This week marks the 32nd annual Appalachian Writers Workshop, sponsored by the Hindman Settlement School and coincides with the 100th year that the school has been in existence. The Workshop offers writers, authors, and poets a week of tips, advice, workshops on improvement on works in progress and future projects.

Evenings are filled with readings and music. Those involved live in the school's dorms in their own artistic community. Past and present participants have all praised the Workshop as a family atmosphere that's both nurturing and educational.

The fee for the Workshop is $600 for the full week which includes the $300 Workshop fee and the $300 room and board. Scholarships are available for any participant in need. And the Workshop is not limited to only Kentucky or Appalachian Mountain residents; but to all who are interested in improving their craft and rubbing elbows with already published writers. Evening (and weekend) readings and music are open to the public and free of charge.

For those interested in future participation, the information will be made available through the school's website. Writers are asked to send a manuscript along with their registration forms and are given a deadline that is normally around the middle of May. The manuscripts are read and critiqued by the staff and ranked for use in the workshops.

If you'd like to learn the history of the Appalachian Writers Workshop and read excerpts from previous participants, Wind Publishing offers copies of the book, Crossing Troublesome: 25 Years of The Appalachian Writers Workshop, available from amazon.com or the publisher.