Deadline: 14 October 2010
Eligibility: no restrictions
Reading/Application Fee: none
Accepts (genre):
Prize/Payment: residency, travel costs
The Richard H. Thornton Endowment
Dr. Richard H. Thornton, 1907 alumnus of Lynchburg College, was a distinguished teacher, writer, and publisher. He became president of Henry Holt and Company publishers and established friendships with such writers as Carl Sandburg, Thomas Wolfe, and Vachel Lindsay. He was both editor and friend to Robert Frost.
Since 1975 the endowment established in his name has made it possible for the Department of English to bring some of the most exciting and successful poets, novelists, dramatists, and nonfiction writers of our time to the College. These writers have taught classes, given readings, and enriched the cultural life of the campus.
The Thornton Writer-in-Residence Workshop
Each semester a writer comes to the College to teach a semester-long class. To ensure individualized instruction, the class size is limited to fifteen students. Eligibility is determined through submission of sample writings. Any student, regardless of major, may apply.
Students often take more than one Thornton writing course during their four years, and academic credit earned can count toward an English major or toward elective hours, depending on the student's needs.
The visiting writer also gives public readings, conducts other classes at the request of professors, and is available for private conferences with student and faculty writers.
Thornton Writer Residency
A 14-week residency at Lynchburg College, including a stipend, is awarded annually to a fiction writer for the fall term and a poet or creative nonfiction writer for the spring term. The residency also includes housing, some meals, and round trip travel expenses. The writer-in-residence will teach a weekly creative writing workshop, visit classes, and give a public reading. Submit a copy of a previously published book, a curriculum vitae, a cover letter outlining evidence of successful teaching experience, and contact information for three references by October 15 to Lynchburg College, Thornton Writer Residency, c/o Julie Williams, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, 1501 Lakeside Drive, Lynchburg, VA 24501. Point of Contact is Allison Wilkins at 434/544-8820.
There is no entry fee. If you would like your book(s) returned, please submit a SASE with sufficient postage.
Public Readings and Short Workshops
Thornton writers commonly visit campus for one or two days. The centerpiece of such visits is a public reading or lecture. Writers also frequently meet with classes or conduct workshops for students interested in creative writing.
The LC Writing Program
The Thornton program is part of the larger writing program at Lynchburg College. Other courses in creative writing include Introduction to Creative Writing, Fiction Writing, and Poetry Writing, all of which are taught by regular faculty of LC who are both teachers and writers. Among the faculty are published fiction writers, poets, playwrights, journalists, and essayists.
The small classroom setting and 15:1 student/faculty ratio assure accessible faculty and lively classes.
For further information, please contact Allison Wilkins at wilkins.a@lynchburg.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the length of the residency season each year?
The residency is for an entire semester. You are expected to arrive before the first day of class and stay until the final exam period. We typically select a fiction writer for the fall semester and either a poet or creative nonfiction writer for the spring semester.
What is the cost of a residency?
There is no cost for the residency.
Does the Thornton Writer Residency assist with airfare?
The residence covers roundtrip travel accommodations for the writer.
What about meals?
You will be provided with a meal pass for dining in the Burton Student Center. Additionally, the apartment has a full kitchen and there is a grocery store within walking distance.
What will the workshop be like?
The course meets one night a week. To ensure individualized instruction, the class size is limited to fifteen students. The workshop contains a mixture of undergraduate and graduate students.
Students often take more than one Thornton writing course during their four years, and academic credit earned can count toward an English major or toward elective hours, depending on the student's needs.
GENERAL APPLICATION QUESTIONS
Is October 15th a postmark deadline?
Yes, if this falls on a holiday then the deadline is the next day US Postal Services are available.
Does the Thornton Writer Residency accept applications by email?
No.
Does the Thornton Writer Residency return books and other materials?
No, the Thornton Writer Residency is no longer returning work samples and other materials. If you would like to have your book returned to you, please provide a SASE with sufficient postage. Otherwise the book will be donated to the Lynchburg College English department.
My book has been accepted for publication but will not be out until next year. Can I send a copy of the manuscript?
No. Please apply next year.
May I apply in more than one field?
Yes, however your application should state if you are unavailable for a particular semester.
