October 6-9, 2025

Beginners and seasoned writers welcome! It’s time to get serious about writing and publishing your novel!

What is Commercial Fiction?

The term Commercial fiction gets a bad rap. People see the term and think “poorly written, just for the plot of it, shallow characters, no substance.” Not true!

Commerical fiction as we term it is all those amazing titles you see as you walk into your local bookstore, the latest new read in your book club, the exciting new release you see online.

Commercial means you want to appeal to a wide audience because you have a story to tell that you want everyone to read because it’s written well, it’s a meaningful story, the characters are deeply drawn, and it has something important to say.

Once that novel is written, the next step to sharing it, is to publish it. And as you know, there are different paths to publishing and different requirements to travel them. That’s where this workshop comes in.

What to Expect at this Workshop

When you register you will choose a class that you will stay in for both class days. This class will be a combination of discussion about craft and publishing and workshopping attendee material (you will submit ahead of time your first chapter, a synopsis of your book, and a query/proposal letter) to help you get your best foot forward as you set off on your particular publishing path.

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. 

TIP: Attendees will find the workshop most helpful if they have completed at least a rough draft or have a plot outline detailed enough to create a working synopsis of the novel. As we only have 2 days to talk about our work, knowing as much as you can about the story will help your workshop leader and fellow writers give you the best feedback possible. That said, 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, or publish your own work, having a strong first chapter, a coherent synopsis (don’t we all hate that part) and clear wording regarding what your book is about and who it would appeal to (your query or proposal) is a must!

Fees and Schedule

The cost to attend is $575.00 

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, a 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. (Or by July 15th at the lates–unless you sign on after July 15th of course.) You will be notified via email that you’ve received a spot at the workshop and payment links and information will be sent to you at that time.

The balance of your fee will be due by August 31st (again, unless you get a late spot.)

Missed deadlines could result in losing your spot with us. See the policies page for information about cancellations and refunds.

Workshop Schedule

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

Monday, October 6th

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 7th & 8th/ 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

Thursday, October 9th

8:00 a.m. Breakfast.

Head on home to work on your novel!

Tuesday and Wednesday 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. 

Faculty

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. See more about lodging and meals here.

Other Policies and information

See 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. 

Space is limited! Registration opens soon. Want to get on the mailing list so you’ll be notified when it opens? Have questions?

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

Register Here Soon