Summer Online
Juniper Young Writers Online
Program Dates: July 17-21, 2023
Applications Open: April 2, 2023
Scholarship Application Deadline: May 1, 2023
Final Application Deadline: rolling or until program fills
Cost: $1,000
Admissions and enrollment to this summer’s online program are rolling, and the application deadline to be considered for a scholarship is May 1. For priority consideration, we encourage all interested students to apply by this deadline.
Applications open April 2! Sign up for our mailing list to be reminded when applications open.
These last few years have shown us the great possibilities of virtual community and mentorship for young writers. This summer we will continue hosting online programming for students in grades 9-12. Juniper Young Writers Online will provide young writers with opportunities for experimentation, creativity and wild invention, all delivered remotely.
Whether from their bedrooms or their gardens, JYWO participants will spend an intensive virtual week engaging deeply with the writing process in community with Creative Writing Instructors, all working writers and students in the UMass Amherst MFA for Poets and Writers, and a community of deeply passionate peer writers. During past JYWO sessions, participants from all around the United States and the world have joined to share their creativity, writing, and ideas with each other. Especially for young writers, finding a writing community can be so difficult, and Juniper Young Writers Online offers participants the opportunity to form connections with like-minded writers that can last long after the program ends.
Throughout the program, participants will spend a week of focused time on honing their craft and soaking up inspiration and advice from our faculty and from peers by taking part in our long developed programming, including Writing Labs, Craft Sessions, Participant Readings, Writer’s Life talks, and Write-alongs.
We also offer self-guided writing packages. Our Craft Package and Write-Along Package do not require an application and allow young writers to engage with JYWO's creative writing curriculum at their own pace.
Writing Packages: July 17-21, 2023
Summer Online Writing Packages offer poets and writers a self-directed journey into a week of wild invention. Working independently, participants will gain insight to the creative writing process, with opportunities to learn from an extraordinary group of dedicated instructors, and to interact with a community of peers who share their love of writing and social inquiry. Writing Packages are also a fantastic starting point for young writers not yet ready to dive into a workshop environment OR for alumni to return for a self-guided virtual residency experience. Registration for the Craft and Write-along packages is coming soon.
Craft Package: Craft Sessions + Writer's Life Talks + Write-alongs
Cost: TBA Explore what you get with the Craft Package.
| Time (EST) | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midnight before | Write-along | Write-along | Write-along | Write-along | Write-along |
| 11am-12pm | Craft Sessions | Craft Sessions | Craft Sessions | Craft Sessions | Craft Sessions |
| 12pm | Write-along | Write-along | Write-along | Write-along | Write-along |
| 4pm-5pm | Writer's Life | Writer's Life | Writer's Life |
Write-along Package: Writer's Life Talks + Write-alongs
Cost: TBA Explore what you get with the Write-along Package.
| Time (EST) | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midnight before | Write-along | Write-along | Write-along | Write-along | Write-along |
| 12pm | Write-along | Write-along | Write-along | Write-along | Write-along |
| 4pm-5pm | Writer's Life | Writer's Life | Writer's Life |
What you get with The Craft Package:
Five electives
Participants in the Craft Package will meet and interact with peers in five virtual Craft Sessions over five days; finding opportunity to write together and share questions and insights. Sessions are led by Creative Writing Instructors.
Inspiration for generating new work
Writing prompts and challenges are emailed twice a day. We’ll also facilitate ways for participants to virtually share their work and ideas generated from the daily Write-alongs. The Writer's Life talks give participants a behind-the-scenes view on the Instructors' work and creative processes, which always ignite new ideas and provide invaluable writing tips.
Eight Contact Hours with Instructors
Juniper instructors are professional teachers, published authors, and graduate students at UMass Amherst pursuing their Masters of Fine Arts degrees in creative writing. Learn more about our instructors here.
Virtual Community
Attending the Writer’s Life Talks will introduce Participants to the Juniper instructors, and offer them the opportunity to hear the work and creative process of seasoned writers, as well as ask questions. Craft Package participants will meet and interact with peers in the virtual Craft Sessions, finding opportunity to write together and share questions and insights.
What you get with The Write-along package:
Inspiration for generating new work
Writing prompts and challenges are emailed twice a day. We’ll also facilitate ways for participants to virtually share their work and ideas generated from the daily Write-alongs. The Writer's Life talks give participants a behind-the-scenes view on the Instructors' work and creative processes, which always ignite new ideas and provide invaluable writing tips.
Three Contact Hours with Instructors
Juniper instructors are professional teachers, published authors, and graduate students at UMass Amherst pursuing their Masters of Fine Arts degrees in creative writing. Learn more about our instructors here.
Virtual Community
Attending the Writer’s Life Talks will introduce participants to the Juniper Instructors, and offer them the opportunity to hear the work and creative process of seasoned writers, as well as ask questions.
The University of Massachusetts reserves the right to cancel any program it deems necessary. In the event of program cancellation, payment will be refunded in full.
