Guiding You Towards a Creative Future
Our Summer Writing Workshop gives students the opportunity to build important foundational writing and publishing skills, foster a creative community with their peers, and work directly with Stevenson writing faculty on campus. We offer three program levels. One for Middle School, one for High School, and a Creative Bridge program for graduated high school seniors. For our Creative Bridge students, they get the chance for individualized, college level writing instruction from Stevenson faculty before their first year of college.
Our Summer 2026 program will run Monday, July 13th – Friday, July 17th from 8:30 am-5:00 pm.
Have a Question?
Contact Meagan Nyland, M.F.A
mnyland@stevenson.edu
Our Summer Programs
High School Workshop
Open for rising 9th-12th graders, students spend a week exploring fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction through small group writing workshops, working directly with Stevenson University’s creative writing faculty. They will also get instruction in publishing and performance.
Middle School Workshop
Open for rising 6th-8th graders, students spend one week discovering the joys of creative writing. They’ll learn how to read like a writer, work through creative writing prompts, and explore the defining features of fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. They’ll work and play in small group writing workshops, working directly with Stevenson University’s creative writing faculty.
Creative Bridge Program
Our Creative Bridge program is specially designed for seniors who have graduated high school and who are looking to prepare themselves for their creative future, be that the rigor of college writing or pursuing publication.
High School Workshop
Overview
We invite rising 9th-12th graders to spend one week exploring fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction through small group writing workshops, working directly with Stevenson University’s creative writing faculty. View the Summer Writers’ Workshop Journal.
Students will attend a multi-genre morning workshop, then participate in specialized afternoon workshops crafted by Stevenson Faculty. Topics may include courses such as flash fiction, character development, screen-writing, interactive digital narratives, or fantasy. Students will additionally get editorial and design experience on the Workshop’s student crafted, online magazine and will present their work publicly at the conclusion of the Summer Writers’ Workshop.(Publication of students’ work is optional.) Students will also be visited by guest writers and artists.
Snacks and supplies provided. Student will need to pack lunch.
Tuition
Tuition covers workshops, snacks, a keepsake, and all supplies for daily activities.
- Tuition Costs: $425 Early Registration; $500 after May 15th
- Sibling Discount: $300 registration (up to a $200 discount!)
- Stevenson Employee Discount: 50% off tuition. Please email mnyland@stevenson.edu for promo code.
- Tuition Scholarship: There is a limited number of full and partial scholarships.
Please note that Eventbrite servicing and registration fees will be added at checkout based on ticket price.
Location
This year’s workshop will be held on our beautiful Owings Mills North campus at the Philip A. Zaffere Library located at 11205 Ted Herget Way, Owings Mills, MD 21117.
Registration
Spaces will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Online Registration will remain open until the program is full. If registration is open online, it means we still have a spot for you! Once registered, you will receive a registration receipt by email after submission.
Two weeks prior to the start of the program, a welcome email with important information about pick up, drop off, rules, and snacks will arrive in your inbox. This email will include important release and medical forms for attending the program that need to be signed and returned by the first day. The welcome email and forms will be sent to the email address that you provide during the registration process.
Questions? Please contact Meagan Nyland, M.F.A. at mnyland@stevenson.edu with any questions.
Middle School Workshop
Overview
We invite rising 6th-8th graders to spend one week discovering the joys of creative writing. We’ll start to hone their skills by teaching them how to read like a writer, work through creative writing prompts, and learn some of the defining features of fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. They’ll work and play in small group writing workshops, working directly with Stevenson University’s creative writing faculty. When the weather allows, they’ll also get to explore some of our easy on campus hiking trails, and no hike is complete without a journal and some creative ideas. Students will self-select work to be published in the program’s literary magazine, and have the opportunity to perform their work or share their ideas with family and friends at the Showcase Event Friday afternoon.
Tuition
Tuition covers workshops, snacks, a keepsake, and all supplies for daily activities.
