Summer Institute. Summer

member of the staff at the Bread Loaf Writers Conference and The New York State Writers Writers State York New The and Conference Writers Loaf Bread the at staff the of member

. . journal, the of editor an also is and York New of University American Book Review Book American John Gardner) of The Bennington Writing Workshops. For many years he was a regular regular a was he years many For Workshops. Writing Bennington The of Gardner) John

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writers and translators. translators. and writers

He is an emeritus Professor of literature and creative writing at the City City the at writing creative and literature of Professor emeritus an is He 2008. in

Ripens Author of the Year in 2002. Delbanco was the Founding Director (together with the late late the with (together Director Founding the was Delbanco 2002. in Year the of Author

support of the Bear River Writers’ Conference Writers’ River Bear the of support

founder of the Elizabeth Kostova Foundation, which assists contemporary Bulgarian Bulgarian contemporary assists which Foundation, Kostova Elizabeth the of founder

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He has made six recordings of his poetry with jazz, the most recent being being recent most the jazz, with poetry his of recordings six made has He

Euphoria Euphoria twice, a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship in Fiction; he was the Michigan Michigan the was he Fiction; in Fellowship Arts the for Endowment National a twice,

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Kostova is co- is Kostova . entitled book travel a 1927: The Good-Natured Chronicle of a Journey a of Chronicle Good-Natured The 1927:

on i ct Fi was reissued in a new and expanded edition in 2002. 2002. in edition expanded and new a in reissued was & Revisions: the Poets’ Practice Poets’ the Revisions: & numerous literary awards—among them the J.S. Guggenheim Memorial Fellowship and, and, Fellowship Memorial Guggenheim J.S. the them awards—among literary numerous for its generous generous its for to thanks Special

Meijer, Incorporated Meijer,

She is also co-author of of co-author also is She film. upcoming an as Pictures Sony by optioned been has It

His 1971 book book 1971 His and Visions Visions Review. Poetry American Review, Centennial Nation, The His work has won won has work His as texts travel such Running In Place: Scenes from the South of France. France. of South the from Scenes Place: In Running

2005) was a #1 New York Times Bestseller and is being translated into 40 languages. languages. 40 into translated being is and Bestseller Times York New #1 a was 2005)

in over 100 journals in the U.S. and abroad, in such places as as places such in abroad, and U.S. the in journals 100 over in Transatlantic Review, Review, Transatlantic and and and collections, essay the Anywhere Out of the World; World; the of Out Anywhere Suitcase Lost The Fall; and Spring

, (Little, Brown, June June Brown, (Little, , novel, first Her . and

The Historian The Poetry American Best The His poetry has appeared appeared has poetry His (1999). (1993) , A Measure of Conduct of Measure A , Dancer Minute Five the and and novels, the include non-fiction and fiction of works previous His book. What Remains Remains What

in appeared has work Her Michigan. of

Mississippi Review, Poets & Writers Magazine, Writers & Poets Review, Mississippi www.lsa.umich.edu/bearriver (1991) (1982) (1977) , The Short Life of of Life Short The , Crush and Love , Kid Coaster Roller , Fire, Brown is his twenty-fourth twenty-fourth his is novel, new His Program. Awards Hopwood The Count of Concord, Concord, of Count The

Studies from Yale University and a M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the University University the from Writing Creative in M.F.A. a and University Yale from Studies is the author of five collections of poetry of collections five of author the is ; Beast Is a Wolf With With Wolf a Is Beast ; Language and Literature at the University of Michigan, where he also directs the the directs also he where Michigan, of University the at Literature and Language Barry Wallenstein Barry

was born in Connecticut in 1964. She holds a B.A. in British British in B.A. a holds She 1964. in Connecticut in born was Elizabeth Kostova Elizabeth

is the Robert Frost Distinguished University Professor of English English of Professor University Distinguished Frost Robert the is Nicholas Delbanco Delbanco Nicholas Bear River Writers’ Conference—please visit our website: our visit Conference—please Writers’ River Bear

