Resources for Creative Writers

My list of essential creative writing resources, from my local territory of Indiucky to beyond, periodically updated.

Regional Opportunities (Indiucky and nearby)

Our region is fortunate to offer many opportunities for writers. They include open mic readings, readings by guest authors, book signings, writers workshops, and programs of study. Many opportunities are free or low cost. 

• Louisville Literary Arts, including the monthly InKY Reading Series, the annual Writers Block Festival, and other events. 
• University of Louisville Axton Reading Series presents workshops, master classes, and readings by visiting writers. 
• Spalding University low-residency MFA (master’s in fine arts degree) program in creative and professional writing. In a low-residency program, graduate students earn a master’s degree by working with mentors two semesters per year from the convenience of their homes. At Spalding’s program, twice a year students attend a week-long residency that includes lectures, intense workshops, meetings with mentors, writing and revision, exercises, and social activities. Low residency programs often feature specialized genres traditional residential graduate programs don’t usually offer, such as writing for children, writing for young adults, graphic novels, and writing for stage and screen, in addition to poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. 
• Spalding University’s MFA program sponsors the Spalding at 21C Reading Series and the twice-yearly Spalding Festival of Contemporary Writing. Check local listings for details. 
• Charmichael’s Bookstore (“Louisville’s Oldest Independent Bookstore”) sponsors readings, book signings, and other events.
• New Albanian Writers Group and open mic at Kolkin Coffee, based in New Albany, Indiana.  The group’s core members are students, former students, and part-time faculty at IU Southeast. 
• Flying Out Loud monthly reading series.
• The Louisville Review and Fleur de Lis press are open to submissions from creative writers. 

A little further out are these fine opportunities:

• Bloomington,IN
  • The Writers Guild of Bloomington offers membership and events. 
  • The guild and other organizations also sponsor the Blue Light Reading Series.
  • Indiana University Bloomington offers a Masters of Fine Arts degree in creative writing. 
  • IU Bloomington also publishes the Indiana Review, which accepts submissions from creative writers. 
  • IU Bloomington also organizes the annual Indiana University Writers Conference.
• Evansville, IN
  • The University of Evansville publishes poetry books through Measure Press and accepts submissions from creative writers through its student-run journal The Evansville Review.
• Indianapolis,IN
  • Butler University offers a Masters in Fine Arts in Creative Writing. 
  • Butler runs Booth Press, which is open to submissions from creative writers. 
  • Butler also organizes the incredible Delbrook Visiting Writers Series.  
• Lexington, KY
  • The Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning is an incredible resource for writers, offering classes, workshops, readings, and other activities and events. 
  • Kentucky Humanities produces the annual Kentucky Book Festival.
• Nashville, TN
  • The Southern Festival of Books is a wonderful annual festival with workshops, classes, events, presentations and more.  The SFB also has a Facebook page. 

Internet Opportunities

• Here are sources for publication, conferences, workshops, residencies, jobs, and other opportunities:
  • Creative Writers Opportunities is back! I published a number of pieces thanks to this glorious, comprehensive list of calls for publication, prizes, conferences, and more. But when Yahoo recently got rid of its groups feature, I thought it was gone. Now curator Alison Joseph, poet and faculty at Carbondale’s MFA Program, has brought it back as a blog. Hurrah!
  • Submittable is a portal that many publications use for the submission process. It also contains a list of opportunities through its “Discover” link. Account required, but signing up is free. 
  • Cathy’s Comps and Calls
  • Poets and Writers is a print and digital magazine highly valuable for writers. I recommend subscribing. It also maintains a searchable list of opportunities. 
  • The Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP), is probably the most important organization for writers. It features a MASSIVE writing conference every year in a different city, offers services for members, and also publishes as list of opportunities. 
  • Creative Writing Indiucky is a Facebook page I maintain with creative writing news and events of local and regional interest. 
  • Winningwriters.com is a lovely Web site I recently discovered that’s full of advice and opportunities.

(updated 25 January 2020)