The Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park Announces New Writer in Residence, 2019-2021

The Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park is pleased to announce the Foundation’s newest Writer-in-Residence. During her 2019-2021 term, Laura Young will conduct educational programming and mentor the student recipient of the Hemingway Foundation’s Scholarship writing contest for incoming seniors at Oak Park-River Forest High School. Laura will also enjoy the opportunity to work in the attic office and writing space of Hemingway's birthplace home.

Ms. Young, an English teacher since 2006 at Oak Park-River Forest High School, is a writer of both fiction (including novel-length and flash) and memoir. In addition to her teaching duties, Laura runs a week-long college essay writing intensive each summer at the Oak Park Public Library. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Iowa and a Masters of Arts in Education from California State University.

“The WIR program is an essential part of fulfilling our mission,” John Berry, Foundation Chairman, said. “We welcome Laura and believe both her experience and commitment to students will have a profound impact in her WIR role and the community at large.”

A past recipient of the New York Mills and S.A.F.T.A. writing residencies, Laura has had short stories and essays published in Shoreline of Infinity, Lunch Ticket, Cold Creek Review, The Iowa Journal of Cultural Studies, Ordinary Madness, Parent.co, and Lagom. 

“I am excited to contribute to such an historic legacy of American writers; as The Hemingway Foundation writer-in-residence, I look forward to community programming and outreach to further establish Oak Park as a major player in the literary world,” Young said.

We would also like to acknowledge our outgoing WIR, Cameron Gearen, for her outstanding efforts over the previous two years.

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