Oklahoma City University's annual Creative Writing Festival, this year titled, “Gags And Chills: The Art of Laughter and Thrills in Creative Writing,” will take place March 31 in the Walker Center on the OCU campus. The festival, free to the public, will give local authors and aspiring writers opportunities to be recognized for their work and a venue to discuss with other writers effective techniques on getting published.

“This year at the OCU Creative Writing Festival we have decided to mix things up a bit. Our topic ‘Gags and Chills’ brings together two often opposing genres: gags and thrillers. The results should be quite amazing,” said Amrita Sen, assistant professor of English at OCU and event coordinator.

Novelist Keith Remer, along with gag writer and OCU alumnus Stan Silliman, will discuss the foundations of their writing craft, focusing on how to devise plots for thrillers and master the art of quips. In addition, OCU professors Terry Phelps and Sen will offer workshops on developing characters and poetry writing.  

 Attendees are invited to read their creative writing during the festival, and authors will be available to sign their books for the public.

As part of the day-long festival, Oklahoma City University will offer writing scholarships of $1,000 and $500 to local high school students to attend OCU. Local writers can also participate in a writing contest for cash prizes. The deadline for all contests is Feb. 29.

Advance registration is recommended by e-mailing Sen at asen@okcu.edu with your name and writing affiliation.