Folklore and Creative Writing Section

Many members of the American Folklore Society have an abiding interest in creative writing. Recent productions include, for example, the novel by Betty Belanus; the theater work of Elaine Lawless and her students; the non-fiction of Barry Lopez; and the poetry of Susan Stewart and Steven Zeitlin. Joanne Mulcahy of Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon, sponsors a summer workshop on creative writing and ethnography. A recent issue of the Journal of American Folklore published works in creative ethnography.

In September 2005, the New York Folklore Society will sponsor a conference in conjunction with creative writers of the Hudson Valley Writers Center in honor of the 60th anniversary of the New York folklore journal, now named Voices. This conference, entitled "Writing Folklore," is co-sponsored by both the Hudson Valley Writers Center and City Lore. Please visit the New York Folklore Society's web site for information about the conference and links to the schedule of events, participant bios, and registration, both on-line and by fax or mail.

Folklorists have long studied the creative forms of others: cowboy, logger, and fisher poetry, for example. With this section, we hope to highlight the talents of folklorists, provide an opportunity for dialogue, and consider how creative writing has influenced the field of folklore�what we do and how we do it�and how folklore influences creative writers. We also believe that our work with creative writing will broaden public awareness of folklore and of the issues folklorists explore.

The AFS Folklore and Creative Writing Section, created in March 2005, intends to (1) gather folklorists with an interest in creative writing; (2) hold regular panels and events such as readings and section-sponsored speakers, at the AFS annual meeting; (3) provide support for folklorists who write, teach, or organize workshops in poetry, drama, fiction writing, creative non-fiction writing, and more; (4) provide educational opportunities for folklorists who want to improve their creative writing skills; (5) publicize and promote the creative performance folklorists are doing, such as the theater piece that immigrant women are creating with the sponsorship of the Institute for Cultural Partnerships; (6) create additional venues for the publication and performance of creative writing by folklorists; (7) establish dialogues between AFS and creative writing associations, such as the Association of Writers and Writing Programs, by sponsoring panels at their conferences (http://www.awpwriter.org); and (8) work with the Storytelling Section of AFS on programs of mutual interest.

The section will hold an annual meeting during the annual AFS conference, maintain a listserv among section members, and maintain a web page on the American Folklore Society web site. Peggy Yocom (myocom@gmu.edu) of George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia; and Amy Skillman (skillman@culturalpartnerships.org) of the Institute of Cultural Partnerships, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, will serve as initial conveners for the section. At the first meeting of the section at the AFS annual meeting in Atlanta in October 2005, members will determine the formal process for selecting future section conveners.

 

To join this American Folklore Society interest-group section, please visit the AFS membership page of this web site, where you will find both a secure online and a printable, mailable membership form. You need not be a member of the American Folklore Society to join its sections.