The SYWC is a summer conference for high schoolers passionate about creative writing. Here in Sewanee, at the southern end of the Cumberland Plateau, you'll spend two weeks reading, cultivating your writing, and forming a community with other young writers from near and far.
When you come to the Sewanee Young Writers’ Conference, you can expect:
A remarkable faculty who love to write and teach. Over the years, our faculty have won literary prizes and been recognized by the New York Times and the New Yorker, among other publications. And they are not just good at their craft: they are writers who love to teach and have experience working with teenagers in the classroom
Small and rigorous workshops. Our conference offers a serious course in creative writing, not just a “get-your-feet-wet” introduction. Workshops meet from 9:30-12:30 every morning of the conference except Sunday. The workshops have no more than twelve students each, and we enroll a total of about eighty-five young writers. Because we keep our numbers low, our teachers really get to know their students, and vice-versa. We also make space in the schedule for one-on-one conferences between students and teachers.
Enrichment outside the classroom. In the afternoons, you'll have a range of opportunities for discussions about literature and craft: from Q&As with special-guest authors, to a tour of the Sewanee Review, to short craft classes on topics from sonnets to zines. The afternoon time is also free for what you're here to do--write, read, and think. Every evening, we all gather together to listen to a reading by a faculty member or special guest.
A caring staff. Our administrative staff are here to support you during your time at the conference. From workshop to afternoon activities to the end of the day, it's our job to keep you safe and make sure you're getting what you need and feeling at home.
Fun. At the SYWC, you’ll be part of a community of writers and friends. Maybe that means talking on the porch swing at Stirling's, a favorite coffee house, or swimming and playing basketball in the Fowler Sports and Recreation Center. You'll also have the opportunity to hike some of Sewanee’s beautiful trails, sing and dance at karaoke night, and play board games in the common room of Humphreys, your dorm.
Location(s)
- The University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee
Schedule
- June 29th - July 12th, 2025
Cost/Compensation
- $2,600
Eligibility Requirements
- High school students in 9th, 10th, or 11th grades
Deadline
- March 3rd, 2025
Application or Entry Requirements
- A completed application
- A personal statement
- A writing sample in each genre in which you are interested
- A recommendation letter from a teacher
Notifications of Decisions
Financial Aid Details
- A limited amount of financial aid is available
- Click HERE for more information on financial aid options and the application process
Other Dates to Keep in Mind
- Recommendation Letter Deadline: March 14th, 2025
- Financial Aid Application Deadline: April 18th, 2025
Have other questions?
Sewanee: The University of the South is an institution of the Episcopal Church dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge, understanding, and wisdom in close community and in full freedom of inquiry, and enlightened by Christian faith in the Anglican tradition. Sewanee enrolls approximately 1,700 undergraduate students, and offers two small Masters programs in Theology and English. The College of Arts and Sciences at Sewanee is committed to the development of the whole person through a liberal arts education of the highest quality. Students work closely with distinguished and diverse faculty in a demanding course of humane and scientific study that prepares them for lives of achievement and service. Sewanee provides rich opportunities for leadership and intellectual and spiritual growth, while grounding its community on a pledge of honor.
