Writers in Paradise

Course Offerings

The 2010 Eckerd College Writers' Conference offers workshop classes in Fiction, Narrative, Nonfiction, and Poetry. 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 have "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 to just 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:
Tom Franklin (I)
Recommended Reading:
Music of the Swamp, Lewis Nordan
Go With Me, Castle Freeman, Jr.

Laura Lippman (II)
Recommended Reading:
The Mysterious Secret of the Valuable Treasure, Jack Pendarvis
Blame, Michelle Huvenen
Songs for the Missing, Stewart O'Nan
Arthur and George, Julian Barnes

Stewart O'Nan (III)
Recommended Reading:
The Art of Fiction, John Gardner
So Long, See You Tomorrow, William Maxwell

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:
Dennis Lehane (I)
Recommended Reading:
Like Life, Lorrie Moore
Jesus' Son, Denis Johnson

Sterling Watson (II)
Recommended Reading:
Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft, Janet Burroway (any edition)

Poetry
This workshop focuses on various poetic modes and on crafting and revision; and discussion will touch upon the process of creating a chapbook.

Faculty:
Beth Ann Fennelly (First Half: 1/17, 1/18, 1/19)
Recommended Reading:
Queen for a Day, Denise Duhamel
The Great Fires, Jack Gilbert

Denise Duhamel (Second Half: 1/21, 1/22, 1/23)
Recommended Reading:
Vice, Ai
I Remember, Joe Brainard
Strike Sparks: Selected Poems, 1980-2002, Sharon Olds
The Late Show, David Trinidad

Narrative Writing (Fiction and Nonfiction)
The workshop is open to both fiction and nonfiction writers who are interested in improving their storytelling and broadening their range of techniques. Focus will be on how the handling of core issues such as character, plot, tension, and emotion are imperative regardless of the form, and demonstrating that fiction writers can benefit from seeing how journalistic techniques can add depth and realism to their own work, while nonfiction writers can benefit from learning how to build scenes, create suspense, and use dialogue.

Faculty: Michael Koryta
Recommended Reading:

Nonfiction:
The Worst Hard Time, Timothy Egan
MountainsBeyondMountains, Tracy Kidder
The Forever War, Dexter Filkins
Crime Beat, Michael Connelly
All Over but the Shoutin', Rick Bragg
Playing for Keeps, David Halberstam

Fiction:
A Prayer for the Dying, Stewart O'Nan
Winter's Bone, Daniel Woodrell
Complete Stories, Flannery O'Connor
Serena, Ron Rash
The Wanderers, Richard Price
The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Shining, Stephen King

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: Ann Hood
Recommended Reading:
Lying: A Metaphorical Memoir, Lauren Slater
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, Dave Eggers
Into Thin Air, John Krakauer
Love is a Mix Tape, Rob Sheffield

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.- 4:00 p.m. daily.

Individual Manuscript Consultations
Individual manuscript consultations with noted author, Michael Koryta, 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 Mr. Koryta 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 16, 2009 (25 pages maximum, plus a two-page synopsis).

Events

Once accepted to 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 sale, 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.

2010 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 in St. Petersburg, Florida and include a wine and cheese reception in Miller Auditorium's lobby before each reading from 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.

2010 Writers in Paradise Evening Reading Series Presents:

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Anita Shreve

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Stewart O'Nan and Sterling Watson

Monday, January 18, 2010

Beth Ann Fennelly and Ann Hood

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Tom Franklin and Peter Meinke

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

No Readings

Thursday, January 21, 2010