community feature: RWW Annual Writers’ Retreat

Just a quick post to share about the RWW Annual Writers’ Retreat.

The logo for RWW inc.

RWW (which stands for “Roots. Wounds. Words.”) is: “a sacred space wherein BIPOC stories are celebrated, and BIPOC storytellers immersed in liberation. At the Writers’ Retreat, Storytellers receive literary arts instruction offered by award-winning BIPOC writers in the fields of nonfiction, fiction, poetry, and speculative fiction.”

This opportunity just came on my radar and I am excited to share it because of how necessary such spaces are for marginalized writers. In both my teaching and writing career I feel like I’m witnessing a necessary shift from mere critique of the canon and literary traditions to more and more spaces where marginalized folks can be present with each other and, through presence, embody what it means to be part of the literary community.

On a more geeky note: I’m excited that this opportunity allows folks to work with Nisi Shawl, a dynamic essayist and writer of speculative fiction. She is just one of a group of stellar faculty who will participate at this retreat. If you are able to apply, check them out.

Deadline to apply is February 6th.

community feature: Solstice MFA!!!

Just a quick post to share some of the virtual events open to the general public going on at this year’s Solstice MFA Winter Residency! Super excited to be given a chance to work with these graduate students, building with them and guiding them on their respective writing paths, as well as to engage with the vibrant Solstice community.

With Solstice events, you can expect a multi-genre experience, reflecting our range of concentrations and expertise. Events below include readings of poetry, creative nonfiction, fiction, young adult and children’s literature, graphic novel.

If you’re interested in attending these virtual events, be sure to register at the links provided below. I myself will be personally involved in the Faculty reading on Tuesday, FYI 🙂

Here are the events:

Sunday, Jan. 9, 7:30 p.m. EST: Guest Faculty & Writer-in-Residence Reading

Hear a sampling of three-minute readings from our winter 2022 guest faculty and writers-in-residence, including Devi Lockwood, Shelley Linso, and Terrance Hayes (register here).

Monday, Jan. 10, 7:30 p.m. EST: Graduating Student Reading

This residency, four Solstice students will earn their MFA degrees. Hear them read from the work they crafted during their time in the program (register here).

Tuesday, Jan. 11, 7 p.m. EST: Solstice Faculty and Staff Reading

This one will offer a sampling of work from faculty mentors and staff at Solstice. Each reading will last three minutes. Readers include Meg Kearney, Kathleen Aguero, Venise Berry, David Yoo, Laura Williams McCaffrey, and mine own self (register here).

To find out more about these events, go here.

Happy new year, y’all!!!

Flyer for the faculty reading next Tuesday.