Our website has been updated and to include the program application and all other relevant information for the summer 2010 workshop!
Please visit http://outreach.psu.edu/programs/young-writers/index.html, have a look around and be sure to contact us with any questions.
See you in July!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
NCTE/Norman Mailer Writing Award
The Norman Mailer Writers Colony and the National Council of Teachers of English will jointly sponsor the 2010 Norman Mailer High School and College Writing Awards.
Writing Category: Nonfiction
Norman Mailer produced extraordinary works in many genres, including the category of this year’s award: nonfiction. Students may submit work in any of the many subgenres of nonfiction: memoir or autobiography, essay, literary journalism, profiles of people or places, and so on. Whatever its type, the best work will be true material presented with compelling literary merit.
Winners
One winner in each category will receive a cash award and will be an honored guest at the Colony’s National Award Ceremony in New York City on October 19, 2010. Winners will be notified by mid-September.
Finalists, Semifinalists
Four finalists in each category will be awarded trophies.
Sixteen semifinalists in each category will be awarded certificates.
High School Competition is open to all high school students. Students may submit one or more pieces of writing, maximum 10 single-spaced pages, endorsed by a teacher and released by a parent or guardian. Winner will receive the following:
• Cash award of $5,000
• *Travel and lodging to attend the Colony’s National Award Ceremony
DEADLINE
Entries accepted April 1–April 28, 2010, Noon CST
*Funding for travel is limited to the continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. Canadian and other foreign students are eligible to enter. Outside of the US, a $500.00 USD payment toward travel will be allowed. Hotel will be paid as with students in the United States.
Submission Guidelines:
Entries will be accepted online only and may include one or more pieces of writing. Submissions will be judged as a whole, not as individual writings. Maximum of 10 single-spaced pages for high school and maximum of 15 single-spaced pages for college entries. Quality is far more important than quantity.
Formatting Guidelines
The writing you upload must include a title, your name, and page numbers within your file. Please use a plain, common, and easily readable font, such as Times New Roman, 11- or 12-point. Accepted file types: .pdf, .doc, .docx, and .txt (maximum file size: 8 megabytes).
Judging
Submissions will be read by national panels of teachers and writers of creative nonfiction. They will be judged by how well they achieve several qualities, including the artful treatment of true subject matter; originality; quality of insight, voice, and style; artful arrangement of elements and materials; and overall aesthetic, emotional, or intellectual effect. Finalists selected through this process will be submitted to a distinguished author (or panel of authors) selected by the Norman Mailer Writers Colony, who will choose the winning writers.
How to Apply
Online application form. Links available April 1. (CHECK THIS BLOG FOR UPDATE!)
Contact Information
Email your questions to nmw@ncte.org
Writing Category: Nonfiction
Norman Mailer produced extraordinary works in many genres, including the category of this year’s award: nonfiction. Students may submit work in any of the many subgenres of nonfiction: memoir or autobiography, essay, literary journalism, profiles of people or places, and so on. Whatever its type, the best work will be true material presented with compelling literary merit.
Winners
One winner in each category will receive a cash award and will be an honored guest at the Colony’s National Award Ceremony in New York City on October 19, 2010. Winners will be notified by mid-September.
Finalists, Semifinalists
Four finalists in each category will be awarded trophies.
Sixteen semifinalists in each category will be awarded certificates.
High School Competition is open to all high school students. Students may submit one or more pieces of writing, maximum 10 single-spaced pages, endorsed by a teacher and released by a parent or guardian. Winner will receive the following:
• Cash award of $5,000
• *Travel and lodging to attend the Colony’s National Award Ceremony
DEADLINE
Entries accepted April 1–April 28, 2010, Noon CST
*Funding for travel is limited to the continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. Canadian and other foreign students are eligible to enter. Outside of the US, a $500.00 USD payment toward travel will be allowed. Hotel will be paid as with students in the United States.
Submission Guidelines:
Entries will be accepted online only and may include one or more pieces of writing. Submissions will be judged as a whole, not as individual writings. Maximum of 10 single-spaced pages for high school and maximum of 15 single-spaced pages for college entries. Quality is far more important than quantity.
Formatting Guidelines
The writing you upload must include a title, your name, and page numbers within your file. Please use a plain, common, and easily readable font, such as Times New Roman, 11- or 12-point. Accepted file types: .pdf, .doc, .docx, and .txt (maximum file size: 8 megabytes).
Judging
Submissions will be read by national panels of teachers and writers of creative nonfiction. They will be judged by how well they achieve several qualities, including the artful treatment of true subject matter; originality; quality of insight, voice, and style; artful arrangement of elements and materials; and overall aesthetic, emotional, or intellectual effect. Finalists selected through this process will be submitted to a distinguished author (or panel of authors) selected by the Norman Mailer Writers Colony, who will choose the winning writers.
How to Apply
Online application form. Links available April 1. (CHECK THIS BLOG FOR UPDATE!)
Contact Information
Email your questions to nmw@ncte.org
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Beauty is Truth, Truth Beauty
So you want to be a poet?
The Penn State Young Writer’s Workshop is for you! The Summer 2010 Workshop will offer a one-week course that will acquaint you with poetry writing and reading. Want to know more? Course instructor Leah Huizar describes the course this way:
“In the course of our time together, we'll practice some key elements of poetry-making, such as concrete language, imagery, rhythm and word choice. We'll coming together to explore the unique ways that poetry works and distinguishes itself from other compelling literary and artistic forms. We'll take every opportunity to enjoy a range of poetic styles in our own writing, and in the writing of established and contemporary poets. Expect to read, write, workshop and have fun!
