creative writing workshops summer 2022

Sign up now : Summer Coaching Program with Literary Agent Alyssa Henkin!

• Group Writer Coaching
• 1-on-1 Writer Coaching
• Manuscript Review
• Query Letter Review
• Book Marketing
• SYWW Gift Card

Your Cart is Empty

• $0.00 USD Subtotal

Taxes and shipping calculated at checkout

• Upcoming Programs and Events
• Free Workshops
• Write and Finish Your Book
• Publish Your Book
• 1-on-1 Manuscript Review
• 1-on-1 Query Letter Review

The Top 25 Writers’ Conferences in 2022

January 11, 2022 6 min read Education Workshops

By Author Phoebe A. Lee

  Another year means another year of writers conferences! Below is a list of 2022's best in-person and virtual writers conferences, workshops and retreats in North America to help you along your writing journey.

*Note: Please check COVID-19 rules and restrictions before booking any in-person tickets.

1.  Pacific Oregon University Residency Writers Conference

Writers looking to improve their craft will be in residency with MFA students, faculty and guest speakers. Presentations and events include craft talks, workshops, classes and readings.

The residency includes lunches and lodging at Best Western Ocean View Resort in Seaside. Students and faculty will have their own private rooms.

When: January 6-16, 2022; June 16-26, 2022

Where: January – on the northern Oregon Coast in the small, resort town of Seaside  June – on Pacific University’s campus in Forest Grove

2.  2022 North Island Writers Conference

Throughout the month of January, notable Canadian writers of all genres will host a writing workshop . Options to register for individual sessions.

Check for prices – some sessions are free and others are not. Open to the public.

When: January 7-23, 2022

Where: Virtual

3.  2022 Moravian Writers’ Conference

A free conference for writers, activists, medical practitioners and narrative medicine specialists on writing about health, healthcare and justice. 

When: March 18-19, 2022

Where:  Online and in-person ( Moravian University, 1200 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA)

4.  Let’s Just Write! An Uncommon Writers Conference

Presented by the Chicago Writers Association, the conference features two-days of in-person conference in Chicago with over 20 presenters, workshops, sessions, and panels on storytelling, publicity, and all other things that a writer needs to know, even a panel on what writers can learn from sports psychology . 

When: March 19-20, 2022

Where: The Warwick Allerton Hotel,  701 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 

5.  Association of Writers and Writing Programs Conference

For writers, teachers, students, editors and publishers. One of the biggest and prestigious writing conferences in North America, attracting thousands of attendees.

Events include panels, discussion rooms, pedagogy events and readings. There are in-person and virtual events, or a virtual-only registration option.

When: March 23-26, 2022

Where:  Virtual and in-person ( Pennsylvania Convention Centre, 1101 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA)

6.  University of North Dakota Writers Conference

A three-day conference featuring six to eight authors, who will be discussing their work and engaging with the community. Past authors include Gwendolyn Brooks, Tommy Orange and Colson Whitehead. All events are free and open to the public.

When: March 24-26, 2022

Where: In-person and online

7.  Breakout Novel Intensive 2.0

Taught by literary agent and author, Donald Maass of the Donald Maass Literary Agency. Ideal for new writers or writers starting a new project, the breakout fundamentals will cover strong characters , inner conflict, personal stakes , plot layers, powerful scenes and more. In-person and virtual options.

When: April 18-24, 2022

Where: Hood River, Oregon

When: June 13-19, 2022

8.  Nebraska Writers Guild Annual Conference

A three-day event with a writers retreat and breakout classes. Experts in the industry teach and share their insights on the writing business and craft. More details to be announced.

When: April 21-23, 2022

Where: Comfort Inn and Suites,  7007 Grover Street, Omaha, NE

9.  Nonfiction Writers Conference

Taking the traditional writers conference model and redesigning it specifically for nonfiction authors, the Nonfiction Writers Conference helps nonfiction writers find the best publishing path, marketing methods, uncover business and revenue opportunities, and build a powerful platform. Held entirely online.

When: May 4-6, 2022

10.  Atlanta Writers Conference

The Atlanta Writers Club is presenting the 26 th Atlanta Writers Conference in-person with virtual options. Writers will be given a chance to access 18 top publishing acquisitions editors and literary agents who are actively seeking new clients. There will be Q&A panels and help with getting your work ready.

When: May 6-7, 2022

Where: Westin Atlanta Airport Hotel,  4736 Best Road, Atlanta, GA 

11.  2022 Washington Writers Conference

Attendees get to pitch to three literary agents , as well as network with industry professionals and fellow writers and attend expert sessions.

When: May 13-14, 2022

Where: Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Centre,  5701 Marinelli Road,  Rockville, MD

Want to learn how to become a freelance writer?   Book a 1-on-1 consultation   with Freelance Writer Mike Pietrzak.

12.  Annual BIO Conference

Hosted by the Biographers International Organization, seasoned biographers will be present to help guide, mentor and advise attendees on various topics related to the craft of biography writing. 

When: May 13-15, 2022

Where: CUNY Graduate Centre (Tentative),  365 5 th Avenue,  New York, NY

13.  The Writer’s Hotel New York City Writers Conference

The programming has two components: two editor pre-conference team readings and the in-person conference in New York City. The team readings are a comprehensive consultation on each writer’s full-length manuscript, followed by a phone call to discuss strategy on the next steps.

The conference itself features workshops, lectures and one-on-one pitch sessions with literary agents. There is also an industry session for poets. Applications are on a first-come first-serve basis and will close once it’s full.

When: June 8-14, 2022

Where: Various hotels

14.  Yale Writers’ Workshop

A seven-day workshop taught by seasoned instructors with strong publication credits. Featuring craft talks, readings and individual meetings with workshop leaders, workshops are done in small groups of 10-12 people.

Participants with book-length manuscripts will be invited to join in pitch sessions. Open to applicants over 18 years old. Admissions are based solely on the writing sample. See website for more details on application process. There is also a workshop for high school students.

When: June 4-11, 2022

Where: 55 Whitney Avenue, Fourth Floor,  New Haven, CT

When: June 12-18, 2022

15.  Bread Loaf Environmental Writers’ Conference

A week-long conference for anyone interested in writing about the environment and the natural world. Featuring small, focused workshops and specialized classes, participants receive individualized attention from workshop leaders.

Established editors , literary agents and publishers will also be present to give advice on how to place work in magazines and the publishing world.

Where: Bread Loaf Campus of Middlebury College,  75 Franklin Street, Middlebury, VT

16.  SleuthFest

For writers and fans of mystery, suspense and thriller fiction. Featuring workshops, craft talks, panels, forensic classes and a cocktail party. Agents and editors will also be accepting pitches.

When: July 7-10, 2022

17.  Imaginarium Convention

Imaginarium is part film festival, part writing conference, part cosplay — an expo for all creatives, including writers and creators of all genres. Panelists include authors, editors, publishers, filmmakers, screenwriters, game designers, comic creators, artists, actors, and all other creatives. 

When: July 8-10, 2022

Where: Holiday Inn Louisville East,  1325 South Hurstbourne Parkway, Louisville, KY

18.  The Greater Los Angeles Writers Conference

A conference for writers of all genres, including screenwriters and graphic novel writers. Open to writers in all stages of their career, from aspiring first-time writers to already established writers.

Workshops include one-on-one with agents and publishers to prepare writers for pitch meetings, which are also included in the conference.

When: August 5-7, 2022

Where: Hilton Los Angeles Westside,  6161 West Centinela Avenue, Culver City, CA

19.  When Worlds Collide

A festival to connect readers, writers, artists and publishers of commercial and literary fiction of all genres, with public readings, master classes and other workshops on the business of writing.

When: August 12-14, 2022

Where: Delta Hotels by Marriott Calgary South,  135 Southland Drive SE, Calgary, AB

20.  Fernie Writers’ Conference  

A week-long intensive writing workshops, panel discussions and performances in the Rocky Mountains. There will also be opportunities to mix and mingle with editors, literary agents and notable writers who will also be workshop leaders.

When: August 15-21, 2022

Where: Lizard Creek Lodge, Fernie Alpine Resort,  5346 Highline Drive, Fernie, BC

21.  Pacific Northwest In-Person Conference

Featuring writing contests in all genres for a chance to win a free critique. There are master classes and pitching sessions. There are also membership options for conference pricing discount.

When: September 23-25, 2022

22.  GayRomLit Retreat

For writers, readers and publishers of LGBT literature. More details coming soon.

When: October 19-23, 2022

Where: Renaissance Portsmouth Norfolk Waterfront Hotel,  425 Water Street, Portsmouth, VA

23.  Surrey International Writers’ Conference

A professional development event for writers of all genres, featuring master classes, workshops and pitch sessions.

When: October 21-23, 2022; Master classes – October 20, 2022

24.  Indie Romance Convention

A smaller setting that provides attendees a chance to get to know each other. Three days of learning, workshops, panels, and fun events at night.

When: November 2-5, 2022

25.  The Sarah Lawrence College Publish and Promote Your Book Virtual Conference

Featuring interactive panel discussions with prominent New York City literary agents, major publishing house editors and public relations professionals, author talks, Q&A’s and pitch sessions. 

26. WriteOnCon

A favourite for kidlit, middle grade, and YA writers. Perfect if you want to learn everything from how to land an agent, to how to market your book, to how to improve your craft.

When: July 15-17, 2022

Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.

Also in So You Want to Write? Blog

9 Ways to Market Your First Book

May 30, 2024 6 min read

Have you ever wondered why some first-time authors gain a lot of attention while others don't? The secret often lies in how well they market their books.

For new authors, getting the hang of marketing can make a big difference. Having a solid plan to promote your book can really boost its success.

4 Essential Tips for Marketing Nonfiction Books

January 31, 2023 5 min read

How to Build an Author Platform to Market Your Work

November 07, 2022 4 min read

Take a course or find your coach today!

19 Writing Conferences For Emerging and Established Writers

Reading Lists

Build connections, generate new work, and learn from the leading writers of today.

Writing conferences serve many purposes. They’re places to meet other writers and build community. They’re places to help polish up existing writing or generate new work. They’re places to reset and get inspired. They’re places to meet agent, editors, and other members of the publishing literati. They’re even places to party. Still, they can feel difficult to get into, mind-boggling to research, and like an insular club that only established writers seem to know about. Grown out of this short Twitter thread , here is a list of 19 writing conferences to consider applying to.

Two caveats: 

1) Things are in flux because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which means many of these conferences could switch to an online format or choose to temporarily pause applications to because of a backlog of accepted attendees from 2020/21. Keep an eye on the application deadlines and updates.

2) Because many of these conferences, especially the older ones, come from a long tradition of upholding the supremacy of white, and often male writers, many writers from marginalized backgrounds, including myself, have faced discrimination and microaggressions at them over the years. However, like most institutions confronted with the ways they have failed people on the margins, these conferences are working to make changes.

The Historic

These conferences have been nurturing writers for many years, and typically attract a significant number of applicants.

