Some Favorite Links:

Associated Writing Programs: AWP is the national nonprofit service organization whose mission is to foster literary talent and achievement, to advance the art of writing as essential to a good education, and to serve the makers, teachers, students, and readers of contemporary writing. AWP publishes The Writer's Chronicle and sponsors a widely attended annual conference.

Cascadia Publishing House: Cascadia Publishing House prints books that examine faith, history, and contemporary life from an Anabaptist perspective. Amid ferment diversity and often conflict in culture and church, Cascadia aims to give voice to authors able to offer fresh and creative visions. Cascadia Publishing House's DreamSeeker Books imprint includes poetry, memoirs and biographies.

The Hermitage Artist Retreat: The Hermitage Artist Retreat is located in Englewood, FL on the Manasota Beach. It is an artist retreat for painters, poets, playwrights, composers, translators, sculptors, and artists working in digital media. Part of its mission is to preserve a Florida historic site and protect native Florida ecology. Debra Gingerich had the honor to spend nine days there in spring 2008.

MFA in Writing at Vermont College: The MFA in Writing Program at Vermont College offers concentrations in fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction.  It was one of the first low-residency programs, offering adult students the opportunity to earn an MFA degree through study with accomplished writers without moving away from their families or communities.  Debra Gingerich had the opportunity to study under Roger Weingarten, Ralph Angel, Robin Behn, and Betsy Sholl. It is a highly recommended program.

Poets & Writers: Poets & Writers Magazine is the leading journal for creative writers. Along with essays on the literary life and interviews with contemporary writers of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, the magazine publishes articles with practical applications for both emerging and established writers. In addition, it provides listings of literary grants and awards, deadlines, and prize winners.

Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world.  ~Percy Byshe Shelley