Black at Sheila.Black@asu.edu.

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. All scholarships and fellowships cover the full cost of conference registration. To learn more, visit our scholarship and fellowship page.

Open scholarships are available for anyone over the age of 18.

Arizona Educator scholarships are available for anyone teaching classes in primary, secondary, or higher education in the state of Arizona.

The DNRS Teaching Fellowship for emerging writers is a competitive program allowing writers of all backgrounds, genres, and experiences to present a class alongside our award-winning faculty.

You may apply in multiple categories. Deadlines vary. No additional assistance for travel, lodging, or other costs incurred to attend the conference are available at this time. However, we do offer discounted presenter opportunities through MFA Presents and Community Writers as well as several discounted registrations. For more information visit our registration page. If you have any questions, contact DNRSConference@asu.edu.

Yes. The conference offers numerous ways for individuals, businesses, or other organizations to make a contribution or invest in the conference. To learn more, you can 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 the daily energizer and social events like the nightly off-site readings.

Registration for the conference will open on July 7 and close on October 5.

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

Of course! Your friends are lucky to have you. What a thoughtful gift! 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 about gifts, contact DNRSConference@asu.edu.

You will receive a welcome packet with a conference planner and other useful items. Keep an eye out for confirmation emails with additional information.

The conference typically features between 50-75 sessions over three days, with five to six sessions running at the same time. To learn more, stay tuned for the release of this year's schedule.

Sessions are typically one hour long, with ten to fifteen minute breaks in between each session and longer breaks for lunch and dinner.

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 people to connect.

Beyond major forms like poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, our conference covers a wide range of genres and topics, 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 a short lecture or presentation, small or large group discussion, 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 keynotes having hundreds of attendees.

The conference takes place in the historic quarter of Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ. View our Maps and Directions page.

Generally speaking, we recommend parking in the Fulton Center Parking Structure, which is the closest parking garage to the conference. Please note that parking is not free.

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.

Generally speaking, we recommend staying close to campus to make travel easier and reduce your commute. There are many hotels within walking distance and we typically secure a few official conference hotels where we can offer some discounted rates. Stay tuned for more information on our travel information page.

Hotels

Westin Tempe

Event ID/Group Name: ASU Desert Nights

Room Block Dates: October 11-15, 2023

Traditional Room (King or Queen/Queen)

$239 rate plus tax

Click here for the book link

Hyatt Place Tempe / Phoenix / University

Event ID/Group Name: ASU Desert Nights

Room Block Dates: October 11-15, 2023

Traditional Room (King or Queen/Queen)

$149.00 rate plus tax

Click here for the booking link

*Use the above link to navigate to the hotel website, click “book now”, select your arrival & departure date, then click “book now” again. (The link puts the group code in for you.) Group Code: G-DESE

*Or call 888-591-1234 and ask to reserve a room within the group block using the specific property name and group code.

Vib Tempe

Event ID/Group Name: ASU Desert Nights

Room Block Dates: October 11-15, 2023

Traditional Room (King or Queen/Queen)

$169.00 rate plus tax

Click here for the booking link

Lunch is provided during the conference to those who included this option in their registration.

No. There will be no alcohol served at the catered reception.

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

A number of restaurants, stores, and other dining options are located on campus and within walking distance from the conference. We generally work to secure some coupons for area restaurants which we will share with conference participants. Stay tuned on our travel information page.

Yes. The Piper Center is committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive environment for individuals of all abilities, including mobility, hearing, sight, and more. For more about accessibility, visit our accessibility page.

Yes. The hashtag for the Desert Nights, Rising Stars Writers Conference is #desertnightsrisingstars and #dnrs followed by the year (e.g. #dnrs2023). You can also use #piperwriters and #piperwritershouse.

No. ASU is a tobacco-free campus. If you would like to smoke, the nearest location is on the corner of College Ave and University Drive, just a short walk away. 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.