Frequently Asked Questions

Who do I contact about the MFA Program at ASU?
All of your queries regarding ASU's MFA Program and Creative Writing Department can be directed to Karla Elling, Program Manager at 480-965-3528 or the Department of English at 480-965-3535.

How do I join the Piper Center for Creative Writing mailing list?
There are several ways to put yourself on the mailing list. The easiest is by clicking here where you can fill out an online form with your name, address, and whether or not you'd prefer to received e-mail from us or postcards and brochures via U.S. mail.

You can also send an e-mail directly to us at pipercenter.info@asu.edu or you can call us at (480) 965-6018 and leave a message with one of our staff or on our voicemail.

Are all Piper Center for Creative Writing events free?
Many are. The Piper Online Book Club is a fully free program if you already have a computer, internet access, and an e-mail address.

The majority of our Distinguished Visiting Writer's Series events are free. We only ticket our largest venues to help offset venue rental costs. For the 2007-2008 season, only our Tony Kushner event at the Arizona Biltmore Resort will have a ticket fee.

The Desert Nights, Rising Stars Writers Conference and the Piper Writer's Studio Workshops are paid programs, which means every participant must pay a registration fee in order to attend them. For the 2008 conference, we are pleased to ticket our evening reading events to non-conference attendees for only $10 per reading.

Where do I park for events?
ASU Fulton Center Parking Structure is the closest visitor parking for Piper Center Events. The structure is located at University Drive and College Avenue. Visitor parking costs $2/hour; $8/day max. Click here for a map showing ASU visitor parking. There are metered spots ranging from one-hour to eighty minutes maximum nearby between Myrtle and College Avenues, between University and 7th Street. The closest parking for longer than eighty minutes is the Brickyard on 7th Street and Myrtle which charges a $8 maximum per day.

*Do not take chances – The City of Tempe and ASU Police/Parking Administration will ticket or tow cars at expired meters as well as cars that have been illegally parked. The Piper Center for Creative Writing cannot reimburse guests/participants for parking ticket expenses.

Can I teach or lecture for the Piper Center for Creative Writing?
We are always looking for qualified teachers to lead Piper Writer’s Studio Workshops. Please read our guidelines here for more information.

Our Writers Conference and Distinguished Visiting Writers Series are generally staffed by nationally-recognized and respected writers from across the country, although we are interested in spotlighting local writers of exceptional talent.

Please send your inquiry to:
Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing
ATTN: Charles Jensen
Arizona State University-Main Campus
Post Office Box 875002
Tempe, AZ 85287-5002

Include: resume or CV; brief bio; short proposal of intended participation and current contact information. Enclose a copy of one of your publications for our review. Please be patient as we receive a large number of interested parties each week. Our system does not allow for individual responses at this time.

How is the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing associated with the Creative Writing Department at ASU?
We are a non-academic unit of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences at Arizona State University. As such, we offer activities and opportunities for funding that are a complement to the academic Creative Writing Program.

We are not involved with course registration, MFA applications, or any other academic or administrative aspect of the MFA program.

All of your queries regarding the MFA Program and the Creative Writing Department can be directed to Karla Elling, Program Manager at 480-965-3528 or the Department of English at 480-965-3535.

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ASU Desert Nights, Rising Stars Conference

Registration, Payment, and Refunds

When does registration begin?
Registration begins August 1 of each year. The registration form will be available on the 2008 Writers Conference web page during the first week of August, 2007. Brochures will be mailed to our mailing list in early August 2007.

When will the 2008 Writers Conference information be up on the website?
During the first week of August, 2007.

What are the important deadlines I need to know about?
The early-bird registration deadline is: October 31, 2007
The final registration deadline is: February 13, 2008
The last day to register for Small Group Instruction is: January 10, 2008 (note: no refunds)
The last day to request a refund for registration (minus a $50 handling charge) is: January 15, 2008

I'm a teacher. Can I pay with a Purchase Order from my school or district office?
No. Unfortunately, we are not able to accept purchase orders as payment. We understand that this is largely the way school districts operate, and we are sorry for any inconvenience this policy causes. The Writers Conference is managed through an ASU Foundation account, and the Foundation does not accept purchase orders as a valid form of payment under any circumstances.

