The summertime event is a free creative writing program for area high schoolers.
Texas Tech University's Department of English is seeking applications for the inaugural Young Writers Workshop, which will take place July 25-31. The Young Writers Workshop is a free creative writing program for high school students in Lubbock and the surrounding area.
Applications for admission are due by May 22. Beginning in June, accepted students will work virtually on their writing with widely published mentors De'Shawn Charles Winslow, Jason England, Christa Fraser and Alexia Arthurs. The students will come to the Texas Tech campus for one week of residency, writing workshops with mentors and craft talks from Texas Tech's award-winning creative writing faculty.
“The Young Writers Workshop is a great opportunity for rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors who are passionate about creative writing,” said Brian Still, chair of the Department of English. “Through the mentorship process and the week of residency this summer, students will have the chance to develop their craft alongside mentors and peers. Young writers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Our only requirement is excellence in writing and storytelling.”
Marcus Burke will serve as director of the Young Writers Workshop. Burke is a Texas Tech assistant professor of English, author of the critically acclaimed novel “Team Seven” and one of the New York Times' “Black Male Authors of Our Time.”
“Growing up, I didn't always see myself represented in the classroom, and I didn't see myself represented in the stories that we read,” Burke said. “However, once I was exposed to the power stories and literature have to connect us, I was able to see myself as a writer.
“We hope we can give local high school students a similar opportunity through the Young Writers Workshop, and we look forward to connecting with the young writers of Lubbock on campus this summer.”
Interested young writers should submit an application, an informal 1- to 3-minute video about themselves, and a 7- to 10-page writing sample with the application form on the Young Writers Workshop webpage by May 22.
