Brown Writers' Symposium 2009

July 19-25, 2009

Completed applications are due by July 10, 2009.

Brown Writers' Symposium offers an intensive, retreat-style environment designed for serious novice and experienced writers interested in the exploration of the craft and art of creative nonfiction. Small, interactive workshops led primarily by Nonfiction Writing Program faculty from Brown's English Department give participants supportive and collegial venues to focus on their writing and to familiarize them with the range of possibilities within creative nonfiction. Participants write and collaboratively discuss their work; experienced faculty critique individual writers and guide peer reviews. Brown has a rich tradition of rigorous writing instruction; in that context, the Symposium encourages participants to achieve a publishable standard of writing.

Through the intimate atmosphere of writers living and working together for a week, participants continue their dialogues begun in workshops to understand how different forms of creative nonfiction intersect and to inspire each other.

Brown Writers' Symposium Speakers Series July 19-21

Featuring Guest Authors:

Beth Taylor

David Shields

Wayne Koestenbaum

Since out-of-classroom experience can be as important to learning as the workshops themselves, the Symposium has been designed to encourage conversational discussions about writing creative nonfiction throughout the week. The program insures that participants learn throughout their stay on campus.

• Space in the workshops is limited to offer full access to faculty.
• Admission to the program is selective and participants are matched with other participants in precisely focused workshops.
• Guests have been invited to present on panels and roundtables so that participants can ask questions of a variety of professionals.

Readings will be a regular event. Time has been set aside for student as well as faculty readings to familiarize participants with a wide spectrum of writing styles and contemporary work.