DSC English Department to Host Creative Writing Workshop

(ST. GEORGE, Utah November 8, 2011) Faculty from Dixie State College’s Department of English, along with editors from the Southern Quill, DSC’s annually published literary magazine, will host a creative writing workshop at Rachel’s Coffee in Washington, Utah on November 17. The workshop, which is being called “Fiction for the Masses,” will provide free, on-the-spot creative writing instruction. Among the DSC faculty members participating in the event are Stephen B. Armstrong and Jim Haendiges, faculty adviser for the Southern Quill.

“As we continue to develop creative writing offerings at Dixie State,” said Armstrong, “we want to extend our reach into the local community. Meeting with people who want to learn more about creative writing technique provides us with the opportunity to achieve this goal. While the focus of this free workshop will be on fiction, we invite people to bring their poetry, too.”

In addition to DSC faculty, editors from the Southern Quill will be contributing their services to Fiction for the Masses. Jim Haendiges explained, “The Southern Quill is not just a publication that people read once a year. We want it to be a publication that encourages writers through the writing process and helps them publish their work. Fiction for the Masses is a great opportunity to connect with writers in the community.”

             Published annually since 1950, the Southern Quill is committed to bringing attention to the arts in southern Utah. The journal publishes poetry, short fiction, non-fiction and artwork produced by Dixie State College students; it also welcomes material from writers and artists who live in Utah’s Washington and Kane Counties. Recognizing the historical and cultural links between St. George, Utah and Mesquite, Nevada, the Southern Quill now accepts submissions from residents of Clark County, Nevada, as well.

Rachel’s Coffee is located near the Walmart in Washington, Utah. Fiction for the Masses is free and open to the public. The event will begin at 7PM. For more information about this and other DSC English Department-sponsored activities, visit http://www.dixie.edu/english/. 

DSC English Department Faculty and the Southern Quill to Host Creative Writing Clinic 

(KANAB, Utah September 13, 2011) Faculty from Dixie State College’s Department of English, along with editors from the Southern Quill, DSC’s annually published literary magazine, will host a creative writing clinic at the Writers of the Purple Sage poetry retreat in Kanab, Utah on October 21 and 22. The clinic, which is being called “Poetry for the People,” will provide-on-the spot creative writing instruction, as well as general information about writing technique. Among the DSC faculty members who will attend are John Chavez, Darren Edwards, Stephen B. Armstrong and Jim Haendiges, faculty adviser for The Southern Quill.

“We are delighted to be a part of this event,” says Stephen B. Armstrong. “As we continue to develop creative writing offerings at Dixie State, we want to extend our reach into the local community, meeting with established writers and people who are eager to learn this difficult craft. Being a part of Writers of the Purple Sage will help us better meet that goal.”

In addition to DSC faculty, editors from the Southern Quill will be participating in the clinic. Jim Haendiges explains, “The Southern Quill is not just a publication that people read once a year. We want it to be a publication that encourages writers through the writing process and helps writers publish their work. Poetry for the People is a great opportunity to connect with writers in the community.” Haendiges notes that participants in the panel will not only provide people with information about writing technique, but how to get their work into print.

             Published annually since 1950, the Southern Quill is committed to bringing attention to the arts in southern Utah. The journal publishes poetry, short fiction, non-fiction and artwork produced by Dixie State College students; it also welcomes material from writers and artists who live in Utah’s Washington and Kane Counties. Recognizing the historical and cultural links between St. George, Utah and Mesquite, Nevada, the Southern Quill has begun to accept submissions from residents of Clark County, Nevada, as well.

This year, the Writers of the Purple Sage retreat will devote much of its attention to contemporary and western poetry. Featured speakers will include Utah Poet Laureate Katharine Coles, former Utah Poet Laureate David Lee and cowboy poet Rod Miller. The Writers of the Purple Sage retreat will be held at Kanab Middle School, October 21-22. Registration is $30. For more information about the retreat, contact Kelly Stowell by phone at (435) 899-0443 or visit http://www.cebakanecounty.org/events.cfm

For more information on Southern Quill-sponsored activities and submissions, visit thesouthernquill.com. The next deadline for submissions to the Southern Quill is December 23, 2011.