The Young Authors Academy is an in-person creative writing camp for kids hosted at USM every summer. The camp includes interactive writing activities, daily on-campus walking field trips, a printed anthology featuring the work of each camper, and a showcase reading on the last day of camp that is open to all family and friends.
Summer 2026
The 2026 Young Authors Academy will take place June 1-5 from 1:00-5:00 pm on USM’s campus. The camp is open to ages 9-14 and costs $200.
A link to register for the camp will be posted here soon along with more details on this year’s camp activities and staff.
Summer 2026 Staff
Camp Coordinator
Rachael Fowler earned her PhD in Creative Writing (Fiction) from USM, where she currently serves as Editor of Mississippi Review and Assistant Teaching Professor of English. Her writing is published in The Literary Review, North American Review’s Open Space, Southern Humanities Review, Deep South Magazine, Prime Number Magazine, and Fugue. In addition, she has been awarded funding through the Mississippi Arts Commission and residencies with Vermont Studio Center, Nocefresca, Yaddo, The Studios at MASS MoCA, and 560 Railroad Street Community Artist Residency.
Camp Counselor
Katie McKenzie received her MFA in Poetry from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and her PhD in Poetry from USM. As a graduate student instructor at USM, she has taught a range of classes including Composition and Creative Writing. In addition, her poetry is published in many esteemed journals including Gulf Coast, Denver Quarterly, The McNeese Review, and BOOTH.