January 23, 2009
Young Writers Workshop names first guest writer
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The first guest writer announced for this summer’s Young Writers Workshop is Adrian Matejka, a Southern Illinois University Carbondale master of fine arts alumnus and currently a member of the English faculty at SIU Edwardsville.
The Young Writers Workshop, hosted by SIUC’s Department of English, this year is June 23-27. The residential workshop is for writers ages 15-18 who write poetry or prose. The workshop includes readings by faculty and participants, special guests, and panels on writing topics, in addition to the writing that happens in workshops throughout the week.
Matejka is a native of Nüremburg, Germany. He earned his master of fine arts degree in creative writing at SIUC. His poems appear in such publications as “Crab Orchard Review,” “Indiana Review,” and “Sou’wester” as well as anthologies and other collections. His first book, “The Devil’s Garden,” appeared in 2003. His book, “Mixology,” part of the National Poetry Series, is available in late May.
Allison Joseph, poet, and director of the Young Writers Workshop and the creative writing program at SIUC, noted that interested writers may enter the 2009 Younkin-Rivera Prizes for Young Writers contest, which accepts submissions this year from April 1 to April 30. Prizes in poetry and in prose include a cash award and a full tuition scholarship to the workshop.
For more information on workshop fees and contest guidelines, visit www.angelfire.com/il/yww/ or www.siu.edu/departments/english and follow the links to the workshop. Donations help bring guest writers and support the Younkin prize. Contact Allison Joseph at aljoseph@siu.edu or 618/453-6813 to learn how to help the program.