Each year, Murrow’s Writers’ Institute meets authors presented by the House of SpeakEasy. The program has been part of the school for 10 years.
On Thursday, March 19, more than 100 students gathered for an author presentation from acclaimed authors Ibi Zoboi and Mariposa Fernández. Afterward, students waited in line to receive signed copies of the free books they were given.
Zoboi, a New York Times bestselling author for children and teens, has received multiple honors, including recognition as a National Book Award finalist. Her works include S(kin), a modern remix of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, and American Street.
Mariposa Fernández is an award-winning poet, writer, educator, and activist. Fernández has traveled to speak and perform at many colleges and universities across the nation.
The House of SpeakEasy has provided engaging, acclaimed authors to Murrow for nearly 10 years. Annie Kiyonaga, a producer of House of SpeakEasy events, described the organization’s mission.
“House of SpeakEasy is a literary nonprofit; we are based in New York City,” she said. “We support writers, readers, and literary culture. My job is to bring amazing authors to high schools and libraries across the city.”
The Writers’ Institute is a sequence of writing-intensive English classes focused on creative writing. Students at Murrow apply in the fall of ninth grade and are accepted in the spring, starting their classes as they begin 10th grade. The selection process emphasizes students’ enthusiasm and the quality of their writing.
Mr. Mickey Ehrlich, an English teacher and director of the Writers’ Institute, said the event provides valuable insight.
“It’s always important for Writers’ Institute students to hear about writers’ processes,” he said. “They learn what is taught practically and what writers do for a living, as well as their journey as a writer.”
Ehrlich also described his goals for the program’s future. He hopes the Writers’ Institute can become a tighter-knit community across grade levels, and that alumni will return to Murrow to speak with current students.
Events like these expose students to new genres and perspectives. They also help students see authors as relatable.
“The most important part of author events in the Writers’ Institute is the way they are able to humanize authors,” said junior Sydney McGee. “Our favorite authors feel so above us in knowledge and experience… they’re also just people as well, learning as they go.”
The students are able to take away from these events exactly what their Writers’ Institute director wants them to: a view of what really goes on in an author’s life.
“Being able to talk directly to a professional author is really cool because we get to learn about the path they took,” said junior Isabel Bolas.
Originally published by The Murrow Network · themurrownetwork.wordpress.com