Top writers from the U.S. and beyond will be guests at the 29th Annual Writer’s Symposium By The Sea at Point Loma Nazarene University, and audience members at this event will experience something never seen before.

When writer and filmmaker Nick Hornby (above) arrives on stage for an interview with New Yorker writer Susan Orlean to discuss their new collaborative project, it will be the first time they’ve met in person. Hornby, known for his books “High Fidelity,” “Fever Pitch,” “About A Boy,” and many others, is adapting Orlean’s book “Rin Tin Tin” for film, and they have been collaborating long distance. Hornby lives in London, and Orlean lives in Los Angeles.

Orlean’s books include “The Orchid Thief,” “Library Book,” and “The Bullfighter Checks Her Makeup.”

“They know each other professionally and virtually, but our stage will be the first time in the same physical space,” said Symposium founder and director Dean Nelson. Nelson will interview the two of them about their collaboration and writing careers. “Both are so talented and intelligent and funny, that I’m thinking there will be some sort of spontaneous combustion when we’re all together.”

In addition to Hornby and Orlean, the Symposium is partnering with San Diego Theatres to host Elizabeth Gilbert, who will give one of her patented talks, followed by an interview with Nelson.

“Most people know Elizabeth Gilbert for her memoir ‘Eat Pray Love,’ and for the movie that was made from it, but she has such a great collection of novels and nonfiction, that I think the audience will be amazed at how much she has produced over the years,” Nelson said. “She’s a wonderful writer in all genres.”

Paulette Jiles, known best for her novel “News of the World,” which was made into a film starring Tom Hanks, will also be part of the Symposium.

“She captures the indigenous voices, particularly of the southern U.S., that sets her apart from all the others,” Nelson said.

The schedule of events is:

Feb. 20, Paulette Jiles, Crill Auditorium, PLNU campus.

Feb. 22, Elizabeth Gilbert, Balboa Theatre, Downtown San Diego

Feb. 23, Nick Hornby and Susan Orlean, Brown Chapel, PLNU campus

Ticket information is at https://www.pointloma.edu/2024writers.

The purpose of the Writer’s Symposium By The Sea is to celebrate, model, and inspire great storytelling.

“Storytelling is how we understand ourselves and the world,” Nelson said. “So having the greatest storytellers come to hang out with us is a way to think, write and live better.”

Past Symposium guests included Amy Tan, Ray Bradbury, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Alice Walker, Anthony Doerr, Maria Hinojosa, Isabell Allende, Anne Lamott, Billy Collins and dozens of others.

“You’ll be inspired,” Nelson said. “You might even start telling those stories people have always encouraged you to tell.”

Nick Hornby photo by Parisa Taghizadeh