• 12 Tennessee Writing Resources

    Posted Posted by David Duhr in Writing Resources     Comments No comments
    Mar
    5

    Tennessee writingToday our State Writing Resources series takes us to Tennessee. But first it takes us to Milwaukee, my hometown and birthplace of R&B artist Speech, co-founder of Arrested Development (the band), whose first major hit was “Tennessee,” a song I can’t help but think of nearly every time I hear the name of this fine state.

    Tennessee writing has an impressive history and present. Among the more famed writers who were born or grew up in Tennessee are Alex Haley, Ann Patchett, Cormac McCarthy, and Jo Carson. Dorothy Dix, at one time the U.S.’s most widely read female journalist, was born on the border of Tennessee and Kentucky. James Agee was a Knoxville boy, and Elizabeth Kostova is a Knoxville gal. And last but not least, Tennessee Williams was born and raised in … Mississippi.

    Presented in no particular order, here are 12 Tennessee writing resources, from conferences to local critique groups to literary magazines. If you are a Volunteer Stater or are planning to become one, these are some organizations you might want to take a peek at.

    1) Sewanee Writers’ Conference

    This annual conference is one of the most highly-regarded of its kind. Offers discussions, seminars, readings and workshops.

    2) Killer Nashville

    An annual conference offering intense study, critiquing, networking and opportunities to speak with editors and agents.

    3) Writer’s Loft

    Earn a non-residency certificate in creative writing, working one-on-one with a mentor to hone your writing skills, and produce a publishable manuscript.

    4) Chattanooga Writers’ Guild

    Offers focused regular meetings for specific genres.

    5) Tennessee Writers Alliance

    A nonprofit organization aimed at supporting the work of Tennessee writers and enhancing the role of literary arts in the state of Tennessee. Offers regular meetings, contests and other events.

    6) Southern Lit Alliance

    Offers many events and programming for both adult and youth writers. Based in Chattanooga.

    7) Meacham Writers’ Workshop

    Each fall and spring, this workshop is free and open to the public. The program consists of readings, discussion sessions and group conferences.

    8) Cumberland River Review

    A quarterly online publication of new poetry, fiction, essays and art.

    9) Grist

    An annual literary magazine, each issue features 200 pages of stories and poems, as well as interviews with writers and creative nonfiction devoted to discussions of craft.

    10) Now and Then

    Published twice annually in June and December, the magazine presents a fresh, revealing picture of life in Appalachia, past and present, with engaging articles, personal essays, fiction, poetry, reviews and photography.

    11) The Pinch Journal

    One of the longest-running literary journals in the country. Fiction, poetry, nonfiction and artwork. Based at the University of Memphis.

    12) Sewanee Review

    America’s oldest continuously published literary quarterly. Fiction, poetry, essays and reviews.

    Tennessee flagHelp us add to this list, Tennesseeans! Do you run a local writing group or a lit journal we should be aware of? Feel free to share info and links in the comments section below.

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