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Writing Trumps Science: Padma Venkatraman Joins the Faculty
Award-winning YA novelist, Padma Venkatraman has traveled a varied, but interesting path (both personally and professionally) to join us. A native of India, Padma is now an American citizen, living in
Jamestown, Rhode Island and professionally, she is Ph.D. in oceanography with a distinguished career as a researcher; however, it is our good fortune that she has turned her attention to writing which she
considers to be her first love. We are delighted that she is joining our faculty and will be working with Kelly Easton and Mark Hughes for whole group instruction and have her own mentor group.
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Peter Johnson to Offer Workshops for Advanced Students
Peter Johnson is a
highly regarded Professor of Creative Writing at Providence College as well as an award-winning poet and novelist. He joins our faculty to present workshops for advanced students. A native of Buffalo, New
York, he earned Ph.D. in English from the University of New Hampshire. His second adolescent novel Loserville, has just been published. His first YA novel is the critically acclaimed and popular,
What Happened, winner of the 2008 ASTAL Book of the Year.
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ASTAL Institute Adds Kara LaReau as Editor-in-Residence for 2009
We are excited
to include Kara LaReau who will be joining the Institute faculty this summer as our Editor-in-Residence. Kara is well versed in all things publishing as both a successful editor and author herself. Kara gave
the keynote address at the first ASTAL Summer Institute two years ago. She will conduct sessions about the publishing process with all participants. Her major role will be to consult with small groups and
individual students about their work. Participants may submit manuscripts for her critique. Participants will be contacted with details for manuscript submission.
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ASTAL Presents "Cashing in on Your Imagination: Becoming a Freelance Writer"
A new feature of the 2009 Summer Institute, Writing for Young People, is a one-day workshop entitled, Cashing in on Your Imagination
for people who are interested in freelance writing. In our difficult economic climate, publications are cutting jobs of their writing staffs. This is good news for freelancers who are looking to satisfy their creativity while also supplementing their income. We will offer sessions covering the following topics: getting started, the business of freelancing, developing ideas, and finding a market. Highly regarded journalist and author,
Steve Krasner, will be one of the instructors for the workshop.
The workshop will be held on June 27.
While this workshop is a part of the Summer Institute, we are opening it to others as a separate registration for that day only. Watch this spot because further details will be available soon. |
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ASTAL Facts
Did you know ASTAL has hosted 88 author visits to RIC?
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Hiroshima Dreams and What Happened Honored as ASTAL Books of
the Year 2008
ASTAL announced the 2008 ASTAL Rhode Island Books of the Year Awards at the 5th Annual Authors' Luncheon on March 29. ASTAL
recognized Kelly Easton's Hiroshima Dreams,
in the middle school category. This gentle, yet moving novel is the coming of age story of Lin who shares the gift of sight with her Japanese grandmother. In the secondary category, ASTAL recognized What Happened
by Peter Johnson. It is the powerful story of an unnamed protagonist/poet who struggles with losses: his mother's death, his father's abandonment of both him and his brother Kyle, and his personal sense of loss and direction. We applaud these excellent contributions to the field of young adult literature. Selection for the ASTAL Book of the Year Awards is based on literary merit, age appropriateness, and a Rhode Island connection. Books are eligible for the award during the first three years of their publication.
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ASTAL SUMMER INSTITUTE GEARS UP FOR 3RD YEAR
The 2009 edition of Writing for Young People offers a range of
additional opportunities for this summer. We are delighted that two of our outstanding faculty members, Kelly Easton and Mark Peter Hughes, return to anchor the program. The third of our original faculty
members, Liza Ketchum, is on leave this summer, but we hope she will return in the near future. Mark and Kelly will be joined this year by Padma Venkatraman (see Highlights). Additionally, Peter Johnson will
also be a member of the faculty, doing workshops for advanced students. All Institute participants will also have the opportunity to participate in our new one day workshop "Cashing in on Your
Imagination: Becoming a Freelance Writer" (see Highlights) lead by Steve Krasner. Additional presenters will be added. The final addition to our program is Kara LaReau who will be editor-in-residence for the
Institute (see Highlights).
June 24, 25, 26, 27, 29 & 30, 2009
MORE INFO
FOUR PARTICIPATION OPTIONS FOR SUMMER INSTITUTE
The 3rd Annual ASTAL Institute offers participants four options for
involvement: Option 1 for concentrated work on writing for young people; Option 2 for developing talents for freelancing; Option 3 hearing the daily speakers; and Option 4 attending the June 27
Luncheon with author Patricia McCormick speaking.
BOOKS FOR TEACHERS PROGRAM
Check out our list of books available for use in your classrooms.
BOOKS FOR KIDS PROGRAM
Learn how ASTAL brings authors to RI schools and distributes their books directly to the students.
ASTAL BOOK CLUB
Do you have trouble making time to read the latest books for young people? We have the solution: join the 2007-08 ASTAL Book Club!
WANT TO HEAR MORE ABOUT ASTAL @ RIC?
You can join the ASTAL Listserv by sending your e-mail address to Dr.
Jean E. Brown and indicating that you want to be added to the list.
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