Past Events
Looking for wisdom from Hampshire alumni who are living and working as writers? The following recordings of past events are almost as good as being there in person.
GETTING STARTED IN PODCASTING WITH THREE ALUMS FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES
Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023
Are you interested in story-telling, about your academics or other areas of interest? Have you thought that podcasting could be fun work? Would you like to learn more about podcasting possibilities and potential?
Alum podcast producers at the New York Times, will discuss:
- the different types of podcasts they each produce and opportunities in this field
- their journeys from Hampshire to the NY Times
- suggestions and advice on getting started in podcasting
Our three alums include:
- Julia Botero 02S, who studied creative writing and feminist literature and art at Hampshire and wrote a creative nonfiction story for her Div III. Julia took a long time to figure out how all of her interests could align towards a career, so she urges students to be patient with themselves and make choices not out of fear but towards following their curiosity and passion. She produces the Modern Love podcast.
- John White 97F, was a James Baldwin Scholar at Hampshire and studied creative writing and theater. Before joining The Times, John produced podcasts for Gimlet Media and Spotify, and worked at StoryCorp, the National Oral History Project.
- Tina Antolini, 01F, studied ethnomusicology and American Studies at Hampshire. Her Div III was a series of radio stories about music in Maine, one of which aired nationally on public radio.
HAMPSHIRE WRITERS AT WORK: EXPLORING JOBS IN PUBLISHING
Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023
Are you a writer trying to figure out ways to stay connected with your own writing while working in the publishing world? Hampshire alums working across the field will talk about their work, how they got into it, and share advice for anyone wanting to pursue a career in the literary landscape.
Alums from Hampshire's Alum Writers' Advisory Council who will speak include;
Joanna Yas 91F, literary magazine editor and panel moderator
Anna Ghosh 89F, literary agent
Mireidys Garcia 10F, author and marketing specialist
Judythe Cohen 89F, literary agent
Jeff Sharlet 90F, editor, contributing writer to many journals, book author
Our alums will share perspectives on what it’s like to work in publishing, including getting started, finding the right role for you, balancing a job in publishing with one’s own creative writing endeavors, and more.
FUNNY BUSINESS: GETTING STARTED IN COMICS WITH ROBYN SMITH 11F
Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022
Are you interested in comics or graphic novels? Is it possible to generate an income doing this? How does one get started? What are some steps to take? Do you need to be good at both storytelling and illustration? How has being a woman of color influenced her journey? Come learn from our alum, Robyn Smith, from the Writers Advisory Council, and currently teaching at the Center for Cartoon Studies. She'll talk about her own path, share advice, and respond to your questions.
Robyn Smith 11F (she/her) is a Jamaican cartoonist who has written and drawn her own comics and has been hired to draw for other writers. She is known for her mini-comic The Saddest Angriest Black Girl in Town, illustrating DC Comics' Nubia: Real One (written by L.L. McKinney), and Black Josei Press' Wash Day (written by Jamila Rowser). She has an M.F.A. from the Center for Cartoon Studies and has worked on comics for College Humor, The Nib, and Nike. She loves cake and cats and holds onto dreams of returning home to the ocean.
Robyn worked at the Cultural Center at Hampshire for three years, and her studies focused on the representation of race, class, and gender in media. Her Div III consisted of an essay and gallery show, titled “Dismantling Imperia: Reimagining the Super Hero,” a project focused on critically and creatively decentering whiteness as a standard of heroism.
GETTING PUBLISHED 101 WITH FIVE ALUMS FROM HAMPSHIRE'S WRITERS' ADVISORY COUNCIL
Thursday, Oct. 22, 2022
Have you ever wondered about the prospect of getting your writing out into the world? Do you have questions about this sometimes mysterious, sometimes daunting process, such as: What are the steps to take to have my writing published? Does the process differ depending on the type of writing or the medium? How do I know when my work is ready? What should I be considering as I move toward this goal?
Join five Hampshire alums from the Hampshire College Writers’ Advisory Council: Chen Chen 07F, Aaron Fagan 94S, Brett Martin 89F, Anne Pinkerton 91F, and Joanna Yas 91F. Collectively, these writers and editors have worked on and published poetry, fiction, and nonfiction in literary journals, magazines, books, and via radio and other media. They will share their experiences, offer tips for those starting on this journey, and respond to your questions.
WRITING FOR AUDIO: AN EVENING WITH MODERN LOVE PRODUCER JULIA BOTERO 02S
Thursday, February 17, 2022
Are you interested in how storytelling for audio is different from writing for the page? Have you ever wondered what goes into producing a professional podcast, and how you might get involved? Please join CORC for an evening with Hampshire alum and Modern Love podcast producer Julia Botero 02S.
Julia will share what inspired her to pursue a career in public radio after being a creative writing and feminist literature concentrator at Hampshire. She’ll discuss how writing for audio is different from writing for the page, and the various roles on a podcast production team. You’ll hear clips of great audio storytelling and learn ways to break into the podcast industry, and there will be time for your questions!
POETRY AS A WAY OF LIFE
November 11, 2021
What does it mean to live your life as a poet? How do poets stay true to their art while also putting food on the table? Meet Unique Robinson 05F, Chen Chen 07F, and Aaron Fagan 94S, Hampshire alums who are living and breathing these questions. They will share their work and their stories, and give you an opportunity to ask what you’ve always wanted to know about life as an artist.
WRITERS GATHERING AT HAMPSHIRE'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
October 16, 2021
Calling all writers! Whether you are just starting out, wishing you had more time to write, venturing into publishing for the first time, or feeling like a veteran in the field, come meet and connect with fellow alum and student writers. Ask questions, give and get support, find community, and discover the work of Hampshire writers you never knew existed. Writers of all genres and experience levels, and anyone who is just curious about what Hampshire writers have been up to, are welcome. This gathering will be facilitated by members of the Writer's Council.
There is no recording for this event. More than 80 people attended, and it was the genesis of the Hampshire Writer's group on the Hampshire Network. The group is open for anyone to join!
TO BE A WRITER
September 30, 2021
What does it mean to be a writer? How do writers make a living, find their voice, and stay creative in the face of competing needs? Hampshire alums from the newly formed Writer's Advisory Council share stories of how they went from being a writer at Hampshire to being a writer in the "real world." Council members represent a wide range of paths including nonfiction, fiction, memoir, graphic storytelling, poetry, communications, podcasting and more. You might be surprised to learn of possibilities you never imagined.