and forays into hip-hop and rap. rap. and hip-hop into forays and

of a painting that fascinates you. you. fascinates that painting a of

To learn more about these authors—and the many others affiliated with the the with affiliated others many the authors—and these about more learn To

performance values, which include recitations, stage persona, musical collaborations, collaborations, musical persona, stage recitations, include which values, performance to grow. to along a sketchpad (absolutely no drawing experience necessary) and a reproduction reproduction a and necessary) experience drawing no (absolutely sketchpad a along

to thinking about the poem as a written, literary expression, we will also consider oral oral consider also will we expression, literary written, a as poem the about thinking to be based is that Imitation is not only the sincerest form of flattery, but also a good way way good a also but flattery, of form sincerest the only not is Imitation that is based be

Wilde, among others, and will work on short and long fiction of our own. Bring Bring own. our of fiction long and short on work will and others, among Wilde,

ters i r W ver Ri ear B he T

In addition addition In language. of use attention-holding original, its expression, unified its truth, Ford, Jamaica Kincaid and Lorrie Moore. The article of faith on which this workshop will will workshop this which on faith of article The Moore. Lorrie and Kincaid Jamaica Ford, process, we’ll look at works by A. S. Byatt, Alex Miller, Chaim Potok, and Oscar Oscar and Potok, Chaim Miller, Alex Byatt, S. A. by works at look we’ll process,

the page and out loud. In other words, what makes the poem work; its emotional emotional its work; poem the makes what words, other In loud. out and page the Flannery O’Connor, along with present-day practitioners such as Andrea Barrett, Richard Richard Barrett, Andrea as such practitioners present-day with along O’Connor, Flannery which painting and painters can function as subject or inspiration for fiction. In the the In fiction. for inspiration or subject as function can painters and painting which

workshop participants to discover what makes a “successful” poetic performance, on on performance, poetic “successful” a makes what discover to participants workshop such modern masters as Raymond Carver, Ernest Hemingway, Bernard Malamud and and Malamud Bernard Hemingway, Ernest Carver, Raymond as masters modern such to describe a painting? In this workshop, we’ll explore some of the many ways in in ways many the of some explore we’ll workshop, this In painting? a describe to

and as a performing art. We will look at classic poems plus the writing done by the the by done writing the plus poems classic at look will We art. performing a as and careful writing are two sides of the one coin. We will look at examples of prose from from prose of examples at look will We coin. one the of sides two are writing careful on canvas resemble or differ from the act of putting thought into words? Is it possible possible it Is words? into thought putting of act the from differ or resemble canvas on

This workshop will bring us close to poetry as literature, as language performance, performance, language as literature, as poetry to close us bring will workshop This to improve one’s own work is to pay attention to the work of others; close reading and and reading close others; of work the to attention pay to is work own one’s improve to

What can the visual act offer us as fiction writers? How does the act of putting color color putting of act the does How writers? fiction as us offer act visual the can What

Conference of Pine Manor College, MS. College, Manor Pine of Conference

suggests, an excellent way way excellent an suggests, book, my As The Sincerest Form: Writing Fiction by Imitation Imitation by Fiction Writing Form: Sincerest The

Poetry in Performance in Poetry

Fiction and Painting(s) and Fiction

Chair of Creative Writing at Interlochen Arts Academy and is instructor for the Solstice Solstice the for instructor is and Academy Arts Interlochen at Writing Creative of Chair as

Writing Fiction by Imitation by Fiction Writing

y ssa E ersonal P She serves serves She Council. Humanities Michigan and Playhouse, Town Old Writers, Michigan

y oetr P She has served on the boards of Glen Arbor Art Association, Association, Art Arbor Glen of boards the on served has She story. Strang Jesse James the

—based on on —based and award-winning the including

Wives of An American King American An of Wives Belles Northern

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directed by Vadim Perelman. She teaches at the University of Michigan. Michigan. of University the at teaches She Perelman. Vadim by directed on i ct y/Fi oetr P

Mellon.

