A Writer's Paradise in Chautauqua

As the literary arts writer, Anderson primarily engaged with Chautauqua’s visiting authors and poets, discussing their craft, inspirations, and experiences. She categorizes it as “the dream job for a lit major.”

Some of her interviewees have included Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez, author of My Side of the River: A Memoir, and the illustrious George Saunders, who later praised her articles on his Substack. Saunders noted, “Thanks, especially, to Susie Anderson, who wrote two lengthy, precise, and entertaining dispatches while I was [at Chautauqua].”

“Saunders has been a favorite author of mine forever. It was so surreal,” Anderson said. She recounted how after reading her article about their conversation, Saunders told her he “wouldn’t have changed a word.”

Of her experience with authors, Anderson added, “It’s such a privilege to be able to talk shop with writers I admire who have such varied perspectives and come from all different walks of life.”

Each week at the Chautauqua Institute revolves around a particular theme, creating a cohesive educational experience. This summer’s season included a comedy week featuring Lewis Black of Inside Out fame and a Middle East week exploring the geopolitical tensions of the region.

“Every week you get the opportunity to speak with masters of their craft in a variety of themes. It’s a little bit like college for adults; the community is so curious about intellectual things,” Anderson said.

Through her experiences at Chautauqua, Anderson also realized the critical role print media can play in smaller communities, especially ones with a large elderly population. Despite the worldwide dominance of digital journalism, places like Chautauqua rely on their newspapers to inform visitors and residents about the abundance of events happening on any given day.

As a writer for The Chautauquan Daily, Anderson also played a role beyond daily journalism as a chronicler of Chautauquan life.

“In some ways, The Chautauquan Daily is the longest existing catalog of Chautauqua’s history,” Anderson said. “If I can be a small part of the grand legacy of this publication, that’s amazing.”