Sewanee Writers Conference

Held on the campus of the University of the South, 90 minutes from Nashville, the Sewanee Writers Conference is a twelve-day conference that provides workshops across fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and playwriting. The conference fee for “contributors” is $1,800, which covers food and lodging for twelve days. Financial aid is available for “Scholars” ($700 tuition, applicants should have a number of genre-specific publications) and “Fellows” (full scholarship, applicants should have a book published by an academic or commercial publisher). Past notable agents and editors who have attended and taken meetings with writers at Sewanee include Michelle Brower, Renee Zuckerbrot, Margaret Riley King, Sally Kim.

Bread Loaf Writers Conference

Held on the campus of Middlebury College in Vermont, Bread Loaf is an eleven-day conference with workshops for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. The conference fee for “contributors” is $3,810 and includes tuition, room, and board. Substantial scholarships are available at three different levels—the contributor (earlier stage writers), scholar (has publications in journals, prizes, or other wards), and fellow (must have published their first or second book within the last four years) level. Bread Loaf in 2019 eliminated a controversial program called the “Wait Scholar” program where recipients of financial aid were expected to provide service at the conference as waiters to other attendees. Writer Alexander Chee is a known friend of Bread Loaf, as are the literary agents PJ Mark and Miriam Altshuler, among others.

Tin House Workshops

Held twice a year, the Tin House workshops include both summer and winter sessions, for short fiction, novel, nonfiction, and poetry. The larger summer conference is normally held over a week on the Reed College campus, while the smaller winter conference is held over four days at the Sylvia Beach Hotel on the Oregon coast. Anecdotally, the Tin House conferences are known for prioritizing diversity—both among attendees and among faculty and guests. Attendees meet one agent and one editor during the conference and are usually required to write a query letter and/or synopsis ahead of these meetings, which can be a helpful way to codify one’s writing project. The cost for the summer conference is about $1,600 which includes tuition, accommodation, and all meals; the cost for the winter conference is approximately $1,300 for tuition, accommodation, and some meals. Full scholarships are available, though an additional essay of up to 1,500 words is required in order to apply.

Kenyon Review Writers Workshop

Held on the campus of Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, about 90 minutes from Columbus, the Kenyon conference distinguishes itself by being focused entirely on generating new work. For seven days, writers are expected to produce new work (fiction, nonfiction, poetry) daily to be shared in workshop. The environment is warm and welcoming, which makes the prospect of sharing new, raw work much less daunting. Scholarships are only available up to 50%, total fees are $2,295 for tuition, lodging, and food. 

Juniper Institute

Held for a week at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Juniper offers fiction, poetry, and nonfiction workshops designed for sharing works-in-progress for feedback and for generating new work. Tuition is $2,000 and includes some meals. Accommodation on the campus is a separate cost. Five full scholarships are available and include tuition and accommodation.

The Genre-Inflected

Writers of speculative fiction, sci-fi, and fantasy should consider applying to workshops built to support genre fiction.

Clarion Writers’ Workshop

Held on the University of San Diego California’s campus, Clarion is a six-week intensive focused on fundamentals particular to the writing of science fiction and fantasy short stories. Tuition is typically $5,150 for the six weeks, including accommodation and meals. Partial scholarships are available and range between $150 and $4,000. Typically, 18 writers are accepted.

Odyssey Writing Workshop

Held on the campus of Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, Odyssey is a six-week intensive curriculum designed for both workshopping existing work and generating new work in the genres of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Tuition is $2,450 and includes a textbook and dinner; housing on campus apartments is an additional cost, as is additional meals. A handful of scholarships are available.

The Community-Driven

Founded in response to the challenges of white supremacy and cisheteropatriarchy in literature and publishing, these prestigious writers’ conferences help marginalized writers build community.

Lambda Literary Writers Retreat

For LGBTQ writers across genres (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, young adult fiction, playwriting, screenwriting, and speculative fiction), the week-long conference is typically held at Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles, though the 2022 session will be held virtually. Tuition for the 2022 session is $950 and both full and partial scholarships are available.

For Asian American poets and fiction writers, the highly selective retreat is held at Fordham University’s campus in the Bronx, NYC. The conference fee, which is $375, covers tuition, room, and board for five days. Additional scholarships are sometimes provided to applicants after acceptance. 

For Black poets, the week-long Cave Canem retreat is held at the University of Pittsburgh’s Greenburg, Pennsylvania campus. 

For Black fiction writers, the week-long retreat is held at Southern Methodist University in Taos, New Mexico. Tuition is covered by Kimbilio, but room and board fees vary depending on the accommodation chosen. 

For Latinx poets, the retreat accepts 25-30 poets a year and is currently held at University of Arizona Poetry Center in Tucson, Arizona (venue changes based on ongoing partnerships). Workshops are designed to be generative. 

Founded in 1995 by Sandra Cisneros, the weeklong Macondo workshops, held in San Antonio, Texas, are open to Latinx writers across poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Participants pick between reading/response workshops and generative workshops held for three hours daily. Partial scholarships are available. 

The Locales

At higher price points with limited financial aid, these conferences are more expensive than the others, but make up for it by providing beautiful surroundings or new cities to accompany your week of writing.

Disquiet International

Held in Lisbon, Portugal over two weeks, the conference brings writers from North America into conversation with Portuguese writers and features workshops in fiction, memoir, nonfiction, poetry, and writing the Luso experience. Tuition is $1,950 and does not include accommodation, food, or airfare. Disquiet holds an annual writing contest which provides conference scholarships to the winners of the contest.

Held at the luxury Le Sireneuse Hotel in Positano, Italy, the conference is six days, typically in April. Fees are $5,000 and cover accommodation and food. Workshops are mixed genre across fiction and memoir, and are taught by authors Jennifer Finney Boylan, Hannah Tinti, Dani Shapiro, and Jim Shepard.

Community of Writers

Held at Olympic Valley at the foot of the ski slopes at Lake Tahoe, California over six days, the conference is open to fiction, nonfiction, and poetry writers. Several scholarships are available across the genres.

Mendocino Coast Writers’ Conference

Located in California’s Mendocino Coast, the conference is three days long and features workshops across fiction (novel and short fiction), nonfiction, poetry, and more, as well as agent pitching events. Financial aid is available to emerging writers in various categories.

Aspen Summer Words

Held in Aspen, Colorado, workshops are available for fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, middle grade, and book editing. Partial scholarships are offered on need and merit basis. The conference also provides a cohort of “Emerging Writer Fellows” with full scholarships to attend the conference. Fellows are nominated by writers, agents, editors, and other members of the Aspen Words community.

Napa Valley Writers Conference

Held at Napa Valley College over six days in the heart of California’s wine country, this conference holds fiction, poetry, and translation workshops. Tuition is approximately $1,000 and does not include accommodations, food, or travel. A small number of full and partial scholarships are available.

Take a break from the news

We publish your favorite authors—even the ones you haven't read yet. Get new fiction, essays, and poetry delivered to your inbox.

YOUR INBOX IS LIT

Enjoy strange, diverting work from The Commuter on Mondays, absorbing fiction from Recommended Reading on Wednesdays, and a roundup of our best work of the week on Fridays. Personalize your subscription preferences here.

ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER ADVERTISEMENT

Lily King Weaves Glimmers of Hope into Her Short Story Collection

The author of "Five Tuesdays in Winter" on craft, balancing writing and motherhood, and dealing with unsolicited male advice

Dec 21 - Amy Reardon Read

More like this.

Alison Kinney Encourages You to Write at the Grocery Store

The author of "Hood" answers our questions about teaching writing—which, she says, it's okay to do however you can

May 16 - Electric Literature

Remember to Be Interesting to People Who Aren’t You

And other advice from Lauren Wilkinson, author of "American Spy," for our Can Writing Be Taught? series

Apr 3 - Electric Literature

If You Don’t Have a Novel In You, Maybe You Have a Memoir

Ten questions about teaching writing with Ryan Britt, author of “Luke Skywalker Can’t Read”

Mar 7 - Electric Literature

DON’T MISS OUT

Sign up for our newsletter to get submission announcements and stay on top of our best work.

Jump to navigation Skip to content

Search form

• P&W on Facebook
• P&W on Twitter
• P&W on Instagram

Find details about every creative writing competition—including poetry contests, short story competitions, essay contests, awards for novels, grants for translators, and more—that we’ve published in the Grants & Awards section of Poets & Writers Magazine during the past year. We carefully review the practices and policies of each contest before including it in the Writing Contests database, the most trusted resource for legitimate writing contests available anywhere.

Find a home for your poems, stories, essays, and reviews by researching the publications vetted by our editorial staff. In the Literary Magazines database you’ll find editorial policies, submission guidelines, contact information—everything you need to know before submitting your work to the publications that share your vision for your work.

Whether you’re pursuing the publication of your first book or your fifth, use the Small Presses database to research potential publishers, including submission guidelines, tips from the editors, contact information, and more.

Research more than one hundred agents who represent poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers, plus details about the kinds of books they’re interested in representing, their clients, and the best way to contact them.

Every week a new publishing professional shares advice, anecdotes, insights, and new ways of thinking about writing and the business of books.

Find publishers ready to read your work now with our Open Reading Periods page, a continually updated resource listing all the literary magazines and small presses currently open for submissions.

Since our founding in 1970, Poets & Writers has served as an information clearinghouse of all matters related to writing. While the range of inquiries has been broad, common themes have emerged over time. Our Top Topics for Writers addresses the most popular and pressing issues, including literary agents, copyright, MFA programs, and self-publishing.

Our series of subject-based handbooks (PDF format; $4.99 each) provide information and advice from authors, literary agents, editors, and publishers. Now available: The Poets & Writers Guide to Publicity and Promotion, The Poets & Writers Guide to the Book Deal, The Poets & Writers Guide to Literary Agents, The Poets & Writers Guide to MFA Programs, and The Poets & Writers Guide to Writing Contests.

Find a home for your work by consulting our searchable databases of writing contests, literary magazines, small presses, literary agents, and more.

Poets & Writers lists readings, workshops, and other literary events held in cities across the country. Whether you are an author on book tour or the curator of a reading series, the Literary Events Calendar can help you find your audience.

Get the Word Out is a new publicity incubator for debut fiction writers and poets.

Research newspapers, magazines, websites, and other publications that consistently publish book reviews using the Review Outlets database, which includes information about publishing schedules, submission guidelines, fees, and more.

Well over ten thousand poets and writers maintain listings in this essential resource for writers interested in connecting with their peers, as well as editors, agents, and reading series coordinators looking for authors. Apply today to join the growing community of writers who stay in touch and informed using the Poets & Writers Directory.

Let the world know about your work by posting your events on our literary events calendar, apply to be included in our directory of writers, and more.

Find a writers group to join or create your own with Poets & Writers Groups. Everything you need to connect, communicate, and collaborate with other poets and writers—all in one place.

Find information about more than two hundred full- and low-residency programs in creative writing in our MFA Programs database, which includes details about deadlines, funding, class size, core faculty, and more. Also included is information about more than fifty MA and PhD programs.

Whether you are looking to meet up with fellow writers, agents, and editors, or trying to find the perfect environment to fuel your writing practice, the Conferences & Residencies is the essential resource for information about well over three hundred writing conferences, writers residencies, and literary festivals around the world.

