GRANVILLE - Denison University will hold its eighth Jonathan R. Reynolds Young Writers Workshop, a program aimed at discovering and improving high school creative writing talent, this summer from June 16 to 23. Applications will be accepted until April 15, 2002.

Dennis Read, an associate professor of English at Denison, is director of the 2002 Reynolds Workshop.

"The Young Writers Workshop has established itself as an intensive, invaluable experience for high school-age writers. Students are immersed in the week-long practice of poetry, nonfiction and fiction," says Dennis Read, Reynolds Workshop director and an associate professor of English at Denison. "It is designed to give the students the opportunity to develop their skills as poets and fiction writers."

Some of the participant comments from last summer indicate the value of the workshop to students: "My life was changed by the response my writing received;" "I loved having other writers around me 24 hours a day;" and "I learned a ton about writing and really learned to work in a community."

The eight-day program includes intensive workshops, tutorials, group talks, readings, social encounters with visiting writers and other events designed to heighten the students' perceptions of what it means to be a writer says Read. The workshops are directed by guest experts and faculty in Denison's creative writing program.

Many activities for workshop participants, such as "One-on-One Conferences" with professors and students are scheduled for the week. Sessions include: "Spicing up Expository and College Writing," where students will sharpen skills for high school compositions and college application essays; "Writing Rap with the Writer," where participants will have the opportunity to read works by faculty members and visiting writers and discuss it with the authors; and "Crosswriting," which allows students to try different modes of writing, not only to explore what they do best or enjoy the most, but also to make connections between various types of writing. Time is set aside for journal writing, recreation, readings, free time and other social activities.

The faculty at this year's workshop includes: Read, who earned his doctorate at the University of Wisconsin; Erin McGraw, an associate professor of English at Ohio State University; Alison Stine, an alumna of Denison and master of fine arts graduate of the University of Maryland; visiting guest poets, fiction writers and playwrights; and Denison University students.

The $900 tuition for the eight-day program includes all activities and room and board. Generous financial aid, made possible by the Reynolds Endowment, is available for students demonstrating financial need.

The University has offered specialized study in writing arts for more than 40 years and numerous Denison students and alumni have garnered national recognition in competitions, literary journals and publications, and highly ranked graduate-level writing programs. A 1965 Denison University graduate, Jonathan Reynolds' success as a professional writer and his interest in helping young writers develop their talents led to the creation of the workshop. Reynolds' plays includeYanks 3, Detroit 0; Top of the Seventh, while his screenwriting credits include the Dudley Moore comedy,Micki and Maude.

High school sophomores, juniors and seniors may apply. A completed application form, financial aid form (if needed), letters of support and a writing sample are required. The writing sample may be poetry or fiction. Applications may be obtained by calling Read at (740) 587-6565 or (740) 587-6207.

For press inquiries:

Name

Barbara Stambaugh

Position Title

Director, Media Relations

Primary Email

stambaughb@denison.edu

Business Phone

(740) 587-8575