Dates: Monday-Thursday 6/10/24 – 6/13/24
Time: 9 - 11 am (PT) // 12 - 2 pm (ET)
Ages: 11-14

Whether you want to create a magical land, a futuristic dystopia, or a modern day middle school, the world you create for your characters can be anything you can imagine. But how do you make your world feel real to your reader? During our four days together we'll practice techniques to build new worlds for your characters that feel real to your readers. Campers will learn to give and get encouraging feedback to help sharpen their creative writing skills and lean into what is working. This camp is designed to create a new world from the ground up so no prior writing is required.

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Stone Soup and Society of Young Inklings are both nonprofit organizations, and part of our collaborative mission is to celebrate the full, vibrant diversity of youth writers' voices and stories.

To apply for a scholarship, visit this link.

To donate in support of scholarships, visit this link.

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Instructor Bio:

Beth Spencewood grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota where she spent the long winters reading her favorite books and writing short stories starring her friends. She got a bachelor’s degree in psychology and an MFA in writing for young adults and children. When she isn’t writing she's playing board games, trying a new craft, listening to podcasts about TV shows, or falling down yet another research rabbit hole.

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Cancellation Policy:

Camp transfers or full refunds will be given for cancellations requested one week or more in advance of the camp start date. For cancellation requests received less than one week before the camp start date, you may choose to transfer to another camp or receive a refund minus registration fees of up to $20.

Minimum enrollment: 6
Maximum enrollment: 20

Should minimum enrollment not be met, we will contact you to offer a full refund or other learning experience in exchange. 

Please contact us at info@younginklings.org with any questions.

Dates: Monday-Thursday 6/10/24 – 6/13/24
Time: 1 - 3 pm (PT) // 4 - 6 pm (ET)
Ages: 9-14

In this camp, we will discover ourselves as artists and explore how our selves, our lives, and our dreams serve as templates for our stories. Each of the four days will focus on an element of craft using our own lives as templates to create unforgettable characters, rich settings, authentic points of view, heartfelt themes, and captivating plots. Each day, introspective exercises will translate into writing prompts, resulting in a week's worth of new writing projects and/or enriched writing for existing projects.

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Stone Soup and Society of Young Inklings are both nonprofit organizations, and part of our collaborative mission is to celebrate the full, vibrant diversity of youth writers' voices and stories.

To apply for a scholarship, visit this link.

To donate in support of scholarships, visit this link.

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Instructor Bio:

Lisa Frenkel Riddiough writes mostly picture books and middle grade novels. She is, however, discovering all sorts of new writing forms as she learns more about who she is as an artist. Currently, Lisa is dreaming up and sketching out a memoir-ish, graph-ish novel that explores her transformative fourth grade year (1974, if you're doing the math). Also, she spends plenty of time baking chocolate pound cake and fawning over her cat, Pierre. Learn more about Lisa at www.lisariddiough.com.

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Cancellation Policy:

Camp transfers or full refunds will be given for cancellations requested one week or more in advance of the camp start date. For cancellation requests received less than one week before the camp start date, you may choose to transfer to another camp or receive a refund minus registration fees of up to $20.

Minimum enrollment: 6
Maximum enrollment: 20

Should minimum enrollment not be met, we will contact you to offer a full refund or other learning experience in exchange. 

Please contact us at info@younginklings.org with any questions.

Dates: Monday-Thursday 6/17/24-6/20/24
Time: 9 - 11 am (PT) // 12 - 2 pm (ET)
Ages: 9-14

The goal of this course is to produce one 10-minute play. To help you do this, we will approach playwriting as a form of craft—grounded in dialogue, character, voice, setting, tone, conflict, action, and plot structure. It will also emphasize a play’s arc: its beginning, turning point, and ending.

Besides writing our plays, we will study drama as an art form. We will ask questions, both practical and philosophical. What is drama? Where does it come from? How does it work? What distinguishes it from other forms of literary and performative arts?

