Short Fiction, Poetry, and Memoir

Short fiction, poetry, and memoir workshops make up the bulk of the conference. Each instructor will lead a workshop of approximately ten (or fewer) participants who meet daily. Each participant will receive a binder containing his or her manuscript and the manuscripts of the other participants in the workshop group. Class time will be devoted to discussion and critique of the participants' work as well as lessons from the instructor. There will also be time outside the classroom for participants to meet one-on-one with their instructors for private consultation and analysis of their work.

The Novel Tutorial

The 2008 conference will continue the Novel Tutorial that was introduced in 2003. Participants in this workshop must have completed at least the first full draft of their novel. The entire piece will be read by the instructor, who will provide extensive one-on-one consultation over the course of the week. Class time will be devoted to discussion of the elements of narrative and techniques and strategies available to the novelist, both in general and specifically related to the participants' work. Due to the size of the manuscripts involved, the workshop will be limited to no more than five participants.

Writers' Retreat

You also have the option of attending the conference without participating in a workshop. You can enjoy the campus, sleep in, attend all the readings and craft talks, and write at your leisure. Just fill out the regular application and, instead of a manuscript, send us a note telling us that you'd like to take advantage of the Room and Board Only option.