Southeast Missouri State University will host its first-ever Young Writers’ Studio this spring, offering high school students from across the region a chance to develop their craft, connect with peers and share their work with the community.
The free studio, open to students in grades 9-12, is supported in part by a grant from the Missouri Arts Council. Registration is open through March 30, and interested students can still register online.
“This is the kind of space I wish I had when I was in high school,” said Dr. Jenny Cropp, associate professor of English at SEMO, who is organizing the studio. “We want students to meet others from across the region and realize they’re not alone in their love of writing.”
Participants will spend the day immersed in hands-on creative writing experiences. The studio will feature generative writing workshops in the morning, followed by revision workshops in the early afternoon. In the final session, students can choose between a publishing workshop, where they will create a miniature book of their work, or a performance workshop focused on preparing to read their writing aloud.
Tell me more about creative writing
While the region offers strong support for the arts, Cropp noted there are fewer opportunities specifically focused on creative writing. The Young Writers’ Studio aims to fill that gap by creating a welcoming environment where students can explore their voices and grow as writers.
The studio is the opportunity for students to learn directly from published writers and experienced teachers across multiple genres. Generative workshops will be led by poets and authors John Gallaher, Luke Rolfes and Missy Nieveen-Phegley.
Gallaher, whose work has appeared in publications such as “The Best American Poetry” and “Poetry,” will lead a poetry workshop focused on building creative habits and experimenting with language through prompts and exercises designed to spark new ideas.
Rolfes, author of the novel “Sleep Lake” and multiple short story collections, will guide students in fiction writing, helping them discover how to shape characters, settings and themes into compelling narratives drawn from the world around them.
Phegley, a creative nonfiction writer whose work has appeared in a variety of literary and regional publications, will lead a session on transforming real-life experiences into engaging, meaningful stories using techniques like dialogue, vivid description and scene-building.
Organizers hope to welcome a few dozen students in this inaugural year, with plans to offer the program annually.
The day will conclude with a public reading at 5:30 p.m. on April 10 in Rose Theater. Students who choose to participate will have the opportunity to share their work on stage, and friends, family and community members are invited to attend.
“We hope students leave with confidence in their own voices and a stronger sense of community,” Cropp said.
The Young Writers’ Studio reflects SEMO’s commitment to supporting emerging artists and fostering creative expression among students across the region.
For more information about programs in English and opportunities for creative writing at Southeast Missouri State University, visit semo.edu/english.