ACC offers many opportunities outside of classes that can not only further students’ education but can also help students network and build their community as they explore the direction of their future. One such exemplar is the annual Spring Literary Festival hosted by Writers Studio.

This year’s “Lit Fest,” held on Saturday, February 22^nd from 9am to 4pm, began as usual in the unique but little-known cave-esque Half Moon, with coffee and a continental breakfast, as registrants checked in and mingled with fellow writers and English department faculty.

Following a traditional structure, the festival allows attendees to chose between two concurrent sessions in the morning, and two in the afternoon. Between the sessions taught by local authors, students, their families and other writing fanatics from the community dined on a delicious catered lunch from local Mexican restaurant Palenque Cocina y Agaveria. Lunch was paired with a heart-felt and entertaining reading from the authors.

The day began with a welcoming greeting from one Writers Studio organizer, Professor Jomil Ebro, who gave an inspiring speech about some of the history of writing and what inspires writers.

As Ebro quoted the wise philosopher, Socrates, with “know thyself”, he shared that “all faith begins with anguishing anxiety,” and that to be an artist, you must possess the “creative ability to imagine.” Ebro reminded his audience that as artists, they are “search boats with powerful lights,” and that “the only thing in the universe that possesses harmony within itself is the work of art,” as “it is the lighthouse that cannot be hidden.”

Among the four different sessions offered: “The Classics of Story Structure” with Jenny Shank, “Theory & Practice: Spoken Word” with Jesse McWilliam Thayer, “Visual Art as Inspiration for Writing” with Steven and Kiki Dunn, and “The Magic Circle: Writing as Game Design” with Eric Fischman.

Jenny Shank’s session about Story Structure was informative and fun. Shank held her session much like a conversation getting to know the attendees and what their interests were when it came to storytelling. She asked for what favorite story tropes and favorite scenarios were amongst the attendees. This group was very interactive as Shank was approachable and easy to talk to. She provided lecture packets that fully described her entire lesson so that everyone had the opportunity to take this information home and use it to help in their writing endeavors.

The session also included time to do writing exercises that helped the attendees practice in a way that allowed everyone to get the most out of what Shank had to offer from her wisdom and experience. She is a Fiction Writer who has won multiple awards for her collections, including the High Plains Book Award for her novel, The Ringer. She is currently a faculty member of the Mile High Master of Fine Arts and is teaching creative writing classes available through Lighthouse Writers Workshop, both in person and online.

Steven and Kiki Dunn, a father-daughter duo, offered a unique event with “Visual Art for Inspiration for Writing,” combining Kiki’s experience of being an artist and Steven’s experience of being a writer. In the session, Kiki explored art pieces and used terminology explaining what the artist applied to the art piece to have it leave an emotional impression on the viewer. Steven then explained how you can import these exact visual art concepts into your own writing, making it scenic and appealing to read. Connecting famous films for direction and verbal linguistics to convey heavier emotions was fascinating, reminding us that writers have a vast toolbox to continuously evoke more creativity.

Steven Dunn introduced himself during the lunch break, with a comedic, but passionate, personal story, letting us dwell on the writing he shared with us. He is shortlisted for Granta’s Best of Young American Novelists, as the author of Water & Power and Potted Meat, both available on Amazon. Dunn has a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Denver. Kiki’s illustrations showed many of her own talented works; they are currently working working as a duo on a children’s book, Kiki illustrating and Steven as the author.

Eric Fischman’s workshop, “The Magic Circle: Writing as Game Design,” focused on applying elements of gaming and play into works of prose and poetry. After his lunch readings of several moving poems, Fischman further demonstrated his expertise in the craft by showing workshop participants ways to give agency to their readers. He accomplished this by engaging his workshop participants in the very concepts he was introducing to them, providing a highly interactive experience.

Fischman told participants that by engaging readers in critical thinking and making them feel part of your world, one can craft a piece of literature that evokes the same feelings and rewards as playing a game. Participants in this workshop were given a crash course on game theory, including meaningful play and more, while also applying them in short writing exercises.

Graduating from Naropa University’s Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poets with a Master of Fine Arts, he has assisted Naropa’s Summer Writing Program director the past few years. Fischman has a published book, Mordy Gets Enlightened, which can be purchased here.

The festival waned along the early-spring sunlight of the afternoon shone through the blinds of Half Moon. Confections and coffee refueled the crowd, who perused a book fair at which attendees could purchase, and have personally signed, copies of the authors’ books, as well as snag free editions of ACC’s very own Progenitor Art and Literary Journal and Postcard Anthology.

Attendees then delighted in an open mic reading of works they’d scribed during the day, providing a community-embracing and celebratory book-end to the festival.

ACC provides so many opportunities when it comes to a student’s interests and degree program. Writers Studio specifically offers scholarships, a published journal accepting entries every year, Creative Writing Club and Journalism Club, and shares where to explore local communities who share writing interests.

Opportunities such as apprenticeships, studying abroad or even the student life event calendar offer supportive communities for ACC students alike. This event was educational and fun, affirming ACC’s vision and desire to “Move Mountains for You.”