Writers in Residence

Bringing Literary Expression to Life

PEN/Faulkner’s Writers in Residence program serves the dual purpose of supporting DC-based writers and providing a rich, creative experience for DC students. Our resident writers develop a meaningful relationship with a DC classroom, building their capacity as teaching artists and earning support for their work as artists. Educators who participate in the program also develop professionally from their collaborations with resident writers. Students, meanwhile, get access to an intensive literary experience, including collaboration and writing workshops with the resident writer, visits from additional guest authors, and donated books.

How It Works

As part of a classroom residency, our writing instructors collaborate closely with educators to guide students through the creative writing process: understanding elements of craft, sentence-level development, revision and editing, and developing resiliency to writing’s challenges. Residencies often integrate themes of social justice into the curriculum, so students not only improve as writers but create pieces that are personally meaningful to their lives and interests. Educators and students will build a genuine relationship with an expert writer over the course of the project. Each residency culminates in a final student project of their own design.

Who Can Participate?

During the 2020-2021 school year, we have partnered with three schools – Center City Brightwood, Ida B. Wells, and E.L. Haynes – to establish residencies for three writers: Ofelia Montelongo, L.Y. Marlow, and Rachel Whalen.
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For Educators

If you’re a DC educator interested in working with Writers in Residence, or have questions about our programming please contact us at education@penfaulkner.org.

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Work with Us

PEN/Faulkner hires published professional writers to teach writing to DC public and charter school students in grades 3-12 through a school-based residency placement. This is a seasonal contractor position, and residencies take place during the school day. We provide an orientation prior to placement, mentorship and coaching with an experienced educator, and discounts on our Literary Conversations. Residency commitments vary.

Writers interested in teaching with our Writers in Residence program should check back in late-spring/early-summer for more information about applying, or join our mailing list.

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“Ms. Lopez revealed a difficult time in her life that prevented her from being able to write, and almost all of the students were stunned that something like that could happen to an accomplished author. One student even shouted “You had literal writer’s block!” It was awesome for students to hear an adult speak honestly about the obstacles that they encountered on their road to becoming an author.”
Elizabeth M.

High School Librarian

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