Character and plot are forces that interweave, strand over strand, where a character’s actions drive the plot and the events of the plot change the character. Together they create a braid which is the story. In this class, we will explore the relationship between plot and character and tactics that you can use to craft […]
James B. Wells and Peter Berres, a Vietnam War veteran, will discuss the multigenerational impacts of war in a conversation on Thursday, March 26, 2026. This discussion is scheduled in honor of National Vietnam Veterans Day, which falls on the following Sunday, March 29. The focal point of their conversation will be James's search for […]
Now that you’ve finished your play, what comes next? This one-time, two-hour class will be devoted to demystifying the sometimes-confusing world of new play development. We’ll spend the first hour talking about play revision and development, and the second hour will cover submission opportunities and strategies for getting your work onstage. Whether you’re interested in […]
Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame 2026 Induction Ceremony Honorees: Debbie Dadey Lowell Harrison Silas House Marcia Thornton Jones Frederick Smock Jeff Worley Literary Impact Award: Pamela Papka Sexton Monday, March 30th, 7PM (doors 6PM) At the Kentucky Theatre To learn more about each inductee: https://carnegiecenterlex.org/events/kentucky-writers-hall-of-fame/ Event is free and open to the public. The Kentucky […]
Poetry is news that stays new, Ezra Pound said. What is it of our own lives that will stay new? How do we give voice to this moment in time? It is not so much the what as it is the how of our poems—the line and its mystery, our images and diction, the unexpected […]
Join us at Wisebird Cider Co for a special edition of our Kentucky Great Writers series celebrating the upcoming Books In Progress conference with featured reader Willie Edward Taylor Carver, Jr
Winter Into Spring – A Series of Writing Retreats with Leatha Kendrick Bring your blank pages or your current writing project to the Carnegie Center for a series of intensive and generative writing retreats. Leatha Kendrick will provide writing exercises and prompts designed to help you find the heart of the writing you want to […]
Join us for the April installment of our Burn The Mic poetry open mic series. Hosted by Claudia Love Mair April 22nd, 6-7pm
UK College of Arts and Sciences Department of English Division of Creative Writing MFA Graduation Reading Thursday April 23 5:00-6:30pm Graduating MFA in Creative Writing students will read short excerpts from their theses. Hooding ceremony and reception to follow. Free and open to the public.
This class will encourage and inspire outdoor enthusiasts to write their stories for fun and profit, from opening lines to marketing their masterpiece. Our topics will include examples of good outdoor writing from Hemingway to Rinella, opening lines, the story arc, cliffhangers, sense of place, markets for your work, and marketing. Bill Carman is a […]
Where do we find China in Kentucky? Join local experts and community members for a discussion of how transitions in economy, migration, politics, and culture are changing life in Kentucky. Moderator: Emily Mokros, University of Kentucky Panelists: John Harney, Centre College Yujia He, University of Kentucky Steve Hess, Transylvania University Dan Wu, Lexington-Fayette County Urban […]
“To write is to give our attention to something and then ask Why?” – Joy Sullivan Using our surroundings and our senses, we’ll allow our instincts to lead us in this generative workshop. Be prepared to be outside, to stroll, and to write in the park, and we’ll hone our practice of paying attention, our […]
