Residency Writers Conference

Writers seeking to deepen their craft and expand their professional community are invited to attend the Residency Writers Conference together with MFA students, faculty and guest speakers.

Join us for 10 full days of craft talks, workshops, panels, classes, readings and more featuring some of the best minds of the literary world. This residency is a rare opportunity to engage in sustained and meaningful conversation with others who share your passion for the art of writing.

The Residency Writers Conference is designed for:

 

Dates

 

Locations

The January residency takes place on the northern Oregon coast in the small, resort town of Seaside. The June residency takes place on Pacific University’s 155-year-old campus in Forest Grove set among towering oaks, redwoods and firs.

 

Schedule

Each day is filled with an expansive selection of presentations and events designed to provide tools and inspiration for the art of writing. In the mornings, students typically attend a craft talk and workshops. After lunch they may choose among a number of talks, panels, classes and readings. Each evening closes with readings by the faculty and students. In addition to the scheduled events, the residency includes time for contemplation, writing and informal gatherings. For a description of some of the past craft talks, scroll down the Residencies Web page.

 

Workshop

Residency Writers Conference participants and MFA students are comingled and assigned to a workshop specific to their genre (fiction, creative nonfiction or poetry). Workshops meet for six sessions and include up to 12 students. Two or three faculty members lead these workshops so that no aesthetic dominates and every student has a chance to work with several faculty writers. Each student receives at least one close critique of his or her manuscript, then spends the remaining workshop hours offering the same level of review to the other students.

 

Faculty

The writers who serve as faculty are outstanding for both their level of national or regional literary achievements and for their teaching records and abilities. These accomplished authors share a sense of joy around their work, bringing diverse writing styles and voices to the mix. For more information about the faculty, go to the Faculty Web page. For faculty interviews and readings, go to the Video Interview page.

 

Meals & Lodging

Because a strong and supportive community is an integral part of the Residency Writers Conference, students and faculty reside together for the 10 days. In January, students and faculty stay in private rooms at the Best Western Ocean View Resort in Seaside. In June, students and faculty stay in state-of-the-art residence halls on campus in Forest Grove. Students share suites that have private bedrooms and shared kitchens and living rooms. Lunches are provided, as well as two buffet dinners. For the remaining meals, students either prepare their own or walk to the many restaurants in Seaside and Forest Grove.

 

Admissions

Students who have demonstrated talent, commitment to the writing process, ability to look objectively at their work, and willingness to use criticism in a discriminating manner are encouraged to apply. Admission is based primarily on the quality and promise exhibited in the application manuscript. An undergraduate degree is not required for admission to the Residency Writers Conference.

To apply, please submit the following:

1. Completed application form.

2. $50 non-refundable fee.

3. Manuscript. One of the following:

4. Personal essay. Maximum of three pages addressing your background in the study   of creative writing and literature and any additional writing or workshop experience.

5. Critical analysis. Maximum of three pages discussing an aspect of or element of craft in a literary work.

 

Where To Send Application Materials

The form and fee may be mailed to:

MFA in Writing Administrative Office
Pacific University
530 NW 12th Avenue
Portland, OR 97209

To save paper, you may email the manuscript, essay and analysis in three separate attachments to mfa@pacificu.edu.

 

Deadlines

For priority consideration, submit all application materials by September 1st for the January residency or March 1st for the June residency. Applications will be considered up until the time of the residency as space allows.

 

Costs for Residency Writers Conference

 

Questions?

We welcome the opportunity to speak with applicants and invite you to call or write us with any questions you may have. Please contact assistant director Colleen Sump at 503-352-1533 or colleensump@pacificu.edu.