Top 10 Reasons to Participate in The University of Mississippi Yoknapatawpha Summer Writers’ Workshop

10. Tradition. Both Oxford and The University of Mississippi have a long and distinguished writerly tradition, so it’s a great place for nurturing budding authors.

9. The Package. Where else can you get creative instruction, panel lectures, readings, and enthusiastic discussion in just 3 days for an investment of a few hundred dollars?

8. The Boss. Fiction writer and Ole Miss alum M.O. (call him "Neal") Walsh, has served as Director and spirit(s) guide to the writer’s workshop for the last three years. His dedication and energy for writing, language, and literature are sure to be an inspiration.

7. The Muse. Workshop Leader Scott Morris’s novels Waiting for April and The Total View of Taftly both received critical acclaim. He’s done about all you can think of to support his writing, from picking grapes in Europe to working an office job to, of all things, teaching! His writing expertise along with his degree in philosophy will whip your brain into shape!

6. The Pit Crew. M.O. Walsh and Scott Morris are joined by best-selling non-fiction author Neil White, fiction writer Sean Ennis, and Publicist Stella Connell. Each of these knowledgeable people will be giving talks to help you know how to succeed in this difficult task of writing and writing well.

5. Readings. Not only will you hear readings from some of today’s best authors, but there will be two open-mic nights, so you can read from you own work (if you so choose) and listen to what your fellow students have written.

4. Writing. The Yoknapatawpha Summer Writers’ Workshop is designed to give fiction writers experience in the art of writing. The workshop features writing practices and critiques, as well as readings, panels, and talks on craft. You’ll learn from the talented, the experienced, and the published.

3. Review and Response. The Yoknapatawpha Summer Writers’ Workshop requires participants to submit a writing sample before the workshop begins so, as a participant, you know you’re going to receive a real review and a thoughtful response to your work. Writers who submit complete works will be guided with revisions and critiques throughout the workshop, and writers with works in the initial stages will be primed with advice and direction for their compositions. All forms of creative writing are welcome, but the focus is primarily on prose fiction. There is no “selection process” with these samples, so writers of all levels are welcome to participate.

2. Friends. Writing creates community, and community nurtures writing. Develop new friendships with people who get where you’re coming from and can provide genuine support, encouragement, and direction.

1. Empowerment. Get inspired and energized! The Yoknapatawpha Summer Writers’ Workshop will empower you with the vision, the tools, and the process you need to take your writing to the next level.

What are you waiting for? Come see us!