What to Expect in Class: In each class, we will discuss aspects and techniques of playwriting and read scenes that demonstrate these techniques in action. Each class will also include writing prompts to help generate ideas for your plays.

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Stone Soup and Society of Young Inklings are both nonprofit organizations, and part of our collaborative mission is to celebrate the full, vibrant diversity of youth writers' voices and stories.

To apply for a scholarship, visit this link.

To donate in support of scholarships, visit this link.

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 Instructor Bio:

Conner Bassett has an MFA from the Iowa Writers' Workshop and a PhD in Creative Writing from the University of California-Santa Cruz. His writing has appeared in the Chicago Review, Iowa Review, Denver Quarterly, and elsewhere. He is an Assistant Professor of Creative Writing at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio.

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Cancellation Policy:

Camp transfers or full refunds will be given for cancellations requested one week or more before the camp start date. For cancellation requests received less than one week before the camp start date, you may choose to transfer to another camp or receive a refund minus registration fees of up to $20.

Minimum enrollment: 6
Maximum enrollment: 20

Should minimum enrollment not be met, we will contact you to offer a refund or other learning experience in exchange. 

Please contact us at info@younginklings.org with any questions.

Dates: Monday-Thursday 6/17/24-6/20/24
Time: 1 - 3 pm (PT) // 4 - 6 (ET)
Ages: 9-14

Design a new novel from the ground up, or take your current concept to the next level. In this Zoom workshop facilitated by author, Naomi Kinsman, you’ll brainstorm options, interview your characters, map your story-world, and shape your plot.

Meeting virtually with Young Inklings community members and Stone Soup subscribers means that you’ll connect with young writers from around the world who are passionate and committed to their writing, just like you. Over the four days of camp, you’ll learn new tools and strategies to strengthen your writing craft skills, be inspired by ideas and writing by creative peers, and walk step-by-step through the process of developing a strong novel concept. You’ll walk away with a few drafted chapters, plus a complete plan to build from this solid foundation through the drafting process.

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Stone Soup and Society of Young Inklings are both nonprofit organizations, and part of our collaborative mission is to celebrate the full, vibrant diversity of youth writers' voices and stories.

To apply for a scholarship, visit this link.

To donate in support of scholarships, visit this link.

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 Instructor Bio:

Naomi Kinsman is the founder and executive director of Society of Young Inklings, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting youth creative writers. She is also the author of the From Sadie’s Sketchbook Series and Spilled Ink, the award-winning Inklings Writers’ Notebook, Naomi is passionate about sharing her love of writing and creativity with young writers. Naomi’s background in improvisational and story theatre as well as her arts education work in Chicago, Portland, and the Bay Area has convinced her that creative play is a doorway through which learners can find inspiration and transformative learning experiences.

Naomi loves to play in many ways, but some of her favorites are tap-dancing, sketching, experimenting in the kitchen, and playing with her puppy, Lexi. Naomi has a BA in Theatre Arts from Seattle Pacific University and has studied theatre with the Piven Theatre Workshop and ACT. She also has a Masters in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Hamline University.

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Cancellation Policy:

Camp transfers or full refunds will be given for cancellations requested one week or more before the camp start date. For cancellation requests received less than one week before the camp start date, you may choose to transfer to another camp or receive a refund minus registration fees of up to $20.

Minimum enrollment: 6
Maximum enrollment: 20

Should minimum enrollment not be met, we will contact you to offer a refund or other learning experience in exchange. 

Please contact us at info@younginklings.org with any questions.

Dates: Monday-Thursday 6/27/22-6/30/22
Time: 9 - 11 am (PT) // 12 - 2 (ET)
Ages: 9-14

Sometimes, the biggest ideas are best expressed in the tiniest of forms. In Literature in Miniature, we’ll explore micro-fiction and prose poetry. You will learn to condense your horizons into a style of writing perfected by writers like Lydia Davis, Daniil Kharms, Gertrude Stein, and many others. You will write multiple discrete pieces per day and finish the class with enough writing to fill up a chapbook.

