Cherry Tree Young Writers' Conference

 

While the Cherry Tree Young Writers' Conference is on hiatus due to summer construction, we are offering a One-Day Young Writers Studio

Program Date: July 17, 2026

Registration Deadline: June 28, 2026

Cost: $125.00

Space is limited: 30 spots available on a first come, first served basis. (A waitlist will be opened when capacity is reached.) Scholarships are unfortunately not available for this program. 

The Young Writers’ Studio is designed to enrich the creative lives of high school students by providing a window to the dedicated writerly life—lending community, inspiration, and new skills to craft vibrant language. This one-day event includes generative creative writing workshops in fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction, a literature seminar from English department faculty, and culminates in a celebratory open mic where students can share the amazing work they’ve crafted throughout the day.

For more information about or to register for the One-Day Young Writers' Studio, click here. 

 

 

 

 

 

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This section below will be updated January 2027 for the Cherry Tree Young Writers' Conference, which will be back in session in July 2027.

The Cherry Tree Young Writers' Conference is a vibrant literary gathering that helps rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors build their skills and identity as writers.

Our motto is “Write Your Truth,” and while writing is often a solitary art, it needn't be a lonely one. The conference takes place at Washington College, a thriving community where aspiring poets, novelists, and journalists study with prize-winning authors to hone their craft. The college is also home to the famous Sophie Kerr Prize, the world's largest undergraduate creative writing award, worth more than $70,000.

At the Cherry Tree Young Writers' Conference, students take intensive creative writing workshops with nationally renowned authors in one of three genres (poetry, fiction, or journalism), discuss literature with English faculty, and attend professional readings and craft panels. They explore the world of literary internships and grants in publishing, writing, and editing. Additionally, they learn what it's like to work at college publications such as Cherry Tree, Washington College's national literary journal.

This summer, our 10th annual literary extravaganza takes place July 15-18. The cost is $849 per participant, which includes our "Writing a Successful College Admissions Essay" workshop. We offer a number of merit, regional, and/or genre scholarships that cover the full cost of the conference.

For further questions, don't hesitate to contact our Conference Coordinator, Amber%20Taliancich. And to order Conference t-shirts, hats, and other swag, visit our online store here. 

All tuition proceeds are used solely to benefit the operation of the Cherry Tree Young Writers' Conference and associated programs.