The University of Newcastle is hosting a national conference this week to survey the burgeoning field of creative non-fiction writing.

The inaugural conference, The Art of the Real, has attracted writers from across the country.

Creative non-fiction writing covers the diverse sub-genres of memoir, autobiography, biography, the personal essay, nature writing, literary journalism and Indigenous life-writing.

"In recent years, creative non-fiction has emerged as a literary genre that is drawing practitioners from all fields of writing," said Dr Keri Glastonbury from the University of Newcastle.

Internationally recognised author Professor Blake Morrison, from Goldsmiths College at the University of London, is the keynote speaker for the conference. Professor Morrison is best known for his memoir And When Did You Last See Your Father?, which was recently adapted into a feature film.

The opening public event of The Art of the Real conference will feature Professor Morrison in conversation with University of Newcastle creative writing student Mr Michael Sala.

Mr Sala's unpublished memoir, Memory Vertigo, was shortlisted last year for the Vogel Award - a prestigious award for an unpublished manuscript by a writer under the age of 35.

The Art of the Real conference is being held in collaboration with the Hunter Writers Centre and will run from Friday 16 – Sunday 18 May 2008.

For a full program, visit www.newcastle.edu.au/theartofthereal