Discover historical sites, independent bookstores, literary archives, writing centers, and writers spaces in cities across the country using the Literary Places database—the best starting point for any literary journey, whether it’s for research or inspiration.

Search for jobs in education, publishing, the arts, and more within our free, frequently updated job listings for writers and poets.

Establish new connections and enjoy the company of your peers using our searchable databases of MFA programs and writers retreats, apply to be included in our directory of writers, and more.

• Register for Classes

Each year the Readings & Workshops program provides support to hundreds of writers participating in literary readings and conducting writing workshops. Learn more about this program, our special events, projects, and supporters, and how to contact us.

The Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award introduces emerging writers to the New York City literary community, providing them with a network for professional advancement.

Find information about how Poets & Writers provides support to hundreds of writers participating in literary readings and conducting writing workshops.

Bring the literary world to your door—at half the newsstand price. Available in print and digital editions, Poets & Writers Magazine is a must-have for writers who are serious about their craft.

View the contents and read select essays, articles, interviews, and profiles from the current issue of the award-winning Poets & Writers Magazine .

Read essays, articles, interviews, profiles, and other select content from Poets & Writers Magazine as well as Online Exclusives.

View the covers and contents of every issue of Poets & Writers Magazine , from the current edition all the way back to the first black-and-white issue in 1987.

Every day the editors of Poets & Writers Magazine scan the headlines—publishing reports, literary dispatches, academic announcements, and more—for all the news that creative writers need to know.

In our weekly series of craft essays, some of the best and brightest minds in contemporary literature explore their craft in compact form, articulating their thoughts about creative obsessions and curiosities in a working notebook of lessons about the art of writing.

The Time Is Now offers weekly writing prompts in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction to help you stay committed to your writing practice throughout the year. Sign up to get The Time Is Now, as well as a weekly book recommendation for guidance and inspiration, delivered to your inbox.

Every week a new author shares books, art, music, writing prompts, films—anything and everything—that has inspired and shaped the creative process.

Listen to original audio recordings of authors featured in Poets & Writers Magazine . Browse the archive of more than 400 author readings.

Ads in Poets & Writers Magazine and on pw.org are the best ways to reach a readership of serious poets and literary prose writers. Our audience trusts our editorial content and looks to it, and to relevant advertising, for information and guidance.

Start, renew, or give a subscription to Poets & Writers Magazine ; change your address; check your account; pay your bill; report a missed issue; contact us.

Peruse paid listings of writing contests, conferences, workshops, editing services, calls for submissions, and more.

Poets & Writers is pleased to provide free subscriptions to Poets & Writers Magazine to award-winning young writers and to high school creative writing teachers for use in their classrooms.

Read select articles from the award-winning magazine and consult the most comprehensive listing of literary grants and awards, deadlines, and prizewinners available in print.

• Subscribe Now

Conferences & Residencies Contact Form

Help us keep this database current. If you know about a conference or residency that is not currently listed, please let us know. Be sure to include the name and email address of an appropriate contact person.

Conferences and Residencies Database

• Help Keep This Database Current

Looking to meet up with agents and editors? To join a supportive writing community? Or to find the perfect environment to fuel your writing practice? The Conferences & Residencies database includes details about over two hundred writing conferences, writers residencies, and literary festivals.

A Rally of Writers

The 37th annual A Rally of Writers conference was held on April 13 at the West Campus of Lansing Community College in Lansing, Michigan. The conference featured workshops, panel discussions, and readings in poetry, fiction, and creative...

A.I.R. Studio Paducah

A.I.R. Studio Paducah offers residencies of two weeks to three months year-round to poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers in the Lower Town Arts District of Paducah, Kentucky. Residents are provided with a private apartment and...

Agents & Editors Conference

The Writers’ League of Texas (WLT) 2024 Agents & Editors Conference was held from June 21 to June 23 at the Hyatt Regency on Lady Bird Lake in Austin, Texas. The conference featured presentations, panels, authors in conversation, and a...

All Write Creative Nonfiction Conference

The 2022 All Write Creative Nonfiction Conference was held from October 19 to October 23 at the Spencertown Academy in Columbia County, New York. The conference featured one-hour workshops to discuss 15 to 20 pages of each writer’s work, an...

All Write Fiction Conference

The 2023 All Write Fiction Conference will be held from November 9 to November 12 at the Spencertown Academy in Columbia County, New York. The conference features workshops to discuss 15 to 20 pages of each writer’s work, an opening night...

American Literary Translators Association Conference

The 46th annual American Literary Translators Association Conference was held from November 8 to November 11 at the Tucson Marriott University Park Hotel in Tucson. Programming included panels, roundtables, bilingual readings, a bookfair, a...

American University of Paris Summer Creative Writing Institute

The American University of Paris Summer Creative Writing Institute offers workshops to poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers from July 1 to July 23 on the university’s campus in the seventh arrondissement of Paris. The faculty...

Anderson Center Artist Residencies

The 2024 AWP Conference and Bookfair was held from February 7 to February 10 at the Kansas City Convention Center in Kansas City, Missouri, and included a virtual component comprised of prerecorded and livestreamed events. The conference features...

Atlanta Writers Conference

The spring 2024 Atlanta Writers Conference, sponsored by the Atlanta Writers Club, was held from May 3 to May 4 at the Westin Atlanta Airport Hotel. The conference included a book fair featuring attendees’ books; presentations on the craft and...

Biographers International Organization Conference

The 2024 Biographers International Organization (BIO) Conference was held on May 16 and May 17 at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York in New York City; select events were also streamed online. The conference featured panels on...

Bogliasco Foundation

The Bogliasco Foundation offers month-long residencies from January to May and from September to December to poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers in the coastal fishing village of Bogliasco, Italy, located seven miles southeast...

Brattleboro Literary Festival

Ebooks, Publishing, and Everything in Between

• Downloads & Pricing
• Advertising

Top Writers Conferences to Attend in 2022

• on Nov 29, 2021
• in Writing Tips
• Last update: January 3rd, 2024

Note: Be sure to check out the 2024 writing conferences list !

Being masters of words, writers tend to always be on the lookout for new tips and tricks to improve their skill. In writing, there’s always room to grow and bloom. That’s why we’ve compiled a huge list of writing conferences happening this year where writers of all stages get to meet and attend writing workshops, editor meetings, Q&A sessions and many other activities that can only be described as inspiring.

Writing and Well-Being

Pacific University Master of Fine Arts in Writing Residency Writers Conference

Key West Literary Seminar

Under the Volcano

The Palm Beach Poetry Festival

Key West Literary Seminar Writers’ Workshop Program

Blackbird Studio for Writers

Arisia 2022

Winter Poetry & Prose Getaway

Colrain Classic

Writers in Paradise Conference

Tupelo’s Online Manuscript Conference

Tupelo Truchas Poetry Conference

The Writer’s Hotel Virtual Pitching & Marketing Weekend

GET THE LEAD OUT!

National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

Todos Santos Writers Workshop

Sierra Writers Conference

Reading, Writing and Applied Linguistics In barcelona

West Coast Christian Writers Online Conference

San Francisco Writers Conference

Southern California Writers’ Conference

Asheville Christian Writers Conference

Southern California Writers Conference – San Diego

Coastal Magic Convention

California Creative Writers Conference

Dahlonega Literary Festival

NAWE Virtual Conference

New York Pitch Conference

Tucson Festival of Books

Scottish Association of Writers Conference

Writing By Writers

Authors’ Salon at Clockwork Alchemy

Let’s Just Write! An Uncommon Writers Conference

The AWP 2022 Conference & Bookfair

UND Writers Conference

The Write Stuff Writer’s Conference

Teen Author Boot Camp IN PERSON Conference

Teen Author Boot Camp VIRTUAL Conference

Kentucky Writers Conference

National Undergraduate Literature Conference

Tuscon Poetry and Imagination Conference

Chanticleer Authors Conference

The Las Vegas Writers Conference

Austin International Poetry Festival

Blue Ridge Writers’ Conference

A rally of writers conference, rally of writers conference.

Norwescon 43

Self Publishing Advice Conference

Independent Publishers Book Association University

Nebraska Writers Guild Conference

NWG Annual Conference and Writing Retreat

Malice Domestic Convention

Paris Cafe Writing

The Muse & the Marketplace

Northern Colorado Writers Conference

Pikes Peak Writers Conference

Word on the Lake Writers’ Festival

The Annual Gold Rush Writers Conference

American Society of Journalists and Authors Annual Conference

Nonfiction Writers Conference

The Lakefly Writers Conference

Atlanta Writers Conference

Bay Area Book Festival

A Weekend With The Authors

Storymakers Conference

Fiction Readers Summit

Pennwriters Annual Conference

Biographers International Organization Conference

Longleaf Writers Conference

Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference

Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference

Alderworks Alaska Writers

Looking Glass Rock Writers’ Conference

Bear River Writers’ Conference

Clarksville Writers Conference

Big Sur Children’s Writers Workshops

San Antonio Book Festival

Poetry by the Sea: A Global Poetry Conference

North Words Writers Symposium

Balticon 56

Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference

Thrillerfest XIV

Writing the Midwest: A Symposium of Scholars and Writers

Walker Percy Weekend

Yale Writers’ Conference

Bucknell Seminar for Undergraduate Poets

The Writer’s Hotel

Reader & Author Get Together

Bread Loaf Translators’ Conference

Bread Loaf Environmental Writers’ Conference

Write-to-Publish Conference

Pacific University Residency Writers Conference

The New York Pitch Conference

Colgate Writers Conference

Juniper Summer Writing Institute

Colgate Writers’ Conference

Stonecoast Writers’ Conference

Minnesota Northwoods Writers Conference

Information, Medium & Society: Eighteenth International Conference on Publishing Studies

Western Writers of America Convention

Chautauqua Writers’ Festival

Oregon Christian Writers Virtual Summer

ALA Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits

Jackson Hole Writers Conference

Bookstock Literary Festival

Chesapeake Writers’ Conference

Disquiet International Literary Program

Annual Philadelphia Writers’ Conference

The Creativity Workshop In Prague

Ledbury Poetry Festival

Southampton Writers Conference

Writing in Place conference

Book Bonanza 2022

Florida Writing Workshop

Imaginarium Convention

International Creative Writing Conference

The Creativity Workshop in Florence

Tin House Summer Writers’ Workshop

Canterbury Arts Conference

Sun Valley Writers’ Conference

The Creativity Workshop In Barcelona

Catamaran Writing Conference

The Leopardi Writing Conference

Napa Valley Writers Conference

Sitka Writing Adventure

Writer’s Digest Conference

Taos Writers Conference

Florida Authors and Publishers Association Annual Conference

Taylor University’s ​Professional Writers’ Conference

FAPA Conference

Mendocino Coast Writers’ Conference

The Creativity Workshop in New York

AWP Nonfiction Intensive

Book Lovers Con 2022

When Words Collide

Swanwick Writers’ Summer School

Fernie Writers’ Conference

Reading, Writing and Applied Linguistics In Dubai

Bread Loaf Environmental Writers’ Conference

Nashville’s 16th Annual Writers’ Conference

Melbourne Writers Festival

Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers

Milford Writer’s Workshop

Becoming a Master Writer

Creatures, Crimes & Creativity Con

Flathead River Writers Conference

The Black Authors & Readers Rock Conference (BARR)

Next Chapter Con

Bookgardan: A Year’s Sustenance for Women Writers

Write on the Sound Writers’ Conference

Omega Writers Conference

The DFW Writers Conference

The Heartland Fall Forum

Writing Sisters Summit in the Hills

Ozark Creative Writers Conference

Rocky Mountain Literary Festival

The Vancouver Writers Festival

Western Literature Association Conference

Moonlight & Magnolias Conference

Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Festival

Women Writing the West Annual Conference

Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop

Writer’s Digest Novel Writing Conference

Emerald City Writers’ Conference

Surrey International Writers Conference

Florida Writers Conference

Indie Romance Convention

Medical Writing & Communication Conference

Sanibel Island Writers Conference

La Jolla Writers Conference

Kauai Writers Conference

International Conference on Reading, Writing and Applied Linguistics

The Belize Writers’ Conference

In your journey of becoming the next best selling author, engaging in writing conferences can be of great reward. Don’t miss out and sign up now!

