Hurston/Wright Creative Writing Intensive 2008 - 2009(tuition-free)

Summer Session, July 6 – July 25, 2008 – Fall Session, September 2008 to May 2009 (twice a month)

The Hurston/Wright Creative Writing Intensive is targeted to 8th through 12th grade students interested in writing as a pastime or a career (rather than those requiring remedial services or those with advanced skills). This workshop provides new opportunities for students who are interested in creative writing to develop their writing and reading skills in a nurturing group setting that celebrates Black literature. The program will nurture students’ analytical skills and motivate participants to become deeply and emotionally invested in their writing. Most importantly, the Creative Writing Intensive will enable students to become effective communicators, which will assist them throughout their educational and professional careers and in all aspects of life.

In response to ongoing requests from students, parents and teachers, the Creative Writing Intensive will make it possible for the Foundation to go from conducting just one tuition free week-long writing workshop for 12 students to conducting five tuition free, three week-long, workshops with 12 students in each workshop. This non-residential workshop will run during the summer for three consecutive weeks followed by continued instruction throughout the academic year, (thereby serving more students for an extended period of time).

Students in grades 8 through 12 in Prince George’s County and Washington, D.C. will be eligible to participate in this year-long, tuition-free Creative Writing Intensive, regardless of race or ethnic background.

Return to top

Student Achievements

• 2007-2008 Hurston/Wright Creative Writing Intensive participant Omari Daniels wins a full four-year scholarship to George Washington University
• Thais Francis a 2007-2008 Creative Writing Intensive participant was the 1st place winner of the 2007 Congressional Black Caucus Essay Contest

Workshop Schedule

Classes meet Monday – Thursday from 10am – 1pm.  Individual conferences with workshop leaders take place at times agreed upon by workshop leaders and participants.

Return to top

Admission

The selection process for the Hurston/Wright Creative Writing Intensive is competitive.  We traditionally receive a large number of applications for our programs.  In order to provide the highest quality of instruction possible, class sizes are kept small. Therefore, we cannot accommodate ALL qualified writers. 

How to Apply:

• Submit two copies of your writing sample with your application.
• You may apply to only one workshop.
• Applications must be received by May 9, 2008 . Applications received after May 9 will be considered only if space is still available. 
• Include with your application a $10 nonrefundable application fee (in the form of a money order only, made  payable to the Hurston/Wright Foundation).

Letters of acceptance will be emailed by June 5, 2008.

Manuscript Requirements

Facility

All classes will be held on the campus of American University in NW, Washington, DC.

Return to top

Sponsorship

The Hurston/Wright Creative Writing Intensive is made possible with support of Cafritz, Citibank, The Prince Georges County Council, The Prince Georges Arts Council, and the generous support of individual donors.

Return to top

Workshops

Nonfiction

A workshop designed for writers in beginning or advanced stages of work on a nonfiction book of any genre (memoir, mystery, biography, or social commentary). In addition to a critique of a portion of the manuscript, the course will cover how to write a book proposal as well as research and interview techniques.

Nonfiction Workshop Leader James Ocita was born in Uganda and received a B.A. from Makerere University, Kampala in 2002 with a major in Literature. Two of his books have been published by Fountain Publishers under the Fountain Living Youth Series, namely, The Orphan Boy, 2002 (young adults) and Should I Ask Dad, 2003 (children). Some of his poems have also been published in Dhana, a Makerere University's literary journal. In October 2005, he was among the Ugandan writers who participated in the Beyond Borders: A Festival of Contemporary African Writers held in Kampala. Currently, he is pursuing M.F.A. (Fiction) at the University of Maryland, College Park and also teaching a beginning fiction workshop.

Return to top

Poetry

These workshops (A & B) will examine the structure of poems, including rhythm, tone, and imagery and will establish a working vocabulary to discuss the poetry of the participants. The class will also discuss the value of poetry as a tool of self-discovery and a tool of full self-expression.

Poetry A Workshop Leader Laini Mataka is a creative writing instructor for DC Writers Corps, a poet and author. Mataka has conducted workshops for five high school in the Metropolitan Washington, DC area.

Poetry B Workshop Leader Brian Gilmore is a poet and writer. His first collection of poetry was “elvis presley is alive and well living in harlem.” His second collection, “jungle nights and soda fountain rags” is a historical tribute to Duke Ellington and the Duke Ellington Orchestra. His poetry has appeared in numerous anthologies and he has taught poetry at the Catholic University of America and at Lorton Prison.

Return to top

Playwriting

This workshop will provide students with the basic elements of playwriting for live actors and a live audience. Instructions will include an analysis of the scripts and an introduction to a working knowledge of a ten-minute play, a one act play, a full length play or a musical. There will also be discussions about character, plot, honesty, conflict, limitation of space and how to get the play from paper to the stage.

Playwriting Workshop Leader Psalmayene 24 is an actor, writer and singer/songwriter.  Originally from Brooklyn, NY, he currently lives in the Washington, DC area where he is also the Master Teaching Artist and a commissioned playwright with Arena Stage.  His solo play Free Jujube Brown!, recognized as a seminal piece in Hip-Hop Theater, will be published by TCG in the forthcoming anthology Playz from the Boom Box Galaxy: Anthology for the Hip-Hop Generation.  His band PS24 is currently the resident band at Washington, DC hot spot Busboys & Poets.  Visit PS24 at www.myspace.com/ps24music

Return to top

Fiction

A workshop designed to introduce the basic elements of creative writing to sophomore, junior, and senior high school students. This workshop ignites high school students' love for writing and enhances every facet of their communication skills.

Fiction Workshop Leader Robin Marcus teaches fiction at Duke Ellington School of the Arts and has lead many fiction workshops. She has received writing grants from the DC on the Arts and Humanities and has read from her work at many venues including the National Museum of Women and the Arts and Nuyorican poets café.  Robin Marcus also teaches writing and the composition at Howard University.

Return to top

FAQ

• What does the workshop cost?
  ALL workshops are tuition-free.
  


• Does the Foundation provide transportation for workshop participants?
  No, but the workshops are conveniently conveniently located near public transportation.



• How many students are in each workshop?
  Up to 12 students per workshop.



• Do students earn credit toward their high school diploma?
  No, however the workshops will enable students to become effective communicators which will assist them throughout their education and professional careers.



• What are the grade levels for the workshop?
  Student must be in 8th through 12th grade as of May 2008



• When is the submission deadline?
  May 9, 2008



• What is the registration fee?
  $10 money order only, made  payable to the Hurston/Wright Foundation.



• When are classes held?
  Monday – Thursday from 10am – 1pm.



• When will students be notified of the status of their application?
  Letters of acceptance will be emailed by June 5, 2008.

Return to top