June 30, 2014 | Tim Hauserman

For 44 years, the Community of Writers in Squaw Valley has been a place for writers to learn the challenging art of making words sing. Every summer, writers take part in intensive week long workshops to better their craft, while enjoying a week of Squaw Valley sunshine. This year the writers workshops are set for July 7-14th at the Squaw Valley Olympic House, located at 1960 Squaw Valley Road (formerly known as Olympic Village Inn), near the Shirley Lake Trail at the big bend where the road crosses Squaw Creek.

The right to participate in the full workshops is a competitive process, and alas, the deadline for this year has passed, but the week still provides a host of opportunities for writers and those interested in writing, through five days of public events, mostly free, available at the workshop in the afternoon.

On July 8, 9, 10, 12, and 13 you can attend panel discussions, craft talks, and readings from writers, editors and agents. These are top notch professionals passing on their best advice and suggestions from years of writing. Every day except the 13th from 1 pm to 6 pm (the final day wraps up at 4 pm). If you are a writer, or just curious about the writing process, be sure and check out some of these presentations.

On July 8 and 12th there will also be events at 8 pm that will showcase the writings of well known authors Amy Tan, Mark Childress, Christina Meldrum, Tom Barbash, Ron Carlson, Edan Lepucki, Hector Tobar and Josh Weil. The cost is $20 each.

To obtain a schedule of events go to www.squawvalleywriters.org. See you there.