Jun 30

The Plug: June 30th, 2017

by Jose Olivarez

Hello YCA Fam,

Welcome to The Plug, our weekly blog about competitions, events, workshops, etc. that you can partake in. Some of these competitions and events are hosted by your next-door neighbors, and some are from friends across the country. Many of these opportunities while rooted in poetry, will also allow you to explore different types of writing and art forms. If you explore any of these opportunities, share the experience on social media and tag us (@youngchiauthors on Twitter & @youngchicagoauthors on Instagram).

Competitions/Publications:

...

Jun 28

The Lesson 6/28/2017

by Jose Olivarez

Hello YCA Fam,

Today is Wednesday, June 14th, and we have two prompts for you today. Every Wednesday we will be sharing a writing prompt to help you write. If you choose to write, please tag us on social media: @youngchiauthors on Twitter & @youngchicagoauthors on Instagram.

Today's prompt features work from Gwendolyn Brooks. Today's writing prompt is called:

Know The Enemy

List:

Individuals or groups you consider your enemies (think from micro to macro: this could be individual people to institutions)

People who try to do right by you but inevitably fail.

Read:

The Lovers of the Poor by Gwendolyn Brooks

Think about:
...

Jun 26

The Top Five Featuring Nate Marshall

by Jose Olivarez

Welcome to the Top Five. We know it's Monday and you may be looking for inspiration, and we are here to help! Every Monday, we will be inviting some of our favorite artists to share five links that inspire them. Tune in to find some new music, poems, and more. Today, we have Nate Marshall talking about some of his favorite debut projects. Check it out!

Right now I'm in the throes of working on my second book and I'm confounded by how to approach that process and make the book reach as high and higher than the first thing so I want to drop a bunch of first projects that I love and that I go to for inspiration.

1. You're So Talented

http://www.youresotalented.net/about/

This webseries is the first series written and directed by

Jun 23

The Plug: June 23rd, 2017

by Jose Olivarez

Hello YCA Fam,

Welcome to The Plug, our weekly blog about competitions, events, workshops, etc. that you can partake in. Some of these competitions and events are hosted by your next-door neighbors, and some are from friends across the country. Many of these opportunities while rooted in poetry, will also allow you to explore different types of writing and art forms. If you explore any of these opportunities, share the experience on social media and tag us (@youngchiauthors on Twitter & @youngchicagoauthors on Instagram).

Competitions/Publications:

Girls Right the World (Publication)

“Girls Right the World is an international literary journal advocating for young, female-identified writers. We believe in the power of young women, sisterhood, and creativity through writing. The editors of this journal are students at Miss Hall’s School in Massachusetts.”

Links: http://www.girlsrighttheworld.com/about/

Creating Iris (Publication)

“Iris is a new literary...

Jun 19

The Top Five Featuring Jamila Woods

by Jose Olivarez

Welcome to the Top Five. We know it's Monday and you may be looking for inspiration, and we are here to help! Every Monday, we will be inviting some of our favorite artists to share five links that inspire them. Tune in to find some new music, poems, and more.

Today's Top Five comes from Jamila Woods

This interview with Esperanza Spaulding:

I loved reading this interview because I love learning about the rituals of artist's I admire. She mentions doing Buddhist meditative chanting as part of her daily ritual, which is something my student & #LTAB Indy champ Antwon Funches recently put me on to.

https://www.thecut.com/2016/10/how-esperanza-spalding-bass-prodigy-gets-it-all-done.html

Black Feminist Breathing Chorus:

This is a collection of audio meditations drawing on the wisdom of Black feminist ancestors by Alexis Pauline Gubbs. Every meditation features an original collage and an affirmation quote by a powerful Black...

Jun 16

The Plug: June 16th, 2017

by Jose Olivarez

Hello YCA Fam,

Welcome to The Plug, where we post competitions, events, workshops, etc. that you can partake in. Some of these competitions and events are hosted by your next-door neighbors in Chicago, and some are from friends across the country. Many of these opportunities, while rooted in poetry, allow you to explore different types of writing and art forms. If you explore any of these opportunities, share the experience on social media and tag us (@youngchiauthors on Twitter & @youngchicagoauthors on Instagram).

Competitions/Publications:

We Real Cool: Chicago Teen Poetry, Fashion, and Photography Celebrating Our Miss Brooks
"Miss Gwendolyn Brooks was an icon poet, feminist, mother, activist, and Chicagoan. Chicago is celebrating her 100th...

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