a primer to writing opportunities
As an emerging writer, I entered the world a bit naive to the abundance of opportunities that await. Sure, I could take writing classes, but there were also writing retreats, residencies and conferences. What was the difference between these options?
This is by no means an exhausting list, but here is what I believe to be the difference between these options.
Non-Juried Opportunities
In many of these instances (especially through an institution,) the majority of these classes are open enrollment. As long as you can afford to pay the work and there's space: You can attend. They are unlike what I'll refer to in the next section as a writing workshop, which is often juried and selective.
Writing Classes
So there are basic writing classes offered by places like The Writer's Center, Grub Street, Hugo House, etc. Many of these writing classes are usually good for writers of all levels, but a lot of beginners too since this will be your first foray into the workshop model of writing class.
- Generative: A generative class focuses less on critique and aims to provide prompts and craft lessons so that writers in the class are able to produce (generate) new work. There are sometimes opportunities to share, but generally this is meant for writers to produce new work
- Workshop: There are different ways to go about the "workshop" model. Made infamous by the Iowa Writers' Workshop and their cone of silence--workshop style classes focus on turning in a packet of one's work and getting critiqued or questioned by your cohort. You will read others work carefully and give them critique too. This is focused on learning what your "reader" would be like.
Writing Conferences
The motherlode of writing conferences is AWP--where writers go to hook up, party and network (I wish I was lying about the first one. Writers be horny, what can I say?)--but there are other conferences that exist that generally involve panels, lectures and networking. Some can involve a workshop (see below) component that would be competitive and juried, but in general, these are much larger. You can also meet agents and editors at writing conferences--even pay to get your query and manuscript pages critiqued.
- Examples of writing conferences are AWP, the Tennessee Williams Festival in New Orleans
- Book festivals could count too, check them out
Writing Retreats
Generally, this is a place that provides room (and/or board, depending on the place) for writers to work at a more affordable rate. Sometimes these retreats can be more organized and involve feedback or craft lectures, or often (especially internationally) can be more affordable housing in a beautiful locale. There are some cool writing retreats like Porches Writers Retreat, Wildacres, and more. Some writing retreats are marketed as writer's residencies, but often if you have the money for retreats, and you can prove you are dedicated to your work (by sending a sample), you can attend a writing retreat.
Juried Opportunities
What I mean by 'juried', is that these opportunities involve submitting a sample of your work to a jury or committee, which will then rank your application and decide whether or not you are accepted, waitlisted or rejected. Because some of these are extremely competitive, it makes sense that these are what most people are aspiring towards.
Writing Workshops
As I stated in my last post, the summer season is what I like to call "workshop season,"because the competitive summer residential workshops take place during this time. This is sort of what I'll refer to as writing summer camp, because most attendees (after being selected) live on campus while attending workshops. Sometimes these are referred to as conferences, but I generally think of them as writing workshops.
- These opportunities can be selective. The most famous of the summer workshops (the brand name recognition): Bread Loaf, Sewanee, McCormack Writing Center (fka Tin House), Kenyon Review Workshops, VONA, Lambda Literary.
- You will apply for a genre and submit a sample in your genre. Most workshops allow you to rank your instructor preference, so if a writer you want to work with is working and teaching in your genre, you should apply.
- Most of your days will be spent listening to craft lectures, spending a few hours workshopping your cohort's work and your own, along with social events and open mics. Some conferences even offer professional networking with agents and editors.
Writing Residencies
Writing residencies are places that writers have time to produce, revise and generate work without the worries of capitalism (for the most part.) The most competitive residencies include a stipend, meals and housing--but generally, these places give you time to dedicate to your art without worrying about other things.
- Some of the more famous and competitive are MacDowell, Yaddo, Art Omi, Millay Arts, Vermont Studio Center, VCCA, etc.
- Some of these are international!
- While some places refer to their programs or retreats as 'residencies,' if you have to pay for it: I'd consider it something else. If it's a residency, the place should at least provide some stipend or support through free housing or meals, etc. However, you can also consider yourself an artist residency if you are part of places like ResArtis, TransArtists, ACA, etc.
Do you have any questions? Have you been to any before? I'll explain and continue part two of my summer recap later. Seeeee ya x
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