Lambda Literary to hold Writers Retreat for Emerging LGBTQ Voices

The Lambda Literary Foundation, the producers of the Lambda Literary Awards, is set to hold the Writers Retreat for Emerging LGBTQ Voices once more. First started in 2007, this retreat is the first of its kind for LGBTQ writers.

For twelve lucky writers, this will be a one-week intensive immersion in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, genre fiction and playwriting.

What’s more, the retreat is an unparalleled opportunity to be mentored by the very best writers in the LGBTQ community, to develop one’s craft, to make connections with publishing industry professionals, and to be among a strong community of peers.

The 2016 faculty includes Andrew Holleran (Fiction), Sarah Schulman (Nonfiction), Robert O’Hara (Playwriting), Joy Ladin (Poetry) and Benjamin Alire Sáenz (Young Adult).

Previous faculty includes Dorothy Allison, Jewelle Gomez, Alex Sanchez, Sarah Schulman, Randall Kenan, Eduardo Corral, Samuel Delany, Claire Carmichael, Nicola Griffith, Ellen Bass, Bernard Cooper, Elana Dykewomon, and Katherine V. Forrest.

Other noted faculty luminaries include: Rigoberto Gonzalez, Cris Beam, Ellery Washington, Carla Trujillo, Eloise Klein Healy, Fenton Johnson, David Groff, Michael Nava, D.A. Powell, and John Rechy.

How Lambda Literary helps

“There’s a certain kind of insight that you’re only gonna get from people who have lived experiences that can align with yours,” said Justin Torres, 2007 Lambda Literary fellow and best-selling author of We the Animals.

In an interview, Torres spoke of his experience being with the Lambda Literary Foundation.

“I left Lambda with such energy and with such commitment to making this book a reality. That summer was the last summer I was directionless, and it was the first summer that I was really committed to the fact that this is what I’m going to do with my time on this Earth. I want to be a writer,” Torres said.

Requirements for the Lambda Literary Retreat

This workshop is open to emerging LGBTQ writers of any age and from any country. Regardless of the individual experiences of sexuality and gender, writers will be right at home at the retreat where their voice can be heard.

More importantly, with this shared understanding of queerness, there will be no need to spend time explaining or justifying queer themes and characters. This creates more room in the retreat to focus on other aspects of craft and storytelling.

Ability to pay fees will in no way be part of the selection process and scholarships will be available. Incoming students will be provided with personalized funding pages to help raise their fees.

Also, having a publication history is preferred but not a requirement. A writer interested in joining the retreat only needs passion for writing and for queer literature.

Applications can be sent on or before January 5, 2016. The Lambda Literary Writers Retreat is set to begin on July 24, 2016 and will be held at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.