She has written many plays plays many written has She Council. Humanities Michigan the by funded essays seniors’ feature journalism and book reviews in in reviews book and journalism feature The Irish Times. Irish The

for the Arts. Her third novel is being made into a film starring Uma Thurman, Thurman, Uma starring film a into made being is novel third Her Arts. the for

Best American Poetry anthologies. He directs the Creative Writing Program at Carnegie Carnegie at Program Writing Creative the directs He anthologies. Poetry American Best

, an anthology of of anthology an , edited He lives in Ireland, where he writes full time and publishes publishes and time full writes he where Ireland, in lives He Turkish, from Looking Over My Shoulder: Reflections on the Twentieth Century Twentieth the on Reflections Shoulder: My Over Looking Dirty August. Dirty y oetr P

recipient of several Pushcart Prizes and two fellowships for the National Endowment Endowment National the for fellowships two and Prizes Pushcart several of recipient

Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. His poems have appeared in the Pushcart Prize and and Prize Pushcart the in appeared have poems His Arts. the on Council Pennsylvania

She has has She chapbooks. several and Editions), (Milkweed poems of collection a , and, in collaboration with Julia Clare Tillinghast, a book of translations translations of book a Tillinghast, Clare Julia with collaboration in and, Woman Finding Ireland, Finding

, and elsewhere, and been the the been and elsewhere, and , mrcn oty eiw Te e Egad Review England New The Review, Poetry American

for Poetry, two fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, and two from the the from two and Arts, the for Endowment National the from fellowships two Poetry, for

, both Michigan Notable Books (Wayne State University Press), Press), University State (Wayne Books Notable Michigan both , is out this year from Copper Beech, along with a collection of essays, essays, of collection a with along Beech, Copper from year this out is Uncoded Uncoded Fields of House The New Life, Life, New The

a novel for young adults. She has published writing in in writing published has She adults. young for novel a

Ploughshares, Poetry, The The Poetry, Ploughshares,

. He has received the Brittingham Prize Prize Brittingham the received has He . America: Contemporary American Poetry on Race on Poetry American Contemporary America:

and and essays, of collections two of author is A collection of poems, poems, of collection A the for pieces travel wrote and books reviewed Pulling Down the Barn the Down Pulling New York Times. Times. York New Anne-Marie Oomen Anne-Marie

, Ausable 2007), and and 2007), Ausable , recently (most poetry of collections six 2007),

Lilies Without Lilies

Olsen Prize. In addition, he has edited or co-edited four anthologies, including anthologies, four co-edited or edited has he addition, In Prize. Olsen Letters to to Letters

the author of some eight books of poems and three books of essays. For many years he he years many For essays. of books three and poems of books eight some of author the

, Harcourt, Harcourt, , recently, (most novels four published has Be Mine Be Laura Kasischke Laura

a book of his poems accompanying the photographs of Charlee Brodsky, won the Tillie Tillie the won Brodsky, Charlee of photographs the accompanying poems his of book a to practice. practice. to written and published in several genres: poetry, essays, travel writing, translation. He is is He translation. writing, travel essays, poetry, genres: several in published and written

, , . poems, of book eleventh his and , fiction, Street Exterminator the for Line In Pleasant Mr. Though the focus is one new work, do bring a few pages of your writing on which which on writing your of pages few a bring do work, new one is focus the Though fiction. co-founded Bear River and was director through 2005. He has has He 2005. through director was and River Bear co-founded Richard Tillinghast Richard

Breton). (Andre

(2007). Two other books were published in 2007, his third collection of short short of collection third his 2007, in published were books other Two (2007). Dummies particular focus on the structures and stylistic devices we may borrow from poetry and and poetry from borrow may we devices stylistic and structures the on focus particular

the communicable and incommunicable...cease to be perceived as contradictions...” contradictions...” as perceived be to incommunicable...cease and communicable the

won the Blue Lynx Poetry Prize for his book, book, his for Prize Poetry Lynx Blue the won Revolt of the Crash-Test Crash-Test the of Revolt Jim Daniels Daniels Jim We will explore strategies of life writing with with writing life of strategies explore will We planes? of drone ominous the or bread of stretch their abilities and try something new. new. something try and abilities their stretch

create a space between those places where “the real and the imagined, past and future, future, and past imagined, the and real “the where places those between space a create

