2027 FICTION WRITING

YEARLONG WORKSHOP

NOVEL OR SHORT STORY COLLECTION | IN-PERSON, DURHAM, NC

Facilitated by Christa Westaway

Night School Bar is pleased to announce that applications are now open for a yearlong fiction writing workshop:

The 2027 Fiction Writing Yearlong Workshop will run from January-December, 2027. We are accepting applications until November 30, 2026, and will finalize the cohort — maximum of 8 people per workshop — by December 12, 2026.

From previous participants:

“The year-long fiction group at Night School Bar has given me three things I didn't know I needed: accountability, thoughtful peer feedback, and the steady support of our wonderful instructor, Christa. Watching my fellow writers grow over the year has been one of the great joys of the experience, and I've loved getting to know so many talented, generous writers here in Durham. The themed workshops pushed me to try things I might never have attempted on my own. I'm deeply grateful for this community and the care we bring to one another's work.”

“I’m so grateful I was able to participate in the 2026 year-long fiction workshop! The program provided me with the structure and tools (and a sense of accountability!) that enabled me to make meaningful progress on my novel over the past year. The workshops, accountability check-ins, and the weekend retreat in August were substantial in that I always felt well supported in my work without ever becoming an overwhelming time commitment. It’s been such a delight to get to work with so many talented writers, and the feedback and encouragement I’ve received from the group has given me the motivation I need to keep working on my book even once the workshop ends.”

Participants from previous years may apply, but new applicants will receive priority.

APPLY HERE

Overview:

Participants at any stage of development are welcome, as are participants working longer works of fiction in any genre including collections of short stories and flash fiction, novels, novellas, and graphic novels. However, we particularly encourage submissions for fiction writing that blends or transcends genre, and/or that experiments with form.

Structure:

● 3-hour Saturday workshop meetings (3rd Saturday): 9 workshop meetings January-June and September-November 2pm-5pm ET at Night School Bar in Durham, NC.

● Weekend intensive retreat: August 21st-22nd

● Two final full manuscript workshops (December)

● Write and/or workshop up to 150 pages over the course of the year

● Monthly accountability and generative meetings (1st Thursdays at Night School Bar): 6:30pm-8pm

● No meetings in July; you will submit and receive written feedback from colleagues

Each participant will be offered the opportunity to share and workshop ~15 pages of work ten times over the course of the year, to be discussed with the entire group or in smaller work groups. Each person will actively share supportive feedback with other classmates monthly. You will be expected to read up to 90 pages per month, and you will be able to share up to 100 pages of completed and revised work in our December meetings. In previous years, many students completed full-length manuscripts, while others developed and refined shorter sections. Previous workshop participants have seen their work published by a variety of journals and presses.

**Monthly submissions will be due one full week before the meeting date. Participants should expect to spend 3-6 hours per month reading other participants’ work in addition to their own writing time. Each month, you should read the other participants’ work carefully and be prepared to discuss each writer’s work in detail. You may occasionally be asked to provide written feedback.

Tuition

Tuition for the entire yearlong program is: $2200. We will be able to offer one half scholarship per section ($1100 total tuition payment). A $350 non-refundable deposit will be due by December 20 for accepted students (except scholarship students, for whom a $100 deposit will be required). The remaining tuition will be due by January 10. Students may opt to check-out with PayPal if they would like to pay in installments.

Application Questions

1. What do you plan to work on over the course of the workshop? (e.g. short stories, novel, revising existing manuscript, etc.) Please briefly describe what you have in mind.

2. What genre(s) or style are you working in (e.g. literary fiction, sci fi, lyric essay)? Or which writers do you admire and want to emulate?

3. Do you already have work-in-progress? If so, where are you in the process?

4. Why do you feel like now is the time to commit to a 12-month program? How will it help you on your writing journey?

5. Please list any previous writing workshop experience you have.

6. Include a short writing sample (maximum 20 pages) from your work-in-progress or previous related work to give your instructors an understanding of your vision for your project and to help them prepare methods of support.

7. Tuition for this yearlong program is: $2200. We also currently have funds to offer one half scholarship. Do you need a scholarship to attend this course?

Apply for the 2027 Fiction Writing Yearlong Workshop