"Somebody like you... new to the writing game...dazzled by hope and uncertainty and a glut of questions about writing, will get his or her work published in the coming months. It might as well be you."

--Gary Provost (late WRW founder)

New Orleans Update
Writers Retreat Workshop has relocated out of New Orleans. We are now in the vibrant and diverse city of Louisville, Kentucky.
We accepted donations for the both the American Red Cross and the Rebuild the Coast Fund, which was started by John and Renee Grisham for the Mississippi coast. The Rebuild the Coast Fund raised $8.8 million for rebuilding. We encourage you to continue contributing as you can where there is need. The Gulf Coast region struggles even today. Thank you for sharing.

36th Writers Retreat Workshop: May 23 through June 1, 2008
Our premiere annual 10-day workshop and retreat featuring the fabulous WRW Core staff, visiting authors, agents, and industry professionals. An intense week of story structure workshops, 1-1 meetings, lectures, writing exercises, and lifelong memories... all revolving around you, your novel, and your writing life.
ONLY A FEW SPACES REMAIN.

Deadline for New Student Scholarship extended to Feb 22, 2008.

Staff includes 2007 Agatha Award Winning and bestselling mystery author Nancy Pickard, and WRW Grad/NYT Bestselling (as of Feb 2008!) romance author, Janet Chapman. Literary Agent Matt Bialer (Sanford J. Greenburger Agency) and WRW co-founder and author Gail Provost Stockwell, and as always our amazing core WRW staff, editor-in-residence Lorin Oberweger, Roman White, and director Jason Sitzes. More details and guests TBA.

Thanks go to author bestselling author Jennifer Crusie, author Christine Goff (WRW Grad and Rocky Mountain Writer of the Year winner) , Lauren Mosko (Editor: Writers Digest Novel and Short Story Writer's Market,) literary agents Meredith Bernstein (Meredith Bernstein Literary Agency), and Cameron McClure (Donald Maass Literary Agency), and the entire WRW crew (Lorin Oberweger, Roman White, and Jason Sitzes) for an amazing WRW 2007. See comments for this and all WRW events.

WRW 2008 Autumn Writing Retreat (Reserved for WRW Graduates only)
FALL 2008... dates TBA

Each autumn, WRW invites past grads to attend a special seven-day retreat in majestic New England. This year, we are pleased to announce our first visit to the beautiful and tranquil Wisdom House in Litchfield, CT.

Known for its breathtaking landscape, artists and writers have visited Wisdom House for decades. Close to the historic town of Litchfield, CT., there are ample opportunities for social gatherings in addition to the important solitary time spent between yourself and your writing. WRW Family members will have a private room, three full meals daily, and ample time to work. We eat together, laugh together, write together, and live together for seven days. WRW staff members will be on hand to run optional daily Diagnostic and Troubleshooting sessions. A perfect six month follow-up to WRW 2008. In those chill November breezes, the warmth of a family of writers will take you out of your daily routine and will fill you with inspiration. Remember that space is very limited.

WRW Professional Editorial Services

Editorial

Interested in a professional manuscript evaluation before sending to an agent, or a thorough report to cut down the number of rejections you receive? Our Editorial Services feature partial to complete manuscript evaluations, general writing instruction (for short story critiques, etc.), and editorial assistance for select nonfiction projects.

Ghostwriting

Professional ghostwriting for select fiction and nonfiction projects.

Recent client referrals available.

Scholarship Information

Robin Hardy Scholarship Application
Apply now for the New Student Scholarship for WRW 2008. Download application form here. Deadline is February 22, 2008. Entry is only $15.00 (plus manuscript sample) for one full tuition scholarship.

Congrats to Diane LaCombe, our 2007 Robin Hardy Scholarship winner.

Gary Provost Scholarship

Congrats to Sally Shires, recipient of the 2008 Gary Provost Scholarship.

NEWS From the Director

WRW 2008 has only a handful of spaces remaining. Once again, the returning student numbers are overwhelming new participant registrants... so if you're still thinking about attending WRW, sign up today! We've also extended the New Student Scholarship deadline to Feb 22, 2008. See above for registration details.

WRW 2007 was again a smashing success. In the weeks to come we'll upload photos and comments from our 20+ returning students, and our talented fourteen first-timers. An amazing group, incredible staff, and perfect weather made these ten days in Erlanger unforgettable (even though we allowed a few "too many" to attend... registration numbers will be fewer in 2008 so register early). As always, we look ahead to WRW 2008 once again in Erlanger, KY. If you've never joined a WRW session, or haven't visited in some time, we look forward to helping you reach new writing heights within the next year. Thanks to everyone (agent Meredith Bernstein, agent Cameron McClure, author Jenny Crusie, author Frank Strunk, author Jack Getze, author Susan Goodwill, Writers Digest Books editor Lauren Mosko, the core WRW staff, and every participant) for making this a one-of-a-kind experience.

Two new additions to WRW 2007 staff included Susan Goodwill and Jack "John" Getze. Susan and John are both frequent WRW attendees now with debut novels in '07. They will joined us to discuss their Writer's Journey from a dream, to a manuscript, to a few manuscripts, to an agent and a contract. Susan is the author of Brigadoom: A Kate London Mystery and Jack is the author of Big Numbers.

WRW 2006 ended with lifelong friends made, again. We receive email monthly with news from grads that they have acquired an agent, signed a contract, or conducted their first book signing. WRW "headquarters" packed up and left the city of New Orleans for higher ground. We left some roots there, and will visit often. We're located in the city of Louisville... believe it or not, a city with many similarities to New Orleans. They say Louisville is a hidden jewel, and I'm finding some unique people and places here. Please note our new contact information on the registration page.

We're working with some exciting writers in our editorial service, and a couple of interesting projects in the ghostwriting arena.

Browse books available by grads and former/current staff members. Our Store Page has some new products listed, including workshop/retreat registrations. Thanks for visiting the site, and let us know if we can help you in any way.

WRW 2008 offers another promising 10 days of intensive learning, making contacts, exploring your novel and yourself, and creating memories to last a lifetime. If you're thinking of joining us, don't take the chance of missing out. We plan to fill again this year. Give yourself this gift.

When WRW 2005 kicked off, with Ralph Keyes challenging us to write from those places we fear, I watched the commitment in the eyes of our particpants. That full classroom of writers ready for something new. Ready to spend 10 days in their work. We'd begun. On Monday night, Dean Koontz talked to us from his home in California, and challenged us to work harder. Sheila Williams, Chris Goff, Elizabeth Lyon, our agents Rachel and Regina... all working 1-1 with participants. Lorin's fabulous editorial feedback and Roman's brainstorming sessions rounded out the intimate interaction. My morning classes, based on Gary Provost's workshop, set off light bulbs from writers who had worked for months and years on their novels, and needed everything put before them in WRW fashion. From our daily 7am Early Bird Sessions to our late-night Night Owl Sessions, WRW 2005 was a success, as our comments and photos show.