Workshop Opportunity for Writers: PEN America Emerging Voices Workshop

Ex LibrisWorkshops

 (The information below has been copied from Pen America’s website.)

Deadline: October 5, 2024, 10:59 PM CST

The Emerging Voices Workshop in Los Angeles serves early-career writers from communities underrepresented in the publishing world. An outgrowth of the long-running Emerging Voices Fellowship, this in-person craft intensive shares the goal of demystifying publishing, cultivating literary community, and diversifying the publishing and entertainment industries.

The week-long workshop, offered twice annually, provides 15 writers the opportunity to develop a manuscript-in-progress with peers and expert instructors. Mornings are dedicated to guided poetry, fiction, and nonfiction workshops. Afternoons offer access to visiting authors, editors, publishers, digital marketers, and literary agents through exclusive presentations and Q&As on the business of books. Evenings feature opportunities to connect over meals, literary outings, and open mics, with the final day culminating in celebratory public reading of works-in-progress.

Benefits and Components:

  • Five days of in-depth workshop time with expert creative writing instructors and peers on a current writing project
  • Guided writing exercises and self-investigative activities to generate creative insight and nurture self-awareness
  • Insider knowledge about publishing and entertainment direct from accomplished visiting authors, editors, publishers, and literary agents
  • Opportunities to connect with fellow writers and the larger literary community through events, gatherings, and open mics
  • A final, public reading featuring new work by workshop writers
  • A complimentary one-year membership in PEN America
  • Deals and discounts for classes and programs from partner organizations
  • A submission guide for literary journals, agents, residencies, and workshops

Workshop Timeline:

  • January-February: Emerging Voices Workshop application period
  • Mar-Apr: Emerging Voices Workshop Participants notified
  • June: Emerging Voices Summer Workshop
  • December 2nd-6th, 2024: Winter Workshop

Are You Eligible?:

  • Applicants must be available to participate actively in all dimensions of Workshop programming, including in-person sessions between 10 AM PT and 5 PM PT, as well as the final public reading at 7 PM on Friday evening.
  • Applicants cannot be enrolled in an MFA program or similar creative-writing related degree-granting program at the time of the Workshop’s start date (December 2024). Doctoral candidates who have completed all coursework are considered eligible, if their degree is in a subject other than creative writing. Applicants with advanced degrees in fiction, creative nonfiction, or poetry are not eligible.
  • Applicants with one or more published books or a book under contract to a publisher at the time of application are not eligible. Chapbooks or work published in literary journals are acceptable.
  • Applicants must be 21 years of age or older at time of application.
  • Applicants do not need to be a U.S. permanent resident and/or citizen but must be residing in the United States at the time of applying for, and during the duration of, the Workshop.
  • Former Emerging Voices Fellows or Workshop attendees are not eligible.
  • As we are seeking to form a cohort-based experience that will extend past the one-week workshop, we prioritize applicants from the Los Angeles county metro-region. While we will consider applicants from neighboring counties (Ventura, Riverside, and Orange), we are unable to provide travel and lodging stipends. Reimbursements for local travel to and from the workshop site and onsite daily parking will be provided to participants.

Submission Page: https://pen.submittable.com/submit/301994/dec-2024-emerging-voices-workshop-la-application