About:

Little Mo Writers | Incubator Project

Application deadline: September 20, 2022

Description

Intensive online writing workshop for writers and scholars to hone and improve their writing while bringing to fruition a 1) research nonfiction project, defined as biography or profile writing, reportage or immersion journalism, cultural history or archival research writing; 2) historical fiction; or 3) memoir. Preference given to projects involving a person, place, or event in North Dakota or region. Other project subjects and genres considered as space and cohort composition/affinity allow. Two cohorts of 8 writers will be selected via a formal application process. Cohorts will participate in scheduled online workshops, writing workshops every other week from October to March, with a break for December and early January, and a final public reading.

Incubator Options

Short Form Writing 

This incubator will start as a “boot camp” on craft principles—such as using significant detail, understanding point of view, scene/setting, characterization, verb tense, etc.—and will utilize various exercises and prompts for generating writing. The second half of the Short Form Writing incubator, during Spring 2023, will involve participants putting into practice what’s been learned by honing a solid and completed piece of writing (e.g. essay, short story, book chapter) to submit for workshop critique and feedback. The goal of the Short Form workshop is to help participants complete a polished draft of a shorter piece rather than a book-length project.

Long Form Writing 

Apply to this incubator if you have a start on or an idea for a book-length project. To begin, each participant will submit a book prospectus (a vision statement describing the project) followed by the submission of 50 pages of writing for the Fall 2022 workshop, as well as another 50 pages of the book project for the Spring 2023 round of workshops. The Long Form workshop is intended for writers who have a larger story to tell who are seeking help with craft questions, but are also desirous of structured deadlines and detailed feedback to help them move toward shaping and completing substantial portions of the in-progress book.

Incubator Instructors

Debra Marquart (Iowa State University) is a memoirist, poet, and singer/songwriter. She is the author of seven books including The Horizontal World: Growing Up Wild in the Middle of Nowhere. Marquart’s work has received multiple awards including an NEA Fellowship, a PEN USA Award, a New York Times Editors’ Choice commendation, and Elle Magazine’s Elle Lettres Award. The Senior Editor of Flyway: Journal of Writing & Environment, Marquart teaches in ISU’s interdisciplinary MFA Program in Creative Writing and Environment and in the Stonecoast Low-Residency MFA Program at the University of Southern Maine.

Tayo Basquiat (Bismarck State College) is a writer, teacher, adventurer, scavenger, and Wilderness First Responder. He holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of Wyoming, and his work has appeared in Orion Magazine, Intangible, Superstition Review, Burningword Literary Journal, Nasiona, Proximity Magazine, On Second Thought, as producer of Wyoming Public Media’s “Spoken Words” podcast, and elsewhere.

Participant Application Instructions

Two cohorts of up to 8 writers will be selected via a formal application process. Interested writers are asked to submit/indicate the following:

1. Note whether you are applying for the Short Form or Long Form incubator.
2. Submit a synopsis of the project not to exceed 500 words, including the title and genre of the project; a description of the subject(s) of the project; and details about any research steps completed or required to bring the project to fruition. Please indicate your level of completion of the project (early, middle, end) and steps you need to take to finish the project.
3. Include a writing sample, not to exceed 20 pages.
4. Submit a short biographical narrative, up to 200 words, describing your experience and accomplishments.

Participant Cost

Application Fee (due with submission): $50 (also makes you a member of HND)

Free for members (enter member number as promo code)

Course Fee:  $895 (due upon acceptance of participation in incubator program) Note: Actual cost is $1299, but has been reduced thanks to sponsorship funding.

Incubator Schedule

Fall 2022 Term | 7 - 9 PM, central time

Wednesday, October 5

Wednesday, October 19

Wednesday, November 2

Wednesday, November 16

Spring 2023 Term | 7 - 9 PM, central time

Wednesday, January 18

Wednesday, February 1

Wednesday, February 15

Wednesday, March 1

Page Turner Public Reading | Sunday, March 26, 4-5:30 pm (pre-recorded)

Workshop participants will give short readings from their projects at the public event.

Required Materials

Computer or computer access, Word processing software and reliable internet connection.