One-Day Young Writers' Studio
A densely-packed, invigorating day modelled after our week-long Cherry Tree Young Writers’ Conference, the One-Day Young Writers' Studio is a sneak preview of the writing life on a college campus.
Program Date: January 16, 2027
Registration Deadline: December 11, 2026
Cost: $125.00
The One-Day 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.
Hosted by the Rose O’Neill Literary House, Washington College’s home for the literary arts and creative expression, you'll spend your day in the same rooms that have welcomed writers like Toni Morrison, Allen Ginsberg, Joyce Carol Oates, Tim O’Brien, Jericho Brown, and Natalie Diaz. In workshop, you’ll immerse yourself in contemporary literature and develop new techniques of expression with writers whose work has garnered national acclaim. You’ll also hear from expert faculty about new experiential approaches to studying classical literature here on our historic brick-paved campus near the edge of the Chester River.
For more info on workshops, hear what our writing faculty have to say:
“The most potent potions come in small containers: poisons, for example, and antidotes, and flash fiction. In this fiction workshop, we'll explore how the masters of flash are able to do so much with so little and apply their techniques to our own inimitable imagery and insights.” — Roy Kesey
“Poets can do it all: tell stories and sing lasting songs. In this generative poetry workshop, we'll explore how imagery can enact story for emotional and dramatic effect. We'll look at poems by Natasha Trethewey, Jericho Brown, and Elizabeth Bishop before writing our own.” — James Allen Hall
“In this generative creative nonfiction workshop, we'll explore how to bring nature (and its tiny, unsung creatures) to life on the page with the use of imagery, detail-driven research, and the writer's ability to notice. We'll read excerpts from Amy Leach, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, and Elena Passarello to help guide our own writing.” — Amber Taliancich
Space is limited! 30 spots available on a first-come, first-served basis. A waitlist will be opened when capacity is reached.
The day runs 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Lunch and refreshments are included with registration. Please reach out to Director of Conferences, Justin Nash, at jnash2FREEwashcoll with any questions.
