From 1 pm-4 pm on Sunday, June 14, MAD about Words will be hosting a writing workshop (fee $35) at MAD’s Condo Community Clubhouse in Winter Park (address provided at registration). The workshop will focus on the Southern Gothic style and will feature Darlyn Finch Kuhn (author of Sewing Holes) and Mary Ann De Stefano (founder of MAD about Words).

Traditional Southern Gothic literature has earned its place in the literary canon through classic works by authors like William Faulkner, Harper Lee, Carson McCullers, Tennessee Williams, and Flannery O’Conner. Come learn how current writers are rediscovering this fascinating sub-genre dealing with disenfranchised voices in warped communities—not necessarily set in the American South.

The workshop will begin by examining some much-beloved Southern Gothic works, move into current examples, and end the day with you generating new material of your own that embodies some of the characteristics of the Southern Gothic Revival

You’ll also learn about exciting places to submit your work after you’ve spit-shined it, including one involving author Dorothy Allison and the chance to see your work in a short story anthology to be published by Twisted Road Publications next year.

And please stick around afterwards to enjoy wine, cheese and camaraderie with Darlyn, Mary Ann, and the workshop participants!

Spalding University’s Festival of Contemporary Writing (Louisville, KY), the state’s largest fall-spring reading series, takes place May 23-30, featuring readings by faculty, guests, and alumni of Spalding University’s low-residency Master of Fine Arts in Writing program.

Starting at 3:45 pm Friday, May 29, the Brown Hotel (335 W Broadway) will host a Celebration of Recently Published Books by Alumni with a book signing (Brown Hotel, Citation Room, 335 W. Broadway.) including Darlyn Finch Kuhn and her book, Sewing Holes. Featured books will be provided by Carmichael’s Bookstore.

 About the program: Spalding’s four-semester, low-residency MFA in Writing Program combines superb instruction with unparalleled flexibility. The program offers concentrations in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, writing for children and young adults, screenwriting, and playwriting. Students begin the semester in the spring, summer, or fall with a 10-day residency in Louisville or abroad, then return home for an independent study with a faculty mentor for the rest of the semester. Students may customize the location, season, and pace of their studies. See spalding.edu/mfa for more information.