Kentucky has long been a place rich with writers...

In the spirit of this history of literary abundance we introduce: The Twenty: A Kentucky Young Writers Advance.

The Twenty is a small but diverse group of young writers, between the ages of 19–22, who exhibit great seriousness and jubilant promise in their writing. These young writers, chosen to participate in a weeklong summer intensive, hail from both rural and urban Kentucky enclaves.

The Twenty are young writers to watch, nurture and encourage. We take their poems and stories seriously. We believe their writing is an act of faith, in themselves, their communities, their futures, and ours.

The 2012 advance will take place at the historic Hindman School in Hindman, Kentucky, the week of June 24-29, 2012.

The summer intensive week will offer much to The Twenty:

A meeting of other writing minds: writing workshops, lectures and a young writers community;
Time to write and the expectation that young writers will
write;
Access to published poets and writers;
The rare and significant opportunity to see what their
ideas and words become.

Our 2012 Application cycle closed on March 5, 2012.