and plausible writing that rises off the page and hits the reader with the delicious scent scent delicious the with reader the hits and page the off rises that writing plausible and The workshop welcomes both poets and prose writers, as well as those who want to to want who those as well as writers, prose and poets both welcomes workshop The

can can Literature laws. or barriers no have to seems that realm spiritual and psychological

new work of art, a poem. poem. a art, of work new

You have the stuff, so how do you wield this powerful genre in compelling compelling in genre powerful this wield you do how so stuff, the have You essay. personal language, and then explore how women and men both inhabit a place and embody it. it. embody and place a inhabit both men and women how explore then and language,

have of ourselves as both physical and time-bound beings; as beings existing in a a in existing beings as beings; time-bound and physical both as ourselves of have

little bit of the magic, the fire, from an artist or musician and transform it into an entirely entirely an into it transform and musician or artist an from fire, the magic, the of bit little

You have in your memory and imagination all the grist you need to write the successful successful the write to need you grist the all imagination and memory your in have You personality and place. We will work on evoking a sense of place through the use of vivid vivid of use the through place of sense a evoking on work will We place. and personality

life and death, logic and illogic in ways that precisely render the experience we we experience the render precisely that ways in illogic and logic death, and life

approaches that might cross over into other art forms in new and creative ways, to steal a a steal to ways, creative and new in forms art other into over cross might that approaches

come from, where they choose to be. Here we will explore the relationship between between relationship the explore will we Here be. to choose they where from, come Inspiration from Memory and Imagination and Memory from Inspiration

can fuse reality and dream, dream, and reality fuse can that one is experience writing the how see we’ll “scene,”

to music and to the visual arts, and I’m hoping in this workshop to inspire poets to try new new try to poets inspire to workshop this in hoping I’m and arts, visual the to and music to

they are—where they they are—where they of because degree some to are they who are People where

By experimenting with writing processes, and discussing the mechanics of the the of mechanics the discussing and processes, writing with experimenting By

poems with epigraphs quoting other writers. But there’s also a long history of poetry’s links links poetry’s of history long a also there’s But writers. other quoting epigraphs with poems

People and Places Places and People

Imagination Full the with Write to How Scene: the into Stepping

As writers, we are used to being inspired by our reading—look at the large number of of number large the at reading—look our by inspired being to used are we writers, As

r i emo M Borrowing Matches: Writing Poetry in Response to Music and Visual Art Visual and Music to Response in Poetry Writing Matches: Borrowing

/ on i ct -Fi on N y tor S

coordinator of undergraduate creative writing at the University of Michigan. of University the at writing creative undergraduate of coordinator D.C. Washington, in University American at Writing Creative in Program

ve i reat C g n i t i r W re u at N

hort S y er V he T

. He has won awards for his work here and in Europe. He works as the the as works He Europe. in and here work his for awards won has He . He is a professor in the MFA MFA the in professor a is He others. several and Foundation, Isherwood Christopher the Southern Review Southern

, and and , , the to Arts, the for Endowment National the Foundation, Guggenheim the from fellowships The The Ireland Poetry Review Quarterly Michigan to Tribune Chicago Digest

I’m pleased to report that so far it seems to be working! be to seems it far so that report to pleased I’m

, from from , the to from ranging places, hundred of received has He and Bird Watcher’s Watcher’s Bird Times Angeles Los Story 2007. Stories Prize Henry O. The 2000, Essays American Best Ms.,

inspired one American classic—would be a good place to help accomplish their idea. idea. their accomplish help to place good a be classic—would American one inspired translated into five languages. five into translated State University Press in 2009. Over the years his work has appeared in a couple couple a in appeared has work his years the Over 2009. in Press University State a Borders Original Voices selection. His work has appeared in in appeared has work His selection. Voices Original Borders a The Atlantic, Esquire, Esquire, Atlantic, The

have won many awards and have been been have and awards many won have and will be published by Wayne Wayne by published be will book, next His England. was and 2005 of Books Best 50 the of one as Amazon by chosen was The Living Great Lakes, Great Living The Fishes, and Frogs If the World Becomes So Bright, So Becomes World the If Sorrows of Mother

to continue… And they thought the shores of Walloon Lake—which had already already had Lake—which Walloon of shores the thought they And continue… to

