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. All DVWS events for the 2009-10 season are free.

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.

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 $3/hour; $12/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.

*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: Assistant Director
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?
The ASU Writers Conference will be taking a one-year hiatus in 2010. Click here for more information.

When will the 2009 Writers Conference information be up on the website?
The ASU Writers Conference will be taking a one-year hiatus in 2010. Click here for more information.

What are the important deadlines I need to know about?
The ASU Writers Conference will be taking a one-year hiatus in 2010. Click here for more information.

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?
Yes, discounts are available. Please visit the conference website for more information.

You can also elect to purchase a Piper Friends membership to receive a 10% discount off your conference tuition.

I registered for the Writers Conference but am no longer able to attend. Can I get a refund?
Click here for the 2009 conference refund policy.

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 readings.

I am attending the Writers Conference and want to bring a friend to the readings. Can I?
Afternoon readings are not open to the general public. The evening readings will be open to the general public. Each person attending will need to purchase a ticket to attend evening readings. Evening readings are not included in the conference registration fee.

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?
Yes. We are pleased to offer our participants the ability to register online. The link to the online registration page is located on the conference website.

How can I confirm my registration was received and processed?
You will receive a confirmation via email after you register.

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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 the conference website.

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 $3/hour; $12/day max. Click here for more parking options. 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 $8.

*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 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.

Will there be book signings?
Yes, informal book signings will take place each evening during the "Meet the Writers" social event and a formal book signing will take place after each of the evening readings.

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.

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 have had several high school students attend in the past, 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: Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing, Assistant Director & Conference Director, 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: Assistant Director
Arizona State University - Main Campus
Post Office Box 875002
Tempe, AZ 85287-5002

Small Group Instruction Information

Who teaches Small Group Instruction?

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

For the 2009 Conference, workshops were be led by:

ELIZABETH SEARLE
FICTION LEVEL 1

BROCK CLARKE
FICTION LEVEL 2

WILLIAM HENRY LEWIS
FICTION LEVEL 2

ERIN MCGRAW
FICTION LEVEL 2

C.E. POVERMAN
FICTION LEVEL 3

MEREDITH HALL
NON FICTION LEVEL 1

DINTY W. MOORE
NON FICTION LEVEL 2

KAZIM ALI
POETRY LEVEL 2

RIGOBERTO GONZALEZ
POETRY LEVEL 1

CAROLYN FORCHÉ
POETRY LEVEL 2

BERNARD COOPER
MEMOIR

TANIA KATAN
PLAYWRITING

MICHAEL A. STACKPOLE
GENRE FICTION

MICHAEL BOURRET
AGENT PITCH MEETINGS

RICHARD ABATE
AGENT PITCH MEETINGS

I want to be in the same class as my friend, what can you do?
Make sure you and your friend register at the same time. 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 for Small Group Instruction? What are the guidelines?
Your writing sample will be due a month before the conference. You will be required to download and print your workshop members' manuscripts from the Piper Center for Creative Writing website. 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?
You will receive an email confirmation shortly after registering.

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 only offer partial refunds. Click here for the conference refund policy.

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.

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?
The online registration form will not let you register for a class that is full. Classes are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis, so don't delay.

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 need to make your daily lunch selections during the registration process.

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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 ASU Writers Conference. The campus will be very busy, please plan your travel and parking accordingly.

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

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