'Winter Wheat' sows seeds of writing

“Winter Wheat: The Mid-American Review Festival of Writing” celebrates its 15^th anniversary Nov. 12-14. “Winter Wheat” is a celebration of literary camaraderie among writers and readers, and remains the only festival/conference of its kind in the region. The festival will draw 300 students, faculty, alumni, community members, and other writers from Ohio and beyond.

The event will take place on the Bowling Green campus and will include guest readings, over 50 writing workshops, question and answer sessions with authors, a book fair of literary journals and presses, and an open mic opportunity.

Special readers through the weekend include poet Tarfia Faizullah, fiction writer and BGSU alumnus Michael Czyzniewjski, BGSU poet Larissa Szporluk, creative writing; and fiction writer Dr. Lawrence Coates, chair of the English department.

Writing workshops focus on creating new writing. “Winter Wheat” got the name because it offers writers time to plant the seeds of creative productivity. Workshops cover special topics like inspiration from photographs, meditating practice and memoir, breaking literary taboos, and crafting handmade books.

“Mid-American Review (MAR),” a literary journal housed at BGSU’s Department of English, hosts the festival each year. Now in its 36th year, MAR publishes twice a year and includes poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, reviews, and translations. The journal is distributed internationally and headed by Abigail Cloud and the Master in Fine Arts in Creative Writing Program.

“Winter Wheat” is open to the public; there is a suggested donation, but events are free for all participants. See all the festival plans and register at bgsu.edu/midamericanreview. Look for festival updates on Twitter @WinterWheatFest and on Facebook.