This poetry course also gathers for its inspiration the dynamic visual art collection at the Palmer Museum of Art on the University Park Campus. From portraits to pottery, the Palmer's many exhibits will offer our class vivid images, textures, history and narratives to explore through our work in poetry.”
One of the types of poetry you will explore is ekphrastic poetry.
Wondering what that is?
Simply put, ekphrastic poetry is poetry written in response to visual art. One famous example of ekphrastic poetry is “Ode on a Grecian Urn,” by John Keats.
Below is the final stanza of this timeless poem, featuring several famous lines that you may have already read:
“O Attic shape! Fair attitude! with brede
Of marble men and maidens overwrought,
With forest branches and the trodden weed;
Thou, silent form, dost tease us out of thought
As doth eternity: Cold Pastoral!
When old age shall this generation waste,
Thou shalt remain, in midst of other woe
Than ours, a friend to man, to whom thou say'st,
"Beauty is truth, truth beauty," - that is all
Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.”
We hope to see you in Summer 2010 for some fun with poetry and art!
The Penn State Young Writer’s Workshop is for you! The Summer 2010 Workshop will offer a one-week course that will acquaint you with poetry writing and reading. Want to know more? Course instructor Leah Huizar describes the course this way:
“In the course of our time together, we'll practice some key elements of poetry-making, such as concrete language, imagery, rhythm and word choice. We'll coming together to explore the unique ways that poetry works and distinguishes itself from other compelling literary and artistic forms. We'll take every opportunity to enjoy a range of poetic styles in our own writing, and in the writing of established and contemporary poets. Expect to read, write, workshop and have fun!
This poetry course also gathers for its inspiration the dynamic visual art collection at the Palmer Museum of Art on the University Park Campus. From portraits to pottery, the Palmer's many exhibits will offer our class vivid images, textures, history and narratives to explore through our work in poetry.”
One of the types of poetry you will explore is ekphrastic poetry.
Wondering what that is?
Simply put, ekphrastic poetry is poetry written in response to visual art. One famous example of ekphrastic poetry is “Ode on a Grecian Urn,” by John Keats.
Below is the final stanza of this timeless poem, featuring several famous lines that you may have already read:
“O Attic shape! Fair attitude! with brede
Of marble men and maidens overwrought,
With forest branches and the trodden weed;
Thou, silent form, dost tease us out of thought
As doth eternity: Cold Pastoral!
When old age shall this generation waste,
Thou shalt remain, in midst of other woe
Than ours, a friend to man, to whom thou say'st,
"Beauty is truth, truth beauty," - that is all
Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.”
We hope to see you in Summer 2010 for some fun with poetry and art!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Write What You Know
As an up-and-coming writer (or the parent of an up-and-coming writer), you might be asking yourself, “What topics can I expect to write about at the Young Writers' Workshop?”
The answer to this question is limitless! During the Workshop, you will have the opportunity to participate in workshops focusing on fiction writing, poetry writing, and comic writing!
Perhaps you are interested in writing about a favorite activity. Danielle Feffer, workshop participant from summer 2009, describes swimming in a personal essay:
“Swimming” (excerpt)
By Danielle Feffer
“Swimming is my love, my escape. I always go to the pool when I’m stressed or upset.It’s just me and my lane—the world is a much simpler place. I forget my roommate bailed on me and that our rent is due in a few days. I forget I have to bus tables and load dishwashers with my aggravating coworkers. I forget I have a mountain of studying to do for finals, or else I flunk out of college. When I swim, everything just fades away, and all that matters is the placement of my hands in the water, and the steady kick of my feet as I cross the pool time after time after time…
I walk towards the locker room and start thinking again. My homework, my job, and my roommate all weigh heavily on my mind, but the problems don’t seem quite so overwhelming anymore. I can handle them.
I leave the pool, with a sense of calm and satisfaction permeating the air around me.After my intense workout, I feel confident, and ready to take on anything.”
Join your fellow young writers this summer and explore your creativity like Danielle!
The answer to this question is limitless! During the Workshop, you will have the opportunity to participate in workshops focusing on fiction writing, poetry writing, and comic writing!
Perhaps you are interested in writing about a favorite activity. Danielle Feffer, workshop participant from summer 2009, describes swimming in a personal essay:
“Swimming” (excerpt)
By Danielle Feffer
“Swimming is my love, my escape. I always go to the pool when I’m stressed or upset.It’s just me and my lane—the world is a much simpler place. I forget my roommate bailed on me and that our rent is due in a few days. I forget I have to bus tables and load dishwashers with my aggravating coworkers. I forget I have a mountain of studying to do for finals, or else I flunk out of college. When I swim, everything just fades away, and all that matters is the placement of my hands in the water, and the steady kick of my feet as I cross the pool time after time after time…
I walk towards the locker room and start thinking again. My homework, my job, and my roommate all weigh heavily on my mind, but the problems don’t seem quite so overwhelming anymore. I can handle them.
I leave the pool, with a sense of calm and satisfaction permeating the air around me.After my intense workout, I feel confident, and ready to take on anything.”
Join your fellow young writers this summer and explore your creativity like Danielle!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)