KINGSTON, R.I. –April 28, 2010—The University of Rhode Island will award several scholarships based on merit and need that will allow writers of any age the opportunity to attend its annual Ocean State Summer Writing Conference for free. The conference will be held this year from June 24 to 26. A Rhode Island State Council of the Arts grant funds the scholarships. Travel and lodging are not included.
To be considered for the scholarship, writers submit an application by the May 15 deadline. Winners will be announced by Monday, June 7. The application and a complete schedule of events can be found at www.uri.edu/summerwriting.
Three respected writers and poets will be this year’s keynote speakers:
• Julia Glass, author of the novels Three Junes, winner of a National Book Award; The Whole World Over; and The Widower’s Tale, due out this September.
• Wayne Koestenbaum has published five books of poetry, a novel, and five books of nonfiction. His newest book, Hotel Theory, is a hybrid of fiction and nonfiction.
• Jacqueline Osherow has authored five books of poems. Her sixth book, Whitethorn, is due out in 2011.
The conference also offers workshops, panels, seminars and more in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, playwriting/screenwriting and publishing.
“Our conference continues to have a non-threatening and easygoing, accessible energy,” said prize-winning poet Peter Covino, an assistant professor of English and conference director. “Writing and publishing books is important, of course, but creating a community to sustain your work and read your books is even more crucial. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with others and develop a network of support.”