More information here.
Eligibility: no restrictions
Reading/Application Fee: none
Accepts (genre):
Prize/Payment: residency, travel costs
The Richard H. Thornton Endowment
Dr. Richard H. Thornton, 1907 alumnus of Lynchburg College, was a distinguished teacher, writer, and publisher. He became president of Henry Holt and Company publishers and established friendships with such writers as Carl Sandburg, Thomas Wolfe, and Vachel Lindsay. He was both editor and friend to Robert Frost.
Since 1975 the endowment established in his name has made it possible for the Department of English to bring some of the most exciting and successful poets, novelists, dramatists, and nonfiction writers of our time to the College. These writers have taught classes, given readings, and enriched the cultural life of the campus.
The Thornton Writer-in-Residence Workshop
Each semester a writer comes to the College to teach a semester-long class. To ensure individualized instruction, the class size is limited to fifteen students. Eligibility is determined through submission of sample writings. Any student, regardless of major, may apply.
Students often take more than one Thornton writing course during their four years, and academic credit earned can count toward an English major or toward elective hours, depending on the student's needs.
The visiting writer also gives public readings, conducts other classes at the request of professors, and is available for private conferences with student and faculty writers.
Thornton Writer Residency
A 14-week residency at Lynchburg College, including a stipend, is awarded annually to a fiction writer for the fall term and a poet or creative nonfiction writer for the spring term. The residency also includes housing, some meals, and round trip travel expenses. The writer-in-residence will teach a weekly creative writing workshop, visit classes, and give a public reading. Submit a copy of a previously published book, a curriculum vitae, a cover letter outlining evidence of successful teaching experience, and contact information for three references by October 15 to Lynchburg College, Thornton Writer Residency, c/o Julie Williams, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, 1501 Lakeside Drive, Lynchburg, VA 24501. Point of Contact is Allison Wilkins at 434/544-8820.
There is no entry fee. If you would like your book(s) returned, please submit a SASE with sufficient postage.
Public Readings and Short Workshops
Thornton writers commonly visit campus for one or two days. The centerpiece of such visits is a public reading or lecture. Writers also frequently meet with classes or conduct workshops for students interested in creative writing.
The LC Writing Program
The Thornton program is part of the larger writing program at Lynchburg College. Other courses in creative writing include Introduction to Creative Writing, Fiction Writing, and Poetry Writing, all of which are taught by regular faculty of LC who are both teachers and writers. Among the faculty are published fiction writers, poets, playwrights, journalists, and essayists.
The small classroom setting and 15:1 student/faculty ratio assure accessible faculty and lively classes.
For further information, please contact Allison Wilkins at wilkins.a@lynchburg.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the length of the residency season each year?
The residency is for an entire semester. You are expected to arrive before the first day of class and stay until the final exam period. We typically select a fiction writer for the fall semester and either a poet or creative nonfiction writer for the spring semester.
What is the cost of a residency?
There is no cost for the residency.
Does the Thornton Writer Residency assist with airfare?
The residence covers roundtrip travel accommodations for the writer.
What about meals?
You will be provided with a meal pass for dining in the Burton Student Center. Additionally, the apartment has a full kitchen and there is a grocery store within walking distance.
What will the workshop be like?
The course meets one night a week. To ensure individualized instruction, the class size is limited to fifteen students. The workshop contains a mixture of undergraduate and graduate students.
Students often take more than one Thornton writing course during their four years, and academic credit earned can count toward an English major or toward elective hours, depending on the student's needs.
GENERAL APPLICATION QUESTIONS
Is October 15th a postmark deadline?
Yes, if this falls on a holiday then the deadline is the next day US Postal Services are available.
Does the Thornton Writer Residency accept applications by email?
No.
Does the Thornton Writer Residency return books and other materials?
No, the Thornton Writer Residency is no longer returning work samples and other materials. If you would like to have your book returned to you, please provide a SASE with sufficient postage. Otherwise the book will be donated to the Lynchburg College English department.
My book has been accepted for publication but will not be out until next year. Can I send a copy of the manuscript?
No. Please apply next year.
May I apply in more than one field?
Yes, however your application should state if you are unavailable for a particular semester.
More information here.
