iddlebury Colll eg Bread Log xf Writersi AEwroeeEEninen ee amRm nEe E — iger os Ronald D. Liebowitz President of Middlebury College Michael Collier Director Jennifer Grotz Assistant Director Noreen Cargill Administrative Manager Dan Albergotti, Catherine Barnett, H.G. Carrillo, Michael Collier, Hugh Coyle, Patrick Donnelly, Eugenie Doyle, Thomas Sayers Ellis, Tony Farrington, Jennifer Grotz, Murad Kalam, Ernie McLeod, Frances de Pontes Peebles, Audrey Petty, lan Pounds, Tatjana Soli, and Wendy Walters The Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference is one of ten summer programs offered at Middlebury College. Others include the Language Schools of Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Edward Brown: For further information, please contact: All color photos with Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish; and the exception of back cover. | Noreen Cargill Bread Loaf School of English in Vermont; | i Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference Oxford, England; Santa Fe, New Mexico; Gina Franco: back cover. i 14 Old Chapel Road and Asheville, North Carolina. David Rhinelander: 5525 Middlebury College Robert Frost, page 7. Middlebury College complies with applicable Middlebury, VT 05753 Erik Borg: provisions of state and federal law which prohibit May Swenson, page 6; discrimination in employment, or in admission Toni Morrison, page 7. Office telephone: 802-443-5286 or access to its educational or extracurricular Office fax: 802-443-2087 Credits for individual programs, activities, or facilities, on the basis of faculty photos are Fax, August 16-27: 802-443-2770 race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, listed on our Web site: E-mail: <[email protected]> www.middlebury.edu/ sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and blwe/faculty/ Web site: http:;//www.middlebury.edu/blwc expression, age, marital status, place of birth, service in the armed forces of the United States, or against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability. he Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference is one of America's most valuable lit- erary institutions. For the past 82 years, the workshops, lectures, and classes, held in the shad- ow of the Green Mountains, have introduced generations of participants to rigorous practical and theoretical approaches to the craft of writing, and given America itself proven models of literary instruction. Bread Loafi s not a retreat—not a place to work in soli- tude. Instead it provides a stimulating community of diverse voices in which we test our own assumptions regard- ing literature and seek advice about Our progress as writers. In August we will again welcome more than two hundred talented writ- ers to the historic Bread Loaf Inn, along with our distinguished faculty, and many agents and editors from major publishing houses and literary firms. Come prepared to join fully in the busy schedule and to enjoy the beauty of the wilderness setting. No one who has done so has failed to be From top to bottom: inspired, encouraged, or changed by ichael Collier, director of the Bread Loaf. Conference, signs a book for Heather I look forward to meeting all of Leigh Johnson at an outdoor reception; you who will attend the Conference. Leslie Chang and Thomas Sayers Ellis Until then I hope you will feel free ake a moment to relax before heading to contact Jennifer, Noreen, or me to classes; Thomas Heise prepares for his should you have any questions. workshop; Ursula Hegi, Hananah Zaheer, v and Pamela Brunskill chat on their way back from the bookstore. BLCWrrooiaentfafe der sr’e nce MICHAEL COLLIER Director The IP it © ma m riting workshops in fiction, poetry, and nonfiction are the core of the cur- riculum. Each faculty member conducts a small workshop, most often of ten contributors, meeting for five two-hour sessions over the course of the Conference. All participants Miriam Altshuler, President of the Miriam Altshuler Literary also meet individually with their Agency, shares some advice with Bread Loafers on the porch workshop leader to amplify and of the Bread Loaf Inn. Bread Loafers may sign up formally for refine what was said in the work- individual or group meetings with agents and editors. shop itself. Faculty give lectures on writ- erly issues, and one-hour classes on The schedule varies, but most days look specific aspects of craft. Readings something like this: by faculty and guests are scheduled in the Little Theatre throughout 7:30 a.m. breakfast the day and into the night. 9 A.M. faculty lecture We offer many opportunities 10:10 A.M.