Welcome from the Yale Writers' Workshop Director, Jotham Burrello

Dear Writer,

In her acclaimed textbook, Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft, Janet Burroway writes that during the revision process, writers need their “conscious critic, creative instinct, and readers they trust.” Revision is about re-seeing, and Burroway believes serious writers—writers looking to break through—need to be open to new meaning. This is sound advice for any writer in any genre with a story to tell.

In 2023 we’re back with immersive programming the mixes what we know about successful in-person workshops with the best of what we learned teaching remotely. YWW will offer on-campus and virtual workshops. And for the emerging high school writer, we’re continuing our very successful craft-focused remote program in July. In this program, emerging writers meet with published authors across genres. 

For all our programs I have invited dedicated writers (and their pesky conscious critics) with creative instinct to be part of our community of trusted readers. As much as possible, I encourage all writers attending to familiarize themselves with the guest writers presenting. In workshops we motivate and critique, celebrate and problem-solve. Writers attempt to transform stories into written experiences for readers. With a trusted community supporting you, move beyond all the talk to do the hard work of composing compelling narratives.

Working writers and editors are at the heart of the workshop. Our talented and energetic instructors guide writers on individual journeys of discovery. Drawing on their unique backgrounds as writers and editors, instructors provide readings and exercises designed to illuminate and to improve all aspects of a writer’s craft—facilitating breakthroughs on the page. Sessions do not rely on a set curriculum, but instead draw on each instructor’s expertise in order to provide writers with a personalized experience.

Our workshops assist writers in advancing their craft and provide insight and instruction on how to revise—how to re-see—their manuscripts. The endgame of all our programs is this: to better prepare writers to tackle their next story.