Read more here.

The Comprehensive List of 2024 Writing Contests

The 2024 International Book Fairs Calendar

Amazing Writing Retreats to Attend in 2024

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Currently you have JavaScript disabled. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser.

Kotobee is the complete end-to-end ebook solution for you and your business. Export multiple formats. Deliver securely.

Create, publish, and sell ebooks with ease

Kotobee es la solución completa de ebooks de extremo a extremo para usted y su empresa.

Cree, publique y venda libros electrónicos con facilidad

Recent Posts

• How to Format an Ebook for Publishing: A Step-by-Step Guide
• The 4 Key Elements of a High-Conversion Book Landing Page
• Enhancing Student Engagement: Using Interactive Ebooks for Effective Learning
• How to Make a Book Trailer in 6 Simple Steps
• The Different Types of Characters in a Story Explained
• Entries feed
• Comments feed
• WordPress.org

ENROLL DONATE

• Who We Serve
• Program Logic Model
• Culture Statement
• Board of Directors
• Advisory Council
• Join the Team!
• Get Involved

What's Hot?

• WRITOPIA SPEAKS
• Creative Writing
• Essay Writing
• College Essay
• Role-Playing Games
• Debate Team
• Private Sessions & Workshops
• Specialty Genres, Events, and More
• Sleepaway Camps
• School Year
• Writopia Publishing Lab
• Worldwide Plays Festival
• Scholastic Writing Awards
• Youth Essay Conference
• Family Memoir
• Writopia Lab Salon
• Teen Intensives
• Professional Development

Upcoming Events

• Westchester
• Program Schedules
• For Students
• For Parents
• For Educators

Summer Programs

The summer is an exciting time at Writopia Lab! We offer Half-Day and Full-Day programs that meet Monday through Friday. Our workshops are warmer and more productive than typical writing classes and courses offered for kids and teens online and in person.

Sign up for our mailing list to get the latest updates on upcoming summer programs!

Half-Day Workshops (In-Person and Online)

In both multi-genre and themed workshops, writers in age-based groups work with a published author or produced playwright (highly trained in teaching the form, genre, or topic). Participants discuss, share, develop, and complete their own original works.

Half-Day workshops meet Monday-Friday for three hours per day. Workshops are age-based and enroll a maximum of eight writers. Offerings include Creative Writing , Essay Writing , College Essay , Language Play (for ages 4-6), Screenwriting , Dungeons and Dragons , and more!

Click here to see Half-Day Summer workshops on the schedule!

Full-Day Camps (In-Person)

Full-Day Camps are in-person programs that include a three-hour morning workshop, an hour-long lunch break, and a three-hour block of electives or specialized activities. 

Fiction & Fun

In the mornings, writers work with a published author or produced playwright on developing and completing a piece of writing of their choosing, such as a short story, personal essay, poetry collection, or a one-act play. After the morning workshop, writers will head to a nearby park for lunch and fun outdoor activities.

In the afternoon, writers participate in two electives of their choice, ranging from filmmaking, songwriting, Dungeons and Dragons, zinemaking, worldbuilding, graphic novels, and more!

Playwriting & Performance

Young playwrights spend the mornings developing brand new plays or musicals under the guidance of a professional playwright. In the afternoons, they dive into the world of performance, with mini-workshops in character creation, theatrical design, voice and speech, and a look at acting fundamentals as they take on roles in their peers’ plays. The week will culminate in a live performance (that family and friends can watch) of original one-act plays written and performed by these young dramatists of tomorrow.

Sports Writing

Writers spend the morning in a sports-themed writing workshop where they can explore and write every form of sports writing, from reviews, to features, op-eds, and personal essays. In the afternoon, camper eat lunch in the park, participate sports and active electives, and join creative arts electives with our Fiction & Fun campers. There will also be opportunities to go on field trips to live sports events, interview athletes, and meet professional sports editors and writers.

Click here to see Full-Day Summer workshops on the schedule!

Advanced Writing Seminar (In-Person and Online)

Advanced Writing Seminar sessions are immersive, application-only programs for dedicated rising juniors, seniors, and college freshmen. Workshops are led by professional published writers and include master classes with guest instructors who are experts in their specialized field. This program is designed for teens to build up their writing portfolios and/or complete long-form projects such as novels.

Half-Day Sessions (Online)

Online half-day sessions are two-week programs that specialize in either portfolio-building or outlining and completing novels.

Full-Day Sessions (In-Person)

Full-Day sessions are one-week programs that focus on helping teens expand their writing portfolios.

The Residency in NYC

Advanced Writing Seminar: The Residency in NYC is an immersive pre-college program in partnership with Pratt Institute. Teen writers will spend the mornings in writing workshops, the afternoons in Master Classes, and the evenings in excursions and activities around New York City!

Click here to learn more about Advanced Writing Seminar!

WriCampia is our annual two-week sleepaway camp in the Berkshires. At WriCampia, writers spend their mornings in intimate writing workshops led by published authors and produced playwrights, their afternoons participating in their choice of over 20 artistic and active electives, and their evenings at campfires, scavenger hunts, readings, and more.

Click here to learn more about WriCampia!

• Half-Day Workshops
• Full-Day Camps
• Application-Only Teen Seminar

The summer is an exciting time at Writopia Lab! We offer full programs that meet Monday through Friday. Students sign up by week, and many students choose to attend for multiple weeks. Our workshops are warmer and more productive than typical writing classes and courses offered for kids and teens online and in-person.

Schedule and Registration

Half-Day workshops meet Monday-Friday for 3-hours per day. Workshops are age-based and enroll a maximum of eight writers. Offerings include Creative Writing, Essay Writing, Comedy, Screenwriting, Dungeons and Dragons, and more!

Full-Day camps are offered in-person at our Manhattan, Brooklyn, and DC labs.

In the mornings, writers ages 9 to 16 work in age-based groups with a published author or produced playwright on developing and completing a short story, poetry collection, or a one-act play. After the morning workshop, writers will head to a nearby park for lunch and fun outdoor activities.

Writers will spend the afternoon in two exciting electives of their choice, ranging from filmmaking, songwriting, sketch comedy, zinemaking, worldbuilding, poetry, photo journalism, graphic novels, and more!

In age-based groups, young playwrights spend the mornings developing brand new plays or musicals under the guidance of a professional playwright. In the afternoons, they dive into the world of performance, with mini-workshops in character creation, theatrical design, voice and speech, and a look at acting fundamentals as they take on roles in their peers’ plays. The week will culminate in a live performance (that family and friends can watch over Zoom) of original one-act plays written and performed by these young dramatists of tomorrow.

Schedule and Application

Advanced Writing Seminar sessions are immersive-two-week experiences for dedicated rising juniors, seniors, and college freshmen.

Writers will delve into their craft with published authors, and will meet and share their work with literary agents and editors. Each day will begin with a small author-led fiction workshop (8-10 participants) from 10 AM to 1 PM Eastern Time. During workshop, writers will have time to develop their own creative pieces, participate in creative writing exercises, and receive feedback on their work from the instructor and their peers. In the afternoons, writers will have the opportunity to take electives in poetry, memoir, ekphrastic writing, and more. Writers will also take part in evening readings, salons, and craft talks, as well as unstructured time to connect as a community of writers.

Advanced Writing Seminar sessions are offered online, in-person at our Manhattan and DC labs, and one special session will be offered as an overnight camp in NYC .

The summer is an exciting time at Writopia Lab! We offer full programs that meet Monday through Friday. Students sign up by week, and many students choose to attend for multiple weeks.

--> mailing list to get the latest updates on upcoming summer programs!-->

Nebraska

-->

July 8, 2024

New York

-->

July 26, 2024

California

-->

July 31, 2024

Vermont

-->

August 3, 2024

New Hampshire

-->

August 11, 2024

Oregon

-->

August 15, 2024

Ireland

-->

September 3, 2024

New Jersey

-->

September 9, 2024

France

-->

September 13, 2024

Washington

-->

September 19, 2024

New York

-->

September 28, 2024

New York

-->

October 4, 2024

Arizona

-->

October 10, 2024

Washington

-->

October 13, 2024

Washington

-->

November 3, 2024

New York

-->

November 7, 2024

Hawaii

-->

November 11, 2024

Canada

-->

November 18, 2024

Washington

-->

December 8, 2024

Canada

-->

January 13, 2025

Canada

-->

February 24, 2025

Washington

-->

March 2, 2025

Washington

-->

March 30, 2025

Italy

-->

April 21, 2025

New Mexico

-->

May 17, 2025

Maryland

-->

July 8, 2025

North Carolina

-->

Year Round

Virginia

-->

Year Round

Iowa

-->

Year Round

Minnesota

-->

Year Round

New York

-->

Year Round

New Jersey

-->

Year Round

New York

-->

Year Round

Online or Not Specified

-->

Year Round

Oregon

-->

Year Round

North Carolina

-->

Year Round

North Carolina

-->

Year Round

New York

-->

Year Round

California

-->

Year Round

Share this page:

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2024 by AWP. All rights reserved.

Yale Writers' Workshop

You are here, welcome from the yale writers' workshop director, jotham burrello.

Director's welcome to the Yale Writers' Workshop!

From First to Final Draft, Find Your Voice at Yale

The Yale Writers’ Workshop brings together the experience and expertise of leading teachers, authors, editors, agents and publishers in a series of panels and workshops for the benefit of writers the world over. We are offering three sessions (one on campus and two remote) that will enhance the writing skills of any serious writer. Our faculty provides unique, tailored, and transformative experiences to all participants.

The Yale Writers' Workshop experience offers:

• An immersive creative environment
• An experienced faculty of writers and editors
• Small workshops limited to 10-12 participants
• Access to industry professionals

"Sometimes I feel that writing is exactly like breathing to me, but it’s like I’ve been going through life scared to breathe. I never really gave myself a chance, but this week allowed me to do that. I used to get so panicked when people asked me what my book was about and now I’m genuinely excited to talk about it."

