Thanks to Marie-Elena for sending this to me:

The City College Black Studies Program
The Black Male Leadership and Mentoring Project
The City College of New York,
138 Street & Convent Avenue, MR14
New York, NY 10031
Summer 2008 Writing Workshop: July 21 ? 31, 2008

So You Want To Be A Writer
Sponsored by the Black Studies Program and the City College Black Male Leadership and Mentoring Program

A two-week practical, hands on experience for those who are seriously considering a career in writing, conducted by author Marie-Elena John (author of Unburnable). Designed to give an insider?s view of the road to writing and publication, the workshop will consist of two tiers:

1.A case-study approach to the journey of ?writing a novel? — Using her own experiences, Ms. John will walk students through her 4?year journey, from her decision to ?write a novel,? to the day Unburnable was on the shelves, as well as exploring the post-publication realities of marketing and publicity.

2.A more traditional workshop approach, including short writing exercises, reading assigned material for class discussion, ongoing peer-critique. Students will explore a number of themes, including:
?What you read always comes back to haunt you — the importance of reading as training for writing,
?Write as if you are an orphan ? losing inhibitions and fear of self-exposure,
?The perils of didactic writing, and
?Cornerstones – Authenticity, writing your truth, and finding your voice .

Instructor?s Bio
Marie-Elena John is the author of the critically-acclaimed novel Unburnable. Published by HarperCollins/Amistad in 2006, Unburnable was a finalist for the Hurston-Wright Legacy Award (Debut Fiction), was named Best Debut of 2006 by Black Issues Book Review, and was nominated for the 2008 IMPAC International Literary Award.
Ms. John attended the City College of New York, graduating as CCNY?s first Black female valedictorian in 1986. She also received a Masters degree in International Affairs from Columbia University, specializing in culture and development in Africa. Her work involved traveling extensively throughout Africa and designing, implementing, and funding development, human rights, and women?s rights programs.
She is currently working on her second novel and on the screenplay of Unburnable.

The workshop will run from 10:00 AM ? 2:00 PM, Mondays ? Thursdays, July 21-31

Eligibility- The workshop is open to all, based on the strength of a writing sample, and is not for credit.

Selection- Selection will be based on submission of a 3 ? 5 page short story or excerpt of work in progress.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR APPLICATION DETAILS send inquiry to ccnywritingworkshop@gmail.com