We encourage you to talk to your school or district office about an alternative payment arrangement. Ask your school or district office if you can pay with a personal credit card and submit a request for reimbursement, or if they would prefer that the Piper Center for Creative Writing invoice the office for the tuition payment.

I'm a teacher. My school or district office wants to be invoiced for the tuition payment. What do I do?
Please e-mail us at pipercenter.info@asu.edu and request that we fax an invoice to your school or district office. You must provide your name, the name and address of your school, the name of the person who will receive the faxed invoice, as well as the fax number. We will fax an invoice within two business days.

Are discounts available for Writers Conference tuition?
This year, we are offering an early registration discount: if you register before October 31, 2007, you will receive $25 off of the price of tuition. You can also elect to register using our "Quick Registration" option, which purchases all of our conference events and programs at a considerable discount over the "a la carte" price.

You can also elect to purchase a Piper Center for Creative Writing Membership to receive a 10% discount off your 2008 Writers Conference tuition. Members also receive 10% off Piper Writer’s Studio Workshops and 10% off purchases at Changing Hands Bookstore for one calendar year.

The Piper Center for Creative Writing also offers discounts to ASU Creative Writing Alumni, ASU (currently employed) Faculty and Staff, and ASU (currently enrolled) students. Please see the registration form for further information.

I registered for the Writers Conference but am no longer able to attend. Can I get a refund?
If you submit a request for a refund in writing, either by e-mail or snail mail, before January 15, 2008, we will happily refund your tuition, minus a $50 handling fee. Refunds can take up to 30 days to process.

Because of the high demand for seats in the workshops, there are no refunds offered for Small Group Instruction courses. We are happy to transfer you from one workshop to another provided space is available in either workshop.

If a Small Group Instruction Workshop is cancelled at any time or for any reason, the Piper Center for Creative Writing will happily issue you a full refund of your Small Group Instruction tuition. This is the only circumstance in which we can provide a Small Group Instruction refund.

I can’t attend the Writers Conference for all 4 days, is there a day rate?
At this time, we do not offer a day rate. However, you may purchase tickets to our individual evening reading events for only $10 each.

I am attending the Writers Conference and want to bring a friend to readings. Can I?
This year the evening readings will be open to the general public. Each person attending will need to purchase a ticket ($10/reading) to attend evening readings. Evening readings are not included in the conference registration fee.

Evening Reading Tickets ($10 per ticket per reading)
Wednesday, February 20, 7:30p.m.—Jim Daniels & Dinty W. Moore
Thursday, February 21, 7:30p.m.—Denise Duhamel & Rick Moody
Friday, February 22, 7:30p.m.—Michael A. Stackpole & Orson Scott Card
Saturday, February 23, 7:30p.m.—Louise Glück

How can I confirm my purchase of guest tickets for an evening reading?
The Piper Center for Creative Writing will confirm your purchase of guest tickets by e-mail when your Writers Conference registration is confirmed.

If you are only purchasing evening reading tickets, the Piper Center for Creative Writing will send you a confirmation email or letter through U.S. mail, whichever is fastest based on the information we have available.

Does my registration payment get me into all of the events?
Your general conference registration payment includes all of the conference events from 8 am - noon and 2 pm - 5 pm each day. Small Group Instruction and the evening readings are not included in this fee.

Do I need to sign up in advance for the daily sessions?
No, you may make your decisions as you please each day! All sessions are first-come, first-served. We will do our best to ensure that there is room for all who want to attend each session.

Can I register for the Writers Conference online or via e-mail?
No. Because our registration form requires a signature on the refund policy and the credit card payment information area, we must receive a hard copy of the form either via U.S. mail or fax.

How can I confirm my registration was received and processed?
After we receive and process your registration, we will e-mail a confirmation to you within a week. If you haven’t received confirmation after 2 weeks, please let us know.

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Attending the Conference

I'm from out of town and will attend the Writers Conference. Where should I stay?
Please see the "Lodging" link on our website, or the "Hotels near ASU" section of your Participant Guide, which is downloadable here or from the conference website. There are many hotels around ASU and Tempe; we have listed those we think are closest to the university. You'll notice that several hotels will offer a pre-negotiated ASU discount. Most hotels near ASU and in the Valley offer an ASU rate. Simply ask the reservations clerk if such a rate is available when making your lodging arrangements..

