A Broader Public June 28, 2018 By Collegeville Institute Leave a Comment 2018 A Broader Public workshop participants (Left to Right, Top Row): Trish Beckman, Shari Prestemon, Mandy Burton, Donna Freitas, Lisa Webster (workshop leader), Susan Baller-Shepard, Evan Derkacz (workshop leader). (Bottom Row): Natalie Hall, Drew Konow, Ashley O’Mara, Ellen Spero, Kelsy Burke, Greg Williams, and Abram Kielsmeier-Jones. On June 21-27, 2018, a group of writers gathered at the Collegeville Institute for A Broader Public: Writing for the Online Audience, with the Editors of Religion Dispatches. Lisa Webster and Evan Derkacz, editors at Religion Dispatches, led the group of pastors, academics, faith leaders, and activists through a weeklong exploration of the role of religious voices in a pluralistic society. As a group, participants discussed the art and science of writing online commentary and opinion while sharing and critiquing each other’s work. Participants focused on how to engage skillfully and persuasively in larger conversations about social justice, global ethics, politics, pop culture, and the health of the planet. In addition, writers learned tips on how to pitch their work to publications, reaching new and larger audiences. Ashley O’Mara tweeted about her experience from the airport: “I’m already seeing results from #mycollegeville writing workshop with @RDispatches: I wrote a letter to the editor in the time it took for my first flight to make its final descent. I didn’t know I could do that.” Like this post? Subscribe to have new posts sent to you by email the same day they are posted.
