The Nebraska Summer Writers' Conference

Workshops & Master Classes

• Workshop Listings

Click here to register now online. Registration open throughout May and June. Workshop spaces still available.

Workshops, master classes, agent consultations, panel discussions, readings, receptions. The Nebraska Summer Writers' Conference offers a unique opportunity to write and be read in a supportive, creative environment; you'll gain valuable insights from a faculty of highly successful, award-winning, widely reviewed authors, and from publishing professionals. Enroll early to guarantee a space in the workshop or master class of your choice! (Click on "registration" above for information about enrolling.)

Weekend workshops, Saturday and Sunday, June 14-15, 2008:
Take a weekend workshop to fit conveniently into your busy schedule, or sign up for both a weekend and a week-long workshop to enjoy the whole conference. (Tuition for a weekend workshop is $250 and for week-long workshops, $525. A special combined tuition rate of $700 covers the combination of one weekend and one week-long course. See below about deposits.)

Click "workshop listings" for descriptions and instructors. Weekend workshops convene for a total of eight hours over the two days (two hours each morning and two each afternoon). We offer workshops in fiction (writing short stories and novels), nonfiction (memoir and essays), poetry, and publishing, as well as a special multi-genre class. Visit the "faculty" section of the website for more information about the workshop instructors. To register, click on "registration" or call 402.472.3067.

Week-long workshops, Monday through Friday, June 16-20, 2008:
In addition to a morning workshop in poetry, fiction, or nonfiction, you’re invited to attend readings by our faculty, meet the faculty and other conference participants at receptions, attend panel discussions on a variety of topics, and take part in other literary events. You can also sign up for a 25-minute manuscript consultation with a literary agent.

Tuition for a week-long workshop is $525 (which includes panel discussions, readings, and receptions). A special combined tuition rate of $700 covers the combination of one weekend and one week-long course. The manuscript consultation fee is $100. See below about deposits. (Manuscript consultations are available only to participants enrolled in a week-long workshop.)

Master Classes, Monday through Friday, June 16-20, 2008:
Master classes (focused on entire manuscripts) are limited to six students and include a week-long workshop of student work and an individual reading and critique of your book-length manuscript by the workshop instructor. (This year’s master class instructors are Curtis Sittenfeld in fiction, Anthony Hawley and Hilda Raz in poetry, and Meghan Daum in memoir.) Your entire manuscript will be read and critiqued prior to the conference, and your conference week will be spent in a small workshop. The focus of the master class will be specifically directed toward the final revision and preparation of your manuscript for submission for publication.

Those interested in enrolling should send a two-page synopsis of their novel or memoir, or a description of their poetry collection, as well as a chapter of prose or ten pages of poetry for screening.

For the Master Class in the novel (up to 375 pages), the charge is $1300. The Master Class in nonfiction or memoir (up to 375 pages) is $1000. The Master Class in Poetry (up to 80 pages) is $800. Payment in full is due with registration. Please note that manuscript consultations are available only for week-long participants.

Deposits: A non-refundable deposit is required with each registration in order to guarantee workshop spots ($100 for weekend courses, $200 for week-long workshops, $300 for combined weekend/week-long registration, and $100 for manuscript consultation). Deposits apply toward the total cost of tuition. Tuition includes registration in the writing workshop(s) and participation in special events.

For further information, please contact us at 402.472.3067, or at nswc@unl.edu.