UCLA Extension Writers' Program Awards Six in the Inaugural Claire Carmichael Scholarship in Novel Writing

One Winning Manuscript to Receive Two-Month Mentorship With Carmichael; Writers' Program Is Largest Open-Enrollment Creative Writing and Screenwriting Program in the Nation


LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwired - Nov 18, 2015) - The Writers' Program at UCLA Extension announced today six scholars for the inaugural Claire Carmichael Scholarship in Novel Writing.

The recipients are: Pamela Lee Blankenship, Agoura Hills, CA; Jennifer Carson, Santa Monica, CA; Maria Dadouch, Damascus, Syria; Rayna Jensen, Los Angeles, CA; Erik Rodgers, Los Angeles, CA; and Michael Sudmeier, Jackson, WY.

Each recipient receives three Writers' Program classes and upon completion, the scholars are invited to submit 75-100 pages of their novel for review by Carmichael and two judges. The winning manuscript from the selection is reviewed for quality of writing and its potential for completion and ultimate publication. The final prize is a two-month, one-on-one mentorship with Carmichael, valued at $2950.

"The Claire Carmichael Scholarship represents another milestone for the Writers' Program and the creative community," said Linda Venis, PhD, Director of the Writers' Program and The Arts. "Our program is known for nurturing literary talent in California and beyond and the scholarship continues our mission to meet writers where they are in their projects and support their work."

Claire Carmichael has authored 27 novels, most recently, the young adult novels Gotta B and Leaving Simplicity, and the crime novel The Platypus Ploy (under the name Claire McNab). She is a distinguished instructor who has taught more than 90 courses and mentorships for the Writers' Program since 1994. Carmichael created this scholarship to encourage promising novelists and to provide an opportunity for them to study their craft and work on their novels-in-progress.

In addition to the mentorship, the winner receives a Certificate as a Distinguished Recipient of a Claire Carmichael Scholarship and the novel-in-progress is featured on the Writers' Program website.

Read more about the six recipients and their novels in progress.

About the Writers' Program
As the largest and most comprehensive continuing education writing program worldwide, the Writers' Program offers more than 400 annual open enrollment courses onsite and online in feature film writing, television writing, novel writing, short fiction, personal essay, memoir, poetry, playwriting, writing for the youth market, and publishing. In 2013, the Writers' Program published Cut to the Chase and Inside the Room (Gotham Books). Both books were edited by the Writers' Program Director Linda Venis. Explore at uclaextension.edu.

Contact Information:

Contact:
Amy Prenner
(310) 709-1101

UCLA Extension Writers' Program  Awards Six in the Inaugural Claire Carmichael Scholarship