- Tuition Costs: $400 Early Registration; $475 after May 15th
- Sibling Discount: $300 registration (up to a $150 discount!)
- Stevenson Employee Discount: 50% off tuition. Please email mnyland@stevenson.edu for promo code.
- Tuition Scholarship: There is a limited number of full and partial scholarships.
Please note that Eventbrite servicing and registration fees will be added at checkout based on ticket.
Location
This year’s workshop will be held on our beautiful Owings Mills North campus at the Philip A. Zaffere Library located at 11205 Ted Herget Way, Owings Mills, MD 21117.
Registration
Spaces will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Online Registration will remain open until the program is full. If registration is open online, it means we still have a spot for you! Once registered, you will receive a registration receipt by email after submission.
Two weeks prior to the start of the program, a welcome email with important information about pick up, drop off, rules, and snacks will arrive in your inbox. This email will include important release and medical forms for attending the program that need to be signed and returned by the first day. The welcome email and forms will be sent to the email address that you provide during the registration process.
Questions? Please contact Meagan Nyland, M.F.A. at mnyland@stevenson.edu with any questions.
Creative Bridge Program
Overview
Our Creative Bridge program is specially designed for seniors who have graduated high school and who are looking to prepare themselves for their creative future, be that the rigor of college writing or pursuing publication. The program is individualized to the students’ needs and goals.
In this program, students work one on one with a specially selected faculty mentor to craft an individualized program to help improve their craft, prepare them for college level writing, and define their creative goals. Topics covered are based on an initial meeting with the student where the Mentor prepares topics, exercises, and homework based on the students’ goals and interests. The student will meet with their mentor for one hour each day and additionally spend 30-60 minutes each day on focused writing or research in the Greenspring Library. At the end of the week, the student will participate in the Stevenson Summer Writers’ Workshop Showcase, reading a sample of their work.
The Mentor assigns prompts, work, or goals for the student to complete between sessions. The mentor may share with student information about their own career path, as well as provide guidance, motivation, emotional support, and role modeling. This includes, help with exploring careers, setting goals, developing contacts, conducting proper research, improving craft, and/or identifying resources. The student and mentor will have access to all of the materials available through the Greenspring Library.
Tuition
Tuition covers one to two weeks of meetings for a total of 5 hours of face to face, one on one mentoring, plus additional activities to complete at home. It also includes access to library resources.
- One Week (5 hours face to face hours, plus additional assignments and activities): $450 Early registration; $525 after May 15th
- Two Weeks (10 face to face hours, plus additional assignments and activities): $800 Early Registration; $900 after May 15th
- Stevenson Employee Discount: 50% off tuition. Please email mnyland@stevenson.edu for promo code.
*Eventbrite fees are waived for early registration
Location
This year’s workshop will be held on our beautiful Owings Mills North campus at the Philip A. Zaffere Library located at 11205 Ted Herget Way, Owings Mills, MD 21117.
Registration
Spaces will be filled on a first come, first serve basis. You will receive a registration receipt by email after submission. Additional information and material about the program will be sent to the email address that you provide. Additional information about your student may be requested to pair them with the best mentor for the program.
Tuition Scholarship
There are a limited number of full and partial need-based tuition scholarships available to allow students to attend the Writers’ Workshop who would not otherwise be able to attend. To apply for the tuition scholarship, please complete the online Tuition Scholarship Application Form, then submit the accompanying materials via email or postal mail to Meagan Nyland, M.F.A.
If you choose to send by email, please attach the documents to your email in Word or PDF format and send to mnyland@stevenson.edu. If you choose to send by postal mail, you may send your materials to the following address:
Meagan Nyland, M.F.A
Department of English Language and Literature
1525 Greenspring Valley Road
Stevenson, MD 21153
Submission Materials
- Completed Tuition Scholarship Application: Instead of submitting a regular registration form, complete the Tuition Scholarship Form.
