Antioch Writers' Workshop Merchandise Now Available

Antioch Writers' Workshop merchandise is now available at http://www.cafepress.com/antiochwriters.

The available items can all be useful for the workshop, or just to memorialize your AWW experience. The AWW water bottle helps writers stay hydrated on the hot July workshop days or during public readings. The AWW journal is ideal for taking notes in classes. The AWW tote bag makes carrying a laptop or books easier, and the AWW t-shirt fits nicely in a suitcase and adds dazzling style to your wardrobe.

All of the proceeds from AWW merchandise go toward supporting our scholarship programs.

Less Than One Week to Register for the A La Carte Experience

There is less than one week left to register for the 2011 Antioch Writers' Workshop A La Carte Experience. The deadline to register is July 2, 2011.

Writing Tips from 2011 AWW Faculty -- Kevin Morgan Watson

As part of our blog series, Antioch Writers' Workshop 2011 Faculty share their tips for writing. You can read complete bios of AWW 2011 Faculty at antiochwritersworkshop.com. Check back regularly for more helpful writing tips.

The literary agents will be joined by visiting editor Kevin Morgan Watson. Kevin is the founder of Press 53 and serves as the Short Fiction Editor. As a publisher, he has worked with writers ranging from first-time published authors to winners of the National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize.  Writing Tips:  1. Pay attention to the details: Sloppy editing will kill a great story. Before you send your work out, make sure it looks nice. 2. Relax and tell your story: Pay attention to dialogue; make it natural. Engage the reader's senses. Rather than telling your story, allow the reader to walk alongside your characters and experienced the story.    3. Don't be in a big rush to publish: Once your work is out there, you can't take it back. Make sure you are happy with your story or poem, and then take the time to find the right home for it. Today, there are more places to publish than ever before. But having your story or poetry in a journal alongside average writing or sloppy editing will make you look just as average and sloppy. Take care and take time.  For more detailed information on the visiting agents and editor as well as other 2011 AWW faculty, visit our faculty page.

Only Two Weeks Left to Register for the A La Carte Experience

This is a friendly reminder that there are only two weeks left to register for the 2011 Antioch Writers' Workshop A La Carte Experience. The deadline to register is July 2, 2011.

A La Carte Registration Deadline Extended!

The deadline to register for A La Carte options for the 2011 Antioch Writers' Workshop has been extended to July 2.

Participants can choose from Morning Only Classes, the Afternoon Only Focus on Form seminar, or the Saturday Seminar. You can attend the Saturday Seminar as a stand-alone experience or in combination with EITHER Morning Only Classes OR Afternoon Only Focus on Form.

Morning Only

Morning Only classes give writers the inspiration they need to go home and write in the afternoon. The Morning Only option begins with a continental breakfast followed by a fiction seminar led by New York Times bestselling author Nancy Pickard. Next is the Professional Connections Series with talks by editor Kevin Morgan Watson and visiting agents Roseanne Wells and Rachel Coyne who will address the ins and outs of publishing. Agatha-nominated author Heather Webber will also discuss "How to query" and the pros and cons of self-publishing. Finally, Morning Only participants will attend a poetry seminar with Jim Daniels, author of thirteen collections of poetry, followed by a creative nonfiction seminar led by acclaimed authorMatthew Goodman.

Afternoon Only: Focus on Form

Not a morning person? Try the Afternoon Only option. This option is also great for those considering exploring other genres. The Afternoon Only Focus on Form seminar led by novelist, short story writer, essayist and grant writer Rebecca Morean is designed to help participants start new pieces in three genres. Guest lecturers in poetry, fiction and nonfiction will supplement the guidance and mentoring provided by Morean. 

Rebecca Morean is an assistant professor of English at Sinclair Community College and the director for the college's annual creative writing contest. She is the author of In the Dead of Winter (St. Martin's Press) along with numerous stories and articles. Morean also serves as a board member for the Antioch Writers' Workshop. Most recently, Morean's personal essay, "The wedding bouquet I can't throw away," which she originally submitted through "Open Salon" at Salon.com was an editor's pick and cross-posted in the Life section of Salon.com. 

Saturday Seminar

The Saturday Seminar is a loaded one day event, perfect for those with busy summer schedules and a great way to meet other writers, jump-start new projects, or explore techniques to help complete a project already underway. 

After check-in and a continental breakfast, participants are greeted by a Saturday Morning Keynote with Tim Waggoner, the author of over 20 novels and two short story collections. Next, participants choose three of four Break-Out Sessions: 

• "To Plot or Not To Plot," led by Tim Waggoner, explores the techniques of developing plot.  
• "Creating Great Characters," led by AWW Alumna and First Book Speaker Kristina Purnhagen McBride, examines how authors can develop characters that ensure your story is compelling.
• "Voice for Fiction Writers and Poets" will help writers of all genres find their unique voice to reach readers' hearts with the guidance of two-time Individual Excellence Award winner Chuck Freeland. 
• "Getting Unstuck and Undone!" led by Rebecca Morean, is a motivational, inspirational session designed to help writers awaken creativity and "break free on the page."