Where can I park during the Writers Conference?
ASU Fulton Center Parking Structure is the closest visitor parking for Piper Center for Creative Writing events. The structure is located at University Drive and College Avenue. Visitor parking costs $2/hour; $8/day max. Click here for a map showing ASU visitor parking. Parking near ASU is very limited.* Due to major construction on campus, visitor parking is limited. If you are staying at nearby hotels, we strongly encourage walking (if possible), using the free hotel shuttles, or FLASH to get to the campus. If you intend to drive each day, there are several pay-parking options nearby that will enable you to park for the entire day for $4 or $5. Please check your participant guide or the Writers Conference page for further updates on parking options.

*Do not take chances – The City of Tempe and ASU Police/Parking Administration will ticket or tow cars at expired meters as well as cars that have been illegally parked. The Piper Center cannot reimburse guests/participants for parking ticket expenses.

I have a handicapped parking permit/decal. Where can I park?
Public parking is always free for the handicapped at the meters and in the parking lots and garages operated by the City of Tempe. Simply park your car and make sure your handicap sign is clearly visible for parking enforcement.

Will there be food?
After reviewing past conference participant evaluations, we concluded that we should focus our spending on hiring a stellar faculty and concentrate fewer funds on the exorbitant cost of large-group catering. Thus, we will not provide meals during the 2008 Writers Conference unless you are registered for Small Group Instruction. Because the conference will be held on ASU’s campus this year, you will have the opportunity to purchase inexpensive meals from a variety of Tempe eateries, on and off campus. This year the following will also be tentatively available for our conference participants:

In the University Club Bistro:
From 6am to 10am, Wednesday through Saturday, you will be able to purchase coffee, espresso beverages, and fresh breakfast pastries.

If you submit a form and payment each day before 9 am, you can purchase a boxed lunch from Atlasta Catering, which you can pick up at the University Club beginning at 11:45 am each day.

There will be light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments served at the following reception events during the conference:

Meet the Writers Opening Reception (Wednesday, February 20, 4:45 – 5:30 pm

Meet the Writers Social Events (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, February 21-23, 4:45 – 5:30 pm)

Will there be booksignings?
Yes, this year we are offering booksignings at the close of each day with that day’s featured authors. It is listed as “Meet the Writers Social Event” in the schedule. Authors will begin the session in designated areas. After 10 minutes, everyone will be freed to mingle about the space for casual conversation. Be sure to bring your books to these events for signing.

Will I be able to buy books at the Writers Conference?
Yes. The ASU Bookstore will pre-order books by all of the authors participating in the Writers Conference as conference faculty. These books will be available for purchase on site, each day. The Conference Bookstore will be on the 3rd floor of Old Main, conveniently located just outside the venue of all our readings.

Can I buy books by featured authors ahead of time?
Yes, the ASU bookstore will establish an online store for the Writers Conference. As spring approaches, look for a featured link on their website or follow the link from our website.

Is the Writers Conference appropriate for teens?
High school students register for the Writers Conference each year. We usually tell interested parents and teachers that the Writers Conference is appropriate for mature high school junior and seniors. Please keep in mind that the Writers Conference is being held on a large, active university campus this year, and that we do not ask any of our conference faculty to adjust their course content for young audiences. That said, we had several high school students attend in 2007, and they were fully engaged in the sessions and inspired to continue with their writing.

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Working at the Conference

Can I volunteer for the Writers Conference?
The Piper Center for Creative Writing employs a great number of volunteers throughout the year. There are only a handful of opportunities to volunteer at the Writers Conference, and the positions are competitive. We only wish to work with the most professional and courteous volunteers who will help make our conference a distinctive experience for paid participants and faculty.

If you are interested in volunteering, please submit a cover letter outlining your interest, a resume and three references with phone numbers to: Charles Jensen, Assistant Director & Conference Director, Viginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing, PO Box 875002, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5002.

Can I teach for the Writers Conference?
Our Writers Conference is generally staffed by nationally-recognized and respected writers from across the country, although we are interested in spotlighting local writers of exceptional talent.

Please send your inquiry to:
Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing
ATTN: Charles Jensen
Arizona State University - Main Campus
Post Office Box 875002
Tempe, AZ 85287-5002

(The Writers Conference faculty for the 2008 conference has already been selected.)

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Small Group Instruction Information

Who teaches Small Group Instruction?