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Stone Soup and Society of Young Inklings are both nonprofit organizations, and part of our collaborative mission is to celebrate the full, vibrant diversity of youth writers' voices and stories.

To apply for a scholarship, visit this link.

To donate in support of scholarships, visit this link.

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 Instructor Bio:

Caleb Berg is a writer from Berkeley, CA and Houston, TX. He is an Inprint Isabel M. Elkins Fellow and second year MFA candidate in fiction at the University of Houston, where he teaches rhetoric and composition. He is the former blog editor of Stone Soup, and has led community workshops for Stone Soup, Inprint, and the Boldface Conference.

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Cancellation Policy:

Camp transfers or full refunds will be given for cancellations requested one week or more before the camp start date. For cancellation requests received less than one week before the camp start date, you may choose to transfer to another camp or receive a refund minus registration fees of up to $20.

Minimum enrollment: 6
Maximum enrollment: 20

Should minimum enrollment not be met, we will contact you to offer a refund or other learning experience in exchange. 

Please contact us at info@younginklings.org with any questions.

Dates: Monday-Thursday 7/8/24-7/11/24
Time: 9 - 11 am (PT) // 12 - 2 pm (ET)
Ages: 9-14

In this intensive four-day workshop, participants will delve into the art and craft of writing short fiction. Whether you're a beginner seeking guidance or an experienced writer looking to refine your skills, this workshop offers a supportive and stimulating environment to explore the intricacies of crafting compelling short stories.

Day 1: Setting the Foundation
On the first day, we will focus on understanding the fundamental elements of short fiction, including character development, plot structure, setting, and point of view. Through interactive discussions and writing exercises, participants will learn how to create dynamic characters, build immersive worlds, and craft engaging narratives that captivate readers from the start.

Day 2: Structure and Form
Building upon the foundation laid on Day 1, Day 2 will delve deeper into the nuances of plot and structure. Participants will learn various storytelling techniques such as the three-act structure, plot twists, and pacing to create tension, suspense, and emotional impact in their stories. Practical exercises and peer feedback will help writers hone their narrative skills and develop effective story arcs.

Day 3: Crafting Authentic Dialogue and Voice
On Day 3, the focus will shift to the importance of authentic dialogue and voice in short fiction. Participants will explore techniques for writing realistic dialogue, developing distinct character voices, and using dialogue to reveal deeper layers of character and conflict. Through writing exercises and group discussions, writers will refine their dialogue skills and enhance the authenticity of their characters' voices.

Day 4: (Re)vision
The final day of the workshop will concentrate on polishing and preparing short fiction for publication. Topics covered will include revising and editing techniques, understanding submission guidelines, and navigating the publishing industry. Participants will receive personalized feedback on their work, learn strategies for finding publication opportunities, and gain insights into the submission process.

Throughout the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to receive constructive feedback from the instructor and fellow writers. By the end of the workshop, participants will have developed a deeper understanding of the elements of short fiction and refined their skills to create compelling stories.

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Stone Soup and Society of Young Inklings are both nonprofit organizations, and part of our collaborative mission is to celebrate the full, vibrant diversity of youth writers' voices and stories.

To apply for a scholarship, visit this link.

To donate in support of scholarships, visit this link.

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Instructor Bio:

Conner Bassett has an MFA from the Iowa Writers' Workshop and a PhD in Creative Writing from the University of California-Santa Cruz. His writing has appeared in the Chicago Review, Iowa Review, Denver Quarterly, and elsewhere. He is an Assistant Professor of Creative Writing at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio.

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Cancellation Policy:

Camp transfers or full refunds will be given for cancellations requested one week or more before the camp start date. For cancellation requests received less than one week before the camp start date, you may choose to transfer to another camp or receive a refund minus registration fees of up to $20.

Minimum enrollment: 6
Maximum enrollment: 20

Should minimum enrollment not be met, we will contact you to offer a full refund or other learning experience in exchange. 

