Scribes

Scribes is an intensive two-week creative writing program for teens. You'll acquire a tool kit of literary forms, pick up exercises and techniques to develop your writer's voice, get serious feedback from your instructors and peers and tour the city with a writer's eye. Sessions are facilitated by professional writers who will help you bring out the best in your work. Each session is composed of 20 students and two instructors. Class runs 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Monday–Friday with lunch and a snack included. Community readings are held at the end of each session.

Session I: July 5-16, 2010 (grades 7-8)
Session II: July 19-30, 2010 (grades 9-12)
Session III: August 2-13, 2010 (grades 9-12)
Tuition: $650, sliding scale

“My inner writer had never felt so alive than during the hours spent in that Cabaret space of Richard Hugo House. Ideas and words came so easily.”
–Adriane, Scribes alumna

What can you expect from Scribes? Here are some of the highlights from last summer.

Acclaimed guests
Besides your primary Scribes instructors, many illustrious guests visit Scribes to share their knowledge and experience. Singer/songwriter Jon Auer of The Posies performed songs written by Scribes teens. Monologuist Mike Daisey came to discuss his own writing life, and even gave Scribes a sneak preview of his latest show. And several writers’ panels gave Scribes participants a chance to ask questions and engage in discussion about the writing life.

Unique field trips
Just because Scribes is a writing camp doesn’t mean that you’ll be holed up in the House all day long. In Scribes, you'll take trips to neighborhood art museums, parks and city streets to get us out and about, observing the world with writers’ eyes.
 
Hands-on projects
There’s more to writing than simply putting pen to paper. ZAPP (Hugo House's Zine Archive and Publishing Project) provided supplies, inspiration and guidance for making a zine. Book artist Jennifer Borges Foster visited and led a workshop on how to make handmade broadsides. A visit to the Frye Art Museum got Scribes thinking about how to combine story with image, and if and how words can cure the world.

Inspiring prompts
Do you know what blackout poems are? How about Magical Realism? Do you think you could write a story using only book titles? What do you think a spleen would say if it could talk? At Scribes, you will draw inspiration from learning new styles, genres and forms, reading various authors, collaborating with your fellow participants and observing the world around you.

Application Information:
Scribes 2010 applications will be considered in two rounds:

Early registration will be in January, 2010. For those who are making their summer plans early, applications are due on January 15 and in-person interviews will be conducted January 20-30. Admissions will be granted on February 2.

Regular registration will be in April. Applications will be due on April 15 and in-person interviews will be conducted April 20-30. Admissions will be granted on May 1.

For returning applicants: Please answer the following question in 250 words or fewer: Why do you want to return to Scribes? Submit this with the information below, plus a new sample of your creative writing, up to 10 pages. You will not need to interview again this year.

Name:
Grade:
School:
Home address:
City/state/zip:
Phone:
E-mail:

Which session are you applying for? Session I: July 19-30, 2010  OR  Session II: August 2-13, 2010

New applicants: answer ONE of the following in 500 words or fewer:

-You want to spend two glorious weeks of Seattle sunshine inside, writing? Why!?
-Tell us about yourself. Feel free to fictionalize.

Please complete the information below:

Name:
Grade:
School:
Home address:
City/state/zip:
Phone:
E-mail:

How did you hear about Scribes?

Submit a writing sample of up to 10 pages of creative nonfiction, fiction, memoir or poetry to margotcase@hugohouse.org or by mail to:

Scribes 2010
Richard Hugo House
1634 11th Ave.
Seattle, WA 98122