, a book he co-translated, was published in in published was co-translated, he book a , including books, ten His publications. other many magnificently written, that it can stand unembarrassed beside the mystery of life itself.” life of mystery the beside unembarrassed stand can it that written, magnificently The Poetry and Prose of Kostas Karyotakis Kostas of Prose and Poetry The Raining It’s Water, the on Place A

mix would create new ideas that would send all the writers home with good work work good with home writers the all send would that ideas new create would mix , was named a Michigan Notable Book of the Year for 2007. 2007. for Year the of Book Notable Michigan a named was , so felt, intricately so book a . . . beautiful unbearably “almost as describes Cunningham and in stories and Battered Guitars: Guitars: Battered Rapture Teeth, River Audubon, , Orion Smithsonian, Times, York New The

, the conference Director, published two new books in 2006. 2006. in books new two published Director, conference the , Michael novelist which , of author the is essays published has and 1986 since writer full-time a been has Guilty at the the at Guilty Sorrows of Mother Keith Taylor Keith McCann Richard Dennis Jerry were interested in writing about place and the natural environment. They hoped the the hoped They environment. natural the and place about writing in interested were

They hoped to bring people with general literary interests together with those who who those with together interests literary general with people bring to hoped They last workshop session. session. workshop last life. your to important places and people other of as well as yourself of photos old publication. for suitable

inspiration, we hope each of us will have drafts of a couple of new prose pieces by the the by pieces prose new of couple a of drafts have will us of each hope we inspiration, few a along bring and work new generate to prepared Come lives. own our of experience work completing of goal the with critique, for them offer and exercises writing

the beauties of this place and where they could meet the writers who live here. here. live who writers the meet could they where and place this of beauties the

between the two, both by reading and writing. With luck, some work, and a bit of of bit a and work, some luck, With writing. and reading by both two, the between the through us to granted been have that stories the contain dialogue—that of bits and daily complete to encouraged be will Participants it. in places our on perspectives

Conference as a place where writers from outside northern Michigan could enjoy enjoy could Michigan northern outside from writers where place a as Conference more typical of the very short story. In this workshop we will try to explore the place place the explore to try will we workshop this In story. short very the of typical more settings, images, as memory—such of materials raw fragmentary the locate to attempt fresh and world natural the with connections personal writing, through discover, us

of the prose poem begins to cross over into the narrative drive and characterization characterization and drive narrative the into over cross to begins poem prose the of we’ll and techniques, story-telling and remembering through fiction, or nonfiction in help can that others many and idea that explore We’ll it. about write can she before

James McCullough and Richard Tillinghast first planned the Bear River Writers’ Writers’ River Bear the planned first Tillinghast Richard and McCullough James

For a long time many of us have been interested in that place where the lyric intensity intensity lyric the where place that in interested been have us of many time long a For whether work, our of origins autobiographical the explore we’ll workshop, this In subject a surmount” and “surround must she that says Oliver Mary poet and Essayist

Prose Poem/ Very Short Story Short Very Poem/ Prose Stories Life Nature in Writer The

S ’ D t n e m e t a t s r o t c e r i

Find Your Natural Inspiration Th e A space for you … Be a r Ri v e r arly morning at Camp Michigania and the sun is skimming the chill off the surface of fternoon arrives and the rhythm of the conference changes. The options for recreation EWalloon Lake. The Bear River Writers’ Conference begins its day. Participants leave Amultiply as, each day, faculty and special guests offer readings and craft talks in the camp’s their cozy lodges and wander along the paths to the dining hall to chat and fill themselves education center. Participants have the opportunity to engage in active interchange with published Writers’ Conference with a good breakfast. The hall is loud with conversation as attendees and faculty renew authors, to find answers to the questions inspired by these writers’ works. Those seeking a brief acquaintances and find new friendships. Outside the windows, the landscape brightens to full break from the demands of their pens may decide to use this time to wander the nature trails of May 29 - June 2, 2008 day and writers pause in their discussions to consider the spectacular views that surround them. the camp, go flyfishing or take a canoe and explore the calm of Walloon Lake.

