UWI hosts a series of writers' workshops

The Department of Literatures in English, University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona will hold the first in a series of writers' workshops on Saturday, November 12, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the UWI, Mona campus. The inaugural workshop will be conducted by renowned Trinidadian writer, Earl Lovelace and will focus on developing creative writing skills in prose fiction.

One of the Caribbean's most acclaimed writers, Earl Lovelace is the author of six novels, a collection of short stories, several plays and a collection of essays. His most recent novel, Is Just A Movie will be launched on Sunday, November 13 at the Sir Philip Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts, immediately following Lovelace's delivery of the Fifth Edward Baugh Distinguished Lecture, beginning at 11 a.m.

Lovelace's other novels include While Gods Are Falling (1965), The Schoolmaster (1968), The Dragon Can't Dance (1979), regarded by many critics as his best work, The Wine of Astonishment (1982) and Salt (1996) for which he received the Commonwealth Writer's Prize.

The writers' workshop series is part of a new initiative by the Department of Literatures in English to generate interest and develop writing skills in various genres. Workshops will be held primarily in creative writing, including poetry, prose fiction, television and screen writing, and writing for the stage. However, attention will also be paid to other forms of writing, such as writing for business, essay writing, and technical writing.

The department has long been associated with a tradition of excellence in creative writing, counting Nobel laureate, poet Derek Walcott, as one of its most distinguished graduates. Persons interested in attending the workshop should contact the department for information on costs and to register; call 927-2217 or email litsengmona@gmail.com.