- Personal Statement
In no more than 400 words, explain why you would like to attend Stevenson Summer Writers’ Workshop. What are your goals for your writing and what do you hope to get out of this experience? - Writing Sample
Please submit 2-5 pages of your writing. You may send one or more poems, stories, songs, essays, or other forms of writing that best showcase your verbal ability and creativity. - Confirmation of Need
Please submit confirmation of need. Confirmation of need could come as a letter from a school official, evidence of enrollment in a Title 1 school, or materials that show enrollment in or acceptance to another official state or federal program or service that is need-based. We’re really flexible here, and have taken other forms of confirmation as well (such as a note from a doctor about significant increased medical needs in the family.). These confirmations do not need to reveal specific income or other private information, other than the confirmation of need of support. If you have any questions about this particular element or if a particular document would be accepted, please email Meagan Nyland, MFA at mnyland@stevenson.edu.
Our Faculty
Meagan Nyland
Director
Megan Nyland is a chaser of words, teaching creative writing, publishing, and video games at Stevenson University. She is the Director of Experiential Learning, English professor, Faculty Advisor for The Greenspring Review, and Director of the Stevenson Summer Writers’ Workshop. She holds degrees in English and Television & Radio, and earned her MFA in Creative Writing & Publishing Arts from the University of Baltimore. While she’s open to any genre, she most often writes speculative and fantasy fiction and the occasional poem. She’s been nominated for Best of the Net for Poetry and for the Pushcart Award in Fiction. Her most recent work can be found in Defenestration Magazine, Fudoki, and Twist in Time Magazine, but she also has three story collections (Twisted Together, Whispers & Fangs, and Short Stories for the Morally Sidetracked) and was the managing editor for the anthology Writing Alone and Other Group Activities. She publishes under Meagan Noel Hart.
Renee Angle
Faculty
Renee Angle is a poet and essayist. Her first book WoO was published by Letter Machine Editions in 2016. Her writing has appeared in the literary journals P-QUEUE, Entropy Magazine, The Rumpus, Western Humanities Review, The Volta, Diagram, in addition to the anthology I’LL DROWN MY BOOK: CONCEPTUAL WRITING BY WOMEN (Les Figues Press, 2012), and in the chapbook Lucy Design in the Papal Flea (dancing girl press, 2010). She currently teaches creative writing and first year writing courses at Stevenson University. Website bio: Renee Angle is a poet and essayist. Her first book WoO was published by Letter Machine Editions in 2016. Her writing has appeared in the literary journals P-QUEUE, Entropy Magazine, The Rumpus, Western Humanities Review, The Volta, Diagram, in addition to the anthology I’LL DROWN MY BOOK: CONCEPTUAL WRITING BY WOMEN (Les Figues Press, 2012), and in the chapbook Lucy Design in the Papal Flea (dancing girl press, 2010). She is the recipient of a 2019 Arizona Commission on the Arts Research and Development Grant, the Bill Desmond Writing Award for her non-fiction writing, and writing residencies at the Millay Colony, and MOCA Tucson. She currently teaches creative writing and first year writing courses at Stevenson University.
Nic Anstett
Faculty
Nic Anstett has been writing and telling stories since before she could pick up a pen or type on a keyboard. She loves to find literature that features exciting and beautiful language about surprising and strange stories and characters. Some of her favorite books include Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado, This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El Mohtar & Max Gladstone, and The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. She can also rattle off way too many facts about dinosaurs.
Rachel Didovicher
Faculty
Rachel Didovicher has been teaching literature and writing courses for over twenty years, at both the high school and college levels. She received her B.A. and M.A. degrees at Case Western and M.F.A. in Creative Writing and Publishing Arts at the University of Baltimore, where her poems and stories appeared in the schools’ literary magazines. She also published a collection of short fiction, The Painted Window. These days She enjoy writing with her son, who will be in eighth grade this year. I’ve been an adjunct professor here at Stevenson since 2015, teaching first-year writing courses and Intro to Creative Writing. She loves teaching because she enjoys getting to know the students and their unique voices. She can’t wait to read and write with middle schoolers this summer! In Middle School Reading Like a Writer, we will explore ways in which writers give their stories and poems meaning and energy through the choices they make. From drawing readers in to creating characters and establishing conflicts, we will look at how language and form affect readers’ understanding to discover fresh ways to make your writing more lively and complex, and more you! Each class we will read one or more texts, discuss the writer’s techniques, and apply these techniques to your own creative writing.
