Why should I attend the C.S. Lewis Fall Conference?

There is no better answer than the very words of Malcolm Guite, our performer, preacher, and Writers Workshop keynote.

“But the real heart of these C.S. Lewis Foundation events is not just the lectures and seminars, good as they are, but the sense of community and interconnection, the friendships inspired, the new projects begun. I have seen the genesis of new books, plays, poems and songs, new collaborations and scholarly projects, all happening over coffees in corridors at these conferences, or over a beer in the famous evening sessions known collectively as ‘The Bag End Cafe”.

How do I register?

Register for tuition online using the C.S. Lewis Foundation’s secure event registration provider.

or call toll-free 1-888-CSLEWIS. (1-888-275-3947) Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pacific Time.

How do I register for Room/Board through Hilton Houston Post Oak?

Call 1-713-961-9300. Mention that you are registering for the C.S. Lewis Fall Conference on Nov. 8-10. Online registration option coming soon.

Where is the Houston Hilton Post Oak?

Just one block from The Galleria Mall in the center of Houston’s uptown business district.

2001 Post Oak Blvd. Houston, TX 77056 (713) 961-9300 http://www.cslewis.org/programs/50thcelebration/fall-conference-houston/lodging-hilton-post-oak/

I’d like to know more information about the Hilton Post Oak.

The hotel boasts an ideal location in Uptown Houston with complimentary shuttle service within three miles of the hotel. It is walking distance to The Galleria with a myriad of convenient eateries.

Is there computer access at the Hilton Post Oak?

There is free WiFi access in guest rooms and throughout the hotel. The hotel will give each guest an access code for their wifi.

What is the weather like in Houston?

The weather can vary greatly in early November. We recommend that you check the weather with one of the weather services in the weeks before you attend the Conference.

What should I wear to the conference?

Dress casual and comfortable.

How do I get to the Hilton Post Oak by car?

Hilton directions: http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/texas/hilton-houston-post-oak-IAHWSHH/maps-directions/index.html

Self parking is $7/day.

Which Houston airport should I fly to?

Houston Hobby [HOU] servicing Southwest Airlines is 17 miles and 25 minutes to hotel.

George Bush Intercontinental [IAH] is 28 miles and 35 minutes to hotel.

Super Shuttle (800-258-3826/281-230-7275) http://www.supershuttle.com/Locations/IAHAirportShuttleHouston.aspx

How do I get from the airports to the Hilton?

There is no hotel airport shuttle.

Houston Hobby [HOU] Minimum charge for Super shuttle $23, Rental Car $45, Taxi $45.

George Bush Intercontinental [IAH]. Minimum charge for Super shuttle $24,Rental Car $45, Taxi $55.

Super Shutttle (800-258-3826/281-230-7275) http://www.supershuttle.com/Locations/IAHAirportShuttleHouston.aspx

I’m interested in attending the Early Arrival option. What is scheduled on Friday morning/afternoon?

Check in begins at 9:00 a.m. The welcome at 10:00 a.m. You may want to arrive on Thursday.

We’re offering three separate tracks for readers, writers, and scholars—Inklings 101, Writers Workshop, Academic Roundtable. There will be three sessions for each, at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.

Who should attend the Early Arrival sessions?

• Inklings 101 Sessions — Sessions for registrants who would like to familiarize themselves with C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien and the other writers who made up the famed Oxford writing group, both the men and their works. These are aimed at both those who are familiar with Lewis and Tolkien as well as new readers who would like to learn more.
• Writers Workshops — Anyone with an interest in writing from the want-to-be, to the writer struggling to be published, to the published and successful. In keeping with our theme on friendship (relationship) and the creative impulse, our emphasis is focused beyond the craft of writing to the inspirational, the spiritual, the imagination, the poet in all writers. What is your relationship with your muse?
• Academic Roundtable—Scholars who wish to read papers within the context of existing scholarship relating to the theme of the conference. The 12 members of the roundtable will discuss and give feedback for each presentation. Other attendees are welcome to observe.

Please explain the after hours sessions Bag End Café & Sprinklings?

• Bag End Café — A hosted gathering of people providing an opportunity for attendees to briefly share a poem or short piece they have written or by another, or play an instrument or sing. Where others come just to listen and enjoy.
• Sprinklings—A gathering led by our Writers Coordinator where writers and poets can read a brief piece of their own creation and receive gentle feedback.

 I’d like to know more about the Writers Workshop & “The Sprinklings.”

We invite you to visit our Co-Director Nan Rinella’s website on “Encouraging Writers to Soar with the Eagles” at www.NanRinella.com where she will be blogging more about workshop. You may ask her questions by comments or via email at nan@nanrinella.com.

If I have further questions about the conference in general, whom should I contact?

You may email Co-Director, Nan Rinella, at nrinella@cslewis.org or call her at 806-681-0800.

How should I prepare for the C.S. Lewis Fall Conference?

Visit the presenters’ websites to get to know them and their work. It’s beneficial to read at least one book by each presenter, if they’ve written one.

Writers should prepare a part of a work they’d like to share and receive feedback.

Please pray for our team, staff, those who God wants to attend, your fellow attendees, and for sponsors.

What should I read in order to prepare for the C.S. Lewis Fall Conference?

Everyone

• The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis, especially the chapter on Friendship.
• Inside Narnia and The Christian World of THE HOBBIT by Devin Brown
• On the Shoulders of Hobbits: The Road to virtue with Tolkien and Lewis by Louis Markos and Peter Kreeft
• A to Z with C.S. Lewis by Louis Markos
• The Company They Keep: C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien as Writers in Community by Diana Pavlac Glyer

Writers

• The Company They Keep: C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien as Writers in Community by Diana Pavlac Glyer
• Restoring Beauty: The Good, the True, and the Beautiful in the Writings of C.S. Lewis by Louis Markos
• The Heart of a Ready Scribe: 52 Reflections for Writers by Melanie Stiles

The recommended books can be purchased through the official Retreat bookstore – http://www.booksbybecka.com/Bookshop.html  – for reading prior to the conference.