Oglethorpe students studying creative writing and English recently attended the third annual Broadleaf Writers Conference—an opportunity made possible by聽Prof. Jessica Handler.聽聽An accomplished author, Handler鈥檚 involvement in the Atlanta literary community has given her students a peek into the world of the working writer.
Hosted by聽, the two-day conference was held at the Decatur Public Library and featured all-star panels of writers, agents, and editors from metro Atlanta.
Students were able to engage directly with professionals about their own experiences with writing and publishing.
“The Oglethorpe community is wonderfully engaged in the opportunities Atlanta offers,” said Handler. “When a chance to participate in a writers鈥� conference or a book festival comes along, I鈥檓 delighted to make that connection for interested students.”
Students attendees represented various student organizations, including The Tower literary magazine and English honors society Sigma Tau Delta.
For Sigma Tau Delta President聽Ryan Holtzen 鈥�20, the panel 鈥淭hree Sides to Every Story: Why the POV You Choose Matters鈥� resonated. “(It) greatly changed my perspective of writing. As someone who mainly writes poetry, the panel demonstrated that I can employ novel writing techniques into my poetry to make a more narrative form.”
“Attending conferences like this one allows a student to learn to see themselves as a literary citizen and a writer,” said Handler. “My hope is that students who attended…heard from well-known authors about the challenges and rewards of writing.”
“Hearing a published writer鈥檚 take on the craft of ‘world building,’ shaping a mystery plot, writing Young Adult fiction, or their road toward publication enhances the classroom experience. Meeting authors and conversing face-to-face begins to demystify the idea of writing as a profession.”