"I had a wonderful time and learned so much! This was a fantastic opportunity and I'm so glad to have been a part of it."

Courses & Programs

• Courses at Yale
• Yale Summer Online
• The English Language Institute
• Conservatory for Actors
• About the Yale Writers' Workshop
• Faculty Bios
• Dates & Costs
• Alumni Corner
• Yale Young Writers' Workshop
• Programs Abroad

Creative Writing Camps Summer 2022

Check out the following terrific opportunities – in our Toronto studio and virtual – for young people who love to write. But don’t delay – time is running out!

Vikki VanSickle. photo by Connie Tsang

Creative Writing Courses with Vikki VanSickle

Celebrated novelist Vikki VanSickle is running lively and inspiring creartive writing camps with us this summer! Plot, character and description – learn these creative writing skills and more as you explore fantasy, science fiction, historical fiction, poetry, screenwriting, playwriting, journaling – the sky’s the limit! Get tips on where to submit your work: creative writing competitions, literary agents, publishers and more.

Virtual Podcasting Camp

Get your ideas and stories out there through the medium of podcasts! Bonnie Warburton will teach you how to write a compelling podcast, and help you set up a podcast studio in your home or cottage. You’ll listen to and learn from successful podcasters, and create a pilot for a podcast of your own. Whether you love writing, acting or audio recording, there’s something here for you!

Virtual Creative Writing Camp

Build plots, create characters, devise worlds and try your hand at creative writing prompts! Take your writing to the next level in this lively virtual program, ideal for writers spending the summer at their cottage, or too far from Toronto to attend in person. Finding a community of writers is the best way to keep writing – and this is a terrific opportunity to meet others who love to do what you do. Open to all writers, whatever their interests – and young people who just want to give writing a go.

Creative writing camps are fun, inspiring and a great way to cultivate both imagination and artistic community. That’s why our writers return to us year after year. But parents also know that creative writing is a great way to cultivate a love of reading, and we all know that the more we write, the better we get at it – which leads to greater confidence and improved grades in school.

Read more at https://www.centauriarts.com/academy/toronto/summer-day-camps/writing-camps/

Julie Centauri Arts Bloor West Village Toronto

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!

Phone: +1416 766 7124

Email: [email protected]

• Get Our News

Summer Writing Workshops

The 2024 summer writing workshops in poetry, fiction, memoir, and narrative nonfiction.

For over 50 summers, the Community of Writers has brought together poets and prose writers for two separate weeks of summer writing workshops, individual conferences, lectures, panels, readings, and discussions of the craft and the business of writing. Our aim is to assist writers to improve their craft and thus move them closer to achieving their goals.

POETRY PROGRAM

The Poetry Workshop is founded on the belief that when poets gather in a community to write new poems, each poet may well break through old habits and write something stronger and truer than before. The idea is to try to expand the boundaries of what one can write. In the mornings we meet to read to each other the work of the previous twenty-four hours, and in the late afternoons we gather for a conversation about some aspect of craft.

More Poetry Program Details

Writers workshops.

The Writers Workshops offer a week of formal and informal workshops, seminars, panel discussions, craft talks, and staff readings. Each participant is provided several opportunities to have his or her work critiqued by the writer-teachers, editors and agents of the staff in regular morning workshops, open workshops, and a one-on-one conference.

Writers Workshops Details

  join our mailing list.

The Writers Circle

creative writing workshops & community

WordSMASH Creative Writing Mini-Camps

for Rising Grades 3-5 and 6-7

Summer Adult Workshops

4, 5, and 6 week workshops - Summer is the perfect time to write!

2024 Summer Creative Writing Intensives

For Teens Who LOVE to WRITE ~ REGISTER TODAY!

Celebrating the Written Word

Summer has begun, jump right into  wordsmash, creative writing mini-camp for grades 3-5 and 6-7 .

Our two-hour per afternoon, week-long program is chock-full of writing games, wacky prompts, and time to sink into a favorite book just to read! Seasoned writers will be challenged by story starters unlike anything they’ve seen in school. Reluctant writers will find TWC’s interactive games and prompts an irresistible invitation to start creating. Our collaborative, energetic environment will lay the foundation for kids to let loose and let the words flow.

In Morristown, Summit, and South Orange, NJ , plus virtual options for kids everywhere.

2024 Summer Creative Writing Intensives  for Teens Who LOVE to Write

~ now in our 12th season ~, week 1: july 15-19 – full, week 2: july 22-26 –  three spots left, week 3: july 29-august 2 –  full.

The Writers Circle is a Scholastic Awards Summer Scholarship Program partner.

Summer Writing Is for Adults , too.

Great summer choices:

Where Do I Begin? | Summer Writing Book Club | Creating Kid Lit | Romancing the Novel | Writing Short Stories & Flash Fiction and much more.

See our full schedule and

From the writers circle blog.

Writing When Life Gets In the Way

by Co-Director Michelle Cameron “Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans.” – John Lennon Once upon a time, back when I worked for a digital agency, we were asked to explore a list of life events for a corporate client. No…

The Summer of Eras!

by Rebecca Kilroy, former Summer Intensive Program Coordinator, moving on to brand new things It’s the summer of Eras! I’ve lost count of the number of Eras tour t-shirts our students wore to the Intensive. Not a single Wednesday special event passed without at least…

On Journaling

by Christina Kapp, TWC Instructor & Outreach Coordinator I wish I could say that my journal was any less cluttered than my desk, my closet, my attic, but it’s not. I aspire to order in so many things and fail miserably. There are plenty of…

TWC New Jersey Locations & online classes, too!

Find out more:.

The Writers Circle reserves the right to shift any in-person or hybrid program to virtual instruction based on the health and safety recommendations of the CDC, WHO, the State of New Jersey, or other authorities or involved parties.

Connect With TWC

TWC on Instagram

• Built using Kale Pro by LyraThemes .

• Skip to Main
• Welcome Message
• Literary Journals
• Join Our Listserv
• Administration and Staff

FAQ for Prospective Graduate Students

Fellowships and literary outreach.

• Teaching Opportunities
• NYU GSAS Online Application
• Graduate Student Handbook
• External Literary Opportunities
• Low-Residency MFA in Paris
• Undergraduate Creative Writing Abroad
• FAQ for Undergraduate Students
• Academic Credit for Internships
• Awards & Special Events
• Fall 2023 Undergraduate Workshops
• Winter 2024
• Fall 2024 Undergraduate Workshops
• MFA Community News
• Alumni Books
• Recent Faculty Books
• NYU CWP Faculty & Alumni Events AWP 2024
• Writers in Florence
• Writers in New York
• Writers in Paris
• Summer 2024 Workshops on Campus
• Classic Podcasts & Videos
• Recent Podcasts & Videos
• Spring 2017
• Spring 2018
• Spring 2019
• Spring 2020
• Virtual Events 2020
• Spring 2021 Virtual Events
• Spring 2022
• Yusef Komunyakaa: A Celebration
• Spring 2023
• Spring 2024

The NYU Creative Writing Program

is among the most distinguished programs in the country and is a leading national center for the study of writing and literature.

Graduate Program

The graduate Creative Writing Program at NYU consists of a community of writers working together in a setting that is both challenging and supportive.

Low Residency MFA Workshop in Paris

The low-residency MFA Writers Workshop offers students the opportunity to develop their craft in one of the world's most inspiring literary capitals.

Undergraduate Program

The undergraduate program offers workshops, readings, internships, writing prizes, and events designed to cultivate and inspire.

Spring 2022 Reading Series

The lively public Reading Series hosts a wide array of writers, translators, and editors, and connects our program to the local community.

Creative Writing Program

Low-residency mfa writers workshop in paris, undergraduate, washington square review, literary journal, a sample residency calendar, write in paris, scholarships and grant opportunities, program of study, dates and deadlines, creative writing, recent highlights from the mfa community.

• Alum Bruna Dantas Lobato   won the 2023 National Book Award in translation

• Faculty member Sharon Olds received the Joan Margarit International Poetry Prize from King Felipe VI in July 2023

• Alumni  Tess Gunty  and  John Keene   each won a 2022 National Book Award in fiction and poetry , respectively

• Books by faculty members  Sharon  Olds  and  Meghan O'Rourke;  and alums  Tess Gunty, John Keene ,  and  Jenny Xie  were named finalists for the 2022 National Book Awards; books by alum  Rio Cortez and faculty member Leigh Newman were also longlisted

• Alum  Ada Limón   has been named the nation's 24th Poet Laureate  by the Library of Congress

• Alum  Amanda Larson 's debut poetry collection  GUT  was selected by Mark Bibbins as the winner of the Poetry Society of America Norma Farber Book Award

• Alum  Sasha Burshteyn  was named a 2022 winner of the 92Y Discovery Prize. Alums Jenna Lanzaro and JinJin Xu were also named semi-finalists for the prize.

• Alum Clare Sestanovich was selected as a  2022 5 under 35 Honoree  by the National Book Foundation

• Alum  Maaza Mengiste  was awarded a  2022 Guggenheim Fellowship

• Visiting graduate faculty member  Brandon Taylor 's collection  Filthy Animals  was named a 2021/22  finalist for The Story Prize  and was shortlisted for the  2022 Dylan Thomas Prize

• Alum  Raven Leilani  won the 2021 Clark Fiction Prize, Dylan Thomas prize, the 2020 Kirkus Prize for Fiction and the Center for Fiction 2020 First Novel Prize for her debut novel  Luster,  and was named a finalist for the 2021 VCU Cabell First Novelist Award, the Gotham Book Prize, the 2021 PEN/Hemmingway Award for Debut Novel, the 2021 PEN/Jean Stein Book Award

• Alum Desiree C. Bailey 's debut poetry collection  What Noise Against the Cane  was longlisted for the 2022 Dylan Thomas Prize and was also named a finalist for the 2021 National Book Award in Poetry and the 2022 Kate Tufts Discovery Award, and was published as the winner of the 2020 Yale Series of Younger Poets

• Senior faculty member  Sharon Olds  was named the 2022 recipient of the Poetry Society of America's Frost Medal for distinguished lifetime achievement in poetry

You can read more MFA Community news here and find a list of forthcoming and recently published books by alumni here .   NYU CWP alumni include  Aria Aber, Amir Ahmadi Arian, Julie Buntin, Nick Flynn, Nell Freudenberger, Aracelis Girmay, Isabella Hammad, Ishion Hutchinson, Mitchell S. Jackson, Tyehimba Jess, John Keene, Raven Leilani, Robin Coste Lewis, Ada Limón, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, Maaza Mengiste, John Murillo, Gregory Pardlo, Morgan Parker, Nicole Sealey, Solmaz Sharif, Peng Shepherd, Ocean Vuong, Jenny Xie,  and  Javier Zamora. 

Announcements

Ocean Vuong joins the NYU Creative Writing Program Faculty

Mary Gabriel, Author of “Ninth Street Women”, Receives the NYU/Axinn Foundation Prize

Claudia Rankine joins the NYU Creative Writing Program Faculty

Classic podcasts from the lillian vernon reading series.

