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Bluegrass Writers Studio
521 Lancaster Ave
Mattox 101
Richmond, KY, 40475-3102
Phone: 859-622-6263
Fax: 859-622-3156
r-dean.johnson@eku.edu

Domestic Summer Residency in Richmond, Kentucky

Residency Activities

The Bluegrass Writers Studio™ Domestic Summer Residency is either one or two weeks—depending on how long you wish to attend—of intensive workshops, lectures, readings, and author socials. Focusing on individual writing, MFA participants experience the richness of a full semester of writing craft and critical analysis of their and their peers' creative works. The typical day includes morning workshops in poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction. Workshops are led by program faculty and visiting writers. Afternoons may be free or dedicated to craft lectures and readings. Informal dinners with faculty and visiting writers and organized readings in local venues round out the days.

Past Visiting Authors Include:

Jericho Brown, Ayse Papatya Bucak, Gabriel Bump, Kayleb Rae Candrilli, Kate Gale, Silas House, Rebecca Gayle Howell, Markus Egeler Jones, Holly Goddard Jones, Ada Limón, Priscilla Long, Karen Salyer McElmurray, Jennifer Spiegel, Nahid Rachlin, Savannah Sipple, and Ira Sukrungruang

Residency Facilities

All workshops and many of the residency panels and readings are held on the EKU campus within Crabbe Library (Noel Studio and Java City) or the Keen Johnson Building (Pearl Buchanan Theatre).

Lodging

On-Campus: Affordable, dormitory housing is available on campus.

Off-Campus: Hampton Inn is a short drive from campus and offers a discounted rate for BGWS students.

There are also a number of other less expensive hotel options, and a couple more expensive, in Richmond, KY, most about a 5-7 minute drive from campus.

Air BnB also offers affordable, but limited, options in Richmond, Berea (15 minutes away), and Lexington (30-45 minutes away).

Residencies and Degree Requirements

Four sections of ENW 800 Writing Residency are required to obtain the MFA at Bluegrass Writers Studio™. Each section is 3 credit hours. Both the Domestic and Overseas Summer Residencies earn either 3 credits (if you stay two weeks) or 6 credits (if you stay four weeks). Two month-long Summer Residencies will also fulfill the residency requirement. You may combine credits from both Residencies to earn a total of 12 hours (ENW 800).