Summer Writers Conference
Join One Story in Brooklyn
July 21st - 26th, 2019
Application Fee: $20
Price: $1,450
Member Price*: $1,350
This summer, One Story will offer our annual week-long writing conference for fiction writers, hosted in our home, the historic Old American Can Factory in Brooklyn.
The twenty conference participants will be divided into two intimate ten-student workshop groups, each of which will be led by workshop instructor Will Allison or Lisa Ko. Each day will begin with a three-hour intensive writing workshop. Afternoons will focus on writing exercises and craft lectures led by established writers and editors, exploring fiction’s most important elements. Evenings will feature panel discussions with agents, editors, and industry professionals. Over the course of the week, students will work toward completing a publishable manuscript, create new work, and build long-lasting ties with the New York literary community.
“The advanced lectures made it apparent that I was in a group of working writers who already possessed a foundational knowledge of craft. I left the conference knowing that the One Story editors and staff truly care about my writing career, which gives me the confidence and energy to work hard.”
—Laura Green, Summer Writers Conference, 2018
Other than the act of writing itself, this conference was the best gift I could give myself as a writer.”
—Beth Levine, Summer Writers Conference, 2018
“I learned so much not only about craft but also about the business of writing. I loved every minute of it!”
— Diana Quiñones, Summer Writers Conference, 2017
“This is the most comprehensive workshop I’ve ever attended. It addresses all aspects of the writing life with equal fervor. The attention to craft, personal development as a writer, the business of writing, and networking all contributed to this being a transformative experience for me.”
— Jan Elman Stout, Summer Writers Conference 2016
Instructors:
Will Allison: Former executive editor of Story and former editor-at-large for Zoetrope: All-Story, Allison is the author of the novels What You Have Left and the New York Times bestseller Long Drive Home. His short stories have appeared in One Story, Glimmer Train, The Kenyon Review, Shenandoah, and elsewhere. He has taught at Columbia University, The Ohio State University, Butler University, Indiana University–Purdue University, and elsewhere. Since 2011, he has served as a contributing editor and workshop teacher for One Story. He lives with his family in South Orange, New Jersey, and is the recipient of a 2019 Individual Artist Fellowship from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. For more information, please visit www.willallison.com.
Lisa Ko is the author of The Leavers, which was a 2017 National Book Award for Fiction finalist, won the 2016 PEN/Bellwether Prize for Socially Engaged Fiction, and was a finalist for the 2018 PEN/Hemingway Award and the 2017 Barnes and Noble Discover Great New Writers Award. Her writing has appeared in Best American Short Stories 2016 and The New York Times, among other places. She has taught fiction writing at the City University of New York, the New School, Queens College, Indiana University, Catapult, and elsewhere. Visit her at lisa-ko.com.
Sample Conference Schedule
Every morning, you will read and constructively talk about one another’s work, while Lisa Ko or Will Allison leads the discussion and teaches you how to make good writing great.
Choose your lunch from a menu with a variety of options. Last year, each meal was catered by a different local Brooklyn restaurant.
Afternoon craft lectures will be given by guest authors and editors. Past craft lecturers have included Myla Goldberg, Victor LaValle, and Julie Buntin.
There’s plenty to explore in Brooklyn! During the break, you are encouraged to visit some of the local coffee shops, bookstores, bars, and museums outlined in a guide provided (and made) by One Story staff. This is also a good time to catch up on some reading or take a walk in nearby Prospect Park.
This evening will offer you the opportunity to meet with some of New York’s finest agents. Past guests have included Sarah Burnes, Claudia Ballard, Renée Zuckerbrot, Duvall Osteen, Samantha Shea, Rebecca Gradinger, and Jim Rutman. Agents will answer your questions about how to best go about getting an agent and offer their own stories and advice from the front lines of the industry.
After the panel, you’ll have a chance to talk one-on-one with these agents over a glass of wine, and ask more in-depth questions about the authors and books they represent.
Application Guidelines:
The One Story Summer Writers Conference is open to fiction writers 21 years of age and older.
The deadline to apply for the conference is 11:59pm ET April 10th, 2019. There is a $20 nonrefundable application fee. All applications must be sent through SlideRoom. All applicants will be notified of acceptance by early May 2019.
We are seeking applicants who are excited about a career in fiction writing and ready for a fun and productive week. Applicants will be chosen based on the strength of their portfolio and their personal statement.
Complete application guidelines are available on the application. Please note that you will need to create and log into your SlideRoom account in order to view the application.
Fees and Lodging:
Application Fee: $20 (non-refundable)
Conference Fee: $1,450 (Member Price*: $1,350)
The cost of the conference includes:
- Workshops, craft lectures, and panels
- Coffee, tea, and lunch daily
- Welcome reception
- Evening wine and cheese receptions
- Final reading and dinner
Please note that upon acceptance, a nonrefundable $400 deposit will be due on May 15th, and is required to confirm your place in the workshop. The final payment is due on June 15th.
Housing is not provided for the Summer Conference. New York offers many housing opportunities in all price ranges. We will assist accepted students in finding housing that fits their budget and needs.
A note for commuters: If you’re thinking of commuting, please know that each day follows the same basic schedule outlined above. There is usually a break between 4:30pm and 6:30pm. All events will take place in or around The Can Factory in Park Slope/Gowanus (232 3rd St. Brooklyn, 11215). The Can Factory is wheelchair accessible.
Member Discount: In order to qualify for our member discount, you must be a member at the time of registration. Please note that the discount is for our members only. Members commit to annual donations and receive benefits that allow them to participate in the organization in more meaningful ways. Not all One Story subscribers are members. If you’d like to find out more about becoming a member, you can do so here.
Refund Policy: One Story class payment is non-refundable after the class’s start date. For questions about the refund policy, or if you are unable to take the class after you have registered, please contact maribeth.
If you have any questions, please contact lena.
