October 15th-18th, 2026

Beginners and seasoned writers welcome. Writers seeking traditional or indie publishing welcome. You’ve come to the right place. It’s time to get serious about writing and publishing your novel!

What to Expect at this Workshop

You do not need to have a completed novel to take this workshop! This workshop will be helpful to you no matter what stage your novel is in because wherever you are, you’re working toward finishing and publishing.

It doesn’t matter if this is the first book you’ve written or the twentieth. Beginners and seasoned writers are all welcome. Whether you plan to seek an agent, submit directly to editors at small presses, publish your own work, or you don’t have any idea yet, this workshop will help you clarify your goals, get your first pages in order, understand the value of planning and preparing your book for publication right from the start.

Classes are kept small so that attendees receive time and attention to their work and so that discussions are focused and personal. This is a time for writers to get needed feedback, critique, instruction, and most importantly encouragement and inspiration for their novel in progress no matter what stage the writing is in. 

How Does it Work Exactly?

When you register, you will choose a workshop leader from our faculty with whom to take a class. This class will be a combination of discussion about craft and publishing as well as workshopping attendee material. 

What Material is that? 

A typical submission packet:

• First 10 pages of your novel (double spaced, 12 point type, Times New Roman or Courier style font)
• A two-page synopsis

Before the workshop begins you will be in touch with your teacher and the other members of your class so that you can get acquainted and share materials. Materials will be due no later than Sept 1st. You will read and comment on the packets from the other members of your class (no more than 6 people per class) before you get to the workshop. Your workshop leader will give you more instruction.

Note about Wi-fi and tech. This is a low-tech facility in a hi-tech world. You’ll find that you like that once you get there. You will want to either download materials so that you can access them on your computer without internet connection or print them out. Pen and Paper is King!

Fees and Schedule

2026 Cost coming soon 

Your fee covers a double occupancy room, all meals, your workshop, and all evening activities. Is that really all it costs? Yep! We partner with Wildacres Retreat non-profit center that strives to bring people together for the betterment of human connection and creativity at a price that makes it possible for as many people to attend who can. In keeping with that spirit and goal, we keep our prices for you low as well!

Payment information:

A 50% deposit is due upon acceptance of your registration. Once your registration is received you will be sent information on how to submit payment via check, Venmo, or Zelle. (Other options are available if you do not prefer these.)

The balance of your fee will be due by September 1st (again, unless you get a late spot.)

See the policies page for information about cancellations and refunds.

Workshop Schedule

Classes will meet once a day on Friday and Saturday for about two and half hours. When your class isn’t in session you can use your time to write or enjoy the grounds. 

Thursday. October 15, 2026

3:00-4:00 p.m. Check-in and get settled into your room

5:30 p.m. Patio Mixer Meet & Greet

6:30 p.m. Dinner (all meals are family style in the dining hall)

8:00 p.m. Orientation and Meet the Faculty

Enjoy conversations on the porch or get to bed early

Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct 16th & 17th/ Class and writing days

8:00 a.m. Breakfast 

9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Morning class session

12:30 p.m. Lunch

2:00-4:30 p.m. Afternoon class session

5 p.m. Happy Hour on the Patio

6 p.m. Dinner

7 p.m. Evening Program 

Patio gathering to chat and relax until bedtime

Sunday. Oct 18, 2026

8:00 a.m. Breakfast.

Head on home to work on your novel!

Friday and Saturday additional information:

Your class will meet either in the morning or the afternoon. When your class is not in session, you are free to audit another class or use your free time to write, enjoy the grounds, or sit on the patio and porches to talk with fellow writers and enjoy the beautiful view. One day your class will meet in the morning and the other day in the afternoon so that everyone has a chance to experience the mountain at all times of the day. 

Evening programs will include activities such as readings from the workshop leaders, a panel discussion about writing and publishing, and an opportunity for attendees to read from their work as well if they would like to. 

There will also be a book sale where you’ll be able to purchase books by the workshop leaders and to sell your own work as well. 

2025 Faculty (2026 Coming Soon!)

When you register you will choose a workshop leader to study with both of the class days. Your class will be your oasis! You will bond with your fellow writers and your workshop leader. Our leaders are all acclaimed and published authors working today! Take some time to read about each author and choose the one with whom you’d most like to study. You might choose someone whose work is like your own or someone who is on a publishing and promoting path that you’d like to travel as well.

Downtime

You will have plenty of time to write, enjoy the grounds, and relax. Meals are included in your fee and are shared family-style in the beautiful Wildacres Retreat dining hall right on campus providing time to sit with different folks at each meal so that you can get to know all your fellow writers. There is no hierarchy at Wildacres Writers Workshop so workshop leaders, students, and staff all mingle together on the patio and at meals creating a community that lasts long after you leave. 

Lodging and Meals

There are two lodge-style buildings at Wildacres connected by a beautiful stone patio. The patio and the lodge porches boast comfortable rocking chairs overlooking the magnificent Blue Ridge Mountains. Rooms are comfortable but rustic–that means there are no televisions (you won’t need them), microwaves or refrigerators (we have those in the canteen), and no daily maid service. Think mountain-top cabin style and you’ll have a good picture in your mind. 

Rooms are booked at double occupancy (retreat facility rules) which means that you will have a roommate. You can get together with a writing buddy and share a room or we will pair you with a roommate. Don’t worry about this part–so many lifelong friendships have been forged at Wildacres. 

This stand-alone campus is an escape from the real world. Classes, meals, and lodging are all within steps from each other. The kitchen is able to accommodate most dietary needs and that information will be collected from you when you register.

Other Policies and information

See the policies page for details about illness policies, code of conduct, and refunds.

Sound Good? What to do next!

It takes courage to call yourself a writer and to mean it. You are a writer and now is the time to take your work seriously. You have a story to tell and this is an opportunity like no other to immerse yourself in your work and your future. 

Registration will open soon. For now, email Amy at the address below to be added to the mailing list in order to receive updates and registration information!

Reach out to the director, Amy Willoughby-Burle, at wildacreswriters@gmail.com

Registration opens soon!