Artist Initiative
Artist Initiative
Byrne will complete a draft of her first novel, "Great and Dangerous Substances." She will conduct a public reading, and offer a free community workshop on writing researched fiction.
Ardell Brede: Mayor of Rochester, elected 2002; Peggy Burnet: Businesswoman, art collector, and community volunteer. Member of the Smithsonian National Board. Former chair of the board, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Uri Camarena: Business consultant, Metropolitan Economic Development Association. Board chair, Minneapolis College of Art and Design.; Michael Charron: Dean of the School of the Arts, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Officer at -Large, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Rebecca Davis-Lee: Touring pianist, piano and music theory teacher. Vice Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Sean Dowse, Mayor of Red Wing, elected 2016. Former executive director, Sheldon Theatre. Board member for Minnesota Citizens for the Arts. Secretary/Treasurer, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Thomas Moss: Consultant to nonprofits and government agencies.; Dobson West: Senior advisor, Spell Capital Partners Fund; Christina Widdess: Arts organization consultant; former managing director, Penumbra Theatre. Vice Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.
Iyabo Angela Ajayi: Freelance writer, former editor at Africa World Press/The Red Sea Press; Jonathan Damery: Essayist, Arts Board grantee; Catherine Friend: Author, MN Book Award winner; Christine Kolaya: Writer and professor, University of Minnesota Morris.; Juliet Patterson: Writer, published poet; instructor at St Olaf College; Danielle Sosin: Author, fiction, Duluth; Jordan Thomas: Published writer; Arts Board grantee
ACHF Arts Access
After years of short story writing, I will complete my first novel. By the end of the grant period, I will be able to speak to the different structural demands of a novel, versus a short story, and be comfortable providing instruction in long-form fiction. 2: I will practice the business/social skills necessary to be a career writer. I will broaden my writing community by participating in local readings, and write query letters to agents. Short story publication may serve as an additional measure of professional progress.
I reached my target word count but realized my novel will be (happily) longer than I planned. I have a much clearer sense of the type of thought and discipline a novel requires versus a short story and feel equipped to provide guidance to novice novel-writers. 2: I organized both a reading and community workshop, and also made new connections with editors and writers. I enjoyed meeting new writers through organizing the 5-Watt reading. I have not queried agents since the manuscript. is not yet complete, but have corresponded with magazine editors and have a first short-story publication forthcoming.