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.
The Mont Blanc Workshop is a one or two-week long writing adventure where writers will have the opportunity to generate new work, receive manuscript critique, and hike in stunning French Alps. The workshops are limited to 12 participants to ensure an intimate setting, plus plenty of time to write and explore. Pam Houston will be the faculty member whether you choose the first week, second week or the full two-week session.
When: June 16 - 22, 2025 (first week manuscript workshop only), June 23 - 28, 2025 (residency only), or June 16 - 28, 2025 (full two weeks manuscript workshop + residency) in Chamonix in the French Alps. The workshops will be held at the Chalets des Sapins, 396 Rue du Lyret, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France.
Tuition: $1,500 (for first week), $1,200 (for second week) or $2,700 (for full two weeks). Week one includes the four-day workshop, scheduled readings, cocktail parties and dinners. Week two includes writing prompts and a daily residency check-in with Pam Houston.
Lodging: Private rooms are available at Chalets des Sapins and we encourage writers to stay with us in one of three chalets on the property. The chalets have various bedroom/bathroom configurations but all chalets feature private bedrooms, full kitchens, access to laundry, free parking and free WIFI. For shared bathrooms, at most 2 people will share 1 bathroom per chalet. In order to create a creative space, student chalets are intended for writers only and not for families and guests (unless they too are registered workshop participants). Housing will be provided continuously from June 9 - 21 for writers wishing to stay for the full two-week session. The rates are per week:
- $1000 double bed or two twins with private attached bath (shower, sink, toilet)
- $800 double bed with semi-private attached bath (ensuite shower and sink, hall toilet)
- $700 two twin beds with bathroom shared with one other person (private room)
Meals: Other than scheduled events, you’ll be in charge of your own meals. All on-site Chalet des Sapins chalets have kitchens. People here also tend to bond fairly quickly and participants in the program swiftly colonize assorted cafes and restaurants in the valley. There’s an excellent farmer’s market, a cheese co-op, numerous bakeries, etc. If you want to go deluxe, there are plenty of high-end restaurants, including a few with Michelin stars.
Travel: Because people come from all around the world, we also let participants book their own air and rail. Geneva tends to be the best place to fly into, with easy 1 hour shuttles from the airport to Chamonix. Turin, Milan, and Lyon are also reasonably close and they’re ideal starting points if you want to fit extra travel into your plans.
Format: Part workshop, part residency and all adventure, the Mont Blanc workshop is broken into two, week-long sessions so writers may stay for the first week manuscript workshop only, the second week residency only, or the full two-week session. Sessions are held daily for three hours Monday – Thursday afternoons from 4-7pm. Week one will feature opportunities for generative writing exercises and manuscript critique by Pam Houston and the other workshop members. Manuscripts for critique will be limited to 5000. Week two will offer writing prompts and a daily check-in with Pam Houston. The program leaves plenty of time for participants to write and hike. The Chamonix Valley is filled with cafes, rock-climber bars, and secluded alpine meadows where you can hide out and lose yourself in your work. It also offers world class hiking, easily accessed from various lifts throughout the valley so you can start your adventure on top of the world.
Faculty: Pam Houston
Fellowships: WxW offers a limited number of fellowships for one week of the Mont Blanc workshop. Fellowship are highly competitive. The WxW Board reviews each fellowship submission and awards are made on the merit of the writing sample alone. Please do not send letters of recommendation. Fellowships cover the cost of tuition for one week, but do not cover transportation or lodging. To apply for a fellowship, please check the “Fellowship Submission” box on the workshop application. The deadline for fellowship consideration is January 1st. We are always seeking funding for additional fellowships. If you would like to sponsor a fellowship, please contact us at info@writingxwriters.org.
The Writing By Writers Manuscript Boot Camp is for the writer who has a full, book-length manuscript (novel, memoir, short story or essay collection) and would like to engage with a small group for a serious and productive response. The extended weekend will include an intimate manuscript workshop, craft panels, readings, and individual meetings – the perfect pre-publication boot camp for any manuscript. Classes are limited to 5 participants.
When: October 30 - November 2, 2025. Boot Camp is held at Sundance Mountain Resort in Utah.
Tuition: Full tuition is $4,250 which includes a manuscript review of up to 80,000 words ($100 for every additional 5000 words), 4 days of workshop, admittance to all panels and readings, and all meals and lodging in a private room for three nights. Writing By Writers would like to thank the faculty for generously reducing their standard reading fees (which range from $5,000 to $10,000 for a full manuscript) so that we may offer this workshop to you at a significantly reduced rate.
Lodging & Meals: Lodging is provided in standard suites with each person having their own private bedroom and bathroom. Please let us know if you require an ADA accessible room. Meals include dinner on Thursday; three meals Friday and Saturday; and brunch on Sunday. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free meals are available upon request.
Format: Classes are limited to 5 participants each and one workshop session is set aside for each manuscript. Each participant will have their manuscript read by their faculty member and their four peers. In addition, they will have a one-on-one session with their faculty member.
Faculty: Steve Almond, Gina Frangello, Pam Houston, Antonya Nelson and Luis Alberto Urrea.
Application Fee: An application fee of $25 is required.
Notifications: Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis and will close when classes are full. Although we strive to respond in a timely manner, since multiple faculty members are often reviewing applications, and they have many commitments, it can take a bit of time. Please be patient and you may email us at info@writingxwriters.org to know the status of your application.