The creative writing program at Interlochen Arts Academy boarding high school provides guidance, support and numerous opportunities for young writers. Students in the creative writing program study and create poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, playwriting and screenwriting with a faculty of writer–educators. The goal of the program is to help young writers cultivate their talents; broaden their command of the writer's craft at all levels, and to teach them how to read like writers.
Students hone and polish their unique voices through readings, discussion, writing exercises, group critiques and individual tutorials with the faculty. Writers also develop their skills by studying masterworks in a variety of traditional and contemporary genres. Literature and craft-based electives are offered to help the student tailor the experience to their own needs and interests.
Awards and Recognition
Eighteen Interlochen Arts Academy Creative Writing students have been named Presidential Scholars in the Arts. Writers from Interlochen regularly earn national recognition in contests including the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts’ youngARTS competition and The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. Recent graduates have won the Gold Portfolio Awards in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards contest and been selected as finalists in the youngARTS competition, as well as placing in numerous regional and national contests for high school writers.
After Graduation
Graduates go on to attend a wide array of small liberal arts colleges and larger universities. Recent graduates have attended Yale University, Princeton University, Columbia College Chicago, New York University, Eugene Lang College, Knox College, Oberlin College, Sarah Lawrence College, the University of Michigan, Bard College, Reed College, and the American University of Paris, among others.
Notable Alumni
- Terry Apter, author
- David Blum, journalist and editor
- Karin Gottshall, poet
- Jennifer Lynch, film director
- Jay Peterzell, investigative reporter
- Lisa Powers, art director/designer, Newsweek
- Josh Rathkamp, poet
- Paula Sharp, novelist
- Faith Shearin, poet
- David Shenk, author
- Doug Stanton, author
- Jeffrey Taylor, journalist
- Pamela White Hadas, poet
The Writing House
The Writing House provides an inviting and spacious home for the creative writing program and offers students comfortable quiet writing spaces complete with indoor and outdoor fireplaces and a kitchen, wireless internet access, a literary publications room with computer and printing stations, and a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system for guest, faculty and student readings.
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Recent Visiting Writers
Distinguished visiting writers work closely with the students, and help them understand the world of contemporary writing. Recent visiting writers include:
- Peter Matthiessen, New York Times bestselling author of The Snow Leopard and winner of the National Book Award for Shadow Country
- Carolyn Forché, author of four poetry collections including The Country Between Us and Blue Hour
- Antonya Nelson, author of numerous short story collections and novels including Bound and In the Land of Men
- Barry Lopez, winner of the National Book Award for Arctic Dreams
- Brady Udall, author of The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint and Letting Loose the Hounds
- Dorianne Laux, author of four poetry collections including Facts about the Moon
- Cornelius Eady, author of six collections of poetry, including The Gathering of My Name, which was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize
- Laura Kasischke, author of three novels and six poetry collections including Lilies Without
