MSU Young Authors' Conference

Dear teachers, parents, and supporters of the arts in Michigan,

Michigan State's writing department - the Department of Writing, Rhetoric, & American Cultures - wants to work with you to nourish the writing skills of each Michigan student. We've organized two summer writing conferences (http://youngauthor.wide.msu.edu), led by established authors and MSU faculty, for middle school and high school students. These conferences are academic enrichment activities designed to help students achieve the learning objectives established by the Common Core State Standards Initiative (http://www.corestandards.org/). These conferences are also fun opportunities for students to participate in Michigan's artistic community while meeting peers that share their interest in writing.

Writers, grades 5-8, can join author Merrie Haskell on June 29. This conference will include:
A reading and book signing by Merrie Haskell
Classes taught by Merrie Haskell
Short MSU faculty-led sessions about plot, style, revision, and publishing
Workshops where participants will get feedback on their own short stories

Writers, grades 8-12, can join authors Jim Hines and Mary Robinette Kowal on July 27. This conference will include:
Reading and book signing by Jim Hines and Mary Robinette Kowal
Classes taught by Jim Hines and Mary Robinette Kowal
Short MSU faculty-led sessions about plot, style, revision, and publishing
Workshops where participants will get feedback on their own short stories

The Young Authors' Conference staff requests your help in encouraging students to participate. If you know students who may be interested in attending either conference, please share this information - and the attached flyer - with them. If you are a Michigan educator, please encourage your students to attend. Applications are due by June 1 for the June 29 conference, and by July 1 for the July 27 conference.

If you or your school would like additional information regarding these conferences, please contact Kate Fedewa, the conference director, at fedewak3@msu.edu. Our conference staff would be happy to provide flyers for interested groups or to speak personally with parents, teachers, or schools about the conferences.

We're looking forward to working with you!