MWC Creative Writing Primer coming in May

Coming May 2012

Writers and workshop instructors affiliated with the Midwest Writing Center have collaborated on The Midwest Writing Center Creative Writing Primer to be released as an ebook by MWC Press in May.  The Primer includes author perspectives on the essentials necessary to a creative writing practice and offers a diverse and insightful guide for the beginning to emerging creative writer. The Primer is dedicated to Evelyn Witter, MWC co-founder, who taught creative writing basics for more than 30 years.

Primer contributing authors include Julia Coleman, Stephen Frech, Sally John, Max Molleston, Trisha Nelson, Steven Semken, Robin Throne, Jodie Toohey, Ellen Tsagaris, and Connie (Corcoran) Wilson. Sarah Throne-Ploehn of Rivertown Creative & Co. contributed the cover and interior design.

Participants in MWC’s online Creative Writing Basics I & II workshops will receive the Primer included in their workshop registration, and the ebook will also be sold separately by MWC (more details forthcoming).

Final Friday -- Readings from the Afghan Women's Writing Project

On August 26th at 7 p.m. as a part of our special Final Friday programming, the Midwest Writing Center will be hosting an open mike style reading of essays compiled by the Afghan Women’s Writing Project.

The Afghan Women’s Writing Project is designed to allow the voices of Afghan women to be heard around the world. Written in English, the essays and poems span topics from the Taliban to education and are often submitted by women who must keep their writing a secret from their friends and family. This is their chance to express an opinion that is not filtered through male relatives or members of the media. The online magazine was established to share these essays with the Western world in order to dispel misconceptions about Afghan society and to open a bridge of communication between very disparate cultures.

The Midwest Writing Center would like to invite those who are interested to participate in the reading as an example of this bridge between two cultures. If you are interested in reading one of the essays, visit the Afghan Women’s Writing Project website to choose a poem or an essay then contact the Midwest Writing Center at via email at mwc@midwestwritingcenter.org or phone at 563-324-1410. Please also email or call if you need any additional information or help choosing a reading piece.

Don't be a fool...

An Evening with Janaka Stucky, April 1st 7 p.m. at the Midwest Writing Center located in Bucktown Center for the Arts

Attend "An Evening with Janaka Stucky" on April 1st , 7 p.m. at Bucktown Center for the Arts! This poetry reading/Q&A is FREE and there will be drinks, wine and food to enjoy. A limited-edition broadside of Stucky's poem "Bask in the Eternal Flame of the Eye of the Immortal" with artwork/design by Alex Iaccarino willbe sold for $10.