Experienced practicing writers, all highly regarded in their respective fields.

For the 2008 Conference, workshops will be led by

ANN CUMMINS
FICTION LEVEL 1

MERRILL FEITELL
FICTION LEVEL 1

SALVADORA PLASCENCIA
FICTION LEVEL 1

ELIZABETH SEARLE
FICTION LEVEL 1

BRET ANTHONY
FICTION LEVEL 2

RICK MOODY
FICTION LEVEL 2

TERESE SVOBODA
FICTION LEVEL 2

PAUL MORRIS
NONFICTION LEVEL 1

PEGGY SHUMAKER
NONFICTION LEVEL 1

MARY SOJOURNER
NONFICTION LEVEL 1

BERNARD COOPER
NONFICTION LEVEL 2

DINTY W. MOORE
NONFICTION LEVEL 2

DENISE DUHAMEL
POETRY LEVEL 1

BETH ANN FENNELLY
POETRY LEVEL 1

CAROLYN FORCHÉ
POETRY LEVEL 2

RICHARD SIKEN
POETRY LEVEL 2

PHILIP TAYLOR
PLAY/SCREENWRITING

MICHAEL A. STACKPOLE
GENRE FICTION

MICHAEL BOURRET
AGENT PITCH MEETINGS

I want to be in the same class as my friend, what can you do?
Make sure you and your friend send in your registrations at the same time, and write a note informing us of your wishes. We will do our best to accommodate your request.

Can I register for more than one class?
No. Because of the expanded small group instruction schedule, you may register for ONE SESSION ONLY.

Can I take Small Group Instruction workshops in more than one genre/level?
No. The workshops this year allow for one session only.

When do I submit my writing sample? What are the guidelines?
Your writing sample is due by January 10, 2008. You will be required to download and print your workshop members' manuscripts from the Piper Center for Creative Writing website after January 15, 2008. Please make notes and suggestions on these copies and bring them with you to the conference. Please click here for more specific manuscript guidelines.

Can I submit my writing sample at the time of registration?
We would prefer that you use the time to work on your writing and wait to send us your work until nearer the deadline.

How can I confirm my registration in Small Group Instruction?
The Piper Center for Creative Writing will confirm your registration in Small Group Instruction by email when your Writers Conference registration is confirmed.

Will I have an opportunity to workshop my writing?
Yes, that is what it is all about!

What do I need to bring to class?
Enthusiasm, an open mind, a pen, and all of your classmates’ work. You will print out your classmates’ work prior to the conference, read it, and bring it to the conference with your comments. If your instructor desires something else, he/she will inform you prior to the Writers Conference or on the first day of your instruction.

What if I need to cancel my registration for small group instruction?
Due to the limited availability of the classes, we cannot offer refunds if you change your mind.

What if my small group instruction class is cancelled for some unforeseen reason?
In the event your class is cancelled for some unforeseen reason, we will notify you immediately and process a refund of your fee. (Refunds may take up to thirty days to process.)

I am only interested in Small Group Instruction, can I pay just for that?
No. Your Writers Conference tuition enables us to offer Small Group Instruction of considerable added value for only a small additional fee.

What if Small Group Instruction classes are full when I try to register?
Classes may be created or cancelled based on demand. In the event all classes are full when we receive your registration, we will notify you immediately and process a refund of your fee. (Refunds may take up to thirty days to process.)

Can I change classes after I've been assigned a group/time?
Yes, you may, provided there is space in another workshop when you make your request. We will always place you in your most preferred workshop whenever possible.

How will I attend Small Group Instruction, attend General Sessions, and eat lunch?
Courses will meet Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 12:00pm–2:00pm, over the scheduled conference lunch break so you will not miss any general session classes. Lunch will be provided. You will be contacted prior to the conference for menu selection.

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ASU Campus & Tempe Information

Will school be in session during the ASU Writers Conference?
School will be in session during the 2008 ASU Writers Conference. The campus will be very busy on Wednesday and Thursday as spring classes will be in full swing. Please plan your travel and parking accordingly. Campus will probably be less busy on Friday, and will be considerably less busy on Saturday.

What will the weather be like?
Click here to view Tempe's weather forcast.

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Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing
P. O. Box 875002
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ 85287-5002

(480) 965-6018 phone
(480) 727-0820 fax
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