Success Stories
Success: Chris Perkins’ Upcoming Short Story Publication
Certificate student Chris Perkins will have a short story, "Driving Lessons," published in the 2019 Fall American Fiction Anthology. Chris is working on publishing a couple of other short stories that have been written and workshopped in Writers’ Program classes....
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Success: Conrad Aragon to Publish Debut Novella
Conrad Aragon recently completed a Novel V workshop through the Writers’ Program. His debut novella, The Phenomenalist, will be published by Silver Bow Publishing in August of 2019. Karl, the main character, encounters multiple doppelgangers who share identical bodies...
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Success: Ellen Byron wins Agatha Award
Former student and instructor Ellen Byron recently won the Best Contemporary Novel Agatha Award for Mardi Gras Murder, the fourth book in her USA Today bestselling Cajun Country Mystery series. The light mystery series has received multiple award nominations and won...
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Success: Darrin Dortch Staffed on TNT Show
Former student Darrin Dortch has steadily built his TV writing career since enrolling in the Writers’ Program. Of his success he says, “Since taking UCLA’s TV Pilot Rewriting class in 2015, my career has skyrocketed. I am currently staffed on TNT’s Claws, I have...
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Success: Kelli McNeil’s Transition to Screenwriter
Former student Kelli McNeil came to the Writers’ Program with a background in fiction but was looking to expand to screenwriting. She’s had quite a bit of success since this transition (and is still invested in the creative writing field). Kelli says, “I had...
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Success: Instructor Charles Wyatt to Publish New Short Fiction Collection
Longtime instructor Charles Wyatt recently won the inaugural Hawk Mountain Award for a Short Story Collection. Of this honor, he says, “I’m excited to learn Hidden River Arts will be publishing my third short fiction collection, Houses. Many of these stories visit...
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Success: J. Ryan Stradal’s Second Novel Coming Soon
Former student J. Ryan Stradal's second novel The Lager Queen of Minnesota will be published by Pamela Dorman Books/Viking on July 23rd, 2019. Following the success of his first novel, the New York Times bestseller Kitchens of the Great Midwest, his new novel follows...
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Success: Michael Werwie’s New Film Now on Netflix
Former student and screenwriting contest semifinalist Michael Werwie's Nicholl-winning Black List script Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile is now available on Netflix, starring Zac Efron and Lily Collins. His upcoming movie Lost Girls, based on the New York...
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Ten Ways to Beat Summer Boredom
Even those with hectic schedules during the 'lazy days of summer' can find their downtime feeling the summer ‘blahs’ – better known as boredom. We’ve got a few ideas (active and inactive) to combat those boring blahs and make the most of your summer! Write a...
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Kickoff Summer by Diving Into Your Writing
Summer is a time for rest and relaxation, but it’s also the halfway mark for the year, and a time for reflection. If you’re struggling to reach those lofty writing goals you set at the beginning of the year, now is the time to dive into them and finish the year...
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26th Annual Publication Party Recap
Last week, the Writers’ Program staff gathered with instructors, students, and guests for our 26th annual Publication Party, an evening of readings featuring instructors who have published works within the last year. The crowd was treated to eighteen readings by...
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Instructor Interview: Lesley Hyatt
Welcome new Writers’ Program instructor Lesley Hyatt! Lesley is teaching a one day course, Making Friends with Your Inner Critic (Reg# 368679) this August, and sat down with us to offer some insight into creative life and her upcoming course. What do you rely on for...
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Writers’ Program Announces Partnership with Antioch University’s MFA Programs
The UCLA Extension Writers' Program is pleased to announce a Community Partnership with Antioch University that would offer two significant MFA opportunities for UCLA Extension Writers' Program students who earn one of the following Certificates. Students who complete...
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Make Time for Your Writing This Fall at our Annual Writing Retreat
This September is our third annual Writing Retreat in Lake Arrowhead. One of the most common questions we get about the retreat is, basically, why? We decided to ask our past participants, some of whom you’ll see this year if you attend, to give firsthand accounts of...
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Instructor Interview: Eve Porinchak
Welcome new Writers’ Program instructor Eve Porinchak! Eve is teaching a one day course, How to Land a Literary Agent (Reg# 368616) this July, and sat down with us to offer some insight into creative life and her upcoming course. (She’s also going to be teaching a...
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Writers’ Program Students Join Entertainment Studies UCLAxFilmFest for First Time
Recently, the UCLA Extension Entertainment Studies program held its annual film festival. This year, for the first time, screenwriting students in the Writers’ Program were eligible to submit films. Of the dozens of films submitted, sixteen were selected for screening...
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