I am a native of Montpelier, VT and grew up with the little College on the hill. I left Vermont to attend Harvard University, where I played varsity basketball and majored in biological anthropology. After graduating, I meandered about for a number of years and spent time living in New York City and Germany. Eventually I found my way to work in higher education and began my career at Vermont College in 2002. I started as the Assistant Director of the MFA-Writing program where I learned an enormous amount about being an effective Administrator from Louise Crowley (the 25+ year Program Director of the MFA-Writing Program). I worked for Louise for 4 ½ years before moving on to be the Assistant Director of Admissions at Vermont College. After working in Admissions for just over a year, an opportunity opened up to join the MFA-Writing for Children & Young Adults program and the Vermont College of Fine Arts adventure.  I took the leap of faith and now hold the position of Program Director of the MFA-Writing for Children & Young Adults program. 

 

My greatest joys, beyond the job that I love, are my two small children - Sophie (3 years) and Calvin (1 year). 

 

 

Vermont College of Fine Arts is a brand new institution that will become a reality in the next few months. Vermont College has been in existence for 175 years. Union Institute & University, based in Cincinnati, currently owns the campus and the low residency programs (BA, MA, M.Ed., 3 MFAs). About two years ago UI&U decided that it was in their best interest to divest of the property and possibly the MFA programs. At that point a small group, headed by Tom Greene, started to work out a deal to purchase it. We have seen tremendous support for this project from the state of Vermont, the city of Montpelier, the alumni of the three MFA programs, NEASC, and many others. VCFA will be the first low-residency college devoted solely to the fine arts. It is a unique place and will be the home of three top-notch MFA programs.

 

The MFA-Writing for Children & Young Adults program has been operating for just over ten years. It is the oldest low residency MFA program dedicated solely to the study of writing for children. The low residency model means students are on campus just two times a year for ten days. Each semester begins with a residency on the Vermont College campus (January and July). At the residencies students participate in workshops lead by two faculty members, attend lectures, panels, readings, seminars, etc. During the residency students are also assigned their faculty advisor for their independent study project which is the work students do from their homes after the residency ends.  Each semester students work with different advisors so they end up working with at least 4 different faculty members. 

 

 

During the residency you will create your study plan for the semester with input from your advisor. During the course of the 6 month semester you will exchange five packets of writing. The packets are comprised of creative writing, critical writing, an annotated bibliography, and a dialogue letter. In the letter you will talk to your advisor about how things are going, questions that you have, ideas for further research etc. Your advisor will respond to your packet within 5-7 days. They will respond directly on your work and provide you with a letter that responds to your questions and delves into all aspects of writing. The faculty advisors all have different styles, but they all provide students with thorough, honest, and supportive feedback. The faculty all care deeply about writing for children and their student’s own progress in their work. 

 

 

-          when you want to take your writing to the next level

-          if you are looking for a community of serious writers

-          if you want to move into a new genre

-          you are passionate about the field of writing for children

 

The program is for both published writers and people who have less experience. The most important characteristic of a strong applicant is, obviously, solid writing skills, both creatively and critically. Some of our applicants have years of experience as writers, librarians, and teachers. Others work in fields that don’t have much to do with writing, but they’ve been working on their own as writers.

 

Another necessary trait for the applicant is a willingness to learn and grow. The Faculty Review Committee will want to be assured that the applicant is ready to undertake a rigorous academic program that will be challenging and intense. This requires that the student has at least 25 hours a week to devote to the program, and also that he or she is ready to take constructive criticism and engage in a dialogue—with their advisor and, during workshop, their fellow students—about their writing.

 

Finally, if an applicant has attended some conferences and/or been involved with critique groups—either online or in their communities—then he or she will be poised to gain the most from the program.

 

 

- a solid creative manuscript that shows some kind of spark or originality

- evidence of solid critical thinking skills

- serious pursuit of gaining knowledge in the field of children’s literature (attending conferences, undergraduate work in literature, participation in writing groups)

 

 

 

Our history sets us apart from other programs. We’ve been in business for over ten years and have close to 300 graduates. When you join the VCFA MFA-Writing for Children & Young Adult program you automatically become part of that vast network of writers. In addition to the outstanding alumni network, we also have an absolutely dedicated group of faculty members that teach for the program. These folks are accomplished writers and outstanding teachers. The program has been built on the foundation of collaboration and when students come to campus twice a year they get to experience a world where others are as interested as they are in writing for children. It is an incredibly rich experience to the point where there is almost too much to take in! However, students and faculty both leave the residencies re-charged and inspired to continue working on their craft. I have never seen a more fruitful way of nurturing artists. One of our faculty members put it perfectly…the low residency model is the best possible way for someone to get their MFA; writers need to be inside their own heads and out in the world. Our program provides writers with both the guidance and the freedom to flourish and find their own unique voices.


Think you might be interested? Go to the Vermont College of Fine Arts website and contact Katie. She's love to talk to you about the process of applying and joining us at Vermont College. 

There are several options at Vermont that aren't as involved as getting an MFA. A newer one is the Picture Book Certificate Program. Dianne White got me so excited about this program when she visited my personal blog on April 21. Dianne was in the Tollbooth last week and told us a lot more about that program. You do not have to hold an MFA to apply and applications are open NOW.

Another opportunity is the special weekend each summer. This year's special weekend will be held from July 11-13. Speakers will include Susan Stevens Crummel, Jeannette Larson, Janet Stevens, Sarah Sullivan, M. T. Anderson and many many more. Contact Katie Gustafson for an application.

Tomorrow I have brass bands and fireworks planned! It's my last day in the Tollbooth this round and I'll be finishing up with Kurt Vonnegut's rules for writers and something else too.