- workshops/preparation time for you to inform yourself about 12:10 P.M. (alternating days) the world of publishing. Early Noon -1:45 p.m. lunch in the Conference, guest editors and agents give overviews of the 2:30-3:30 p.m. craft classes industry, describing the functions 4:15 P.M. reading or guest speaker of agents and literary editors, 5:30 P.M. guest presentation answering questions, and offering 6:30 p.m. dinner guidelines on how to submit book proposals and full-length manu- 8:15 P.M. reading scripts. You may sign up to meet with an editor or agent in small groups. Magazine editors, publicists, Workshop meetings take grant specialists, and other guests precedence, but hikes, meetings offer a range of presentations on with editors and agents, individ- topics related to publishing. ual conferences with faculty, and other activities may be scheduled simultaneously with lectures and readings. With so many tempting options, Bread Loafers sometimes take a few days to realize they have to pace themselves. N y brain is tired. It hasn't had this kind of workout in along while. Bread Loaf is many things, but most of all, it is exhausting—blissfully exhausting. Above: Helena Maria Viramontes’ workshop gathers for a photo. Most Bread Loafers mention t Below: Lynn Francis and JoAnne Tompkins talk about the lecture they just attended in the Little Theatre. Lectures offered by faculty take place on most mornings during the Conference. OUR GUESTS IN 2007 WILL INCLUDE: Richard Abate, Literary Agent he number and variety of Blue International Creative Management Parlor readings was stunning. Miriam Altshuler, President, Miriam Altshuler Literary Agency | was so pleased to have the Julie Barer, President, Barer Literary Stuart Bernstein, Literary Agent, opportunity to read some of my Stuart Bernstein Representation for Artists poems; | got feedback that is Jill Bialosky, Executive Editor and Vice President, W.W. Norton really important to my under- Gary Clark, Development Director, Vermont Studio Center standing of my own work. Thom Didato, Editor and Publisher, Failbetter.com Ted Genoways, Editor, Virginia Quarterly Review Laura Golberg — M.M.M. Hayes, Editor and Publisher, StoryQuarterly Washington, DC Amy Holman, Literary Consultant Carolyn Kuebler, Managing Editor, New England Review Fiona McCrae, Editor-in-Chief, Graywolf Press M ac's [Kevin Mcllvoy's] class Martha Rhodes, Director, Four Way Books was the best workshop I've Denise Roy, Senior Editor, Simon & Schuster ever taken (and l've taken a lot). Anjali Singh, Senior Editor, Houghton Mifflin He is a master teacher—brilliant, Carol Houck Smith, Editor-at-Large, W.W. Norton humble, and fantastically helpful. Christina Ward, Literary Agent, Christina Ward Literary Agency Michael Wiegers, Executive Editor, Copper Canyon Press This class was magnificent because C. Dale Young, Poetry Editor, New England Review of the way he steered discussions. No ego at all—so rare. Marianne Taylor Boston, MA Porcaro n or those who enjoy and Lake Pleiad is a quarter-mile outdoor life, Bread Loaf down the Long Trail. In nearby is ideally located at the edge Middlebury you can find country of the Green Mountain auctions, antique shops, a state Forest in Ripton, Vermont. crafts Genter, a fine museum, a A junction with the Long Trail, movie theater, and riding and golf which winds along the sum- facilities. The elevation at Bread mit of the Green Mountains and Loaf is 1500 feet above sea level. extends from southern Vermont From the west, the campus can be to the Canadian border, is a short reached by turning off Vermont hike up Route 125. The campus Route 7 in East Middlebury, tak- Conference participants gather near also offers many opportunities ing Route 125 up the mountain. Robert Frost’s cabin following a tour of for recreation: volleyball and clay From the east, turn off Vermont the poet's Vermont home and a lecture tennis courts, a softball and soc- Route 100 onto Route 125. by John Elder titled “Robert Frost: cer playing field, and jogging and You'll know you have arrived hiking trails. A beach at Lake when you see the ochre-colored Poet as Naturalist.” Dunmore is twelve miles away, Inn and its cluster of cottages. loved the lectures—all of such high quality—and the readings, but what moved me most was the sheer variety of people there—all with a common passion—and the stories they told about their lives. Barbara Klein Moss Haverford, PA hat | liked most about the workshop was the congeniality of all the participants and the generosity of David Baker, the workshop leader. Timothy O'Keefe _ .... Salt Lake Ci ing how he managed to focus . the conversation without comman- deering the class discussion. | couldn't be happier. Above: Carl Phillips meets with Kate Brittain in the barn, a popular gathering place Elizabeth Koch or conferences, reading, or to check email. Wireless access is available in some New York, NY ocations on campus. he agent meetings were excel- Left: Audrey Petty reads her manuscript