Rae Bryant

One of the most rewarding interactions of being a writer is to watch and have the opportunity to help other writers grow in their own craft. I’ve been fortunate, this month, to help with the Hood College Young Writers’ Conference, here in Frederick Maryland, my stomping grounds. The conference, organized by Dr. Elly Williams fashions itself after the Sewanee Young Writers Conference.

For two weeks, a group of 24 students attend workshops led by professors and authors/poets, Dr. Elly Williams (Hood and Johns Hopkins Faculty), Dr. Elizabeth Knapp (Hood Faculty), and Scot Slaby (FCPS Faculty and JHU MA Alum). Students workshop in the morning then meet and discuss with visiting writers and published authors—Ann Hood, Michele Wolf, Dan Elish and many more—in the afternoons. Students and parents have the opportunity to attend a dinner and reading with a visiting writer/author.   

This 2010 Conference group of students have brought with them a mix of talent and personality that is fun and focused. It’s a fantastic opportunity for all high school writers, ninth through twelfth grade, and I encourage students in Frederick County and surrounding counties to look for submissions information for next summer’s conference. Apply early. You can read more at the Hood College Young Writers’ Conference website and at Frederick News Post—Hood College to sponsor conference for writers in grades nine through 12 .