Magical realist writing workshop in Bohemia

Fictioneers who fancy their literature in a more fabulist vein now have the opportunity to visit and write in the city that inspired such greats as Kafka, Kundera and Capek. NC State University is hosting a two-week summer workshop in Prague that will focus on “Central Europe’s contribution to fantasy, fable, magic realism and literary experiment.” Lectures will be given by faculty from Prague’s Charles University, as well as NCSU professors John Kessel (Nebula-Award winning author of Corrupting Dr. Nice) and Wilton Barnhardt (Director of NCSU’s MFA in Creative Writing, and author of Gospel).

“There will be day trip excursions into the Czech Republic, nights at the opera and jazz clubs, mingling with Czech literati, and free afternoons for travel, wandering, and cafes .. . This is the original Bohemia, after all!

Workshops are conducted in NC State’s Prague campus (in the heart of the old city) and accommodations will be in nearby pensions. The price will be in the $1400-1700 range (depending on whether you want dorm-style or hotel-style lodgings) and this does not include your flight or food (except for a final banquet out on the town).

Applicants must submit a story for acceptance or be recommended by Creative Writing Faculty from their universities. A deposit to hold a space must be made by mid-April. For more information, contact Wilton Barnhardt or John Kessel.”

Had this opportunity been available while I was still pursuing a graduate degree at NCSU, I would have jumped at the chance. (Of course, they would do something cool like this after I leave!) Prague has long been a literary haven, attracting writers, readers and academics for decades, and it is the perfect environment to explore one’s narrative creativity.

More details can be found at the NCSU Creative Writing website.