In June 2009 Glass Mountain sponsored boldface, a conference for emerging writers. As the first conference of its kind, boldface had one simple goal: to offer undergraduate writers a venue where they could build a community with other new writers.
Nearly seventy emerging writers from four different states came together on the University of Houston campus to attend boldface. Throughout the course of one week they
instructors and graduate students of the acclaimed
UH Creative Writing Program, attended craft
talks which addressed specific elements of creative writing, and learned from respected figures in the industry about the ins and outs of the writer’s life. Boldface also offered participants the chance to read their own work to an audience of their peers through an open mic night at a local coffee house, as well as listen to readings from published writers at both Kaboom Books and the Poison Pen Reading Series - the number one reading series in Houston.
One of the most unique aspects of boldface was that every phase – from conception through execution – was managed by students. As emerging writers themselves, they were driven to create an informal yet informative experience which fostered the transformation from a person who writes to a writer. And the response was overwhelmingly positive. Survey results showed that one hundred percent of all participants would attend boldface again. Here’s what some of them had to say:
“The workshop experience and laid-back atmosphere helped me
establish contacts and get a feel for the workshop process. The information on Grad. School and teaching experience was helpful and made the process less mystifying.”
“I was inspired to write. I wasn’t sure if being a writer was something I could do. Now, I know that I can.”
“The workshops were extremely helpful and informative—it’s truly amazing how much I feel I’ve learned in such a short span of time.”
In addition to the conference experience, boldface participants will receive a copy of the forthcoming boldface chapbook, which will showcase excerpts from the work of conference participants. This commemorative chapbook is the result of a joint effort between Glass Mountain and undergraduate students of the UH graphic design department, and is scheduled for release in winter 2009. Click here to read short stories and poetry represented in the chapbook.
2010. Interested in attending? Keep checking
back for updates. We hope to see you there!
To view the 2009 conference program click here.
Click here to visit our gallery of photos
Contact Eric Ekstrand for additional information:
ekstrand.eric@gmail.com