Iowa Summer Writing Festival


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Workshop Descriptions & Instructors Marilyn Abildskov Mary Allen Kate Aspengren Thomas Fox Averill Nancy K.Barry Timothy Bascom Kyle Beachy Karen Bender Linda Bendorf Maudy Benz Venise Berry Bruce Bond David Bouchier Michael Dennis Browne Maggie Conroy Mary Cross Thomas K. Dean Amber Dermont Janet Desaulniers Kelly Dwyer Hope Edelman Josh Emmons Jill Esbaum Sarah Fay Hugh Ferrer Katie Ford Geoffrey Forsyth Cecile Goding Douglas Goetsch Sands Hall Christine Hemp Jim Heynen Rick Hillis Charles Holdefer Richard Jackson Rebecca Johns Cheryl Fusco Johnson Wayne Johnson Daniel Khalastchi Carolyn Lieberg BK Loren Peter Markus Fritz Mc Donald James McKean Gordon Mennenga Sharelle Byars Moranville Michael Morse Barbara Robinette Moss Marc Nieson Shannon Olson Diana Ossana Lon Otto Juliet Patterson Kiki Petrosino Mark Jude Poirier Leslie Carol Roberts Anjali Sachdeva Sarah Saffian Sam Samuels Sandra Scofield Mary Kay Shanley Robert Anthony Siegel Carol Spindel Karen Subach Mary Vermillion Kris Vervaecke Ashley Warlick Michelle Wildgen Bart Yates	Cheryl Fusco Johnson Transforming Memories into Children’s Stories: Beginning Writers at Play Weekend Workshop June 13–14 Children’s Writers Workout Weekend Workshop July 18–19 Biography Transforming Memories into Children’s Stories: Beginning Writers at Play Weekend Workshop June 13–14 “Just go in the right direction and the trees, insects, clouds, bricks of buildings will make a minute turning with you and salute you.”—Natalie Goldberg, Old Friend from Far Away: The Practice of Writing Memoir. “Make a bit of effort,” author and writing teacher Natalie Goldberg advises. “It doesn’t have to be enormous.” In this beginners’ level class, we’ll explore two genres, adult memoir and children’s fiction. First we’ll practice blasting through writers block by tapping our vast reservoir of memories. Then we’ll discuss how to transform these written recollections into literature for children and teens. Non-threatening in-class and overnight writing exercises will provide practice in shaping memories into stories for young people. We’ll briefly discuss characteristics of different genres: memoirs, picture books, easy readers, and middle grade and young adult novels. No advance preparation is required. We’ll conclude the session 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. Children’s Writers Workout Weekend Workshop July 18–19 “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 The Writer, Cricket, Highlights for Children and other publications. She currently writes a fitness column for The Iowa Source.

	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 February 10, 2009