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Our applications for the 2025 Programs will open on December 1.

See guidelines for each program, below.

Poetry Program Application Guidelines

Read Program Details to Get Started
  • Deadline for receipt of application/submission: March 10, 2025. (11:59 PM, PST)
  • Submission should consist of four or five pages of recent poems, typed,12 pt. Submit PDF or Word.doc through our online application form.
  • Put your name in the upper right-hand corner of each page.
  • Attach a digital file (PDF or Word.doc) of your submission manuscript to the online application form.
  • A $35 reading fee will be due with application & submission, payable by check or credit card, online. Checks should be made out to
    Community of Writers and mailed to:

    Community of Writers – Poetry
    PO Box 1416
    Nevada City, CA 95959

  • Notification of acceptance by April 16, 2025.
  • Please note: Once you have submitted your application online, you will immediately receive an email confirmation. If you don’t get that confirmation, we didn’t receive your application. If that is the case, contact us immediately.

Past Poetry Participants:
If you wish to attend this year see, Returning Poetry Lottery Information & Application.


Writers Workshops Application Guidelines

Read Program Details to Get Started
  • Past Writers Workshop participants:
    —Fiction Alums: Attendance is allowed 2 out of every 3 years.
    —Nonfiction Alums:  Attendance is allowed after you have taken 2 years off.
  • Deadline for receipt of application/submission: before midnight, March 10, 2025. 
  • Applicants, including past participants, should submit a sample of their best, unpublished prose.
  • Writing sample submission manuscript (MS) may consist of a story (or stories), essay(s) or chapter(s). Book chapters must include a one-page synopsis of the whole book. (Add to the end of MS.) 
  • If you have previously applied to our workshop, please do not submit or bring for consideration the exact same material. You may use previously submitted material that has been revised.
  • Please do not submit previously published material (print or online). However, it is acceptable to send work currently under submission.
  • Submission MS must be typed, double-spaced and 12 pt. On the first page of the MS, applicants must provide the following:
    • Top left side of page: Indicate application program (Fiction, Nonfiction, Memoir), and indicate what you are submitting (novel chapter(s), story or stories, essay or essays, memoir chapter(s), nonfiction book chapter(s), etc.)
    • Top center of page: Word count for submitted MS. (Excluding synopsis, MS must be less than 5,000 words.)
    • Top right side of page: Your name in the upper right-hand corner of each page. (Please use your actual name, not the name you write under.)
  • Attach a digital file (PDF or Word.doc) of your submission MS to the online application form. Digital files will be deleted after workshops.
  • If applying in more than one category, please send separate applications and submissions, including application fees.
  • Those who require financial aid to attend should request it in the application form. Please see our Financial Aid page for more information.
  • A $40 reading fee will be due with submission.
    • Pay online with a credit card
    • Or pay with a check payable to Community of Writers.

Mail to: Community of Writers – WW
PO Box 1416
Nevada City, CA 95959

  • Once you have submitted your application online, you will immediately receive an email confirmation. If you don’t get that confirmation, we didn’t receive your application. If that is the case, contact us immediately.
  • Notification of acceptance by April 22, 2025. 
POETRY WORKSHOPWRITERS WORKSHOPS
Program DatesJune 21-27, 2025July 7-14, 2025
Deadline to ApplyMarch 10, 2025
(before midnight PST)
March 10, 2025
(before midnight PST)
Application Fee$35 $40
Acceptance NotificationOn or before April 16, 2025
On or before April 22, 2025
Deposit - NonrefundableA deposit of $950 will be due upon acceptance. (Awards of financial aid may reduce this amount.)A deposit of $950 will be due upon acceptance. (Awards of financial aid may reduce this amount.)
Deposit DeadlineApril 16, 2025April 22, 2025
Tuition$1,560*$1,685*
HousingNot included in tuition. See Housing & Meals. CW-arranged lodging payment due May 15.Not included in tuition See Housing & Meals. CW-arranged lodging payment due May 20.
Tuition BalanceDue on or before June 14, 2025Due on or before June 30, 2025
Registration/First Day of ConferenceMonday, June 21, 2025Monday, July 7, 2025
ReturneesReturning Poetry Lottery Information & Application-Fiction Participants may attend 2 out of 3 years.

-Nonfiction Participants must take two sessions off before reapplying.

Financial Aid & ScholarshipsView Financial Aid InformationView Financial Aid Information
Application FormApply Now (Poetry)

Writers Workshops Application Form (See Application Guidelines, below.)