For Immediate Release

Contact:         Maryjane Briant
                        News and Media Relations Director
                        Galloway, N.J. 08205
                        Maryjane.Briant@stockton.edu
                        (609) 652-4593
                        stockton.edu/media

Galloway, N.J. - Murphy Writing of Stockton University will present the Winter Poetry & Prose Getaway at Stockton Seaview Hotel & Golf Club, 401 S. New York Road in Galloway, N.J., from Jan. 13-16, 2017. Among the prestigious faculty are Pulitzer Prize-winning poets Stephen Dunn and Sharon Olds.

Dunn, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Creative Writing at Stockton University, is the author of 19 volumes of poetry including “Different Hours,” which was awarded the 2001 Pulitzer Prize. He has received awards and fellowships from American Academy of Arts and Letters, the Guggenheim Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Olds, a former poet laureate of New York State, is the author of 11 volumes of poetry, including “Stag’s Leap,” which was named one of Oprah’s Favorite Reads and awarded the 2013 Pulitzer Prize. Her numerous honors include the T.S. Eliot Prize, a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, the Lamont Poetry Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award.

Celebrating its 24th anniversary, the Winter Getaway has become one of the oldest and largest writers' conferences in the winter season. “We are thrilled to bring nationally known writers like Stephen Dunn and Sharon Olds to our community,” founder Peter Murphy said. “With the other faculty members, we have a staff of great writers who are talented and caring teachers.”

In addition to poetry, participants can choose from workshops in creative nonfiction, short story, novel, memoir and songwriting. There is even a Creative Writing Sampler for those who want to try everything.

“Over the years we have grown from a few dozen to a couple hundred attendees,” Murphy explained. “Some return each year because they know they will advance their craft, and they’re very welcoming and supportive of first-time attendees. That doesn’t happen at all writers’ conferences, but it happens at the Getaway.”   

“The Murphy Getaways are truly the highlight of each year for me,” said Dione Carroll of Laurel Springs, N.J., who attends two Murphy Writing programs a year. “I get the chance to focus on the things are dearest to my heart alongside those of like minds. There’s nothing like it in Jersey – every writer owes it to himself to go at least once in his or her life.”

“The Getaways are magical for writers who are beginners or advanced, in need of encouragement or a kick start, ready to publish or nervous about reading out loud for the first time,” said Zoe Forney of Mays Landing, N.J. “There is a beautiful venue, delicious food, smart and passionate faculty, and above all, a sense that everyone – from staff to participants to guest teachers to Peter Murphy himself – is glad to be there, and glad you are, too.”

The $495 tuition includes a 15-hour writing workshop and most meals. Attendees also have the opportunity to participate in open mics, tutorials, networking, sunrise yoga, dancing at the Getaway Disco and writerly camaraderie.

Discounts are available for those who have attended other Murphy Writing programs. For registration information, visit stockton.edu/wintergetaway or call 609-626-3594.