WRITING WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES

Note: This is not an endorsement of any of the following workshops/retreats/classes. I have not been compensated for including any of them on my list.
​
MY FAVORITE WORKSHOPS 
  1. Better Books Marin
    This annual in-person retreat for MG and YA writers has been running since 2014. Less than 30 authors gather in the Bay area with 4 industry professionals for 4 days of critique, workshops, and camaraderie. Admission is application based. (I have attended this twice in person, and twice during Covid, and have met the most wonderful humans and critique partners.)
  2. Big Sur Writing Workshop
    Put on by Andrea Brown Literary Agency, this in-person event is held bi-annually, once on the west coast and once on the east coast. Admission is application based. (I attended in 2019 and received invaluable feedback that propelled me on my journey.)
  3. Tin House Workshops and Seminars
    Tin House is based in Portland and hosts an annual week-long workshop. They used to offer a shorter YA workshop (which I attended in 2022) and I hope it will return. They offer shorter online seminars and one day virtual classes throughout the year, taught by an enviable faculty roster. Admission is application based and competitive.
  4. Highlights Foundation
    While I have attended a retreat at their beautiful property in Boyd Mills, PA, I haven’t taken a class through Highlights yet. But I’ve heard such incredible things that I’m planning to register for one this summer. Their online offerings for KidLit writers are dense and change seasonally, always taught by an impressive faculty. Registration is open to all kidlit writers.
  5. Literary Arts
    I haven’t taken a class through Literary Arts, but their seasonal catalogue is impressive and leans literary as the name might suggest. Their offerings span the gamete from poetry to screenwriting.
  6. VCFA Whole Novel Retreat
    I attended this wonderful retreat in 2022 and it felt like I had gone back to college, in the best way possible. With a combination of critique, workshopping, and readings, there is plenty of time for heads down writing time. The most decadent part was that I was given two dorm rooms on their campus: one for sleeping, and one as a dedicated writing studio. (the location has now shifted) Admission is open to VCFA graduates or writers with an advanced degree.
  7. Whale Rock Writing Workshop
          If you're a kidlit author, this workshop might be for you. With sessions taught by industry greats Gary                            Schmidt, Kathryn Erskine, and Shelley Tanaka, among others, this workshop strives to help students create                their best work. Admission to the intensive workshops is application based. 

ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMING FOR WRITERS:
  1. Willamette Writers Conference -- The first writing conference I ever attended, and I am thrilled to be returning again in 2025 as faculty! 
  2. Maggie Stiefvater’s Seminar -- She starts with mood and then just keeps blowing your mind with every step of the way.
  3. Master Class -- My current favorite sessions are actually Mindy Kaling's Scripting Your Own Success on how to write a TV Pilot, and The Duffer Brothers Developing an Original TV Series. (No, I'm not writing for TV, but story is story and this is compelling stuff!)
  4. Nina LaCour’s Slow Novel Lab -- Once you've purchased this class you'll have access forever. The prompts are thought-provoking and the mini-lectures incredibly insightful. 
  5. Elana K. Arnold’s Revision Season
  6. Jennifer Lynn Barnes “Writing for your Id” lecture
  7. 24 Pearl Street/Fine Arts Work Center -- I took a virtual class with Nova Ren Suma that was equal parts insightful and engaging. They're now forever on my radar for interesting offerings.
  8. Grubstreet Center for Creative Writing
  9. Sackett Street Writers
  10. The Loft Literary Center -- both virtual and in-person options
  11. Jessica Brody's Writing Mastery Academy
  12. Lighthouse Writers
  13. Kenyon Review Summer Online Writers Workshops 
  14. Iowa Summer Writing Festival--Virtual and In-person community offerings by the same group that runs the revered Iowa Writers Workshop
  15. Story Studio Chicago-- Virtual and In-person options (I'm taking a virtual session in spring 2025!)
  16. The Writers Conservatory--founded by Adrienne Young, fully virtual
  17. Hugo House--Based in Seattle, Hugo House offers both online and in person classes that lean literary as well. I haven’t taken a class with them yet, but have heard wonderful things, particularly about their poetry offerings.
  18. Clarion West -- Also based in Seattle, offers virtual classes that are synchronous and asynchronous, as well as a rich on-demand library. They are best known for their 6-week workshop for SFF writers. 
  19. Odyssey Writing Workshops -- For SFF writers, you can choose your own pace. 
  20. Viable Paradise -- For SFF writers, be aware of the narrow annual application window. Highly competitive.
  21. Monica Hay's Overcome Writer's Resistance Bootcamp -- If you're facing more of a mental block, this might be the class for you. Four sessions