Issue date: 7/25/02 Section: Front Page

Callaloo, a well known African-American and African literary journal founded in 1976, is having its annual creative writing workshop in the Blocker Building July 20 through Aug. 4.

Callaloo publishes original works and critical studies of black writers worldwide.

It was founded and is edited by Texas A&M English professor Charles H. Rowell.

"The Callaloo workshops are designed to develop skills in creative writing, poetry and fiction," Rowell said.

The journal offers an assortment of fiction, poetry, plays, essays, cultural studies, interviews and art. Frequent annotated bibliographies, special thematic issues and original art and photography are some attributes of the prominent international journal, he said.

Callaloo workshops invite writers beginning their writing careers who have a serious interest in writing for a publication. The workshops provide personal instruction in the writing of fiction and poetry.

The two writers participating as faculty this year are fiction writer Percival Everett, chairman and professor in the department of English at the University of Southern California, and poet Reetika Vazirani, winner of the Pushcart Prize for her poem "Daughter-Mother-Maya-Seeta."

Admission to the workshop is extremely competitive. Screeners evaluate applicants and select the people that will be participating, Rowell said.

Students and faculty work together for the duration of the workshops, meeting as a group for three hours each day. They have the afternoon off to read, write or have individual conferences with the faculty, Rowell said.

If any of the attendees show promise, they may be featured in a future issue of Callaloo.

"If [any attendees] are publishable, we will publish them," Rowell said. "In fact, three of the participants from last year will be appearing in the journal."

The faculty will hold a public reading during the first week and on the last evening of the workshop, there will be a public reading for a small audience made up of workshop participants and invited guests.

Krissa Fritsche, a junior history major said she is familiar with Callaloo.

"I think [the Callaloo workshop] is a great avenue for new writers to get useful advice," Fritsche said. "I've heard a lot about it and I think it's great that Callaloo is having their workshops right here at A&M."

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools