Skip to main content
  • Bluegrass Writers Studio
  • 521 Lancaster Ave
  • Beckham 100
  • Richmond, KY, 40475-3102
  • Phone: 859-622-6263
  • Fax: 859-622-3156
  • r-dean.johnson@eku.edu

Inside Look

BGWS Faculty & Staff Statement on Social Justice and Racial Equality

June 17, 2020
 
Dear BGWS Students,
These last few months have been challenging. The global pandemic has killed over 100,000 people in the U.S., and we are grieving this tremendous loss. There has been much sorrow and outrage. Following the violent killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and the many others, millions have taken to the streets around the country and the world to protest police brutality against Black Americans and the systemic racism in our institutions and society. 
 
We at BGWS condemn police brutality, racism, and white supremacy. We support those who are peacefully protesting police violence, and stand in solidarity with those advocating and working for meaningful change. We support the movements and conversations in the United States and globally that are working toward social justice and racial equality for Black Americans. We believe Black Lives Matter.

BGWS Emerging Writer Award Winners

BGWS Emerging Writer Award Winners!

Congratulations to these talented MFA students!

Andrew Analore, Darian Bianco, and K. Ka’imilani Leota Sellers will read during the BGWS Summer Residency this July.

BGWS Named a Top 10 MFA Program

Ranked #3 by Best College Reviews in Top Online Masters Degrees

In Best College Reviews 2020 rankings of online Master's in Creative Writing Programs, Bluegrass Writers Studio (BGWS) has risen to #3, up eight spots from #11 in 2019.

As proud as we are to again be recognized for the quality of our program, we also remain one of the best values in the country, ranking #8 by College Choice in Most Affordable MFA Degree in Creative Writing for 2020.

Jelly Bucket Nominates…

Jelly Bucket's 2020 nominee for the PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emer

The staff of  Jelly Bucket is pleased to announce the nomination of

"Leap of Faith" by

Michael Garcia Bertrand

for The PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers Literary Award.

Get your copy of Jelly Bucket now!

Jelly Bucket for reading issue #9

Jelly Bucket issue #9 is available for purchase at select Barnes & Noble and independent bookseller locations. 

Click here for a complete list of locations. 

Or click here to purchase from our online store. 

Get your copy while they last!

2019 Summer Reading Series

Summer Reading Series (see text for content)

All events are free and open to the public!

We’d love to see you there!

Monday, July 8 • 6:00 p.m. Priscilla Long

Berea Arts Council 444 Chestnut St., Berea 40403

 

Tuesday, July 9 • 6:00 p.m. Rebecca Gayle Howell

Carnegie Center 251 W. 2nd St., Lexington 40507

 

Thursday, July 11 • 6:00 p.m. Jennifer Spiegel

Purdy’s Coffee Company 212 W. Main St., Richmond 40475

 

Friday, July 12 • 6:00 p.m. Featured Alumni: Tasha Cotter,

Brian Tucker, & Sherry Robinson

Bennett House Bed & Breakfast 419 W. Main St., Richmond 40475

 

2019 Summer Reading Series

Summer Reading Series Poster, Content in text below

 

All events are free and open to the public!

We’d love to see you there!

 

p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Museo Sans Cond'; min-height: 14.0px} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 2.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.1px; font: 14.0px 'Museo Sans Cond'; color: #ffffff} p.p3 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 13.0px 0.0px; line-height: 12.1px; font: 11.5px 'Museo Sans Cond'} span.s1 {font: 12.0px 'Museo Sans Cond'; color: #000000}

Monday, July 8 • 6:00 p.m.  Priscilla Long

2018 Summer Reading Series

Summer Reading Series (contents in text)

Bluegrass Writers Studio
Low-Res MFA
in Creative Writing

Summer Reading Series

Our 2018 Summer Reading Series kicks off on Tuesday July 10th! All readings are free and open to the public. We'd love to see you there! Check out our infographics and schedule below.

Lisbon Conversation: Part II

denise duhamel and ellen mitchell

Jelly Bucket speaks with BGWS MFA Graduate Assistant Ellen Mitchell about her 2017 Summer Residency in Lisbon, Portugal

Q. Why did you decide to satisfy the MFA residency requirement abroad?

A. I viewed the Lisbon writing residency as a major luxury (which it is, in objective terms). This may seem surprising coming from someone who spent 14 years living in France, but maybe for that reason, I saw Lisbon as a stretch. That said, I recall Robert-Dean Johnson’s remarks about how there is nothing like writing far away from your daily distractions and routines, and this is far more true than I understood before going to Lisbon. My three weeks there were especially productive and replete with insights. I made major breakthroughs on the plotline for my novel, and big strides in developing each of the characters in the story’s psychological triangle.

Open /*deleted href=#openmobile*/

About EKU

Toolbox

Resources

Public Relations

© Copyright Eastern Kentucky University | EO/AA Statement | Privacy Statement | 521 Lancaster Ave, Richmond, KY 40475 | (859) 622-1000 |