Writers @ Work

2013 Writers @ Work Conference

admin — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 19:40:54 +0000

Photo Credit: http://altalodge.com/

The 2013 Writers@Work Conference will be held June 5-9, 2013, at Alta Lodge in Alta, UT. Be a part of it by registering today!

Join workshops led by the following award-winning authors:

Poetry: Katharine Coles
Fiction: John Dufresne–ONE SEAT LEFT IN THIS WORKSHOP
Nonfiction: Christopher Merrill–THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL
Multi-Genre: Michael Martone

Register for private consultations with the following professionals:

Nancy Stauffer-Cahoon: Nancy Stauffer Associates
Nicole Walker: Visiting Writer
Steve Woodward: Graywolf Press

Want to learn more about the 2013 Writers at Work Conference?

All the conference details can be found on our 2013 Conference page.
Learn everything you need to know about the 2013 Faculty on the Faculty and Workshops page, including workshop descriptions, what to expect if you attend, and brief faculty biographies.
Learn how to choose the right consultant on the Choosing a Consultant page.

If you’re ready to register, you can register online or download an application.

Register Now for the 2013 Writers@Work Conference

admin — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 19:53:16 +0000

Online registration is now available for the 2013 Writers@Work Conference to be held June 5-9, 2013, at Alta Lodge.

All the conference details can be found on our 2013 Conference page.
Learn everything you need to know about the 2013 Faculty on the Faculty and Workshops page, including workshop descriptions, what to expect if you attend, and brief faculty biographies.
If you’re ready to register, you can register online or download an application.

Choosing a Consultation

admin — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 04:36:42 +0000

If you are taking advantage of having a consultation during the 2013 Writers @ Work Conference, you can download the application here, then please attach this application to your manuscript and submit your consultation manuscript to our online Submissions Manager.

Ways to think about what kind of consultation you need at this juncture:

1. Editor at a publishing house: You are fairly confident that you are getting close to being ready to publish and need confirmation of that; and specific guidance about your professional writing prospects; and information about the literary environment and publishing industry.

Questions you might ask:

Is my work ready or nearly ready to submit for consideration?
If yes, where should I submit it?
If no, why not? What should I do to bring it closer to being ready?
What expectations should I have when I submit my work? When or if it is accepted?
What are the strengths and weaknesses you see in my writing?

2. Agent: You believe you are getting close to being ready to publish and need confirmation of that and specific guidance as to your professional writing prospects and advice as to how to proceed.

Questions you might ask:

Is my work ready for agency representation?
If yes, in what ways should my work be marketed to editors?
What expectations should I have?
If my work is not ready, what do I need to do and why?
Do I even need an agent? What are my options?

3. Independent Editor: You are still developing as a writer or at work on a project that is still in a developing stage and need guidance concerning approaches to revision of your fiction or nonfiction.

Questions you might ask:

What does my sample writing demonstrate in terms of my relative development
as a writer?
What narrative skills should I be focusing on pertinent to my chosen genre?
How do I continue to develop my writing and my writing life?
What is the work of substantive revision about? What are some strategies for revision I might consider?
What might this writing be wanting to “say” to me about, for example, latent themes or other narrative forms or structures?

4. Visiting Writer: You are still developing as a writer or are at work on a project and need some mentoring advice and specific critique from a working writer.

Questions you might ask:

I have all these ideas but I can’t seem to get them organized.
What are the strongest aspects to my writing?
How can I strengthen some of the weaker aspects?
How do I make my characters more life-like or my narrator more real?
What images are the most immediate and present in my work?
What should I cut? Where do I need to expand?
How do I make the writing seem more immediate and more relevant?
How do I create more vivid scenes?
What should I read as a model?
After I revise this again and again, then what do I do?
I’m stuck. How do I get started again?

If you are ready to register for your consultation, please download the application here, then please attach this application to your manuscript and use our online Submissions Manager to submit your manuscript for consultation.

Writers @ Work 2013 Conference Faculty Announced!

admin — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 22:42:33 +0000

Poetry: Katharine Coles

Fiction: John Dufresne

Nonfiction: Christopher Merrill

Multi-Genre: Michael Martone

Learn more about 2013 conference and faculty

Link to pictures from 2012 conference

Writers @ Work Annual Fellowship Competition

admin — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 18:25:55 +0000

Poetry ∞ Fiction ∞ Nonfiction

First place in each genre receives:
$1000,
publication in Quarterly West,
a featured reading,
tuition for 2013 conference*

Two honorable mentions in each category awarded $250
Judges
Poetry: Katharine Coles
Fiction: John Dufresne
Nonfiction: Christopher Merrill

Fee: $20/submission ∞ Deadline: March 1, 2013
Online submissions only. Contest opens January 1, 2013.

More Fellowship information

What To Expect When You Are Attending!

admin — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 04:25:23 +0000

Welcome!

