Writers' Workshop Structure and Schedule
Workshop Structure
The Workshop is built on a traditional model of dialogue and learning between mentor and student. The mentor is a master writer/author who provides the guidance, lessons and inspiration to the student. The student is a beginning or experienced writer who would benefit from working with the instructor.
2016 Mindoro and Beyond Workshop [2018/2019 plans to be announced]
The NVM Gonzalez Writers; Workshop is going to Mindoro, NVM's beloved island, early next year Jan 2- 9, 2016. IAttendance is limited to 10 people (room sharing); more possible but will be placed in local hotels. An online application form is available here to reserve a spot. Here's a preliminary cost estimate: (Note this is the tail-end of Christmas, things could be expensive still so these are estimates)
-Airfare to US -Manila-US $ 1500-$2000 (depending on your departure date and airport) [IMPORTANT TO BOOK NOW]
-Mindoro room and board - covered by the workshop
-Arrival and departure hoteling (U.P. campus or nearby)- $75-$200 (I will book campus hotels which is about $50/day but requires a deposit so a application fee is needed)
-Workshop application fee: $75.00
-Transportation (ferry and shuttle van) $150.00
-Pocket money approx. $50 /day
Our Mindoro lodgings is provided by Penelope Flores' family compound. We will visit local high schools to talk about Filipino writing. Selected students from local high schools will join as non-resident work shoppers. Several writers from U.P. Diliman will also participate.
A tentative schedule (subject to unexpected changes is as follows)
Jan 3 Arrival Manila/UP campus
Jan 4 Meet UP counterparts, short program (maybe launch Lisa Melnicks new book)
Jan 5 Travel to Calapan Mindoro
Jan 6-8 Workshop activities (half-day trips to achools, Puerto Galera, Aluyan/Mansalay)
Jan 9-Return to Manila/UP campus hotels)
Jan 10 Return to U.S.
Previous Workshops
The first mentor selected for the workshop is renowned Filipino American fiction writer Peter Bacho, author of Cebu, The Man in a Dark Blue Suit, Entry's and the winner of many awards, including the American Book Award, the Murray Morgan Prize and a Washington Governor's Writers Award. In January of 2004, he was appointed the Distinguished Northwest Writers in Residence at Seattle University. His latest work is Leaving Yesler, a young adult novel published by Pleasure Boat Studio of New York. His novel, Cebu, is planned to be made into a movie.
The class is limited to 12-15 participants to allow for focused attention and significant guidance from the established authors, as well as collaborative peer reviews from all the participants. In-class writing exercises and talks by Mr. Bacho during the two days will take place.