Brown Bag Series: Writing a Nonfiction Book Proposal

Kao Kalia Yang, the Edelstein-Keller Writer in Residence at the University of Minnesota, is a Hmong American writer. She is the author of the memoirs The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir, The Song Poet, and Somewhere in the Unknown World. Yang wrote the children’s books A Map Into the World, The Shared Room, The Most Beautiful Thing, Yang Warriors, and From the Tops of the Trees. She co-edited the ground-breaking collection What God is Honored Here?: Writings on Miscarriage and Infant Loss By and For Native Women and Women of Color. Yang’s work has been recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Book Critics Circle Award, the Chautauqua Prize, the

PEN USA literary awards, the Dayton’s Literary Peace Prize, as Notable Books by the American Library Association, Kirkus Best Books of the Year, the Heartland Bookseller’s Award, Bank Street College of Education, the Midland Authors Award, and garnered four Minnesota Book Awards. Kao Kalia Yang is also a teacher and public speaker.

Kim Todd is a faculty member in the University of Minnesota Creative Writing Program, specializing in creative nonfiction. She has written four successful nonfiction book proposals. Her most recent book is Sensational: The Hidden History of America's "Girl Stunt Reporters," and her essays and articles have appeared in Smithsonian, Orion, and Best American Science and Nature Writing anthologies, among other places.

Join these two amazing writers for a discussion and advice on how to write a nonfiction book proposal. Remember to bring your questions for the Q&A portion!

This event is for MFA faculty and students. Masks are encouraged. Attendees are reminded to wash hands often, get tested, and stay home when ill or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19.