The creative writing program at Interlochen Arts Academy provides guidance, support and numerous opportunities for young writers. Students in the creative writing program study and create poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, 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
Since 1980, a total of 17 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 from Scholastic and 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, St. John’s College, Sarah Lawrence College and the University of Michigan, among others.
Notable Alumni include:
Jennifer Lynch, film director
Karin Gottshall, poet
Faith Shearin, poet
Josh Rathkamp, poet
David Blum, journalist and editor
Pamela White Hadas, poet
Jay Peterzell, investigative reporter
Lisa Powers, art director/designer, Newsweek
Paula Sharp, novelist
Terry Apter, author
David Shenk, author
Doug Stanton, author
Jeffrey Taylor, journalist
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.
Recent Visiting Writers
Distinguished visiting writers work closely with the students, and help them understand the world of contemporary writing. Recent visiting writers include:
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
Pam Houston, author of Cowboys Are My Weakness and other works of fiction and memoir
Cornelius Eady, author of six collections of poetry, including The Gathering of My Name, which was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize
Robert Hass, former poet laureate of the United States and winner of the National Book Award for his collection Time and Materials
Stephen Dunn, author of numerous poetry collections including Different Hours, winner of the Pulitzer Prize
Laura Kasischke, author of three novels and six poetry collections including Lilies Without
