The 9th Annual Young Creative Writer’s Workshop
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Strawberry Plains Campus
7201 Strawberry Plains Pike
Knoxville, TN 37914
If you have questions, please contact Professor Patty Ireland at paireland@pstcc.edu or call 865.225.2340
Sponsored by: Pellissippi State Community College; Library Services; Appalachian Heritage Project
About the Workshop
The YCWW is a free, day-long event open to the community, but specifically geared toward local high school, middle school and PSCC students who have an interest in creative writing. While we include the word “young,” note that ALL persons interested in creative writing are invited to the event! Individual sessions will include poetry writing, fiction writing, publication, genre-specific/craft focused writing, and songwriting. Workshops are taught by professional writers and Pellissippi State Community College faculty, assisted by student members of the Strawberry Plains Creative Writing Club. Lunch will be provided. The schedule of activities is below.
Students will have the opportunity not only to learn writing skills, but be able to tour the Strawberry Plains Campus and interact with professors, administrators and other students. At the end of the workshop, students will be able to perform or recite their original works; family members and teachers are invited to attend the showcase.
What to Bring
Fiction and poetry writers should bring an original short story or poem. Songwriters may bring an original song lyric sheet, sheet-music or chart, and a guitar (if you play). A piano will be provided. Workshop attendees should bring a pen/pencil and notebook paper. Students who do not yet have original work to share are still welcome.
Registration
Registration is now closed until our 2024 Workshop.
SCHEDULE
9 – 9:30 a.m. Check in/welcome (Lobby). Join us for coffee, pastries and fruit! Sign up for door prizes!
9:30 – 10:15 a.m. Featured workshop with Neema Avashia.
10:15 – 11 a.m.: First series of workshops – Attendees will choose one workshop from the following:
- Songwriting and Performance Poetry with Knoxville’s Poet Laureate, Joseph Woods, aka “Black Atticus.”
- Poetry with Kierstyn Lamour
- Fiction with Charles Dodd White
- Publication with Terry Shaw and Brad Lifford, Howling Hills Publishing
- “Haints, Haunts, and Horrors in the Holler: Craft Your Own Ghastly Appalachian Tale.” with Professor Grant Mincy
11 – 11:15 a.m. Break
11:15 a.m. – Noon Second series of workshops – Attendees will choose one workshop from the following:
- Songwriting and Performance Poetry with Knoxville’s Poet Laureate, Joseph Woods, aka “Black Atticus.”
- Poetry with Kierstyn Lamour
- Fiction with Charles Dodd White
- Craft focused workshop with writers/editors Terry Shaw and Brad Lifford, Howling Hills Publishing
Noon – 12:15 a.m. Break
12:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch in the CMA cafeteria featuring door prizes, live musical entertainment provided by WestWend, and a keynote address from best-selling author Neema Avashia.
1:30 – 2:30 p.m. “Writer’s Room” and “Appalachian Arts Space” (held in the new PSCC Library/Appalachian Heritage Project space). Join our professional writers as they answer your questions one-on-one in the “Writer’s Room.” Interact with craftspeople and artisans in the various stations of our Appalachian Arts Space as they allow you to experience Appalachian heritage-related activities first-hand.
New this year in the Appalachian Arts Space
- “Appalachian Monster Costume Contest!” Come dressed as your favorite Appalachian monster or invent your own monster! Prizes awarded for the top three best costumes! Learn More About Appalachian Monsters as you plan your costume.
- “Granny Witch”/folk medicine station. Come learn about the legends of “granny witches.” Make your own salves and tinctures!
- “Invent Your Own Tale” station.
- “Why I’m Proud to be Appalachian” station
2:30 – 3:15 p.m. Third series of workshops – Attendees will choose one workshop from the following:
- Songwriting and Performance Poetry with Knoxville’s Poet Laureate, Joseph Woods, aka “Black Atticus.”
- Poetry with Kierstyn Lamour
- Fiction with Charles Dodd White
- Appalachian Myths and Monsters workshop with Professor Jody Bryant, ETSU
- Publication/craft focused workshop with writers/editors Terry Shaw and Brad Lifford, Howling Hills Publishing
3:15 p.m. Showcase (CMA Cafeteria). Come share YOUR work before an audience of peers, workshop leaders, parents and instructors as we close out the day!
Workshop Facilitators:
Director: Patty Ireland
Campus Dean: Mike North
Campus Librarian: Allison McKittrick
Student Assistant to the Director: Hunter Young