Ten categories. A polished manuscript. The risk writers take in putting their work out there. These are the key ingredients for the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater High School Creative Writing Festival.

Eleven IDEAS Academy creative writers submitted their work on October 17 for feedback from professional writers and professors. They and three supporting peers will be joined by nearly 800 high school writers from all over Wisconsin and Illinois on November 19 at Whitewater for the Festival.

The day begins with a keynote speaker, then small group workshops where each writer will have a chance to read their work and discuss it with other young writers and the expert writer-facilitator. Students will learn from each other and make connections with those who share a passion for writing. They also come away with written feedback from an expert in the field.

Categories include poetry, a variety of fiction genres, essay, songwriting, and multimedia.

This year IDEAS submissions include fiction pieces by Sara Bartol, Brianna Sarrgent, Hannah Staats, Lydia Waniorek, and Autumn Willard; poetry by Zoe Farrell, Lynn Goldstein, Casey Jordi, and Sophie Stone; and multimedia by Kelsey Fick and Sheyenne Morales. Also, Tim Olszewski, Roni Williams and Sarah Williams will be along for support and to check out the event as they plan for next year.

Last year, Taylor Gebert, currently a senior at IDEAS, earned a third place award at the Festival for her fiction.

For complete information about the Festival, including categories and fees, visit:

http://www.uww.edu/ce/camps/other-camps-events/creative-writing

Please note: Our fieldtrip transportation is funded by the Étude Sessions Concert Series!
See you at Paradigm, Saturday, November 29, at 8 p.m., for J.E. Sundee + Kalispell!
Good Music, Good Cause.

Thank you for supporting our schools!

—Tad Phippen Wente, Creative Writing Teacher11.09.14