The 2020 Summer Writing Workshops in Poetry and Fiction, Nonfiction & Memoir
Application deadline: March 28.
As you may imagine, we are following the news about COVID-19 closely, as we look at our options in regards to possibly cancelling this summer’s writing workshops. The news on the Coronavirus changes hourly, and we are adjusting our expectations accordingly.
The health and safety of our participants, alums, teaching staff, and the wider community is paramount.
If you are hoping to attend this summer, we encourage you apply. If events in 2020 related to the pandemic constrain us from producing the Community of Writers Summer Workshops, your application fee will be refunded in full.
We will keep everybody informed of any new developments or decisions that affect our plans, through email, our website, and social media.
THE POETRY PROGRAM
The Poetry Program at the Community of Writers 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. To help this happen we work together to create an atmosphere in which everyone might feel free to try anything. In the mornings we meet in workshops to read to each other the work of the previous twenty-four hours; each participant also has an opportunity to work with each staff poet. In the late afternoons we gather for a conversation about some aspect of craft. On several afternoons staff poets hold brief individual conferences. Director: Robert Hass.
Camille Dungy • Robert Hass • Brenda Hillman
Major Jackson • Ada Limón • Matthew Zapruder
More program details, bios, logistics, and application form:
Visit the Poetry Workshop Page
THE WRITERS WORKSHOPS
in Fiction, Nonfiction & Memoir
July 6 – 13, 2020
These workshops assist serious writers by exploring the art and craft as well as the business of writing. The week offers daily morning workshops, craft lectures, panel discussions on editing and publishing, staff readings, and brief individual conferences.The morning workshops are led by staff writer-teachers, editors, or agents. There are separate morning workshops for Fiction and Narrative Nonfiction/Memoir. In addition to their workshop manuscripts, participants may have a second manuscript read by a staff member who meets with them in individual conferences.
Lisa Alvarez • Tom Barbash • Max Byrd • Michael Carlisle • Jane Ciabattari • Meg Waite Clayton • John Daniel • Leslie Daniels • Selden Edwards • Cai Emmons • Alex Espinoza • Joshua Ferris • Janet Fitch • Richard Ford • Karen Joy Fowler • Lynn Freed • Molly Giles • Sands Hall • Michael Jaime-Becerra • Dana Johnson • Diane Johnson • Louis B. Jones • Anne Lamott • Dylan Landis • Michelle Latiolais • Krys Lee • Edie Meidav • Patricia K. Meyer • Kem Nunn • Kirstin Valdez Quade • Jason Roberts • Elizabeth Rosner • Julia Flynn Siler • Martin J. Smith • Gregory Spatz • Amy Tan • Andrew Tonkovich
PLUS: Literary Agents, Book & Literary Magazine Editors
Knopf • Little, Brown & Company • Riverhead Books • Santa Monica Review • ZYZZYVA and more
Application deadline: March 28.
More program details, bios, logistics, and application form:
Visit the Writers Workshops Page
HOW TO APPLY
| POETRY WORKSHOP | WRITERS WORKSHOPS | |
|---|---|---|
| Program Dates | June 20 - 27, 2020 | July 6-13, 2020 |
| Deadline to Apply | March 28, 2020 (before midnight PST) | March 28, 2020 (before midnight PST) |
| Application Fee | $35 | $40 |
| Acceptance Notification | On or before May 1, 2020 | On or before May 10, 2020 |
| Deposit - Nonrefundable | A deposit of $800 will be due upon acceptance. (Awards of financial aid may reduce this amount.) | A deposit of $800 will be due upon acceptance. (Awards of financial aid may reduce this amount.) |
| Deposit Deadline | May 10, 2020 | May 20, 2020 |
| Tuition | $1,250* | $1,400* |
| Housing | Not included in tuition. See Housing & Meals. | Not included in tuition. See Housing & Meals. |
| Housing & Tuition Balance | Due on or before June 10, 2020 | Due on or before June 20, 20 |
| Registration/First Day of Conference | Saturday, June 22, 2020 | Monday, July 8, 2020 |
| Program Website Make sure to read all information before applying | Poetry Website | Writers Workshops Website |
| Returnees | Returning Poetry Lottery Information & Application | -Fiction Participants may attend 2 out of 3 years. -Nonfiction Participants must take two sessions off before reapplying. |
| Financial Aid & Scholarships | View Financial Aid Information | View Financial Aid Information |
| Application Form | Apply Now (Poetry) | Writers Workshops Application Form |
