Get away this summer to write

At the Association of Writers and Writing Programs’ annual conference last month, I was amazed by how many summer intensives and workshops for writers were represented on the conference floor. I’ve been lucky to attend a couple in the past, and not only were they transformative to my writing, but each was a great experience overall. (And now that I’m a Houstonian, I realize a summer workshop might also offer a break from the heat…) Since late winter and early spring are when most application deadlines roll around, Inprint suggested I gather the postcards and flyers I collected and share what I found:

Napa Valley Writer’s Conference in St. Helena, CA – July 23^rd to July 28^th

I have to start here because, full disclosure, I work for this one. I was a participant more than once before they took me on, and each time was not only great for my writing, but the highlight of my summer. You can apply until March 31^st for a spot in fiction or poetry, and financial aid is available. Who doesn’t want to write in gorgeous California wine country? Learn more about the faculty, applications process, and deadlines here.

The Breadloaf Writer’s Conference in Ripton, VT

Middlebury College in Vermont has hosted the renowned Breadloaf Writer’s Workshop since 1926. Unfortunately, their application deadline was February 15^th  (maybe next year!). Breadloaf now offers an Environmental Writing Workshop (in conjunction with the magazine Orion) and a Translator’s Conference that takes applications until March 1^st. They also have a workshop in Sicily that offers rolling admissions til mid-April. You can learn about the individual conferences and their deadlines, faculties, and admissions processes here.

The Tin House Writer’s Workshop in Portland, OR – July 9^th to July 16^th

I have also been lucky enough to attend the Tin House program, and I can’t say enough good things about it! Workshops are offered for short fiction, novels, creative non-fiction, and poetry. This year, their famous faculty will include the University of Houston’s (and  An Open Book Blog’s) own Mat Johnson! Applications are due May 1^st (April 1^st for financial aid). Learn more about the faculty and program here.

Sewanee Writers’ Conference, in Sewanee, TN – July 18^th to July 30^th

This 12-day conference in beautiful Tennessee has a stellar faculty every summer, and offers workshops to playwrights, poets, fiction writers, and even has a supplemental workshop in poetry translation. The application deadline is in early April this year. Learn more here!

Writing by Writers, multiple locations and dates

Writing by Writers offers multiple craft-based workshops in fiction, non-fiction, memoir, and poetry, in addition to retreats, “adventures,” and boot camps! Check out their amazing offerings here to learn more.

I’m sure there are so many more, and plenty I missed (it was a big conference), so here are links to a few of the others I learned about. I’d like to invite readers to share others I’ve missed in the comments!

Community of Writers in Squaw Valley, CA

The Kenyon Review’s Writers Workshop in Gambler, OH

Lighthouse Writers Lit Fest in Denver, CO

Iceland Writer’s Retreat in Reykjavik, Iceland

Seaside Writers Conference in Seaside, FL – featuring the University of Houston’s Antonya Nelson this year!

Chesapeake Writer’s Conference at St. Mary’s College of Maryland