Hofstra University's two-week Summer Writers Program, a cooperative endeavor of the Creative Writing Program, the English Department, and Hofstra University Continuing Education (Hofstra CE), offers eight classes which may be taken on a noncredit or credit basis, for both graduate and undergraduate students.
Led by master writers, the Summer Writing Program operates on the principle that true writing talent can be developed, nurtured and encouraged by writer-in-residence mentors. Through instruction, discussion, criticism and free exchange among the program members, writers begin to find their voice and their style. The program provides group and individual sessions for each writer. The Summer Writing Program includes a banquet, guest speakers, and exposure to authors such as Oscar Hijuelos, Robert Olen Butler (both Pulitzer Prize winners), Maurice Sendak, Cynthia Ozick, Nora Sayre, and Denise Levertov. Often agents, editors, and publishers make presentations during the conference, and authors and students read from published work and works in progress. These presentations and the conference banquet offer additional opportunities to meet informally with participants, master writers and guest speakers. Hofstra University is located on Long Island, 25 miles east of Manhattan. New York City destinations are readily accessible by train (35-minute train ride) or car. For further information, contact Continuing Education at (516) 463-7200 or visit ce.hofstra.edu.
Writing Program Features
Group and individual sessions included in each class, which total more than 35 contact hours in a genuine classroom environment
Opportunity to earn three credits in two weeks.
Author, editor and publishing executive readings and presentations.
Participate in group readings.
Opportunity to read works to an audience.
Writers-in-residence available for informal discussions.
Lodging in residence halls can be arranged.
Opportunity to be published.
Through intensive instruction, discussion, criticism and free exchange, writers begin to find their voice and their style. The courses in this program provide both group and individual sessions and an opportunity to listen to teachers. Other participants and guest speakers read from published works and works in progress. Thhis program also offers the chance to meet editors, publishers and celebrated authors—including a keynote banquet speaker—who offer practical advice and share their literary experiences.
The program is offered for noncredit or undergraduate/graduate credit, and students can choose to live on campus or commute.
New This Summer
Students entering grades 9-12 can now be part of the Summer Writers Program with a special section for high school students. Through exercises and readings, students will learn how to use their creative impulses to improve their fiction, poetry and plays and learn how to create cleaner and clearer essays. During this intensive two week course, students will experiment with memoir, poetry, oral history, dramatic form and the short story, and study how to use character, plot point of view and language.
NOTE: High School students' participation in the program is subject to approval. Interested students must submit a writing sample and a short letter requesting admission to the workshop. A writing sample consists of either five poems or 5-10 pages of prose. For more information, contact Jennifer Jokinen at (516) 463-5016.
Credit Students
For more information, please contact Professor Rich Pioreck, English Department
Email: Richard.J.Pioreck@hofstra.edu
Phone: (516) 463-0258
Hofstra Undergraduate students must be matriculated to receive credit.
Hofstra University Continuing Education college courses, classes, and programs are served to the following areas of Nassau County (Long Island), Suffolk County (Long Island), Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan (New York City; NYC), and the Bronx:
Amityville, Babylon, Baldwin, Bayside, Bellerose, Bellmore, Bethpage, Carle Place, Cedarhurst, East Meadow, East Norwich, East Rockaway, Elmont, Farmingdale, Floral Park, Franklin Square, Freeport, Garden City, Great Neck, Hewlett, Hicksville, Island Park, Jamaica, Jericho, Levittown, Little Neck, Long Beach, Lynbrook, Malverne, Manhasset, Massapequa, Massapequa Park, Merrick, Mineola, New Hyde Park, Oceanside, Old Bethpage, Old Westbury, Plainview, Port Washington, Queens Village, Rockville Centre, Roosevelt, Rosedale, Roslyn, Roslyn Heights, Seaford, Syosset, Uniondale, Valley Stream, Wantagh, West Hempstead, Westbury, Williston Park, Woodbury, Woodmere