packet to prepare for workshop. During lent—friendly and relaxed. egistration, each Bread Loafer receives a packet made up of pieces submitted by Deborah Clearman — hose in their workshop. New York, NY JEL I SOs ay read Loaf is the oldest writers’ conference in America. Since 1926 —a generation before “creative writing” became a course of study in edu- cational settings—it has convened in mid-August at the Bread Loaf campus of Middlebury College. Set in the Green Mountain National Forest in Ripton, Vermont, the land was acquired in the nineteenth century by Joseph Battell, breeder of Morgan horses, proprietor of the local newspaper, request, the young editor John and spirited lover of nature. He Farrar organized a teaching staff added a cupola and three-story and program. wings to an existing Victorian The writers John Farrar farmhouse, and built a series of attracted to the campus in the first cottages to house his summer few years—among them Stephen guests. Ultimately, Battell pur- Vincent Benét and Hervey chased more than 30,000 acres of Allen—helped establish the repu- forest and farmland in the moun- tation of what came to be called tains, and in 1915, willed all of the Bread Loaf Writers’ Con- it to Middlebury College. The ference. They were followed by College established a graduate a long line of writers with estab- school of English and American lished reputations, as well as writ- literature still in session for six ers in more formative years, for wecks every summer and housed whom Bread Loaf was a source of it on the Bread Loaf campus. encouragement. The impulse to establish the The buildings at Bread Loaf “Conferences on Writing” came have been modernized in the Loaf Inn, the huge Barn with its initially from Robert Frost, who years since Joseph Battell stood fieldstone fireplace, the outlying loved the inspiring setting. Willa near the horse-block, welcoming buildings with their porches and Cather, Katherine Lee Bates, and guests as they alighted from car- wicker chairs, the stillness of the Louis Untermeyer all of whom riages. The old stage route up the surrounding forest—all are much taught at the School of English steep pitches and hairpin twists of as they were in 1926 when the in 1922—also suggested that the the Rupton Gorge has been paved. Conference began. campus be used for a writers’ con- Despite concessions to conve- ference when it was vacant at the nience, the campus has changed [Historical facts are taken from The First Thirty Years by Theodore Morrison and end of each August. The idea took little in the last half century. Whose Woods These Are by David Haward hold. At Middlebury College's The old wood-shingled Bread Bain and Mary Smyth Dufty.| 6 Bead Loaf has long attracted writers with established reputa- tions. Stephen Vincent Benét, Robert Frost, John Crowe Ransom, Wallace Stegner, Josephine Johnson, Katherine Ann Porter, Archibald Macleish, William Carlos Williams, W. H. Auden, Isaac Asimov, Shirley Jackson, Ralph Ellison, and Robert Hayden are among those who have taught at the Conference. t is not so much what you do at More recently, Howard Nemerov, Bread Loaf that counts—though John Gardner, Stanley Elkin, -that is important. It is the state of Anthony Hecht, mind the experience brings Gail Godwin, John Irving, Donald Justice, Rosellen Brown, William axwell, Louise Glück, William eredith, Maxine Kumin, Grace Paley, Mark Strand, Andrea Barrett, and Edward Hirsch have aught and lectured at Bread Loaf. inda Bierds set the tone for our Most writers attend Bread workshop—didn't allow discus- Loaf before their work is well sion to disintegrate into meanness known. Carson McCullers, or nitpicking—and she offered not Eudora Welty, Theodore Roethke, only suggestions, but encourage- Howard Fast, Elizabeth Spencer, ment. She clearly spent a lot of time Opposite page, top: 1940 Fellows, May Swenson, Dan Wakefield, i í with our work. T. including Eudora Welty, John Anne Sexton, Joan Didion, Ciardi (upper left), and Carson Karla Huston Toni Morrison, Tim O'Brien, Rita McCullers (lower right), with Appleton, WI Dove, Walter Mosley, Richard Louis Untermeyer and Director j Ford, Carolyn Forché, Francine Theodore Morrison (center). ie some of the editor's | Prose, Linda Pastan, Amy Hempel, Opposite page, bottom: talks, panels, and two group | and Jula A verre ae among ie May Swenson, 1976. sessions. For the first time, a big ! Men eae rere This page, top: Robert Frost, “the picture of the publishing industry Godfather of Bread Loaf,” began to form for me. | gained a Loaf early in their writing careers. ee aa sense of the pressures agents and For a selected list of Bread Loaf faculty since 1926, i a i pu Rs a ellos place and what | can do—should visit our Web page, at do—as a writer to ensure a reading www.middlebury.edu/blwc. of