Creative Writing Studio
June 16 – June 20, 2025
Rising 9th – 12th Grade

Stories cram your brain, "plot bunnies" take over your imagination when you least expect them to, and poetic thoughts keep you up at night. Does this sound like you? Then you are probably a writer. We invite you to join us for an intensive writing course at Auburn University, dedicated to feeding your hungry muse and sharpening your writing skills in three genres – fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. Here's some of what students can expect:

  • Participation in workshops and writing craft classes with the goal of producing original fiction, creative nonfiction and poetry. One short story, a work of creative nonfiction or drama, and three poems are the required assignments. Students will develop of portfolio of creative work.
  • Daily reading, with an eye towards the "architecture" of how a published piece works.
  • A tour of how a literary journal, the acclaimed Southern Humanities Review, works, discovering what editors do on a day to day basis.
  • Writing activities designed to encourage immersion in Auburn, aptly named "the loveliest city on the plains," Students can expect to take some lively literary tours around town.
  • Special guest speakers.

This course is offered by the Auburn University’s College of Liberal Arts faculty and staff and includes time with notable published authors, who will serve as "guest teachers" during the week.

Finally, the program will end with a reading of student work at the Auburn University Lowder Building Starbucks (parents and friends invited)!

Camp participants will experience campus-life while residing in Auburn's resident dormitories, eating at campus dining facilities, and enjoying evening social and recreational activities. Campers will have 24/7 counselor supervision.

HOUSING:

Campers will reside in The Quad. They are designed in suites consisting of two double-occupancy rooms connected by a bathroom.

MEALS:

Meals will be provided at The Edge at Central Dining. All dietary restrictions and allergies are taken into consideration for each meal.

FACILITIES:

The majority of the campers’ instructional hours will be in the College of Liberal Arts facility, Haley Center.

Jeremy M. Downes
Jeremy M. Downes

Jeremy M. Downes, Professor, received his PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. A specialist in epic poetry (beginnings to the present), he is the author of two studies of epic, The Female Homer and Recursive Desire, and of three collections of poetry. He also manages the web directory HyperEpos, a substantial collection of links to epic texts, resources, and materials, and serves as Vice President of the National Federation of State Poetry Societies. He is currently at work on a study of American local and regional epic as a Poetry Out Loud coordinator.

 

 

 

 

Pictured, Amber Simpson, writer, teacher, and researcher at Auburn University.
Amber Simpson

Amber Simpson is a writer, teacher, and researcher at Auburn University, where she is also working on her PhD in rhetoric and composition. She earned her MA at Auburn University (’15) and her BA at Lyon College (’12). She writes both prose and poetry, and her creative work has appeared in Extract(s), Pif, and The Wheelbarrow.

Registration

Registration begins December 10, 2024 at 9AM CST.

Register Now

Camp Fees are $880 and include the following items:
  • On campus housing
  • All meals, snacks and drinks while at camp
  • Program instruction, materials and equipment
  • Transportation to and from off-campus field-trip sites
  • Recreational activities including kayaking trip, rafting trip and challenge course
Cancellation:

All cancellation requests must be submitted via email. Please send your request to opce@auburn.edu.

Cancellation Procedure:

  1. Cancellation request received at least 6 weeks prior to the start date of the program: Full refund, less $100.
  2. Cancellation request received less than 6 weeks but at least 3 weeks prior to the program start date: Refund of 50%
  3. Cancellation request received less than 3 weeks prior to the program start date or “no show”: No refund.

Note: Refunds will be issued to the individual/organization who made the original payment.

What to Bring to Camp:

Please pack lightly – but do not forget to bring bedding, a towel, and toiletries.

Campers should refrain from bringing no more than one (1) suitcase and one (1) personal sized bag to camp.

Dorm Room:
  • XL twin sheets/thick blanket or sleeping bag and pillow
  • Alarm Clock
  • Phone Charger
Toiletries:
  • Shampoo/Conditioner
  • Body Wash
  • Toothbrush and Toothpaste
  • Soap
  • Bath Towel
  • Hairbrush
Clothing & Shoes:
  • T-shirts: Loose fitting, tank tops must have straps three fingers wide and cover all undergarments
  • Shorts: At least 3.5” inseam
  • One (1) pair of jeans/long pants
  • Underwear
  • Socks
  • Pajamas
  • Tennis Shoes: We walk up to 6 miles daily!
  • Closed toed shoes
  • Swimsuit: For girls, a modest one piece swimsuit. For boys, no speedos or jammers.
  • Flip-flops or Water Shoes: For the pool
  • Sweatshirt or Jacket
  • Dress up Outfit: Dressy casual (modest) outfit (e.g.: modest sundress, polo & khakis, pants & blouse)
  • Rain Jacket or Poncho
Miscellaneous:
  • Laundry Bag
  • Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Beach Towel: For the pool
  • Bug spray/Sunscreen
  • $50 key/meal card deposit: Make check payable to Auburn University
Optional:
  • Spending Money

Last Updated: November 12, 2024