Get Lit! Festival Workshops: Learn From The Best!

If you’re a writer, a reader, an artist, an illustrator, a journalist, a blogger, or just a collector of unique experiences, come join us at the Riverpoint Campus, Phase One Building on April 16th for our series of great workshops hosted by renowned authors and local educators. Listed below are a few of the workshops being offered. You can also go to our website for a complete list.

The Second Draft of History

Aspiring journalists, history buffs, and nonfiction junkies will find their interests collide in this two-hour workshop presented by author Jack Hamann at this year’s Get Lit! Festival. Globetrotting journalist and nonfiction author Jack Hamann has worked as a network correspondent and documentary producer for CNN and PBS, as well as publishing articles for the likes of The Seattle Times. His stories have brought him around the world, spotlighted his interest in humanitarian efforts, and gained him recognition for his investigative book, On American Soil: How Justice Became a Casualty of World War II. Working under strict deadlines, reporters famously produce “the first draft of history.” In this workshop, Hamann will be discussing the desire that many journalists have to revisit past stories and flush out the entire truth behind the “first draft.” His experience, both as a seasoned journalist and nonfiction author will examine the satisfying experience of uncovering hidden facts buried beneath years of apathy and even secrecy.

The Zine Scene

Zines are a blossoming form of personal expression packed in an inexpensive, easily printed punch. To those unfamiliar with what a zine actually is, they can best be described as self-published mini-magazines, usually meant to be printed out at home and distributed locally. Your own zine, produced at our Zine Scene workshop, could include a wide range of your many interests or your one obsessive passion. It could include images, illustrations, or text borrowed (legally!) from other source or showcase your own talent for the arts. Join zine gurus Julia Lipscomb and Lindsae Williams-Sindalu who will give you skills to express yourself in a new way. Click here to learn more about the Bird's Nest Zine Library, right here in Spokane!

Blogging 101

Take the “blah” out of blog with this informative and interesting workshop presented by local Eastern Washington University educator Dr. Molly Johnson and professional blogger for The Spokesman-Review Dan Webster. These working professionals bring their practical advice for creating written work that can communicate your ideas to the world while building your online credibility. Unlike news articles, blogs can showcase the personality behind the writer while still imparting useful knowledge to your readers. And unlike forums and wikis, blogs can also entertain your readers and, at the same time, build your credibility in one, personalized webspace. If you have the desire to make an online professional presence for yourself or just want to contribute your two cents to the blogosphere, this workshop is for you.

We also teamed up with the Northwest Inland Writing Project to offer several workshops designed specifically for educators. Expert teachers will present the best-practices they have learned for expanding reading and writing in the classroom.

Igniting the Inner Reader

How, as an educator, do you build a passion for reading in students distracted by television and video games? This workshop, taught by Jenifer Junior High language arts teacher April Niemela, will share strategies to improve reading with fun activities based on reading appreciation that can transform your classroom into a community of readers. Bring your camera and an eagerness to participate in interactive lessons!

Putting Pen to Paper

Remember as a child, writing letters to pen pals or making personal and top-secret entries into your very own diary? Remember the satisfaction of writing in neat cursive, or recording your memories, or expressing your inner thoughts on an actual piece of paper? Now days, so many children have lost that connection to paper and, as a result, the connection to writing. Join Northwest Inland Writers Project educators, Barbara Crumb and Beverley Wolff, as they teach the use of writer’s notebooks in the classroom to engage students in the art of the written word.

All workshops are $30 ($20 for students with student ID.) Register at spokaneparks.org. You can also call 509.625.6200 or visit Spokane Parks and Recreation at City Hall.

Continuing-education credits (clock hours) will be available for K-12 teachers through NEWESD 101. The cost for 3-5 hours is $10 and for 6 hours is $12. You can sign up for credits the day of the event with a check.