fourth annual
New Orleans New Writers Literary Festival 2011
high school students come together for
author events and celebrating the writing life
Registration for N.O. New Writers Literary Festival is now closed. If you have questions or would like to inquire about making a late registration, please call Lara Naughton at 504-940-2821
New Orleans– Lusher Charter High School and New Orleans Center for Creative Arts are collaborating once again to produce the fourth year of a remarkable two-day event for high school students: New Orleans New Writers Literary Festival. The Festival, coordinated by Lusher faculty member Brad Richard and NOCCA faculty member Lara Naughton, draws nearly 150 young writers from the New Orleans area who come together to learn new skills, share ideas and celebrate the writing life. “LitFest is a great way to explore — with other quirky, imaginative students — different types of writing, like screenwriting and food writing. The minute I stepped out of LitFest last year, I wanted to sign up again!” said high school junior Ryanne Autin.
Headlining the Saturday festival will be Deb Olin Unferth (author of the story collection Minor Robberies, the novel Vacation, and the memoir Revolution: The Year I Fell in Love and Went to Join the War) who will offer a reading and master class for all participants then meet with a small group of students to discuss memoir writing and the writing life.
Other session offerings include creative non-fiction writing with Billy Sothern (author of Down in New Orleans: Reflections From a Drowned City); dance and text with Jeffrey Gunshol (Tsunami dance company member); screenwriting with writer/director Henry Griffin; spoken word with international performer Chuck Perkins; experimental poetry with poet Kelly Harris; songwriting with musician and composer Mike Rihner; food writing with Rachel Arons from Edible New Orleans; and broadsides with designer Jeremy Thompson. In addition, there will be an open reading by members of the local high school literary scene.
Co-founder Brad Richard says, “As professional writers, we know how important it is to be part of a larger writing community. The same is true for young writers who want to meet other students with similar interests and explore the craft with outstanding artists and mentors. We’re thrilled to offer this opportunity again this year.”
The Saturday festival is open to high school age students only (current 9-12th grade) and requires preregistration. The non-refundable registration fee is $20.00, payable online, and the registration deadline is March 28, 2011.