Iowa Summer Writing Festival


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Workshop Descriptions & Instructors Faith Adiele Mary Allen Kate Aspengren Thomas Fox Averill Nancy Barry Timothy Bascom Linda Bendorf Venise Berry Bruce Bond Michael Dennis Browne Susan Taylor Chehak John Dalton Thomas K. Dean Amber Dermont Kelly Dwyer Hope Edelman Josh Emmons Katie Ford Patricia Foster Laura Fraser Cecile Goding Douglas Goetsch Kevin González John Griesemer Sands Hall Christine Hemp Jim Heynen Rick Hillis Charles Holdefer Richard Jackson Cheryl Fusco Johnson Wayne Johnson Bret Anthony Johnston Daniel Khalastchi Zachary Lazar Carolyn Lieberg BK Loren Fritz Mc Donald James McKean Gordon Mennenga Katherine Min Sharelle Byars Moranville Michael Morse Barbara Robinette Moss Marc Nieson Shannon Olson Lon Otto Juliet Patterson Anjali Sachdeva Sarah Saffian Sam Samuels Leslie Schwartz Sandra Scofield Mary Kay Shanley Carol Spindel Karen Subach Mary Vermillion Ashley Warlick Jan Weissmiller Bart Yates	Cheryl Fusco Johnson First Pages: An Introduction To Writing For Children And Teens One-Week Workshop June 8–13 Children’s Writers Workout Weekend Workshop June 14–15 Biography First Pages: An Introduction To Writing For Children And Teens One-Week Workshop June 8–13 “You should feel when writing . . . like a child stringing beads in kindergarten—happy, absorbed and quietly putting one bead on after another.” —Brenda Ueland, If You Want to Write If you’ve considered writing for children or teens, this course is for you. We’ll launch each session with non-threatening writing exercises. Guided by class interest, we’ll discuss issues such as writing for specific age groups, the parameters of children’s and teen genres, the creative process, revision, submission procedures, current market conditions, and persevering despite rejections. We’ll banish writer’s block by nurturing recognition of first pages’ inevitable strengths and by fostering cheerful acceptance of their equally inevitable imperfections and the necessity for thoughtful revision. Before class begins, students may—but aren’t required to—submit the beginning pages of one manuscript written for children or teens (fiction or nonfiction, 20 pages or less). During in-class critiquing, we’ll identify strengths and ways to enhance marketability. We’ll conclude with goal setting, networking, and marketing tips. Handouts include manuscript formatting guidelines, sample cover and query letters, genre descriptions, a booklist, and pertinent website addresses. Children’s Writers Workout Weekend Workshop June 14–15 “Daring to write is more satisfying than ducking that risk.” —Ralph Keyes, The Courage to Write Kindle your creativity by indulging in a lively weekend of reading and writing. We’ll read excerpts from children’s and young adult classics and from new favorites, including published work by former Iowa Summer Writing Festival students. Guided by class interest, we’ll discuss many genres, including both fiction and nonfiction and ranging from picture books and easy readers to middle grade and young adult novels. As we read, we’ll identify and practice specific writing techniques: students will receive in-class and overnight writing exercises. These non-threatening, one-page workouts will cover topics students choose, such as character development, dialogue, point-of-view, imagery, theme, voice, setting, and tone. No advance preparation is required. Expect to write a lot, to enjoy writing, and to take home fresh story ideas plus the renewed courage to pursue them. We’ll conclude with goal setting, networking, and marketing tips. Handouts include guidelines on formatting manuscripts, sample cover and query letters, genre descriptions, a booklist, and pertinent website addresses. Biography “For nurturing many writers who have gone on to success in children’s literature,” Cheryl Fusco Johnson (J.D., University of Washington School of Law) received the 2004 Outstanding Service Award from Iowa’s Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Her students have won fiction contests, writing grants, and contracts from major book publishers. Cheryl’s writing has appeared in many national publications, including The Writer, Cricket, and Highlights for Children. She’s reviewed children’s and young adult books for over 12 years.

	Site Map \| Welcome \| Workshops by Session Date \| Workshops by Instructor Workshops by Genre \| Registration & Housing Information \| Registration Form Sponsored by the Division of Continuing Education Iowa Summer Writing Festival C215 Seashore Hall The University of Iowa Iowa City, IA 52242 Phone 319-335-4160 FAX 319-335-4743 iswfestival@uiowa.edu Last updated on January 10, 2008