This is the singular experience of Bear River — the fabric of the conference woven from twin loves, Some participants elect to spend the afternoon reading or writing. Others investigate the nearby  for the worlds of words and nature. Bear River is a place of diverse community that welcomes all attractions in Petoskey, Boyne City, Harbor Springs, Bay Harbor and East Jordan. As the sun Amy Hempel’s The Collected Stories came out in 2006. It was of the individual voices of its many participants. edges down toward the horizon, participants return again to the comfortable space of the dining hall to relax with one another over a satisfying meal and relive the day’s highlights. named one of the New York Times Ten Best Books of the Year and Conference Registration Information was a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award. She is the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, a USA Foundation Fellowship, Registration and pricing information and a downloadable registration form are available on … outside … … of the everyday our website (see address below). A nonrefundable deposit of $150 is due at the time of and the Ambassador Book Award for Best Book of Fiction of registration. Please fill out both pages of the registration form and mail them (or fax them if credit card payment) with your deposit or full payment to the address on the form. If not paid in full, the conference balance is due by May 18. Before May 18, the conference fee 2006. Her stories have been anthologized in the Best American minus the $150 deposit is 50% refundable. After May 18, there will be no refunds. If you have questions, please email us at [email protected] or call (734) 764-4139. Short Stories, The Norton Anthology of Short Fiction, and many orkshop slips into motion around 9am, the breakfast crowd dispersed into small groups of vening at Bear River and participants once again disperse, to read, to write, to listen to the Wtwelve. With their coffee cups and notebooks, writers gather around tables and in front of Ecreative work of their teachers. Faculty readings carry the conference to twilight. Later, some others. She lives in New fireplaces and begin the work of the day. Conversation quickly condenses into an intent discussion participants bring stories and instruments and gather around the campfire down by the lake. Some, Plan A: Includes tuition, lodging and all meals. Lodging options and pricing for Plan A are of writing, process and products. Poets squint at their journals, deciphering lines from the previous under the thrall of the day’s creative energy, find a quiet spot in front of one of the camp’s many listed below. York City and teaches at night’s inspiration. Fiction writers contemplate their newly minted pages and invite suggestions fireplaces and work filling the blank pages of their notebooks. On Saturday, many participants Private room and private bath: $775 per person from the group. The atmosphere is alternately relaxed and avid, laughter a familiar punctuation venture away from the campgrounds to enjoy an evening of words and music at Crooked Tree Arts Private room and shared bath: $725 per person Bunk room: $650 per person Bennington College and to these hours. Center. The conference’s creative endeavors culminate on the final night in a special reading that (Single bunk bed in a 4-bunk bedroom shared with 1-3 others/shared bath with 1-3 others) showcases the work of participants, with some students performing their work to music, often for at Sarah Lawrence. After an intense morning of creative dialogue, participants shuffle back to the dining halls for the first time. Plan B: Includes tuition and all meals, but not lodging for those who live in the Petoskey lunch, and more conversation, about the morning’s achievements and their various passions for area. In addition, there are many hotels and motels available within twenty minutes of the writing. The conference is deeply embedded in the natural world and the striking landscape of The Bear River Writers’ Conference, which runs from dinner on Thursday through breakfast on conference for those who prefer greater privacy: $575 per person northern Michigan is not simply backdrop for the session, but inspiration for the creative work of Monday, is defined by its own particular geography, situated as it is at the intersection of the participants and faculty. natural and creative worlds. Populated by an eclectic collection of writers of all levels of experience, Register early to secure your workshop choice: Workshops will be assigned on a first come it offers community members a hiatus from daily routine and the chance to find aspacefor first serve basis. In the unlikely event of a workshop cancellation, your entire payment will be themselves and their words. refunded upon request if you do not wish to enroll in an alternate workshop.

For more information or to download a registration form, please visit our website. James Cyan photos by image from Chen; Background photo: Kenneth Hempel Amy Special Guest www.lsa.umich.edu/bearriver AMY HEMPEL Find your place at Bear River