Columbus State University’s Carson McCullers Center for Writers and Musicians will host a series of free Saturday afternoon creative writing workshops for high school students. The schedule of workshops is as follows:

Feb. 3 – Poetry (led by Jonathan S.E. Perkins)

Feb. 10 – Screenwriting (led by Natalia Temesgen)

Feb. 24 – Playwriting (led by Scott Wilkerson)

Mar. 3 – Creative Nonfiction (led by Joe Miller)

Mar. 10 – Fiction (led by Melissa Pritchard)

Space is limited, so students are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible. The workshops will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Smith-McCullers House, located at 1519 Stark Ave., in Columbus.
 
The workshop series helps students prepare for the Carson McCullers Literary Awards. Submissions are being accepted now through March 23 from high school students and CSU students in the following categories: fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, expository essay, playwriting and screenwriting. High school winners and CSU winners in each category will receive $300 for first place, $200 for second place and $100 for third place. This year’s winners will also be recognized at an awards ceremony to be held at the first annual Carson McCullers Literary Festival.
 
Scheduled for April 20-21 at CSU’s Bo Bartlett Center, the Carson McCullers Literary Festival is designed primarily as a celebration of creative writing for Georgia high school students. The event will feature public readings, master classes and student workshops conducted by nationally known writers and poets. Among an impressive list of accomplished writers scheduled to give readings are Brad Watson, recent winner of the Harper Lee Award; Jonathan S.E. Perkins, nationally recognized slam poet champion; and novelist and essayist Melissa Pritchard, whose work has been recognized by the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle and O, The Oprah Magazine.
 
For more information, please call (706) 565-1200 or visit https://english.columbusstate.edu/creativewriting/muccullerswards.php.