The Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow (WCDH) has launched a new series of video interviews and readings called “Dairy Hollow Chinwags.” WCDH Executive Director, Michelle Hannon, explains, “Its purpose is to feature fellowship winners and scholarship recipients and to showcase the talented emerging writers who benefit from WCDH residencies. COVID is still a serious concern, and this gives us a way to share the work of our emerging writers in a safe way. Each chinwag (British slang for a chat) includes a short interview and a reading by the featured writer.”
The first “Dairy Hollow Chinwag” was posted on January 27, 2022. It features Ethan Richmond, a talented nineteen-year-old poet and winner of the Celebrate! Maya Project fellowship for young writers on social justice issues. It can be viewed at https://youtu.be/Oxv4-1Fj3oo. Hannon continues, “Ethan is a perfect example of the type of writer that we want to showcase. For a poet so young, his work is incredibly beautiful and insightful. He’s certainly one to watch.”
The “Celebrate! Maya Project” fellowship invited young writers, ages 18 to 25, to explore social justice issues including racial discrimination, women’s rights, and/or educational disparity. The work could be in any literary genre: fiction or nonfiction, poetry or prose, or a combination. Two winners, Ethan Richmond and Melan White were selected for their writing projects’ insight, honesty, literary merit, and the likelihood of publication. They each received a two-week residency at the Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow. Hannon, said, “Literature has the power to build understanding and empathy, which is why it’s so important to encourage young writers and amplify marginalized voices. We’re extremely grateful to author Adele Holmes, Janetta Kearney, Esq., and the Celebrate! Maya Project for generously funding this fellowship.” For more information about the Celebrate! Maya Project, visit https://celebratemayaproject.org/. To learn about sponsoring a fellowship supporting the genre and/or area of interest you are passionate about, visit www.writerscolony.org/sponsor-a-fellowship.
The WCDH scholarship fund was developed in December 2019 to assist emerging writers and those from marginalized communities who need financial aid to benefit from a writing residency at Dairy Hollow. Over $17,000 in support has been provided to 40 writers for more than 300 residency nights. Scholarships are awarded on an as-needed basis depending on availability. If you would like to support the WCDH scholarship fund, please visit https://www.writerscolony.org/give-to-wcdh-scholarship-fund.
Since opening its doors to writers in 2000, the Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow has made a lasting impact on the arts and literary communities through its mission to nurture writers of all genres, backgrounds, and levels of experience in a supportive environment that builds community, energizes creative expression, stimulates new thinking, and optimizes productivity. The WCDH has hosted over 1,500 writers from 48 states and 13 countries. For more information, please visit www.writerscolony.org or call Michelle Hannon or Jeanne Glass at (479)253-7444.
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