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 the writer’s workshop for the last two years. His dedication and energy for writing, language, and literature are sure to be an inspiration.
7. The Muse. 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. Neal Walsh and Scott Morris are joined by best-selling author and former UM professor Jere Hoar, storyteller Rebecca Jernigan, and poet/non fiction writer Beth Ann Fennelly. Jere Hoar’s novel The Hit continues to fly off the shelves as his former Ole Miss journalism students rack up Pulitzer Prizes. A literary performing artist, Rebecca Jernigan explores innovative ways of incorporating performance and creative writing. And, jack of all literary trades, Beth Ann Fennelly invigorates all genres she touches.
5. Readings. All of the instructors believe, as Beth Ann does, that “it is of utmost importance to read constantly and read aloud. . .there’s not a lot that can help you get better, quicker, than reading aloud.” During the Yoknapatawpha Summer Writers’ Workshop, there will be two open-mic nights, so you can read from you own work 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 practice and critiques, as well as readings, panels, and talks on craft. You’ll learn from the talented, the experienced, and the publishedamong them, the workshop staff has published in just about every medium, from short story to the novel to poetry to memoir to screenplay.
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.
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.
