Illumination 2024: A (Wild) Literary Soiree

This September, Lighthouse will welcome the fearless, radically empathetic, best-selling author Cheryl Strayed as our special guest. Strayed is known for her beautiful works, including Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, Tiny Beautiful Things, Brave Enough, Torch, and the beloved “Dear Sugar” column. This event transcends the ordinary keynote; Cheryl is planning a heartfelt conversation crafted for the Lighthouse community, promising an intimate and enriching experience for all.

We will also be honoring two treasured members of our community, Connie Zumpf and Ellin Rosenthal, who have gone above and beyond to give back to Lighthouse’s fellowship program. More information about our 2024 Lumineer award winners will be available in the coming months.

At Lighthouse, we believe writing is a transformative act that everyone deserves access to. Our inclusive programs foster a welcoming environment where individuals can discover their voices and share their stories with the world. 

As we gather, our goal is to raise $150,000 in vital tuition assistance for aspiring writers eager to deepen their craft in our inclusive and nurturing workshops. In 2023, Lighthouse proudly awarded over $100,000 in writerships and fellowships to individuals of all ages and backgrounds who wouldn’t have been able to join summer camp, weekly workshops, or advanced workshops without it. These awards remove financial barriers to high-quality writing education and ensure that all voices contribute to our literary community. Many folks who’ve received assistance from Lighthouse have gone on to publish books on major presses, edit literary magazines, and give back to Denver’s literary community, and all are able to share their valuable stories through our programs. With your generous support, we aspire to extend this opportunity to hundreds more, empowering them to explore their creativity, tell their stories, and experience the life-changing power of creative writing.