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2011 Eckerd College Writers' Conference: Writers in Paradise
Admission Requirements
To Download the Application Click Here
The 2011 Eckerd College Writers' Conference is for writers of various styles and approaches. While admission is selective, the admission committee accepts writers with early potential as well as those with strong backgrounds in writing.
Application Materials Required of All Attendees:
Acceptance is based on a writing sample and a letter detailing your writing background addressed to conference co-directors Dennis Lehane and Sterling Watson. Guidelines for the writing sample are as follows:
Short Story Workshop
Submit one short story (25 pages maximum).
Novel Workshop
Submit the opening 25 pages of a novel-in-progress, plus a two-page synopsis of the book.
Writing the Middle (Novel) Workshop
Submit the middle 25 pages of a novel-in-progress, plus a two-page synopsis of the book.
Nonfiction Workshop
Submit the opening 25 pages of a memoir-in-progress or other non-fiction work, plus a two-page synopsis.
Young Adult Writing Workshop
Submit the opening 25 pages of a YA work-in-progress, plus a two-page synopsis of the book.
Required format for writing samples:
(1) Page numbers must be consecutive throughout; (2) font should be 12pt Times New Roman; (3) all prose manuscripts should be double spaced and contain a header or footer with page numbers and author's name; (4) faculty and students will not be obligated to read past the page maximum; (5) do not include title pages or dedications in your page count; and (6) you may, if you wish, substitute for your application writing sample a new piece; if you do this, please fill out the appropriate information on your application regarding the new submission.
Upon your acceptance, send the piece you would like discussed in your workshop as an e-mail attachment in MS Word Format to cayacr@eckerd.edu by December 15, 2010. (Please re-send even if your piece is the same one you sent as your writing sample.)
Only the writing samples discussed in workshops will be eligible for "The Best Of" honors.
Scholarships
To Download the Scholarship Application Click Here
Scholarship funds in $100 increments will be available to 2011 Eckerd College Writers' Conference participants. Awards will be based on merit, as determined by the conference directors, and need.
Larry and Marcia McCartt Scholarship
The Larry and Marcia McCartt Scholarship is given annually to a woman who has overcome personal hardships and shows talent and a strong commitment to the craft of writing and its ability to heal the human spirit. The scholarship covers the entire cost of non-credit workshop tuition ($700). Qualified applicants are encouraged to fill out the scholarship form and check the Larry and Marcia McCartt Scholarship box. All applicants for this scholarship will be considered for general scholarship funds after the recipient is chosen.
James R. Carlson Scholarship
The James R. Carlson Scholarship honors the spirit of creativity and innovation of the founder of the Eckerd College Theatre Department, Professor James R. Carlson. The scholarship, given annually to a participant of the Eckerd College Writers' Conference, will cover the cost of non-credit workshop tuition ($700). All applicants for aid will be considered for the Carlson Scholarship.
Address all application materials to:
Christine Caya, Coordinator
ECWC: Writers in Paradise
Eckerd College - Special Programs
4200 54th Avenue South
St. Petersburg, FL 33711
Undergraduate Course Credit
Eckerd College students do not pay extra fees to participate in the conference.
Students who attend the conference for Eckerd College Winter Term credit or for undergraduate college credit will participate in all scheduled activities January 15-23, 2011, and complete the following pre-conference and post-conference assignments:
1. Residential and PEL students seeking course credit must first contact Sterling Watson for permission to attend the conference for course credit. Once approved, students must meet the deadlines for submission of application and writing samples. Students participating in the novel, short story, nonfiction, or young adult writing workshops should submit a minimum of 20 pages of new material. Students may not submit material that has been previously workshopped.