Anne Carson

Zadie Smith and Jeffrey Eugenides

Terrance Hayes

Where to find us.

Faculty Spotlight

Claudia Rankine is a recipient of the 2016 MacArthur Fellowship, and the author of six collections including Citizen and Don’t Let Me Be Lonely.

Darin Strauss is the author of several acclaimed novels, including the most recent The Queen of Tuesday: A Lucille Ball Story.

Ocean Vuong is the author of the bestselling novel, On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous and the poetry collection, Night Sky with Exit Wounds.

Katie Kitamura’s most recent novel Intimacies was longlisted for the National Book Award and named a Best Book of 2021 by numerous publications.

Jeffrey Eugenides is the author of acclaimed novels The Virgin Suicides, Middlesex, and The Marriage Plot. His latest collection is Fresh Complaint. 

Sharon Olds is a previous director of the Creative Writing Program. Her 2012 collection Stags Leap was awarded the T.S. Eliot Prize and a Pulitzer.

Terrance Hayes’s most recent publications include American Sonnets for My Past And Future Assassin and To Float In The Space Between.

Hari Kunzru is the author of six novels, including the most recent Red Pill, and White Tears, a finalist for the PEN Jean Stein Award.

Foer was listed in Rolling Stone's "People of the Year," Esquire's "Best and Brightest," and The New Yorker's "20 Under 40" list.

• Clear Water Press
• Writing Programs:
• Cover Story
• One Year Novel
• Other Worlds

• Summer Workshop

If you attended the 2024 Summer Workshop, we would love to hear your thoughts about the event! 

A Week of Wonder!

Young writers. Amazing speakers.

MONDAY, JUNE 10 – SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2024

There is so much for young writers at our Summer Creative Writing Workshop: Going deeper in understanding fiction and how to write it… learning from published authors, agents, and publishers … receiving in-person feedback and support in a small critique group… getting to meet other One Year Adventure Novel students. We want you to come!

MidAmerica Nazarene University • 2030 E. College Way, Olathe, Kansas 66062

Sessions are held in the Tollefson conference room of the beautiful  Cunningham Center on the MNU campus. There is plenty of seating for all. Side rooms and a relaxing lounge area provide spaces for critique groups and the optional breakout sessions on specialized writing topics.

• Get directions »

• View map of the campus »

Featured Speakers

Allen Arnold

Nadine Brandes

Keep up with Nadine at NadineBrandes.com .

More Speakers!

Megan Gerig

Megan is also a gifted writer. Book one of her new cozy Beatrice Ophelia mystery series will be released in the fall of 2024! You won’t want to miss it.

In addition to writing and editing, she is also candlemaker who loves drinking pots of tea in Spare Oom. She spends her days chasing her hobbit son around the house and dreaming about stories of mystery and magic. Megan, her librarian husband, and their book-devouring son live in a cottage in the midst of a busy city where they dream of someday owning a mini-farm.

Learn more about Megan’s work at her website: mgliteraryservices.com

Stephanie Morrill

Previous books from Stephanie include the Ellie Sweet series, Go Teen Writers: How to Turn Your First Draft Into a Published Book , and The Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt series. Stephanie enjoys encouraging and teaching teen writers on her blog, www.GoTeenWriters.com .

To connect with Stephanie and read samples of her books, check out www.StephanieMorrill.com .

John is a life-long writer. He started with badly drawn comic books in the fifth grade. When he realized that he was a lousy artist, he moved on to badly-written novels in middle school. He’s tried his hand at screenplays, stage plays, fanfic, teen mysteries, and religious fiction. But his first love has always been speculative fiction .

His debut novel, Failstate , was published by Marcher Lord Press, and was a finalist for the Christy Awards. He has gone on to publish five more novels, two of which ( Numb and Failstate: Legends ) were Christy finalists as well. His latest novel, Drawn in Ash , came to life at the 2017 OYAN Summer Workshop.

John looks forward to telling even more strange tales that point people back to God and His incredible grace.

Learn more about John’s work at his website: https://johnwotte.com/

Daniel Schwabauer – “Mr. S.”

“Mr. S.” is the creator of The One Year Adventure Novel, Cover Story,  Byline , and  Other Worlds  creative writing curricula and the author of Operation Grendel (2020) and Maxine Justice: Galactic Attorney (2022). He is also the author of a series for young readers:  Runt the Brave, Runt the Hunted , and The Curse of the Seer . Mr. Schwabauer is a compelling speaker and loves to share his passion for Story.

Daniel has taught in many venues including various writers’ conferences, homeschool conferences, classrooms, and co-ops.

He was once asked if he would like to be the next C.S. Lewis. He replied, “I’d rather train a thousand C.S. Lewises.”

Videos taken during free time are permitted as long as all participants agree to be filmed. (Photos are welcome.)

Mentor Appointments – FREE

Students may request a 20-minute appointment with a speaker/mentor. The mentors are not intimidating! These appointments are designed to  give young writers a “practice agent appointment”  so they can get used to  pitching their story idea  to an agent or publisher, but it is also fine for students just to  ask questions  about writing, the industry, etc.

These Mentor Appointments are optional and  limited in number , so students may only reserve one ticket each.

FAQ about Mentor Appointments »

How to Attend

STEP 1: Sign Legal Waiver Form.

You need this ready before you can register. You can find the form below.

STEP 2: Purchase Your Workshop Registration Ticket.

Student tickets are sale price through February 15 ; they are regular price February 16 through April 21. A $50 late fee applies after April 21.

STEP 3: Purchase Other Tickets

Other tickets ( Lodging & Meals , Shuttle , and Mentor Appointment ) do not have to be purchased at the same time as your registration ticket. However, ticket sales close May 10. Please be aware that the Girls’ Dorm spots will go quickly, and they could sell out.

STEP 4: Sign MNU Waiver Form.

We will make this available at a later date. You do not need this to register, but you will need to sign it and submit it to the college before arriving.

Registration Costs

Early Bird!

Early-bird sale price

Good through February 15, 2024

Regular Price

Regular ticket price

Good through April 21, 2024

Late registration

Cost AFTER April 21, 2024

Please note:

• The price includes a workshop t-shirt. • Parents may register for $50 each (see Parents and Siblings  section). • Siblings ( non-students under 13) attend FREE , if accompanying registered parent. • Siblings 13 or older must register as students. • Siblings under 13 and parents may not attend student critique groups nor mentor sessions. • Registering as a student after April 21 will incur a $50 late fee.

FAQ about student eligibility »  

Waiver Form

We require a signed Legal Waiver for each student. Students are required to upload their signed Legal Waiver form in order to register . It is one page, and you can download it using the button below or download it directly in the Student Registration ticket form. A PDF upload is preferred, but photo files are also accepted. (We do NOT accept them by mail or email.)

If you are under 18 years old, you need to have your parent or guardian sign the waiver; if you are 18 or older, you must sign it yourself for legal purposes. If the student is over 18 but still lives at home , we also require the parent or guardian’s signature as confirmation that they have read the document.

Additionally, MNU is also required to have a signed waiver from every attendee. Yes, this means signing two waivers. We will make the MNU waiver available to you at a later date. The MNU waiver need not be completed before you register, but you must submit it to the college before arriving.

Cancellation Policy

We will comply with all COVID guidelines set in place by the state of Kansas and by our host location, MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU).

If you need to cancel your registration for any reason, please let us know as soon as possible! Every person impacts our planning.

We will offer a full refund ( minus PayPal/credit card fees ) for cancellations made by end of day on May 10. If you need to at a later date, let us know before 11:59 p.m. on Friday, June 7 in order to receive an 85% refund.

We know that things happen and want you to have peace of mind. Because of this, we are offering special leniency in regards to our cancellation policy if you need to cancel due to emergencies that are out of your control. If you are unable to attend due to cancelled flights, illnesses (COVID-19 or otherwise), or other last-minute emergencies , please get in contact with us at [email protected] to discuss your situation.

Parents & Siblings

The $50 ticket applies to any parent who will be participating on-site at any level (i.e., sitting in on any workshop sessions, attending Open Mic Night, attending parent sessions, etc.), whether staying in MNU accommodation or off-site. Siblings under age 13 remain free.

Family Participation

There will be seating in the Tollefson conference room (located in the Cunningham Center) for parents and siblings. We request that non-students sit in the back.

Parents and siblings are not permitted to sit in on student critique groups or mentor appointments .

Attending parents/siblings may stay on-site in the dorms and eat meals with us in the cafeteria (see On-Campus Lodging & Meals ).  Alternatively, there are several hotels near campus, and you may bring a sack lunch (can’t be eaten in the cafeteria) or grab something at a local restaurant.

– Kristine H. , parent-educator

On-Campus Lodging & Meals

MNU opens dorm-style housing and cafeteria meals to workshop attendees and their families.  Meals provided by the college and a spot in the dorms must be ordered in advance and as one accommodation .

New in 2024: the meal plan and dorm tickets are combined into one Lodging & Meals ticket for $395 per person (student or family member).

In the past, the university has graciously worked with us to accommodate those in our group who want only a spot in the dorms  OR a meal plan. However, the university’s position is that they will no longer be able to do so. We are unable to offer these items separately and will not be able make exceptions .

Alternatively, you are welcome to book a hotel room or suite with a kitchenette. There is seating outside the MNU cafeteria if you would like to eat on campus. (See Hotels and Off-Site Services and Policies FAQ .)

Boys’ and Girls’ Dorms

The Lodging & Meals ticket secures one twin bed in a shared dorm room containing two twin beds. Pillows, bed linens, blankets and towels will be provided by the school.

Please note :

• Students under the age of 18 may not leave campus  without their parent or legal guardian .

• Students 18 and older do NOT constitute legal guardians.

• Cooking is not allowed in the Girls’ Dorm or Boys’ Dorm under any circumstances; there are no kitchens.

• Coolers are NOT permitted in the Girls’ Dorm or Boys’ Dorm.  If your student needs to have refrigerated items for health reasons, please contact us.

ROOMMATE REQUESTS & ROOMING POLICY

• When purchasing your Lodging & Meals ticket , you will be asked to request a roommate. If you have no preference, or don’t know yet, fill the space in as N/A. If you decide you would like to request a roommate after purchasing, you may fill out the Roommate Request form . (Please do not fill this form out if you have not yet purchased a ticket.) A request by both parties must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. Central on May 10. We  can’t guarantee  that we will be able to accommodate your request, but we will do our best!

• Unless notified otherwise through the Room & Board ticket or the Roommate Request Form, we assume that same-gender family members  in the Boys’ Dorm and Girls’ Dorm  do NOT wish to be roomed together.  (Moms and dads who do not request to be roomed with their daughter or son will be roomed with another same-gender parent.) But we will put you  on the same floor .

• We do not permit more than 2 students to share a room in the Boys’ Dorm or Girls’ Dorm. We also do not take requests for adjoining rooms. We only take roommate requests.

