King’s College to host first Creative Writing Conference

For Immediate Release
Further information: Contact Joseph Giomboni
Public Relations Office, (570) 208-5957

February 24, 2017 – King’s College will offer diverse writing workshops, roundtable discussions, and open readings as part of the first Creative Writing Conference on Friday, March 24, and Saturday, March 25, on the College’s campus in Wilkes-Barre. The conference is sponsored by the English Department and King’s Campion Society, a student organization dedicated to writing.  

The event is designed to bring high school students and college undergraduates together to learn about creative writing and hone their skills in fiction, screenwriting, and stand-up comedy. Attendees will hear readings from King’s alumni and current students, attend workshops hosted by published authors, and participate in a reception and roundtable discussion with workshop hosts. 

Recent King’s graduates will host creative writing workshops. Katheryn J. Avila, will present on inclusive storytelling during a workshop, titled “Writing & Diversity in Fiction.” Avila published her first novel, “Reckoning (The Breach Trilogy #1)”, in 2014 and published several short stories through “Our Write Side.”  

Genel Gronkowski will lead “Portraying Mental Health in Creative Fiction.” She is a contributing writer for “Mookychick,” where she has published over 27 published stories on a variety of topics including folklore and mental health.  

Stand-up comedian Zack Hammond will exam modern comedians ranging from breaking-down jokes to taboo topics during a comedy workshop. He has performed in clubs and theaters around the United States and produced two comedy albums.

Brandon McNulty, author of horror and other dark fiction, will focus on plot structure. His work has appeared in “Bastion Science Fiction,” “Sci Phi Journal,” and “Digital Horror Fiction.” A graduate of Taos Toolbox Sci-Fi/Fantasy Workshop, he finished as a Regional Finalist in a short story competition sponsored by the National Society of Arts & Letters in 2010.  

Jess Rafalko will host the workshop “Characters in Time: How Backstory Informs the Present.” Her fiction has appeared in “The Delta Epsilon Sigma Journal,” “The Apple Valley Review,” and “One Story.” She is currently an associate fiction editor for “The Journal.”

Karley Stasko will present “Directing the Page: A Crash Course in Screenwriting.” She is currently studying screenwriting in the master’s degree program at Wilkes University. She presents much of her creative work at local conferences and readings. A production of her play “Committed” was performed at King's in 2014.

The deadline to register is March 10. The conference is free for high school students. There is a $5 fee for college students, which includes lunch on Saturday. The conference will be held in the McGowan School of Business located on N. River Street. Parking will be available at on-campus lots.

For more information on the creative writing conference or to register, please Jennifer Yonkoski, instructor of English at King’s College, at (570) 208-5900, ext. 5487 or e-mail jenniferyonkoski@kings.edu.