Please contact us at info@younginklings.org with any questions.

Dates: Monday-Thursday 7/8/24-7/11/24
Time: 1 - 3 pm (PT) // 4 - 6 pm (ET)
Ages: 9-12

As writers, we are each unique magic makers when we bring our ideas to the page. There has never been a writer or creator exactly like you or who approaches a story in the same way. This is your BIG MAGIC! 

In this camp, we will work on your creative skills (or writing magical powers) that give you the ability to find ways to persevere when you’re feeling stuck, help your reader to connect with your characters (both protagonists and antagonists), see the beauty in any piece of writing, effectively communicate powerful messages or what you are most passionate about through the written word, and discover new and fresh perspectives when a story seems to be losing its way. 

This camp is for you if you love to find new ways to ignite and expand your creativity. Campers will leave after our sessions with a new writer’s toolkit that helps their own BIG MAGIC to shine! Our engagement schedule will include writing dares and prompts, games and activities, peer breakout groups and dedicated writing deep dives.

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Stone Soup and Society of Young Inklings are both nonprofit organizations, and part of our collaborative mission is to celebrate the full, vibrant diversity of youth writers' voices and stories.

To apply for a scholarship, visit this link.

Born and raised on islands in New York and Rhode Island, Travis Greenlee has always pulled his creative inspiration from the outdoor world. He says that “nature feeds my own innate sense of wonder.” A teacher in humanities and outdoor education for over 20 years, working with kids from pre-K through Middle School, Travis jumps at every opportunity to support kids with their creative expression. Whether it be through music, visual art, creative writing, nature engagement, or design thinking, helping a child find and connect to their authentic voice is Travis’ wheelhouse. As the Young Inklings Membership Facilitator, his interests and expertise come together to provide an engaging experience for our member community. Travis has a BA and teaching degree in English Language Arts from Hobart & William Smith Colleges. He is also the founder of Parent Sidekick, a parent and family coaching and support company. When not gallivanting outside, Travis can be found writing children’s stories, songwriting, designing hands-on family games, and adventuring wi  ________________________

Cancellation Policy:

Camp transfers or full refunds will be given for cancellations requested one week or more before the camp start date. For cancellation requests received less than one week before the camp start date, you may choose to transfer to another camp or receive a refund minus registration fees of up to $20.

Minimum enrollment: 6
Maximum enrollment: 20

Should minimum enrollment not be met, we will contact you to offer a full refund or other learning experience in exchange. 

Please contact us at info@younginklings.org with any questions.

Dates: Monday-Thursday 7/22/24-7/25/24
Time: 1 - 3 pm (PT) // 4 - 6 pm (ET)
Ages: 9-11

We will play our way to the page through activities and experiments using our senses to collect details to enrich our writing. We will collaborate on some assignments and on others we will mine our own experiences for golden nuggets of description.

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Stone Soup and Society of Young Inklings are both nonprofit organizations, and part of our collaborative mission is to celebrate the full, vibrant diversity of youth writers' voices and stories.

To apply for a scholarship, visit this link.

To donate in support of scholarships, visit this link.

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Instructor Bio:

Melody Reed started off as a software engineer for scientific laboratories, but soon realized her heart was in teaching. She has over 30 years of experience teaching everything from K-12 computer classes at a private school to leading a writer's group for senior citizens at a public library where she held a Reference Assistant position. She finds great joy in sharing her love of reading and writing. Melody graduated with a master's degree from Hamline University with a MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults. She has enjoyed mentoring young writers through the Society of Young Inklings for 7 years.

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Cancellation Policy:

Camp transfers or full refunds will be given for cancellations requested one week or more before the camp start date. For cancellation requests received less than one week before the camp start date, you may choose to transfer to another camp or receive a refund minus registration fees of up to $20.

Minimum enrollment: 6
Maximum enrollment: 20

Should minimum enrollment not be met, we will contact you to offer a full refund or other learning experience in exchange. 

Please contact us at info@younginklings.org with any questions.