I'm delighted to announce that Delia & I will be returning to Hollins University to teach again in Summer 2015 for their MA/MFA Program in Children's Literature - and that Terri Windling joins us there as 2015 Writer-in-Residence!

Now, here's the catch:  In order to study with me, you need to be at least a second year student.  Which means you ( Read more... )

For the first time this summer, the wild geese flew over Hollins.  I looked up, and saw them in a perfect V - and I felt like someone in a Caroline Stevermer novel ( Read more... )

First off, thank you  all VERY much for your kind & thoughtful suggestions on classic kids' SF for my Hollins student.  She got a big bang out of it, and a considerable reading list.  And her new chapters are Divine ( Read more... )

I am deeply in love with my Hollins MFA students - a 2nd year Seminar of 6 wonderful women!  Watching them learn & write together is miraculous - like watching leaves unfurl from seeds in those time-lapse photography films . . . And about as quickly, since an entire semester is crammed into 6 weeks!  This week (#4) was notable for being the first ( Read more... )

Have returned from one of my periodic hunts in the tall grasslands of Roanoke, having hit the GoodWill, two Dollar Stores, a Mexican Grocery, Walmart & Target, in search of things like matching wine glasses & boxer shorts (don't ask). When I walked into Target I felt like a 16c peasant in Elfland:  "We don't have this kind of thing where I come ( Read more... )

A cool, rainy morning at Hollins U., just outside Roanoke. Everything is green and quiet. Delia & I are sitting at our Dining Room table (AKA EK/DS Command Central), checking email & FB, waiting to wake up enough to be hungry & start talking to each other. And occasionally jotting something down on the "To Get/Do" list for our 6 weeks teaching here ( Read more... )

Delia & I are teaching in Roanoke, VA again this summer, at the Hollins U. co-ed Summmer M.A. and M.F.A. programs in the study and writing of children’s and young adult literature. This summer's semester runs June 17th - July 26th.

Officially, deadline is now - but our program coordinator tells us that, if you knock 3 times and say: "Delia & ( Read more... )

Thanks, KD, for posting the hard data about Delia's & my gig this summer at Hollins.

I just found out who the Writer in Residence will be:  David Almond.

I think I may faint.

You've read SKELLIG, right??

Plus:

Hollins has also launched a Children’s Book Illustration Certificate program!  Talks by their artists and lecturers are also open to all ( Read more... )

Hollins University offers co-ed Summmer M.A. and M.F.A. programs in the study and writing of children’s and young adult literature.  Students attend classes each summer for 3-5 summers, until all their coursework is done.

Where: Roanoke, VA

When: This summer's semester runs June 17th - July 26th.  Ellen & Delia will both be instructors this year.   ( Read more... )