Writing By Writers (WxW) is a 501(c)3 non profit organization whose mission is to create a rigorous, compassionate and inclusive environment to learn the art of reading and writing from accomplished authors. WxW hosts multi-day writing workshops for people interested in writing fiction, non-fiction, memoir and poetry. The workshops are taught by nationally-known, published authors, who are adept at teaching the craft of writing to all levels of student. In addition, participants learn how to read other’s work critically and apply those lessons to their own writing.
Writing By Writers is pleased to offer one and two week residencies in the United States and abroad. Residencies are open to fiction writers, creative nonfiction writers, poets, playwrights and screenwriters. Lodging is provided free of charge, however residents are responsible for their own meals, transportation and personal needs while at the residency. Residencies are intended for writers only. No spouses, children or friends are allowed unless applying as a co-resident.
Winners are selected by Pam Houston. Pam Houston is the author of the short story collection Cowboys Are My Weakness, the memoir Deep Creek: Finding Hope In The High Country, and seven other books of fiction and nonfiction. Her books have won multiple Western States, Mountains and Plains and Colorado Book Awards and her stories have appeared in Best American Short Stories, the O Henry Prize Anthology and Best American Short Stories of the Century. She teaches creative writing at The Institute of American Indian Arts and UC Davis, is cofounder and creative director of the literary nonprofit Writing By Writers and fiction editor at the environmental arts journal Terrain.org. She lives on a homestead at 9,000 feet near the headwaters of the Rio Grande. Her book of essays on kinship, Animals Taught Me Everything, will be published by Torrey House Press in October, 2026.
Applicants will be asked to provide a statement of intent, a short writing sample and submit a $50.00 tax deductible application fee. The application fee will help fund fellowships at future Writing By Writers workshops.
Writing By Writers DRAFT! is an intensive program for 15 writers who are committed to completing a novel, memoir, short story, or essay collection over the course of two years. Whether starting a first draft, or working through a new revision, this program is appropriate for writers who want a rigorous and supportive community throughout their process. If you already have a completed manuscript you want to workshop over a long weekend, check out our Manuscript Boot Camp.
Key Dates: Application Deadline, January 15, 2027; Acceptance Notification, February 1, 2027; Registration Deadline, February 15, 2027; Program Kick Off, March 9, 2027.
In-Person Retreats: August 26 - 29, 2027 (Boulder, CO), February 24 - 27, 2028 (Mill Valley, CA), August 24 - 27, 2028 (Boulder, CO) and February 22 - 25, 2029 (Mill Valley, CA).
Faculty: Samantha Dunn, Gina Frangello and Pam Houston.
Curriculum & Format: The heart and soul of Writing By Writers DRAFT are four in-person retreats where writers will workshop their draft-in-progress, as well as attend craft talks, panels and readings. Over the two year program, we will focus consecutively on the three stages of writing, inspiration, execution and revision. Our final retreat will be a pre-publication bootcamp, with agents and editors in house, where your faculty and fellow writers will read your entire draft. At each retreat, five writers will work closely with one faculty member, rotating each retreat so that by the end of a year and a half, all writers will have studied with Sam Dunn, Gina Frangello and Pam Houston. For the final retreat, writers will select who they would like to work with a second time. Before each retreat, writers will submit their cumulative pages to their faculty and four peers to be critiqued at the in-person workshop (up to 20 words pages first retreat, 40,000 words second retreat, 60,000 words third retreat, 80,000 words fourth retreat). Whether in person, or writing furiously at home, Draft members will be part of a supportive, encouraging and tight-knit writing community. What you can expect from the program:
- 4 in-person retreats (lodging and group meals included)
- faculty panels focused on the stages of writing – inspiration, execution and revision
- faculty craft talks specific to elements of writing a book-length manuscript
- faculty one-on-ones to help shape and guide your process
- reading and critique of 200,000 words in total of your draft-in-progress by faculty members and four of your peers
- the opportunity to work with three different faculty members who are accomplished novel, memoir and short-story writers
- faculty and student readings
- resources on the ins and outs of the publishing world
- a monthly on-line book chat focused on the craft of writing
- an on-line forum to connect with fellow program members to share encouragement, inspiration and support
- an intimate and tight-knit community of 15 writers and 3 faculty committed to the same goal
Tuition: Tuition is $6,250 per year (payable $3,125 per retreat) and includes four days of workshop, faculty one-on-ones, admittance to all craft talks, panels and readings, group meals and lodging for three nights. There will be an additional fee of $100 for every 5000 words over 80,000 words for the final manuscript draft.
Application Requirements: The application submission deadline is January 15, 2027. Acceptance notifications will be made by February 1, 2027. All applicants must submit a writing sample of up to 30 pages (double-spaced, Times New Roman or similar font), ideally from the draft you plan to complete during the program, a project synopsis and a short bio.
Application Fee: $25.00