In July 2007, teachers of writing came together at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, to share their knowledge, experience and creative expression in language arts as participants in the Meadow Brook Writing Project. Affiliated with the National Writing Project, the Meadow Brook Writing Project’s 2007 Summer Institute provided these teachers with the opportunity to learn from each other and write together during a month of intensive professional development. IN THE COMPANY OF WRITERS 2007 is the wonderful anthology resulting from their collaboration. All participants, from elementary through college, returned to their classrooms in the fall inspired and ready to pass on that inspiration to their students in order to help them become better writers.

Chimney Tops Look high to yonder chimney tops Watchmen holding strong Alternating spirals Entertaining lords and ladies with affection and companionship Once bringing heat to those on a frosty Michigan night Pleasing glowing hearths with radiant cherry hot coals Only a remembrance that is now caressed on lonely holidays You now fill the innocent passerby With curiosity What secrets were told by your side? Whose love did you manage to ignite? Why so many so different? Brick by brick you climb the sky Rising upwards with stately grace Twisting and turning You tell a tale that longs to be told A passageway to a point in time That has long past us by. by Laura Amatulli

The Meadow Brook Writing Project Fellows are teachers of writing (K-16) from the Metropolitan Detroit area. Now published authors, in the summer of 2007 they took the risk of becoming students again in order to become better teachers.