About

The Sewanee Young Writers’ Conference (SYWC) is an annual two-week residential writing immersion for high school students held on the University of the South’s campus in Sewanee, Tennessee. For Summer 2026, the conference is scheduled for June 28 – July 11 with an application deadline of March 2, 2026. SYWC features small, intensive workshops limited to twelve participants, with a total enrollment capped at roughly 85 young writers to ensure close mentorship.
Tuition, room, and board for 2026 is $2,600. Financial aid is available, including partial grants of up to $1,000 and the Elizabeth Grammer Scholarship, which covers full tuition for one student. Students choose from five specialized genres: Fiction, Poetry, Creative Nonfiction, Playwriting, and Songwriting, each led by published authors and experienced faculty.
The program follows a rigorous daily structure centered on morning workshop sessions from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., where students share original work and receive individualized feedback. Afternoons and evenings feature literary discussions, guest author Q&As, a tour of the Sewanee Review, and faculty readings. The conference also offers "short craft classes" on diverse topics ranging from sonnets to zines.
Because the program focuses on craft refinement rather than awarding college credit, it provides a high level of rigor that mirrors a professional literary colony. Admission requires a writing sample (8–10 pages for prose/plays or 5–7 poems/songs), a personal statement (250–750 words), and a teacher recommendation. Drawing young writers from across the globe, the conference situates participants in a supportive community that offers a serious creative writing workshop experience.