After three of the four Break-Out Sessions, participants attend a question and answer session with the Saturday Seminar Faculty followed by a book signing by Saturday Seminar Faculty. Finally, participants are welcomed to a dessert and wine reception followed by the Antioch Writers' Workshop 26th Annual Event Keynote and book-signing with Nancy Pickard. 

For details on A La Carte options, schedules, and faculty bios, visit our website. You can also see a complete listing of tuition and deposit rates on our registration page.

Second Sunday Free Writers' Workshop on June 12

Antioch Writers' Workshop and Books & Co are offering the next free Second Sunday Free Writers' Workshop on June 12, 2:00-3:30 p.m. at Books & Co at The Greene. The topic will be "How to Find Facts, Background, and Information for Making Your Writing Come Alive... Believably," presented by award-winning author Carrie Bebris. 

Carrie Bebris is best known for her Mr. & Mrs. Darcy Mystery series. Bebris has written several novels. Her mystery novel debut in 2004, Pride and Prescience, appeared on the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association bestseller list and was named one of the five best mysteries of 2004 byLibrary Journal. Bebris holds a master's degree in English literature with an emphasis on 19th- century authors. 

For more insight on research and writing, join Carrie Bebris at Books & Co at The Green on June 12 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.. No reservations are required for the Second Sunday Free Writers' Workshop, but expressed intention to attend is appreciated. Call Books & Co at The Greene at 937- 429-6302. 

For more information about Antioch Writers' Workshop or the Second Sunday Free Writers' Workshop, visit http://www.antiochwritersworkshop.com or email info@antiochwritersworkshop.com. 

Full-week registration for the Antioch Writers' Workshop ends June 9. 

The Antioch Writers' Workshop will be held July 9-15, 2011 in partnership with Antioch University Midwest and with support from the Yellow Springs Community Foundation; Ohio Arts Council; The Frank Pace, Jr. Foundation; and WYSO (media sponsor).

Tomorrow is the Last Day to Register for the Full-Week Experience

Tomorrow, June 9,  is the last day to register for the 2011 Antioch Writers' Workshop Full-Week Experience. For a complete listing of registration fees, schedules, and faculty bios, visit our website.

Full-Week Experience Registration Closes in 5 Days!

Registration for the 2011 Antioch Writers' Workshop (July 9-15) is coming to a close. The deadline to register for the Full-Week Experience is June 9, and few spots are still available. 

The Full-Week Experience begins on Saturday, July 9 with an evening reception, complimentary dessert, and wine. The keynote address by New York Times bestselling author Nancy Pickard at Antioch University Midwest kicks off a week of seminars, complimentary breakfasts, and  creativity.

Morning classes (Monday through Friday) held at Antioch University Midwest include the opportunity to ask writing questions of the faculty members. The Full-Week Experience also includes an Afternoon Seminar of your choice (Sunday through Friday) held at various locations in the charming village of Yellow Springs. Afternoon Seminars that are still available include the following:   

► Focus on Form led by Rebecca Morean, and

► Poetry led by Jamey Dunham. 

Because cancellations sometimes do occur, writers interested in the 3 fiction seminars as well as the Memoir and Personal Essay seminar led by Joyce Dyer may join a wait list by expressing interest in an email to info@antiochwritersworkshop.com.

If you still aren't sure about whether or not you want the Full-Week experience, consider these additional perks only available to Full-Week participants:

► The opportunity to sign up for lunches with Faculty at various eateries in Yellow Springs,

► A pitch session with visiting agent(s) (NO additional fee) at Antioch University Midwest,

► A coffee house reading in Yellow Springs on Wednesday evening and a Friday evening reading at Antioch University Midwest (open to FULL WEEK participants selected from afternoon seminar), and

► An opportunity to attend the Saturday Seminar at Antioch University Midwest at the significantly discounted rate of $75.00. 

  

For more details on what to expect from the Full-Week Experience and a detailed schedule of programs and faculty, check out our programs page.

For a complete listing of tuition and deposit rates, visit our registration page. 

Social Networking and the New Author

Social networking is pervasive in today's world. So pervasive, that according to a recent article on The Atlantic, even Flannery O'Connor and Charles Dickens have a Twitter account. Authors are learning to embrace the new media, and it provides new ways for emerging authors to promote themselves.  "I've used Twitter and Facebook to promote my work," said last year's Dayton Daily News / Antioch Writers' Workshop contest winner, Kate Geiselman. "It's not all about self-promotion; it is about the mantra that 'stuff begets stuff.'" Kate has published two essays in The Rumpus, one at Salon.com, and has a forthcoming essay in McSweeney's Internet Tendency. For a complete list of publications and links to her work, visit her website, kategeiselman.com. Kate Geisleman credits her recent successes to social media, and to what she learned at the Antioch Writers' Workshop. "The smallish publications and contacts have consistently led to bigger/better things. Twitter and Facebook can be used to take advantage of that momentum." This year at the Antioch Writers' Workshop, the Professional Connections Series-Talks includes topcis such as How to Pitch/Query, and a session addressing when and why to self-publish.  The Antioch Writers' Workshop is also on Twitter and Facebook. To keep up-to-date with all of the exciting events and information, Like us on Facebook or follow @AntiochWritersW on Twitter.