Family Dorms

The Lodging & Meals ticket secures one twin bed in a shared dorm room containing two twin beds and must be purchased for each guest . When purchasing your Lodging & Meals ticket , you will be asked to request a roommate. Pillows, bed linens, blankets and towels will be provided by the school.

We reserve separate halls or buildings for families, so that family members can stay together as dorm space permits. Usually, Family Rooms are on a long floor with two shared bathrooms: one designated for men and one for women.

Some years we have also had access to a different building with suites.  Suites contain 2 or 3 bedrooms with a shared living space, kitchen ,  and bathroom.  They are, essentially, a small apartment. Since MNU provides meals for the whole week to attendees staying on-site, cooking is not allowed in the Family Dorm under any circumstances.  If we place a family in a suite, we consider gender and number of people to the bathroom.

Students must be accompanied by a parent or other family member 20 years of age or older to stay in a Family Dorm Room. Alternatively, families may stay off-campus (see Hotels ).

FAQ about dorms »  

The Lodging & Meals ticket also provides a full meal plan in the MNU cafeteria. It includes dinner Monday evening, three meals per day Tuesday through Friday, and breakfast on Saturday. 

While you will be given a selection of dietary choices, including dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan options, we cannot guarantee accommodation for severe food allergies . If you and/or your student have severe food allergies or a restrictive diet that prevent dining in the cafeteria, please see Special Dietary Needs .

This is a 100% nut-free event – NO exceptions.   One of our OYAN students wrote an  excellent blog post  which provides important context to our strict nut-free policy.

FAQ about health »  

Special Dietary Needs

Attendees who would like to stay in the dorms without accessing the cafeteria will still need to purchase a Lodging & Meals ticket . Please note that we are unable to provide a discount or refund for the meal portion.

If you have severe dietary restrictions that prevent you from eating in the MNU cafeteria, even with the dietary options they offer, we recommend booking a hotel suite with a kitchenette (s ee Hotels and Off-Site Services and Policies FAQ ).

Parents and families, especially those with serious food allergies, may prefer to stay in a nearby hotel.   Candlewood Suites in South Olathe is about a 10-12 minute drive to MNU and offers some suites with kitchenettes. Please contact us before booking with Candlewood Suites to inquire about a discount code.

However, there are other hotels in Olathe. Searching “hotels in Olathe, Kansas” is the best way to get accommodation details and up-to-date pricing.

FAQ about off-site services »

Families  may prefer to rent a car for their stay. The greater Kansas City area does not have a good public transportation system.

Airport Shuttle Service

The airport shuttle provides pick-up service from Kansas City International airport (KCI; but the flight code is MCI) to the workshop on Monday, June 10, and return service to KCI from Olathe on Saturday, June 15. Shuttle service may be handled by a reputable third party.

Since the 2022 Summer Workshop, the Kansas City airport has relocated to a brand-new terminal. This facility has a wide variety of amenities as well as a much more convenient place for students to meet the One Year Adventure Novel  student representative who will be their terminal greeter!

We highly recommend watching the video linked below, which gives you a tour of the airport so that you will have some familiarity with the building when you arrive. We especially recommend watching from 10:03 – 10:50, which covers arrivals, what the luggage carousels look like, and where you will be meeting your terminal greeter who will ensure that students get on the correct shuttle.

Watch the new KCI terminal tour »

To take advantage of the shuttle service, you must purchase a shuttle ticket by 11:59 p.m. Central on May 10, 2024. You will need your flight information to purchase the ticket.

An Airport Shuttle Ticket is $95 per person, in advance, and includes pick-up from and return to KCI. If you only need a one-way shuttle, enter “N/A” in any fields that don’t apply to you and then email us at  [email protected]  to request a 50 percent refund.

FAQ about shuttles »

*Shuttle Details

Please consider the shuttle service times listed below when scheduling your flights. We will try to coordinate pick-up and return times with your schedule, but you may encounter some wait time at the airport . Bring a snack or money to buy one.

On Monday, June 10, the shuttle service will run between noon and 5:00 p.m .

On Saturday, June 15, the shuttle service will run between 7:00 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.

We cannot provide transportation for flights that depart before 9:00 a.m. Central. If your flight is earlier, you will need to make your own transportation arrangements.

Please also keep in mind that your dorm parent will have to wake up early to check you out and collect your dorm key and meal card. Please do your best to delay checkout until 6:00 a.m.

If you choose a late afternoon/evening flight on Saturday, you will have a long wait at the airport.  

Please note that the shuttle is something we coordinate as a service to you. We do not make money off of the shuttle service. Usually what we collect from attendees for this does not fully cover the costs we incur. This shuttle service is NOT AVAILABLE to and from other locations in the Kansas City area.

If you have any questions about flight scheduling, please contact us prior to purchasing your flight tickets.

• General Schedule •

• Check-in opens at 3:00 p.m. at the Cunningham Center ; settle into dorms and meet people. • Dinner in the cafeteria from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. (for Lodging & Meals ticket holders). • The evening session begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Cunningham Center  with an orientation (mandatory), followed by fun, visiting, and games until curfew.

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

9:00 a.m. through evening session

7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – Breakfast (if you purchase a meal plan) Check out of dorms by 9:00 a.m. Leave the MNU campus by noon . Cry. Determine to name all of your kids after fellow OYANers.

• Daily Schedule •

7:00 – 8:00 a.m. – Breakfast

9:30 a.m. – Noon – 2 sessions with a short intermission

Noon – 1:00 p.m. – Lunch

1:30 – 4:00 p.m. – Student critique groups

1:30 – 2:30 p.m. – Optional parent sessions (Tuesday only: Meet-and-Greet organized by some of the veteran OYAN parents.)

4:00 – 6:00 p.m. – Free time

5:00 – 6:00 p.m. – Dinner

7:00 – 9:30 p.m. – 2 sessions with intermission

9:30 – 11:30 p.m. – Free time.

11:30 p.m. – Check in with your dorm parent and remain on your dorm floor.

• Open Mic Night •

Do you play an instrument? Have you written a funny skit or song? Do you juggle or dance? We would love to see your special talents at the Summer Workshop! Over the years, our Open Mic Night has become a favorite workshop tradition for our attendees and we enjoy seeing our student writers’ additional talents on display.

In order to be considered for participation, you must submit your act by 11:59 PM Central Time on May 10, 2024. (We do not accept submissions via email or any other method.)

What Should I Bring?

Please bring 8 copies each of 4 different excerpts from your novel for critiquing. The excerpts should be 4 pages long and must be formatted as described in your textbook, The Compass (double-spaced, 12 point Courier New or Times New Roman, one-inch margins on all sides, name and number in header, etc.) The excerpts should be collated and stapled , and should be identical.

• The first four pages of your novel
• Four pages from your “Embracing Destiny” chapter
• Four pages from your “Black Moment” chapter
• Four pages from your “Showdown” chapter.

Please do not bring poetry, fan fiction, or screen plays to the Summer Workshop.

FAQ about Critique Groups »

Excerpt Content

Your novel must be free of offensive content (especially of a sexual or gratuitously violent nature). While we respect the right of authors to create honest stories, we also respect the right of readers to retain their innocence. We therefore reserve our right, exercised through the critique group leader, to not include discussion of any novel deemed to be offensive to a general audience.

Spending Money

No need to bring money for a workshop t-shirt. Workshop shirts are included in the price of your Student Registration ticket.

We will have books, curriculum materials, and other t-shirts for sale during the week. T-shirts will be discounted to $15 from $18. Cover Story , Byline ,  One Year Adventure Novel  , and the new   Other Worlds  sets will be discounted by $20.

We accept cash and all cards.

Supervision of Students

There will be adults at all official events.

While there will be adults present at events, we CANNOT personally “parent” every child. Students are expected to stay with the group at all times during the workshop (unless, of course, they are with their parents/guardian).

If you send your student you are saying that you trust them to follow the stated guidelines , and to act responsibly and appropriately .

Any violation of guidelines regarding conduct may result in the student losing workshop privileges and being sent home early at the parent’s expense. The safety and respect of all attendees is our top-priority.

NOTE: Younger siblings of registered students (under 13 years old) may not be dropped off at events, but must be accompanied by an adult who is specifically responsible for the child(ren).

If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected] .

Student Helpers

In order to apply, you must:

• Be 18 or older • Have attended at least one Summer Workshop • Stay on-site in the boys’ dorm or girls’ dorm, NOT the family dorm • Assist Dorm Parent with nightly check-in (11:15 p.m. – 11:45 p.m.) • Be able to arrive at MNU by 2:00 p.m. on Monday, and stay until 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. • Have a working cell phone • Be on call for staff and dorm parents

This year’s Student Helpers receive a discount on Lodging & Meals . If you purchasing your Lodging & Meals ticket  before learning that you have received a Student Helper position, we will refund your order for the discount.

Student Helpers have the full workshop experience, but are “on-call” to:

Help first-time workshop attendees get oriented when they check in on Monday.

As a Student Helper, you will have attended at least one Summer Workshop before—which means you know where things are on campus. Help people carry their luggage. Direct them to their dorm room, and answer any other questions they may have. If you don’t know the answers, you will at least know who to ask.

Help dorm parents check students in/out at curfew and after breakfast (before the 1st session)

This will be your most important task. If one of the dorm parents comes to you and asks for your help with anything, that is your job. It may be as simple as walking with them on their nightly bed-check, or you may need to go get something from their car for them. Whatever it is, you will be responsible for helping them with a smile and a good attitude.

Convey messages

Sometimes, staff and dorm parents will need a trusted messenger to relay important information and details . They may request your help.

Apply by 11:50 p.m. Central on April 21, 2024. You will receive a reply by April 30.

Scholarships

Partial Scholarships

Mr. & Mrs. S. donate a limited number of partial scholarships for students demonstrating financial need.

The discount is issued in the form of a partial refund on the student registration ticket , so you can go ahead and purchase your ticket. If you prefer to wait until you receive a decision, that is also fine, but please be aware that the sale price on registration is only available through February 15, and you may not receive a reply until April 30.

• Students accepted as Student Helpers are not eligible for a scholarship because the Student Helper position already includes a discount. • Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee that you will receive a discount.

You must apply by 11:59 p.m. Central on April 21, 2024 , to be considered.

You will receive a reply by April 30.

Donate to the Scholarship Fund

Would you like to donate to the scholarship fund to give more students the experience of the Summer Workshop? You can choose to donate $10, $25, $50, $100, or the full cost of a student registration: $495. Every little bit helps!

Dorm Parents

We, as staff, rely on Dorm Parents to help monitor curfews, ensure that students make it to the sessions, and “filter” student concerns. To be considered, you must have previously attended a Summer Workshop.

Dorm Parent Responsibilities :

• Be available on your floor by 10:30 p.m. so that the students under your care can check in before the 11:30 curfew. Your assigned Student Helper will report to you to help out at 11:15 p.m.
• Make a round in the morning (around 8:45) before the 9:00 a.m. session begins, to make sure students are not in their rooms.
• Inform staff promptly of any health, safety, or relational concerns among the students under your care.
• Be willing to report any observed SW guidelines violation by any student at any time.
• Be able to attend a Dorm Parent briefing meeting at 5:00 p.m. on the SW check-in date. (If this is impossible do to flight or travel time, etc., please make other arrangements via email BEFORE that day.)