Is this your first writers’ conference? Or your first time attending Writers at Work? You may have some questions, some of which may not even occur until you are at the conference. So here is some information that may give you answers in advance.

What will happen at the conference?

When you first arrive, you will register and check in, receive your materials, and relax until the conference begins. Feel free to come early, chat with other early registrants, read your materials, check into your room, ask questions, and get settled. The Alta Lodge has a warm, community feel to it, and we want all of our writers to feel part of that community from the start.

You will receive an agenda which will tell you what, where, and when events will occur. If workshops, meetings with agents/editors, and consultations are not fully scheduled yet, you will have an opportunity to sign up. In addition, a sign-up sheet for the open readings will be available – sign up, and let us hear you read your work!

What is a Writers at Work “Workshop”?

Depending on the faculty member’s approach, a workshop can be one of several things.

The time may be spent, in part, reading and critiquing other attendee’s work, often submitted and shared in advance, sometimes 5-10 pages each. Sometimes a manuscript-critiquing workshop demands time in the evenings to read and critique.

Or the workshop may be a lecture format. In-class exercises, readings, handout materials, individual work, and/or group discussions may accompany it. Sometimes a leader may give a homework assignment that you complete in the evening.

What should I bring?

Alta Lodge is in the Utah mountains. In June, the weather will be mild during the day, but cold at night. So bring clothes for sunshine and rain and warm wraps for the evening. Don’t forget your hiking shoes – there are several wonderful hikes nearby, and early-risers often organize them among themselves. Don’t forget your swimsuit – there are two hot tubs, and registrants have been known to enjoy them well into the night!

Bring your computer or IPAD. We try to make a printer available, but, to be safe, print before you come. Work written at the conference can be read off of the computer to the workshop participants or to the full conference in the scheduled readings.

One of our Board members always takes an extension cord, and a 100 watt light bulb, we’re in Utah, so it isn’t as easy to get alcohol. There is a small store in the Lodge, where you can purchase wine and alcohol, but the supply is limited. You may want to stop in Salt Lake City for these purchases. Bring other amenities to make yourself comfortable, including snacks, your can’t-sleep-without-it pillow, and that rag-eared book of poems you love. And don’t forget to remember the lyrics to your favorite hot-tub sing-along songs.

What do we eat and drink?

The food at Alta Lodge is terrific. You will have a vegetarian choice at every meal. The Sunday buffet is out-of-this-world, and you may invite family or friends to join you.

Coffee, hot chocolate and tea are available most of the day.

Alcohol may be requested meals.

Is there a store nearby?

There is a small shop at the Lodge where you can get necessities (including a limited beer, wine, and alcohol selection.) Better still, shop in Salt Lake City on your way up to the Lodge.

Can I leave the Lodge and go into the big city?

Not conveniently. Salt Lake City is a forty-minute drive away, and the canyon road is curvy.

But not to worry! The place to be is at the Lodge! In the evenings, readings by the faculty, special guest appearances, and friendly gatherings are planned. One of the big advantages of this conference is that we are all there all the time! Conference participants get to know one another early on and have formed fast friendships, reading to each other into the night, critiquing, sharing stories, and going on evening walks.

If I think of a question, can I call you?

If you have any further questions (and there’s no such thing as a silly one!), please feel free to call Jennifer Atwood at 801-996-3313 or email Jennifer@writersatwork.org. We are there to answer your questions and let you know how welcome you are.

Looking forward to meeting you!

Writers@Work

Board of Directors

Writers @ Work Newsletter

admin — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 20:21:01 +0000

Dear Friend of Writers at Work, With this modest e-newsletter we hope to keep you in touch with the doings of W@W. While Writers at Work is already firming up plans for the Fellowship Competition and Conference in 2013, we can also look back at the accomplishments of the past year. Below you will find news of events the past year, and plans for the year to come. Continue reading →

Writers @ Work Conference 2012

admin — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:32:14 +0000

June 6 – 10, 2012 at Alta, Utah

W@W presents its 27^th annual conference, to be held at the intimate and historic Alta Lodge in Alta’s picturesque mountain setting. This will be an intensive writing experience, open to all writers, including beginners, in a secluded setting perfect for writers, writer/teachers, editors, and agents to share ideas and practice their craft with personal feedback.

Workshop Faculty

Multi-Genre: Pete Fromm: Beginning with the Beginning

Storytelling & Song Writing: Bill Harley: Talking Your Story Through

Poetry: Heather McHugh, with Timothy O’Keefe—Shapes in Wordscapes: Patterns beyond Prosody

Non-Fiction: Steve Almond: I Am Writing to Break Your Heart Registration for this session is FULL, please choose another workshop.

Fiction and Memoir: Debra Monroe: How Details Build the Story-Shape Registration for this session is FULL, please choose another workshop.