2. Read four works of your choice by conference faculty from the list below.
Fiction:
The Ever Breath, Julianna Baggott
When Madeline Was Young, Jane Hamilton
The Book of Ruth, Jane Hamilton
A Map of the World, Jane Hamilton
The Red Thread, Ann Hood
Envy the Night, Michael Koryta
So Cold the River, Michael Koryta
Shutter Island, Dennis Lehane
The Given Day, Dennis Lehane
I’d Know You Anywhere, Laura Lippman
What the Dead Know, Laura Lippman
Little Children, Tom Perrotta
The Abstinence Teacher, Tom Perrotta
Between Here and the Yellow Sea, Nic Pizzolatto
Galveston, Nic Pizzolatto
That Old Cape Magic, Richard Russo
Bridge of Sighs, Richard Russo
Empire Falls, Richard Russo
Sweet Dream Baby, Sterling Watson
Nonfiction:
Comfort, Ann Hood
Do Not Go Gentle, Ann Hood
Last Train to Paradise, Les Standiford
Washington Burning, Les Standiford
The Man Who Invented Christmas, Les Standiford
3. Write a brief critical essay on each of the four books you have read. Each essay should be 1,000-1,500 words and touch upon each of the following topics: characterization, themes, and language. If you are writing about poetry, touch upon elements of poetic technique such as metaphor, symbolism, imagery, structure, ersona, etc. These are analytical and explicative essays NOT book summaries. All critical essays are due in Sterling Watson's mail box by Friday, January 14, 2011.
4. Students must attend all panel discussions, roundtables, lectures, and evening readings and, using the suggestions for revision received in the workshops, revise their manuscripts accordingly. In addition, students will write a 1,000 word reflective essay regarding how the conference has influenced their writing, and, what, if any, impact it has had on them as readers and scholars. Copies of the original manuscript discussed in the workshop, the revised version, and the reflective essay will be due on Tuesday, February 1, 2011, via e-mail to Professor Watson (watsons@eckerd.edu). All attachments should be in MS Word format.
Students' grades will be based on the quality of their critical essays, revised manuscript, reflective essays, and the assessment of their work by their workshop leaders in consultation with Professor Sterling Watson.
Please note: The Conference's courses in fiction may not be used to satisfy the Eckerd College creative writing major degree requirements for fiction. Writers' Conference courses in other genres such as nonfiction, screenwriting, and playwriting may be used to satisfy Eckerd College creative writing major degree requirements. Students who have already taken fiction and poetry courses at Eckerd College (not elsewhere) in a standard PEL or residential semester format may count any Writers' Conference course as an elective fourth workshop in the creative writing major.
Fees
PEL/Eckerd College Student: Pay no extra fees. Individuals attending the Eckerd College Writers' Conference for credit should contact the residential or PEL registrar, as appropriate.
Application Fee: $25
The application fee is due with the application, payable by check or money order and made out to Eckerd College. For those accepted, the fee will be included in their non-credit, workshop only fee of $700. For those rejected, or who withdraw from the conference, the application fee is non-refundable.
Non-credit, Workshop Only Fee: $700
Individual Manuscript Consultation (optional, fee is in addition to workshop): $200
Housing and Dining
Housing
Participants book their own lodging. To view a list of accommodations in the area, please visit Where to Stay for special rates, room blocks, etc.
Dining
Participants may purchase lunch or dinner in the Continuing Education Center (CEC) Dining Room, Eckerd College Cafeteria, Eckerd College Pub, or dine off-campus. A comprehensive list of local restaurants is provided at registration.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
In the event that a participant must cancel his or her place at the 2011 Eckerd College Writers' Conference, written notification must be sent via mail, e-mail, or fax. A $150 cancellation fee will be assessed to refund requests posted after acceptance notification. No refunds will be issued after January 7, 2011, or if the participant chooses to leave the conference early. A $50 handling fee will be assessed for returned checks.
Refunds will be processed within six weeks of the request.
All courses, speakers, and faculty are subject to change. Participation in the Eckerd College Writers' Conference is at the sole discretion of the co-directors. Participants who engage in disruptive behavior or interrupt the instruction of fellow students will be asked to leave.
Deadlines
All correspondence regarding receipt of application, notifications, updates, etc., will take place via emails from Conference Coordinator, Christine Caya. Please make sure the email address cayacr@eckerd.edu is in your email address book.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010 (received by date)
Application Due
Application Fee Due
Scholarship Application Due
Letter detailing writing background addressed to Sterling Watson and Dennis Lehane, co-directors, Due
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
All Applicants Notified
Scholarship Awards Announced
Workshops Announced
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Manuscripts to be discussed in Workshop Due
Must be emailed to Christine Caya (MS Word format only) cayacr@eckerd.edu
Friday, December 17, 2010
Manuscripts for workshop emailed to participants. Participants should print out the manuscripts and bring them to the conference.
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