Sunday, May 31 – Friday, June 5
During this five-day on-campus experience, you’ll deepen your craft, find your voice, and connect with a community of passionate writers. Each day blends small, intensive workshops, craft talks, generative exercises, and discussions of published work—designed to inspire and challenge you.
Workshops of ten to twelve writers allow for meaningful feedback and close mentorship, including individual meetings with instructors, group readings, and sessions with visiting writers. You’ll also hear from publishing professionals in agent and editor panels, with opportunities for book-length manuscript participants to join focused pitch sessions.
Most of your time will be spent writing, revising, and refining your work—fiction workshops welcome short stories and novel excerpts, while nonfiction focuses on personal essays, memoir, and narrative forms. For added inspiration, we’ll explore Yale’s world-class museums in an ekphrasis writing adventure—because sometimes the best words begin with what we see.
[cal] May 31 - June 5, 2026
The application for the 2026 Yale Writers' Workshop will open in January 2026.
Your Workshop Experience
Intensive Group Writing Workshops
Share your work, receive thoughtful feedback, and join lively discussions in small workshops. Submit your own piece (up to 4,000 words) and read your peers’ work in advance to give and receive constructive critique.
Learn and Grow
Develop your craft with focused instruction on technique, revision, and submission, plus practical tips for navigating the writing life.
Connect and Collaborate
Engage in activities that build trust, foster community, and create an encouraging environment for all participants.
Check in on Sunday, May 31 (Session I) or Sunday, June 7 (Session II) for a campus tour and dinner, then start your first workshop session the next morning.
See the full schedule of workshops, instructors, and guest writers.