| Application Guidelines for The Voices Workshop, Summer 2008 Go to Application The Voices of Our Nations Arts Foundation at University of San Francisco invites applications from unpublished as well as published writers-of-color And anyone dreaming of writing as A serious pursuit. The Voices Writing Workshop is A special gathering of writers who spend 1-2 weeks working with authors And artists of color. This workshop honors The literary traditions of heritage And culture And promotes The styles, voices, forms And concerns of writers-of-color And their connections to The literary world. Held at The University of San Francisco, The Voices Workshop creates an intimate And interactive community with an atmosphere of sharing And engaging. The Workshops: All workshops are intimate gatherings of writers who take their writing seriously and are looking for an experience that will nurture them as writers; heighten their awareness of writing as a political, social and literary tool; and provide a community that supports each writer as they explore issues that require a profound sense of trust and professionalism. We offer workshops in Poetry, Novel, Fiction Writing and Memoir & Creative Non-fiction, a Residency and a week-long masters intensive in Political Content in Poetry, Story and Memoir and a three-day masters seminar in Screenwriting- -Truth to the Screen. When applying, specify the workshops you'd like to attend in order of preference. You may attend one workshop per week, if accepted; but not two weeks in the same genre. The workshops are limited to ten writers chosen on the quality of their work, their commitment to and their enthusiasm for the direction of the Voices mission. A residency is held the second week and is directed to writers who are interested in a one-on-one mentorship and concentrated writing time. The week is spent with the master writer who guides them through rewrites and toward a greater awareness of the writing process and their identities as writers All participants are encouraged to consider staying on campus in the housing facilities to deepen their experience of exchange. To be considered for admission to the Voices Writing Workshops please submit the following: Poetry: 5 - 10 poems (not to exceed 20 pages) Novel: up to 25 pages of a novel excerpt Fiction Writing: up to 20 pages of short fiction Memoir & Creative Non-fiction: up to 20 pages of a non-fiction narrative Residency: up to 15 pages of a non-fiction, novel, short fiction or 5-10 poems (not to exceed 20 pages) Masters Intensive, Political Content: up to 15 pages of any genre Masters Workshop: Screenwriting--up to 15 pages of writing, plus 3 page description of story idea You will upload your manuscript with the application--after acceptance, you will be asked to submit your workshop manuscript for each of the weeklong workshops and the residency Completed Application: Please provide contact information, history, experience, vital statistics and personal essay in response to the questions, including information on scholarships. Application Deadline: April 7, 2008 Please contact us after that time to see if we're accepting rolling applications. After Acceptance: Confirm your workshops and the dates you wish to attend Send a Deposit of $100.00 within ten days of notification per workshop. Indicate if you will be in residence in campus housing, so we may reserve a spot for you. Choose the final manuscript(s) you wish to have discussed during the workshop, which you will upload electronically by May 15, 2008 via an online portal (link supplied after acceptance). Scholarship recipients will be notified of their award amount and balance due. All fees for both weeks are due by May 30,2008 and will be made through PayPal. Housing and Accommodations Workshop participants are housed in modern dormitory suites on campus and will have access to the university library, bookstore, computer labs and sports facilities. The accommodations are single rooms and all meals are included in the fee. Staying on campus is highly encouraged but not required .Non-resident workshop participants can purchase Individual meals from the campus dining facilities. The VONA Program A Sunday night welcome introduces the participants to the Voices Writers Workshop, allows an initial meeting with the instructor, gives vital information for the week, and includes a campus tour. Voices participants will get an opportunity to meet each other in an informal atmosphere. Regular workshops meet from Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. To 12:30 p.m. Some classes may require outside reading as well as in-class writing. Classes may be extended To the afternoon through arrangements between the instructors and participants. The afternoons provide time for the one-on-ones with the instructors except for Wednesdays and Fridays. All workshops are participatory and ask the writer To be a lively member of the class community. It's an engaging and vital week. To see the complete week's line up go To What happens in a VONA Week |
Fees and Financial Aid
A $100.00 non-refundable deposit is due To assure your spot in the workshops. A limited number of partial tuition scholarships are available, based on need and availability. Resources are limited and requests are always greater than available funds. |
WEEK ONE JUNE 22-28, 2008 Faith Adiele Memoir Thomas Glave Fiction Ruth Forman Poetry Elmaz Abinader Political Content in Story, Poetry; Memoir |
WEEK TWO JUNE 29-JULY 5, 2008 Elmaz Abinader Memoir Mat Johnson Fiction Suheir Hammad Poetry Chris Abani Novel David Mura Residency |
| Click on workshop for its description |
3 DAY MASTERS SEMINAR JUNE 25-28, 2008 True Story To Screen, A SCREENWRITING WORKSHOP WITH GREGORY ALLEN HOWARD' |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| The Voices of Our Nations Arts Foundation Application Guidelines |
| Voices of Our Nations Arts Foundation (VONA) 1346 The Alameda, Suite 7-146 • San Jose, CA 95126 • (866) 202-6152 Contact VONA |