RopeWalk Writers Retreat

New Master Classes

As part of our celebration of 20 years in Utopia, RopeWalk is introducing Master Classes with three popular and award-winning RopeWalk faculty members. The Master Classes are designed for highly-qualifed, talented writers who are making or seeking to make writing their careers.

The Faculty: Stephen Dobyns, poetry; Sigrid Nunez, Fiction; Bob Shacochis, Creative Nonfiction

The Method: Each selected manuscript will be carefully reviewed by the faculty member and a written critique given to the participant. Additionally, the participants will meet with the faculty member for a small group workshop on Saturday, June 14. Sessions will meet 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. An evening reading and dinner reception will follow.

Workshop Size: Each workshop is limited to six participants.

Admission: Admission to these classes is competitive. To be considered, submit a manuscript (up to three poems, no more than ten pages total; up to 20 pages of fiction or nonfiction) with a nonrefundable evaluation fee of $35. Faculty members will participate in selecting students for their classes.

Scholarships: Our scholarship fund pool is shared by the master classes and the retreat. If you would like to apply for a partial fee waiver scholarship for the master class, send a letter of application with relevant biographical information along with your manuscript (note April 1 deadline). Winners will be notified along with notification of acceptance.

Registration Fee: $250, including the nonrefundable $35 evaluation fee. The balance of $215 is payable upon notification of acceptance to the master class.

To Register: Click here for the online form. You may register by telephone by calling 812/464-1989 or 800/467-8600 and using Visa, Discover, or MasterCard. See below for instructions on manuscript submission. You may mail a check, payable to USI, to USI Extended Services, 8600 University Boulevard, Evansville, IN 47712.

Deadlines: Manuscripts with reading fee must be received no later than April 1, 2008. They must be e-mailed to ropewalk@usi.edu. Payments may be made online using the linked form, with a credit card by calling 812/464-1989 or 800/467-8600, or by sending a check to USI Extended Services, 8600 University Boulevard, Evansville, IN 47712. Participants will be notified of their selection status by e-mail no later than May 1, 2008. Payment of the $215 fee balance is due by May 15, 2008.

And: You will need to arrive in New Harmony in time for the morning workshop session at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 14. Breakfast will be provided for those staying Friday night. Lunch and dinner will be provided for all participants on Saturday. Lodging is available on Friday night at the New Harmony Inn and on Saturday night at the Barn Abbey or the New Harmony Inn.

RopeWalk Writers Retreat
a program of the University of Southern Indiana