The Tween Author Boot Camp, a writing conference for youth ages 9–12, will be held at Dixie State University on Saturday, Oct. 29. The event is the first of its kind in St. George and will include a writing contest with cash prizes. It is sponsored by the DSU English department and the Utah Humanities’ annual book festival.
“Nobody should underestimate what kids are capable of writing,” said Lois Brown, founder of the Tween Author Boot Camp and author of three middle-grade books. “We held a tween writing conference like this up north last spring, and I was amazed at the quality of writing we saw. The kids are so much ahead of where I was at their age.”
Ami Comeford, an English professor at DSU who is heading up the project, said that she was excited when she was approached by the Humanities Council and Brown about DSU hosting the event.
“What most young authors need is some focus and a boost of confidence, said Comeford. “This writing conference will do both. When freshman college students come to school able to write well and are confident in their ability to write, they are much more successful in their classes and in their employment opportunities. We hope this event will help the children in our community learn to love the art of writing — regardless if they become actual authors or not.”
The event will begin in the morning with several breakout classes that will introduce the kids to sensory writing, how to generate story ideas, stage writing, and the element of conflict. The kids will share a lunch with the authors where they will be able to ask them specific questions.
The afternoon keynote speakers will be Chad Morris, author of “The Inventor’s Secret,” and Shelly Brown, author of “Ghostsitter.”
Entries are due on Oct. 14. The registration fee is $25 before Oct. 11 and $30 and includes a backpack, a notebook, lunch, all classes, and entrance into the writing contest. More information is available at tweenabc.com.
