This Year's Tennessee Young Writers' Workshop

The 2008 Tennessee Young Writers' Workshop, presented by Humanities Tennessee at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee, July 13–19, gives students with an interest in writing the opportunity to explore that interest and to devote time to their work in a unique environment with an outstanding faculty and supportive peers.

Students who attend the workshop do not have to be experienced writers; they must only have an interest in writing and a desire to develop that interest. The development of writing skills has a positive impact on all areas of a student's academic life, from writing papers and reviews to preparing college essays. The opportunity to work in small groups and in one-on-one sessions with faculty that are gifted writers themselves is tremendously beneficial to student writers. Students who have just completed grades 7–12 are eligible to attend the Tennessee Young Writers' Workshop.

The maximum student:teacher ratio at the Tennessee Young Writers' Workshop is 12:1. Students attend writing classes during the day and spend their afternoons and evenings in individual writing time, recreational activities, and presentations by visiting authors, songwriters, and performers. Class sessions are geared toward both general writing assignments and students' specific interests, including poetry, short stories, playwriting, and essays.

The Tennessee Young Writers' Workshop brings students together for one week, but the impact of the experience is lifelong. Participants have the opportunity to join the Young Writers' discussion list, a forum for students to post their work and receive feedback from their peers. When they return to their hometowns and classrooms, they remain connected to their new friends and instructors through this forum. This regular interaction can continue to improve students' writing throughout the year. Humanities Tennessee also maintains an online anthology for workshop students' contributions.

Students live with workshop counselors in supervised residence halls on campus. Roommates are assigned based on age and gender, and roommate requests will be honored when possible. There is a maximum of two people per room. Recreational facilities are available to students on campus. They include an indoor pool, basketball and tennis courts, and the university library and computer lab.

Tuition and Application and Scholarship Information is available here.