We usually receive more requests than available slots, so it is impossible for everyone who applies to be selected. You must reply by 11:59 p.m. Central on April 21, 2024. Selected applicants will receive a reply by April 30.

Note on Workshop Content

The  One Year Adventure Novel  curriculum is nonsectarian, and is approved for purchase with public funding. It is a writing program, not religious instruction. However, the instructor himself is a Christian, and everything taught in the course is compatible with a biblical worldview. The workshop speakers come from a Christian perspective; and some of the teaching sessions may include Christian themes and/or references.

Being a Christian is  not  a requirement for attendance, and the focus of the event is on writing, but this workshop may not be the best fit if you are not comfortable with Christian themes or relevant expressions of personal faith being woven into some of the speakers’ talks.

Points of Interest

Olathe is a suburb of Kansas City, and there is a lot to do in the Kansas City metro area . If you’re interested in researching things to do in the area simply Google “Kansas City attractions.” An exhaustive list of places of interest—though we did attempt it—is beyond the scope of this web page. 😉

Kansas City

The Country Club Plaza – KC www.countryclubplaza.com

The Nelson-Atkins Art Museum www.nelson-atkins.org

National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial www.theworldwar.org

Union Station www.unionstation.org

Kansas City Museum Science City (for kids) www.sciencecity.com

The Arabia Steamboat Museum www.1856.com

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum www.nlbm.com

American Jazz Museum http://americanjazzmuseum.org

Toy & Miniature Museum of KC www.toyandminiaturemuseum.org

American Royal (rodeo, horse shows, etc.) www.americanroyal.com

The John Wornall House Museum www.wornallmajors.org

The Oak Park Mall www.shopoakparkmall.com

Johnson County Museum

https://www.jcprd.com/1836/Museum

Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm

Heritage Park

Olathe Lake

Special Thanks

Special thanks to MidAmerica Nazarene University for partnering with us to host our annual Summer Workshop.

WARNING : Prolonged exposure to this special week may cause Workshop Withdrawal.

Share this:

• About the Curriculum
• Syllabus with Lesson Table
• Cloud Streaming Benefits
• Your Instructor
• Reviews & Testimonials
• Sample Lessons
• Student Novel Contest
• Homeschool Curriculum Conferences
• Cloud Video Sign-in
• Online Quizzes
• How to Watch Webinars
• How to Join the Forum
• Student Forum Sign-in
• Good Books List
• Curiosity Saved the Cat
• Ask Us a Question
• Order Materials for a Group

More From Forbes

A writing room: the new marketplace of writer classes, retreats, and collectives.

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Linkedin

A Writing Room is one of the fast-growing writer collectives. The four co-founders (left to right): ... [+] Reese Zecchin, Director of Production; Jacob Nordby, Director of Writer Development; A. Ashe, Creative Director; Claire Giovino, Community Director.

The past decade has brought an explosion in the number of books published each year in the United States (an estimated three to four million annually). In turn, this explosion is bringing a growing and evolving marketplace of writer classes, retreats and collectives. It is a marketplace creating new jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities—both for mainstream tech, marketing and managerial workers, as well as for writer/artist denizens of America’s bohemia.

The Drivers of Growth in Book Publishing

The number of book sales in the United States remains healthy, though it has leveled off in the past four years. In 2020, 756.82 million book unit sales were made in the US alone. This number climbed to 837.66 million in 2021, before falling slightly to 787.65 million units in 2022 and 767.36 million units in 2023.

What has changed dramatically has been the number of books published. Steve Piersanti of Berrett-Koehler Publishers estimates that three million books were published in the US, up 10 times from the number only 16 years ago . Other estimates put the number of published books annually at closer to four million .

The main driver of this growth in books published has been self-publishing. According to Bowker , which provides tools for self-publishing, an estimated 2.3 million books were self-published in 2021. Up through the 1990s (now the distant past in publishing), writers of all types of books, fiction and nonfiction, were dependent on convincing publishing houses to publish their work. As the technology for self-publishing and print on demand grew in the early 2000s, writers could publish on their own, and a very large number of Americans began to do so.

Fueling growth also is the level of affluence and discretionary income that an increasing segment of American society is reaching. For centuries, theorists across the political spectrum have envisioned a society, freed from basic economic needs, pursuing creative activities, with writing as a primary activity. In The German Ideology , Karl Marx could write about the economy of abundance in which individuals pursue writing as one of a series of daily activities—hunt in the morning, fish in the afternoon, write criticism in the evening. John Maynard Keynes in a 1930 essay, “ Economic Possibilities for Our Grandchildren” , envisions a time a hundred years forward (2030) in which writing is no longer the province of the upper classes. Contemporary theorists on the future of work, such as John Tamny, similarly see a blooming of creative and artistic activities by the average citizen.

Best High-Yield Savings Accounts Of 2024

Best 5% interest savings accounts of 2024, a writing room, and the emerging marketplace of writer training.

A marketplace of writing coaches, classes and retreats expanded throughout the late twentieth century and first years of the twentieth century. Published authors and even recently-minted graduates of MFA programs hung out shingles for individual coaching and small classes. Colleges expanded their writing programs and certifications, and writer retreats multiplied. Co-working and literary event spaces were established in major cities ( The Writers Room in New York, The Writers Grotto in San Francisco). But the marketplace continued to bump up against geographic and logistical limitations.

Then, along the came the internet, and its evolution.

Today, hundreds of businesses throughout the country offer assistance to aspiring writers. Many continue to offer some in-person assistance through coaching, classes or retreats. But as in other fields, the internet has allowed for a nationwide (worldwide) reach that these businesses are taking advantage of to scale. The major pre-internet writer assistance companies, such as The Writers Studio , added online courses and instruction, and the early internet-based companies from the 1990s, such as Writers.com (a pioneer in the internet field), steadily expanded their offerings. New enterprises are springing up on a regular basis, including the writer collectives.

A Writing Room is one of the fastest growing of the writer collectives, and its suite of services illustrate the how the field is evolving.

A Writing Room has its roots in the writing classes that novelist Anne Lamott had been teaching for some years, and her interest by the early 2020s in creating a larger on-going community of writers. Lamott connected with a team of four entrepreneurs who had experience with previous start-ups and expertise in online tools. In early 2023 they set out to develop A Writing Room.

Novelist Anne Lamott, one of the partners in A Writing Room.

A Writing Room launched in June 2023, and followed a few months later with an inaugural writers retreat in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Though hastily arranged, the retreat attracted more than 400 in person attendees and over 1600 attendees online. In the first half of 2024, the company set up a membership structure of monthly and annual memberships. Within months, over 550 writers had joined.

The products that members can access are aimed in part at teaching the craft of writing. In a recent author discussion (with close to 400 participants joining online) Lamott discussed the craft of writing with novelist Donna Levin . Both started publishing in the 1980s. They noted how much publishing and the role of the writer have changed, but emphasized the fundamentals that have remained over their forty years, related to craft and the responsibility of the writer: the daily commitment, the careful development of plot and characters, the numerous rewrites (as many as you think you need, and one more).

A Writing Room offers a series of on-demand courses, online discussions with authors and publishing professionals, and daily writing prompts, built around writing as craft. It further offers instruction on the paths to and options for publication, building a following of readers.

At its center, A Writing Room is about being part of a community of writers, giving and receiving regular feedback from other members, as well as feedback from writing mentors and coaches. In an interview earlier this year, Lamott explained:

The great myth about writing is that it's an entirely solitary activity. This really isn't true. Every book I've ever written has been with a lot of help from my community. I wouldn't be the writer I am today — and wouldn't even want to write — without people to share the process and finished work. Writing is a process, but it doesn't have to (and really shouldn't be) done in total isolation.

The writing process can feel overwhelming. It often does for me. Believe me, a trusted writing friend is a secret to life.

Other emerging writing collectives also emphasize community and cooperation. Levin underscored this point in the recent online discussion: “Writing can be such an isolated activity, and to some extent needs to be. You want to seek out a community that can give you the support you need and also the honest feedback.”

How the New Marketplace Is Evolving And Jobs Created

The founders of A Writing Room know that the marketplace for writer assistance is fast changing, and they need to be quick to adapt to increased competition. Already, several developments are driving change in the field:

· The entrance of major online education companies (i.e. Masters Class , Coursera, Udemy ).

· Faculty recruitment of writers with built-in audiences of sizable twitter and other social media followings.

· Partnerships with the major publishers and agencies, who hold out the promise of publication to participants of the classes, retreats and collectives.

· Specializations by race and ethnicity, gender, geography and genre.

· Market segmentation, and attention to higher income consumers.

A number of these developments reflect the changes in the broader publishing world and are likely to continue. Overall, the marketplace itself will be expanding, as publishing technology advances, along with discretionary income.

The jobs being generated by this new marketplace are a mix of tech, administrative, and writing coach positions. At A Writing Room, recent hires include a community liaison, video editor, customer support, and a “beta reader” providing feedback to writers on their drafts. The hiring process is sweeping up into jobs not only workers who have been in the regular economy, but also residents of America’s bohemia: writers and artists who previously were outside of (and often scornful of) the market system. What can be better than that.

In his 2023 book, The Novel, Who Needs It , Joseph Epstein, former editor of American Scholar , offers a paean to fiction as above all other intellectual endeavors that seek to understand human behavior. But what he says of fiction is true of other writing (memoir, history, even forms of self-help) that arouses the mind.

Yes, there are way too many books published each year, and yes only a very small percentage of writers will earn any significant income from their writing. But who knows what individual book will succeed commercially or critically, or add to our shared knowledge or wisdom. And really, why not encourage the craft of writing. How much does America benefit from most of the paper-pushing, meetings and e-mails that now pass for work in our economy of affluence.

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions

Join The Conversation

One Community. Many Voices. Create a free account to share your thoughts. 

Forbes Community Guidelines

Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas and facts in a safe space.

In order to do so, please follow the posting rules in our site's  Terms of Service.   We've summarized some of those key rules below. Simply put, keep it civil.

Your post will be rejected if we notice that it seems to contain:

• False or intentionally out-of-context or misleading information
• Insults, profanity, incoherent, obscene or inflammatory language or threats of any kind
• Attacks on the identity of other commenters or the article's author
• Content that otherwise violates our site's  terms.

User accounts will be blocked if we notice or believe that users are engaged in:

• Continuous attempts to re-post comments that have been previously moderated/rejected
• Racist, sexist, homophobic or other discriminatory comments
• Attempts or tactics that put the site security at risk
• Actions that otherwise violate our site's  terms.

So, how can you be a power user?

• Stay on topic and share your insights
• Feel free to be clear and thoughtful to get your point across
• ‘Like’ or ‘Dislike’ to show your point of view.
• Protect your community.
• Use the report tool to alert us when someone breaks the rules.

Thanks for reading our community guidelines. Please read the full list of posting rules found in our site's  Terms of Service.