Top 10 Reasons to Participate in The University of Mississippi Yoknapatawpha Summer Writers’ Workshop
10. Tradition. Both Oxford and The University of Mississippi have long and distinguished writerly traditions, so it’s a great place for nurturing budding authors.
9. The Package. Where else can you get creative instruction, panel lectures, readings, enthusiastic discussion, and make life long friends in just 3 days for an investment of only 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 three years. His dedication and energy 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. On top of this, he’s done just 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, real world experience, ands degree in philosophy will whip your brain into shape!
6. The Pit Crew. Neal and Scott are joined this year by best–selling crime and mystery novelist Ace Atkins, storyteller Rebecca Jernigan, and former literary agent (with Regal Literary) Bess Reed Currence. This group is sure to satisfy all of your curiosities!
5. Readings. Not only will you get the chance to hear the aforementioned published authors read from their work but, since the Yok conference is all about YOU, there will also be two open–mic nights so you can read from you own work and listen to what your fellow students have written! These happen in the basement of a restaurant at night with drinks available. It doesn’t get much more writerly than that!
4. Writing. The Yoknapatawpha Summer Writers’ Workshop is designed to give fiction writers experience in the art of writing. The workshop features writing exercises and critiques, as well as readings, panels, and talks on craft. Our staff is put together to give you the greatest amount of assistance available.
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 and non fiction. Poetry is also welcome, but we do not have a poet on staff this year. Check back with us next year!
2. Friends. Writing creates community, and community nurtures writing. At the Yok conference you are guaranteed to 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!