John Wilson is editor of Books & Culture and editor at large for Christianity Today magazine. He received a B.A. from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, Calif., in 1970 and an M.A. from California State University, Los Angeles, in 1975. His reviews and essays appear in the New York Times, the Boston Globe, First Things, National Review, and other publications.
N.D. Wilson is a best-selling author and Fellow of Literature at New Saint Andrews College. He received his B.A. from New Saint Andrews College in 1999 and an M.A. from St. John's in Annapolis, Md., in 2001. Wilson is the author of several Random House titles, including the Ashtown Burial series, the 100 Cupboards trilogy and Leepike Ridge. He is also a film producer and screenwriter.
Douglas Wilson is a Senior Fellow of Theology at New Saint Andrews College. He received a B.A. in Classical Studies, and a B.A. (1977) and an M.A. (1988) in Philosophy, all at the University of Idaho, in Moscow, Ida. A prolific author, his most recent works include Wordsmithy: A Rhetoric Companion, a Study Guide to Calvin's Institutes, and Five Cities that Ruled the World. He is the editor of Credenda/Agenda magazine.
Aaron Rench is a writer, publisher and filmmaker. He runs Gorilla Poet Productions and represents numerous writers as a literary agent. He is a 2001 graduate of New Saint Andrews College with a B.A. in Liberal Arts and Culture. He earned his M.A. in 2010 from Oxford University.
For more information:
Benjamin Merkle
New Saint Andrews College
bmerkle@nsa.edu
(208) 882-1566
Books and Culture editor and Christianity Today editor-at-large John Wilson will join best-selling author and NSA Fellow of Literature N.D. Wilson, NSA Senior Fellow and prolific author Douglas Wilson, and Oxford poet and Literary Agent Aaron Rench at the 2012 Wordsmithy writer's workshop at New Saint Andrews College August 2-4 in Moscow, Idaho.
Aspiring writers are invited to immerse themselves in a weekend of writing instruction and interaction. Space is limited. The $420 price includes meals. An optional writing critique by a New York publishing house editor will also be available. Complete details will be available soon to registrants.
The NSA Wordsmithy writer's workshop is where "good writers go to get better." That's how the modest majority of our past attendees see it. Other participants split between describing themselves as a "beginner" or "capable, but unpublished." So if you're an aspiring writer, chances are good you'd fit right in at the Wordsmithy. Here's how some of last year's attendees described their experience...
The wordsmiths at New Saint Andrews are truly masters of their craft and a hoot to boot! The Wordsmithy brings together seasoned writers and lecturers who love their work with the up-and-coming generation of wordsmiths whose pens are sure to be sharper than swords. -- Aaron
Three days in the Wordsmithy was one of the best things that I could have done for myself as a writer. It was challenging, inspiring, and rich in instruction. It was the perfect mix of lectures, workshops, and fellowship with the amazing instructors and like-minded participants. I would do it again in a heartbeat! -- Christiana
The lectures showed me how far I have to go to be a great writer, but the warmth, depth and ability of the instructors demonstrated the hard work that is necessary and possible to achieve excellence. Three days in the Wordsmithy was a time to learn how to use the tools of the craft and to spend some time on the anvil, being crafted by men who know their business, to become a sharper tool in the Lord's hands. -- Michael
Workshop Schedule:
August 2-4, 2012
The Attendees' Reception begins at 7 PM followed by an Introductory Address on Thursday evening, August 2, 2012. The conference continues all day on Friday, August 3, and into Saturday, August 4, with the concluding presention ending at 6 PM.
All times Pacific
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Thursday Evening, Aug 2 |
Section A |
Section B |
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7:00 |
Dessert and Welcome – Doug Wilson |
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7:30 |
Introductory Address – John Wilson |
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Friday, Aug 3 |
Section A |
Section B |
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9:00-10:30
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Poetry Workshop [Aaron Rench] |
Fictitious [Nate Wilson] |
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10:30-11:00 |
Coffee |
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11:00-12:30 |
Poetry Workshop [Aaron Rench] |
Fictitious [Nate Wilson] |
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12:30-2:00 |
Lunch |
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2:00-3:30
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Self-Editing [John Wilson] |
Words, Yay Words [Doug Wilson] |
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3:30-4:00 |
Coffee |
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4:30-6:00 |
Self-Editing [John Wilson] |
Words, Yay Words [Doug Wilson] |
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6:30-8:00 |
Dinner |
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8:00-9:00
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Evening Gathering – Dessert and a reading from Nate Wilson |
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Saturday, Aug 4 |
Section A |
Section B |
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9:00-10:30
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Fictitious [Nate Wilson] |
Poetry Workshop [Aaron Rench] |
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10:30-11:00 |
Coffee |
|
|
11:00-12:30 |
Fictitious [Nate Wilson] |
Poetry Workshop [Aaron Rench] |
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12:30-2:00 |
Lunch |
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2:00-3:30 |
Words, Yay Words [Doug Wilson] |
Self-Editing [John Wilson] |
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3:30-4:00 |
Coffee |
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4:00-5:30
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Words, Yay Words [Doug Wilson] |
Self-Editing [John Wilson] |
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5:30-5:45 |
Last Coffee |
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5:45-6:00 |
Last Words [Doug Wilson] |
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Come prepared...
We have a few assignments that we would like you to have completed before your arrival in order to make your workshops more productive. First, we ask that you have completed Doug Wilson’s Wordsmithy: Hot Tips for the Writing Life before arriving at the workshop. Next, Doug would like all attendees to come with ten freshly coined words of your own. Wordsmith it up. Nate would like you to bring your best opening sentence for piece of fiction. Aaron would like you to write two haiku poems and to make the ending of at least one of them surprising. Please complete these assignments and email them to me by July 26 (bmerkle@nsa.edu).
Optitional leave-behind to have something you are writing now evaluated by a professional New York City editor: A "cold read" of under 10,000 words for $150
The small print:
Limited Seating: A paid registration holds your spot in the workshop. If necessary, a waiting list will be kept in the order the registrations are received.
Refund Policy: Full refunds prior to July 1. Cancellations between July 1 and August 1 will result in a $50 cancellation fee. No refunds after August 1. If you are placed on a waiting list, and do not get into the workshop, you will be given a full refund.
Hotel Information: Room blocks have been made for workshop participants at the University Inn Best Western In Moscow, ID. When you call to make your reservations, mention the workshop and receive discounted rates.