my work. A'Dora Phillips New York, NY Gene p ea Pn orm ation LODGING AND MEALS APPLICATION do not squeeze more than one AND ADMISSION Bread Loafers are housed on the poem onto a page. mountain campus of Middlebury You may apply to the Conference E Please do not send children's or College, in the Bread Loaf Inn by submitting a sample of origi- young adult literature, newspaper and its cluster of cottages and nal work and an application journalism, or academic writing. buildings. Most rooms are dou- form. Acceptance is based on WB Fax and e-mail submissions are bles and baths are shared. We the strength and promise of the not accepted. make every effort to ensure that writing sample and the admis- Bi Note genre of application on i roommates will be compatible, sion board’s judgment that the front of mailing envelope. (The and in fact, some lifelong friend- applicant will benefit from the Conference mailing address is list- ships have developed between Conference. The workshops are ed on the application.) Bread Loaf roommates. designed to accommodate both Wi You may enclose a self- All buildings are within walk- published writers and those in the addressed, stamped postcard if you ing distance of the center of the early stages of promising careers. would like us to acknowledge campus, but some are farther from For the 2005 conference, we receipt of your application. that center than others. We ask accepted 21% of general appli- E Due to the volume of applica- those admitted if they plan to cants; 8% of those who applied for tions received, we are unable to bring a car, so we can arrange financial aid received an award. return supporting materials. accommodations suitably. A list We cannot enroll anyone for of local rentals is available to those less than the full 11 days of the GENERAL who prefer off-campus housing. Conference. Applicants must be APPLICATIONS Meals are served in the dining at least 18 years of age. room of the Inn. There's a well- There is no application fee. General applications must be stocked salad bar, and vegetar- postmarked by March 20. (If ian options are available. Bread you are applying for a fellow- SUBMITTING Loafers who live off-campus may ship or other type of financial A MANUSCRIPT pay for individual meals in the aid, please see the earlier deadline Inn. Bi Applicants should submit a below.) Applicants are strong- Bread Loaf is a smoke-free manuscript of unpublished work ly encouraged to apply early. campus. Vermont State Law pro- in progress for consideration by Notification letters will be mailed hibits smoking in any building on our admissions board: up to 6,000 on May 25. campus, including dormitories. words of fiction or nonfiction, or up to 10 pages of poetry. Applicants should send their stron- FINANCIAL AID THE LIBRARY AND gest unpublished work. Those APPLICATIONS COMPUTER LAB accepted will have an opportunity Fellowships are included in this category. The Davison Memorial Library to send a replacement manuscript at Bread Loaf hosts a collection for workshop critique. Financial aid applications must be of literature, reference books, and W The applicant's name and a page reserve shelves. The downstairs number must appear on each sheet postmarked by March 1. Applicants “Apple Cellar” is a full-featured of the manuscript. (For example: are strongly encouraged to apply early. Notification letters computer room (both Macintosh Smith, p.1.) and IBM platforms), including E Prose manuscripts must be dou- will be mailed on May 25. printers and Internet connections ble-spaced with 12 pt. font and Thanks to the generous sup- for writing, research, and e-mail. margins of at least 1.25". The total port of Middlebury College and Some zip disk drives are available, word count should be noted at the to an endowment fund established and a computer technician is on top of the first page. Applicants oy past Bread Loafers and other site most days to help with any may include more than one story donors, we are able to offer three types of financial aid: fellowships, questions. Wireless access is avail- as long as the overall total number able in some public places. of words is within the 6,000-word tuition scholarships, and work- limit. Manuscripts excerpted from study scholarships. We award a longer project should include a financial aid in recognition of one-page synopsis. published work or literary prom- W Poetry manuscripts should have ise; financial need has no bearing 12 pt. font and can be either single on our decisions. The awards must be used in the year they are or double-spaced. A poem can exceed one page, as long as the granted. An applicant may receive complete manuscript submission a fellowship, tuition scholarship, is within the ten-page limit. Please or work-study scholarship only once in a given genre.