The Young Writers Institute workshop at Washington University is exclusively for St. Louis-area high-school students who will be juniors or seniors in the fall of 2010. They will study with working writers, become acquainted with the St. Louis literary community, and can choose an option to earn three college credits, as well as receiving helpful guidance on their poetry or creative prose. The instructor for 2009 was Richard Newman. Click here for faculty  bio.

An application to the Young Writers Institute must include a letter of recommendation from a teacher, and a 10-page, typewritten writing sample. For the downloadable application form and teacher recommendation form, click here (forms available soon).

To be admitted to the Young Writers Institute, you must be a high-school student entering your junior or senior year in the fall of 2010. Applications must be made by postal mail. Enclose your completed application form, a $35 check, a sealed letter of recommendation from a teacher  -- and a total of 10 pages of typewritten, hard-copy, unpublished poetry or creative prose. This material will be read and workshopped by your instructor and class during the first week of the Institute.

For all applicants:

* Your writing sample should be writings for which you are seeking reader responses and suggestions for improvement.

* Checks should be made out to Washington University.

* Address your envelope to:

Young Writers Institute
Attention: Erin Presson
Campus Box 1085
Washington University
1 Brookings Drive
St. Louis, MO 63130

Please note that applying to the Young Writers Institute does not guarantee admittance. The deadline for applications is Friday, May 7, 2010. Questions? Telephone (314) 935-6720, or email the Summer Writers Institute.