Jordan Hansen
Faculty
Jordan Hansen is an adjunct professor of First-Year Writing at Stevenson, and a Ph.D. Candidate at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. They have a Master’s in Education, specializing in English Language Acquisition and Special Education Needs programs from the University of Redlands in California, and a Master’s in Shakespeare Studies specializing in Shakespeare adaptations and feminist theory from the Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. They are originally from California, lived in England for a time while working on their Master’s degree in Shakespeare Studies, relocated to Pennsylvania to begin their Ph.D. work, and then came to Maryland to work at Stevenson. Their Ph.D. dissertation will focus on Shakespeare adaptation and fanfiction, how fanfiction is a subgenre of adaptation, and how modern adaptation increases critical analysis in feminist, gender, and race studies. They specialize in Shakespeare adaptation, fan studies, satire, cultural studies, feminism and race studies, and have several publications in a wide range of topics
Matthew Larrimore
Faculty
Matthew Larrimore lived in Baltimore until 2007 when he moved west. He earned his Bachelor’s degree at Northern Colorado in 2010, then a Master’s in Creative Writing in 2012 from Northern Arizona, while teaching English Composition. At Old Dominion University he earned his Master of Fine Arts while teaching Composition and Literature. He taught Developmental English Courses at Front Range Community College before returning to Baltimore and teaching at Stevenson University. He’s currently teaching Composition and Introduction to Creative Writing. He was an editor for his collegiate literary journals, Editor-in-Chief for his own online journal, and has published poetry.
Jesse Baxter
Faculty
Jesse Baxter is a theatre-maker, educator, and performance coach who brings nearly two decades of experience helping students of all ages find confidence, creativity, and connection onstage. As Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Dramatic Adventure Theatre, Jesse has led immersive theatre programs across the globe and currently teaches theatre and public speaking at Stevenson University. With a background in acting, directing, and devising, Jesse is passionate about helping young artists discover the power of their voice. He believes performance should be playful, bold, and rooted in honest expression — and that every student has a story worth sharing.
Kimberley Lynne
Faculty
Kimberley Lynne is a writer and a teacher. She taught Advanced Screenwriting at Stevenson University in fall 2024 and Introduction to screenwriting at University of Baltimore to undergraduates and graduate students. Lynne’s screenplay, Next Door, is a semi-finalist in ISA’s Emerging Screenwriters 2025 Sci-Fi & Fantasy competition. She is a member of the Dramatists Guild and Actors Equity Association.
Clint McCallum
Faculty
Clint McCallum is a lecturer in the English Department at Stevenson University. He is also a composer whose music has been played all over the world. He earned his Ph.D. in music composition from the University of California at San Diego.
Kelly Purtell
Faculty
Kelly Purtell is an interdisciplinary artist from Baltimore, Maryland. With a Bachelors in English Literature, Creative Writing, & Sociology and an Interdisciplinary Masters in Social Justice and Human Rights, Kelly is interested in the transformative power of cultural storytelling. Kelly has taught at Stevenson in the English department for 5 years now and enjoys discussing research, culture, and writing across genre & form with students. Outside of teaching, Kelly is a professional, free-lance aerial acrobat and circus performer. She lives on the west side of Baltimore city with her fiancé, cat, and chicken flock.
Lillian Carter
Faculty
Lillian Carter was the 2025 Student Assistant and is an English Major at Stevenson University. She’s aspiring to start her own book series, enjoys reading thrillers and fantasy, and talking about trends in book communities.