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Austin Peay to host Tennessee Young Writers’ Workshop summer camp for high school students

By: Dr. Andrea Spofford March 11, 2025

This is a large group photo of what appears to be a workshop or program participants gathered outdoors. A diverse group of approximately 60-70 people are arranged in three rows - some standing in the back and middle, while others are sitting cross-legged in the front row. The setting is a brick courtyard area surrounded by red brick buildings with many windows and lush green trees. Many participants are wearing name tags or badges, suggesting this is an organized event. The photo has a credit line in the bottom right corner that reads "Photo credit: Charlie Warden."

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Austin Peay State University's Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts, in collaboration with Humanities Tennessee, has announced that APSU is the new home of the Tennessee Young Writers' Workshop, a week-long overnight summer camp for creative writers ages 14-18 from across the state.

Registration is now open for the week of June 15-22, 2025. The cost is $350 per person, and you can register your student here. Tuition assistance and scholarships are available.

Participating students will live on campus and hone their craft amongst their peers, under the guidance of engaging, professional instructors who will lead daily creative writing workshops in a wide variety of styles and genres. The week's events will also include summer camp activities and evening programs such as friendship bracelet making and tie-dye.

"We are so excited to welcome the Tennessee Young Writers' Workshop back to Austin Peay," said Dr. Andrea Spofford, Director of the Center of Excellence for Creative Arts and co-coordinator of the Creative Writing program. "This program is so important to high school students in our state and region, and we're really looking forward to a fun-filled and engaging camp session."

Students must submit a creative writing sample of no more than 2,500 words—this may be a selection of poems, a short story, a creative nonfiction essay or personal essay, a play, or any combination of creative writing.

This image shows a black and white illustration or logo for a "Young Writers Workshop." The logo features a detailed drawing of a bear in profile, and below it appears a hand holding a pen or pencil that is writing the words "YOUNG WRITERS WORKSHOP" in bold lettering. The artwork has a distinctive hand-drawn, ink illustration style with detailed line work for the bear's fur texture.

"Humanities Tennessee has been providing the Young Writers' Workshop to young students throughout the state for more than 20 years," said Tim Henderson, executive director of Humanities Tennessee. "It's a program we treasure, and it embodies our mission to foster community and civility in Tennessee by providing students with an opportunity to examine and reflect upon ideas, stories, history, arts, and culture."

Henderson said the organization's employees are excited for the Young Writers' Workshop to return to APSU, which has frequently partnered with CECA to host the event.

"As we at Humanities Tennessee envision a future in which Tennesseans seek knowledge, share stories, and unite with empathy to create more connected communities," he said. "We know that, from [the workshop's] home at APSU, we can make great, impactful strides in that direction."

To learn more about the Tennessee Young Writers' Workshop contact Spofford at spofforda@apsu.edu.

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Austin Peay to host Tennessee Young Writers’ Workshop summer camp for high school students
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