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2011 Eckerd College Writers' Conference: Writers in Paradise
Course Offerings
The 2011 Eckerd College Writers' Conference offers workshop classes in Nonfiction, Novel, Short Story, and Young Adult. Working closely with our award-winning faculty, students will have stimulating opportunities to ask questions and learn valuable skills from fellow students and authors at the top of their form.
Please note that some of the workshops below list "Recommended Reading." These are books the faculty frequently refer to as teaching examples. They are meant merely as guides and are not required; nor will the discussions be limited just to these references.
Novel I, II, III
These workshops focus on the process of novel writing. Students will submit synopses of their novels as well as 25 pages. Structure, voice, characterization, point-of-view, plot, and imagery will be discussed. Some attention will be paid to publishing.
Faculty:
Jane Hamilton (I)
Recommended Reading:
Persuasion, Jane Austen
Homer & Langley, E.L. Doctorow
Ann Hood (II)
Recommended Reading:
To be announced
Nic Pizzolatto (III)
Recommended Reading:
Fat City, Leonard Gardner
Housekeeping, Marilyn Robinson
Writing the Middle (Novel)
This workshop will feature only writing samples from the middle portions of novels-in-progress. Discussion will focus on developing a second act organically from the elements of act one and on moving the narrative toward a dramatically inevitable ending. The middle chapters should be just as complete and dynamic as those found in the beginning. A detailed synopsis will be required.
Faculty:
Sterling Watson
Recommended Reading:
To be announced
Short Story
This workshop focuses on the art of the short story, including: complex characterization, apt language (diction, mood, tone, imagery), appropriate and accurately rendered setting, structural integrity, thematic complexity, and point-of-view appropriate to the characters and the action.
Faculty:
Tom Perrotta
Recommended Reading:
To be announced
Nonfiction
This workshop explores several modes of creative nonfiction, including essays, cultural criticism, humor, and memoir. The boundaries between fiction and nonfiction will be explored as well as the narrative techniques which best convey the truths of a particular moment. Discussion will touch upon the process of structuring life experiences into a book length work.
Faculty:
Les Standiford
Recommended Reading:
Last Train To Paradise, Les Standiford
The Orchid Thief, Susan Orlean
The Perfect Storm, Sebastian Junger
This Boy's Life, Tobias Wolff
Road From Corrain, Jill Ker Conway
Stop-Time, Frank Conroy
Young Adult Writing
This workshop will focus on the art of writing fiction for younger readers, including teens, middle grades, and younger. All genres are welcome, from gritty realism to magical realism to science fiction/fantasy. Attention will be paid to plotting, mapping entire novels, and discussing the fundamentals of fiction: character, plot, setting, mood, theme, and epiphany–with an eye toward language and the development of conflict.
Faculty:
Julianna Baggott
Recommended Reading:
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, JK Rowling
Coraline, Neil Gaiman
My Life with the Lincolns, Gayle Brandeis
Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins
*Ms. Baggott will bring picture books (not necessary to read in advance).
IMPORTANT: Courses are subject to change and to availability. Workshop admission will be based on the quality of the applicant's writing sample. Workshop numbers I, II, or III do not indicate levels of accomplishment. Workshops are numbered alphabetically by instructor's last name.
Workshops meet 1:30 p.m.– 4:30 p.m. daily. (Saturday, January 22, 1011 will be the exception when workshops will meet from 9:00 a.m–12:00 p.m.)
Individual Manuscript Consultations
Individual manuscript consultations with noted author, Laura Lippman, will be available on a first-come, first-served basis to students registered in our workshops. Consultations lasting one half hour to one hour will be scheduled with Ms. Lippman on registration day, will not interfere with morning sessions or afternoon workshops, and will be held on campus. This is an excellent chance to have a second piece of your writing evaluated by an established author and gifted teacher.
Consultations, available only to students accepted into the conference, will cost $200. Availability will be limited. To be considered for this unique opportunity, please check the manuscript consultation box on the application. Manuscripts for individual consultation will be due no later than December 15, 2010 (25 pages maximum, plus a two-page synopsis).
Events
Once accepted into the Eckerd College Writers' Conference, you will receive an updated schedule of events and a listing of event locations. Participants are welcome to bring guests to the book sales, wine and cheese receptions, readings, author signings and evening receptions. All other events are for participants only.
Some times and locations are subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please consult the events schedule in your registration packet for any last minute changes. Daily updates and reminders will be given during morning Q&A sessions.
2011 EVENING READING SERIES
Readings will begin at 8:00 PM and will be followed by author signings. Books will be available for sale. All readings will take place in Miller Auditorium at Eckerd College and include a wine and cheese reception in Miller Auditorium's lobby before each reading, 7:30-8:00 PM. The Eckerd College Writers' Conference Evening Reading Series events are free and open to the public. No tickets or reservations are required. For further information, contact Christine Caya at 727-864-7994 or cayacr@eckerd.edu.
Events are subject to change.
2011 Writers in Paradise Evening Reading Series Presents:
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Richard Russo
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Les Standiford and Sterling Watson
Monday, January 17, 2011
Jane Hamilton and To Be Announced
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Julianna Baggott and Ann Hood
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
No Readings
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Michael Koryta and Nic Pizzolatto
Friday, January 21, 2011
Laura Lippman and Tom Perrotta
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Dennis Lehane
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