Up and Coming Writers of the World

INSTRUCTORS: Angélique Jamail and Dr. Kathryn Peterson

PRICE: $300. Scholarships are available. Apply here.

LOCATION: Online via Zoom

LEVEL: All Levels

CAP: 12

“The only way to find your voice is to use it.” – Jen Mueller, American author and sports broadcaster

In this writing program, middle school students will have the opportunity to explore poetry, fiction, and playwriting with award-winning, local Houston authors. At the start of each month, participants will enjoy an in-depth genre workshop followed by weekly one-on-one mentorship from high school creative writers at the Kinder High School for Performing and Visual Arts, Houston’s only high school arts magnet.

A reading will be held for participants to showcase the writing generated during the program. Prior to the reading, students will receive expert coaching on the art of reading and performing the written word.

What you’ll get in the Up and Coming Writers of the World Workshop:

Virtual genre workshops
Weekly virtual one-on-one mentorship
An in-person, student reading with pre-reading coaching from a performance poet
Bonus materials, including writing career advice, through an exclusive Discord channel

Poetry Workshop with Angélique Jamail

TIME: Sunday, January 8, 2-4 p.m. CST

In this introduction to poetry writing, students will explore what poetry is, including a survey of some of its forms and styles. We’ll touch on basic meter, which is the basic rhythmic structure of a line of poetry, discuss six different ways to create rhyme, and look at free verse poetry. We’ll also talk about where poets can find inspiration. Students will write at least two poems in generative exercises and have the opportunity to share this work for comments from the class.

Fiction Workshop with Angélique Jamail

TIME: Sunday, February 5, 2-4 p.m. CST

In this introduction to fiction writing, students will learn about the most important elements of a story. We will discuss character development, setting, dialogue, and the various short forms fiction writers often use. Students will write at least two generative exercises to get their stories started and have the opportunity to share an excerpt to share this work for comments from the class.

Playwriting Workshop with Dr. Kathryn Peterson

TIME: Sunday, March 5, 2-4 p.m. CST

In this introduction to playwriting, students will explore what it means to write a play and discuss how writing for the stage is very different from writing for the page or screen.

We’ll start with a discussion of conflict and dramatic tension, which is the heart of every play. We’ll talk about what makes a scene a scene and how you can externalize internal feelings and desires. Students will write monologues and scenes in generative exercises and have the opportunity to share their work and receive comments from the class. If time permits, we will practice performing some of this work for a larger audience.

Poetry Workshop with Angélique Jamail

TIME: Sunday, April 2, 2-4 p.m. CST

In this introduction to poetry writing, students will explore what poetry is, including a survey of some of its forms and styles. We’ll touch on basic meter, which is the basic rhythmic structure of a line of poetry, discuss six different ways to create rhyme, and look at free verse poetry. We’ll also talk about where poets can find inspiration. Students will write at least two poems in generative exercises and have the opportunity to share this work for comments from the class.