Smokies Life now accepting applications for writer’s residency
The 2024 Steve Kemp Writer in Residence Daron K. Roberts (right) stands with the residency’s namesake, who served as interpretive products and services director for Smokies Life until his retirement in 2017. Daron K. Roberts photo.
Smokies Life, a nonprofit partner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is now accepting applications for its fifth Steve Kemp Writer’s Residency. The annual residency is designed to help writers of any medium connect in meaningful ways with the Great Smoky Mountains while focusing on their craft in an inspiring, retreat-like setting.
Following the application process, one writer will be selected to live in Great Smoky Mountains National Park for six weeks in 2025. The chosen writer will have the opportunity to immerse themself in the natural environment and cultural history of the Smokies, learning about the park in ways that will inform their chosen genre — whether this is nonfiction narrative, fiction, poetry, playwriting, music or another form of writing. Applications for the 2025 Kemp Residency are being accepted now through Nov. 1.
A 30-year Smokies Life veteran, Kemp retired in 2017 after writing, editing, and directing the publication of hundreds of books, magazines, brochures and newsletters that continue to support the preservation of the national park. As part of the residency, each writer works with Kemp, Smokies Life Creative Director Frances Figart and other park professionals and partners.
Previous program awardees include Western Carolina University professor Dr. Brian Railsback, nature writer Sue Wasserman, journalist Latria Graham and poet Elise Anderson.
For full residency details, as well as instructions for submitting an application prior to the Nov. 1 deadline, visit smokieslife.org/the-steve-kemp-writers-residency.