Opening Event

A Special Evening With Bill Harley, well-known storyteller, will be presented Tuesday, June 5, at 7:00 PM at the Masonic Temple, 650 East South Temple Salt Lake City, included in tuition. Tickets are $20 for those not registered for the conference.

Workshops, Panel, and Readings

After orientation at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, small, intensive workshops with 16 participants each will meet from 9 a.m. to noon and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. There will be an editors and agents panel on Thursday, formal readings by the distinguished faculty each evening, and student readings each remaining afternoon.

The evening readings start at 7:30 and are free and open to the public!

Click here to download a .pdf of the current conference schedule. Small changes may be made as we draw nearer to the conference!

Consultations

You’ll be able to spend a half-hour discussing your pre-submitted manuscript and getting feedback from professionals looking for new talent, included for early bird registrants.
**If you are not registered for the conference, you may register for a consultation with the agent or editor of your choice for $50. Please contact Jennifer@writersatwork.org to schedule.

Agents:
Kathryn Beaumont, The Kneerim & Williams Agency Boston, MA
Kit Ward, The Ward & Balkin Agency, Lowell, MA.

Editors:
Margaret Dalrymple, Univ. of Nevada Press, Reno
Kate Gale, Red Hen Press, Los Angeles

Cuisine

Alta Lodge is known for fine food and elegant presentation. You’ll enjoy three great meals each day, including Alta’s famous Sunday buffet. Vegetarian meals will be available.

Cost

Conference tuition with on-site lodging: $725 (shared room, includes all meals from Wednesday lunch through Sunday.)
Conference tuition without on-site lodging: $575 (includes all meals from Wednesday lunch through Sunday.)
For early bird registration, private room and other options, see the next page and the registration form.

More information on the Alta Lodge

Conference Details and Registration

Writers@Work Fellowship Competition 2012

admin — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:38:14 +0000

Deadline Extended to March 15! Winners to be announced early May 2012

W@W announces the return of its full Fellowship Competition for emerging writers in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.

Prizes
Awarded in each category:
First Prize: $1,000, publication in Quarterly West, tuition for the 2012 conference and a manuscript consultation during the conference with one of the visiting editors or agents.
Two Honorable Mentions: $250.

Eligibility
• Any writer who has not yet published a book-length volume of original work in the genre in which they submit a manuscript.
• Unpublished work only. Work appearing in online journals is considered published. Work on personal websites or blogs is considered unpublished.
• Previous winners are not eligible in the genre in which they have won.
• Board members are prohibited from submitting manuscripts during their tenure on the board.
• Current and former students of the judges are ineligible to submit in those categories.*
• You may enter multiple submissions per category and/or submissions in multiple categories. A reading fee is required for each entry.

Reading Fee
$20 per entry.

Deadlines
Submissions open January 2 and close March 15.

Submissions Guidelines
• Submission must have all identifying information removed. If your name appears on the submission, your entry will be disqualified.
• Please submit your work through our online submission manager. First, pay the $20 reading fee via paypal here:

You will then be redirected to our submission manager to submit your manuscript.

• W@W Fellowship Competition no longer accepts paper submissions.
• Submissions must be in PDF, DOC, or RTF format.

Fiction judged by Debra Monroe
Submit a double-spaced, unpublished short story or novel excerpt (must read as a complete story) up to 5,000 words (20-page maximum). Please submit only one work per entry.

Literary Nonfiction judged by Steve Almond
Submit a double-spaced, unpublished essay up to 5,000 words (20-page maximum). Please submit only one work per entry.

Poetry judged by Heather McHugh
Submit up to six unpublished poems (10-page maximum).

Submission
First, pay the $20 reading fee here:

You will then be redirected to our submission manager.

*Contest Code of Ethics
CLMP’s community of independent literary publishers believe that ethical contests serve our shared goal: to connect writers and readers by publishing exceptional writing. Intent to act ethically, clarity of guidelines, and transparency of process form the foundation of an ethical contest. To that end, we agree (1) to conduct our contests as ethically as possible and to address any unethical behavior on the part of our readers, judges, or editors; (2) to provide clear and specific contest guidelines—defining conflict of interest for all parties involved; and (3) to make the mechanics of our selection process available to the public. This Code recognizes that different contest models produce different results, but that each model can be run ethically. We have adopted this Code to reinforce our integrity and dedication as a publishing community and to ensure that our contests contribute to a vibrant literary heritage.

Re-Boot Camp for Fiction and Nonfiction

admin — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 18:15:19 +0000

W@W re-Boot Camp for fiction and nonfiction: how do they mesh?
with Judith Freeman

The re-Boot Camp offers a full day of discussion and writing for up to 16 people, ably lead by Judith Freeman, author of The Chinchilla Farm, A Desert of Pure Feeling, Red Water (fiction), and The Long Embrace: Raymond Chandler and The Woman He Loved (nonfiction).

Click here for more details.