Writing Conferences :: NewPages Guide

Colrain Poetry Manuscript Conference

Professional evaluation and work on book-length (including chapbook-length) poetry manuscripts

c/o Concord Poetry Center

Concord, MA  01720

Website: www.colrainpoetry.com/

Conference contact: Joan Houlihan

Phone: (978) 897-0054

Email: conferences <at> colrainpoetry.com

Conference dates: Year-round, see website

Registration deadline: Rolling

Location: The Round House, 68 Van Nuys, Colrain, MA

Genres: Poetry

Workshop size: 6-7

College credit available: no

Cost: $995 includes tuition, lodging and all meals

Scholarships available: yes, see website

Contests: no

Faculty: Martha Rhodes (Four Way Books), Jeffrey Levine (Tupelo Press), Ellen Dore Watson (Smith College), Joan Houlihan (Lesley University), Fred Marchant (Suffolk University), Susan Kan (Perugia Press)

Recent faculty: Fred Marchant (Suffolk University), Jeff Schotts (Graywolf Press), Christina Davis (Nightboat Books)

Conference description: Founded by poet and editor Joan Houlihan in March, 2006 and held monthly at various sites located in New England, the Colrain Poetry Manuscript conference takes place over a weekend (three days) and is designed to set poets with a book-length (including chapbook-length) manuscript on a path towards publication. Poets complete pre-conference assignments designed to assist in final poem selections and ordering and arrive prepared to work in an all-day manuscript preparation workshop. On Sunday, poets meet with editors from established poetry presses to experience a unique and realistic method of evaluation that is both candid and useful. Conference includes an editorial Q and A, evening readings by faculty and participants and a final wrap-up/publication strategy session on Monday. Group size typically 6-7.