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If I ever get back/Cheryl Klein/encouraging writers
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From: Cathy Camper <cathyc_at_multcolib.org>
Date: Tue, 25 Feb 2014 13:21:32 -0800
It was enlightening to read Cheryl Klein's back story about how If I Ever Get Out of Here got published, and I was glad Cheryl recommended some resources that support writers of color.
I'm Arab-American, both a writer and a librarian, and I wanted to mention a wonderful resource - VONA - Voices of Our Nations Arts Foundation, which sponsors writing workshops for writers of color.http://www.voicesatvona.org/
I attended their workshops last summer (they're in Berkeley CA) and it was awesome. There were about 100 students (mostly women, mostly college age or MFAs, and a few older like me) but it was AMAZING to be in a place with other writers of color where I could get my questions answered, my work critiqued and form a community that continues for me now online. The instructors are top-notch and include Junot Diaz, David Mura, Elmaz Abinader, Mat Johnson, Stacyanne Chin and other talented writers. There's scholarship support too. Currently they don't do workshops in children's writing, but they do cover fiction, poetry, memoir, essays and graphic novels.
I was in Mat Johnson's graphic novel workshop. The critiques were good and helpful, and since I already had work accepted for publication, it was awesome to have someone to talk to about my publication process as well.
To get into VONA you have to submit up to 25 pages of writing, plus then have up to another 25 pages of writing for classroom critique. So it's best for writers that have already done some work, although anyone is welcome. I highly encourage writers of color on this listserv to look into it.
But I'd also encourage editors, agents and publishers reading this to put VONA on their maps as well, when looking for new fresh voices. Like Cheryl mentioned, you may have to do some mentoring and sharing and encouragement so writers realize how their voice and story would work as a YA or kid's book. But if you truly want diversity, it won't come from the same old sources.
I apologize for being a bit off topic, but wanted to post this in hopes it opens worlds for some of you, as it did for me.
Date: Tue, 25 Feb 2014 13:21:32 -0800
It was enlightening to read Cheryl Klein's back story about how If I Ever Get Out of Here got published, and I was glad Cheryl recommended some resources that support writers of color.
I'm Arab-American, both a writer and a librarian, and I wanted to mention a wonderful resource - VONA - Voices of Our Nations Arts Foundation, which sponsors writing workshops for writers of color.http://www.voicesatvona.org/
I attended their workshops last summer (they're in Berkeley CA) and it was awesome. There were about 100 students (mostly women, mostly college age or MFAs, and a few older like me) but it was AMAZING to be in a place with other writers of color where I could get my questions answered, my work critiqued and form a community that continues for me now online. The instructors are top-notch and include Junot Diaz, David Mura, Elmaz Abinader, Mat Johnson, Stacyanne Chin and other talented writers. There's scholarship support too. Currently they don't do workshops in children's writing, but they do cover fiction, poetry, memoir, essays and graphic novels.
I was in Mat Johnson's graphic novel workshop. The critiques were good and helpful, and since I already had work accepted for publication, it was awesome to have someone to talk to about my publication process as well.
To get into VONA you have to submit up to 25 pages of writing, plus then have up to another 25 pages of writing for classroom critique. So it's best for writers that have already done some work, although anyone is welcome. I highly encourage writers of color on this listserv to look into it.
But I'd also encourage editors, agents and publishers reading this to put VONA on their maps as well, when looking for new fresh voices. Like Cheryl mentioned, you may have to do some mentoring and sharing and encouragement so writers realize how their voice and story would work as a YA or kid's book. But if you truly want diversity, it won't come from the same old sources.
I apologize for being a bit off topic, but wanted to post this in hopes it opens worlds for some of you, as it did for me.
-- *Cathy Camper* School Corps Librarian Multnomah County Library Phone:503.988.6012 Fax: 503.988.5441 *cathyc_at_multcolib.org* <cathyc_at_multcolib.org> *www.multcolib.org <http://www.multcolib.org/>* *Follow us on Facebook and Twitter facebook.com/multcolib <http://facebook.com/multcolib>twitter.com/multcolib <http://twitter.com/multcolib>* --- You are currently subscribed to ccbc-net as: ccbc-archive_at_post.education.wisc.edu. To post to the list, send message to: ccbc-net_at_lists.wisc.edu To receive messages in digest format, send a message to... ccbc-net-request_at_lists.wisc.edu ...and include only this command in the body of the message: set ccbc-net digest CCBC-Net Archives The CCBC-Net archives are available to all CCBC-Net listserv members. The archives are organized by month and year. A list of discussion topics (including month/year) is available at http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/ccbcnet/archives.asp To access the archives, go to: http://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/ccbc-net and enter the following: username: ccbc-net password: Look4PostsReceived on Tue 25 Feb 2014 03:29:46 PM CST
