In a literary culture often dominated by concerns of business and marketing, the Napa Valley Writers’ Conference has maintained its emphases on process and craft, featuring a faculty as renowned for the quality of their teaching as for their work. Small workshops foster an unusual rapport between faculty writers and conference participants, who find the Napa Valley experience nurturing and challenging. The conference is suited to experienced writers, but enthusiastic beginners are also encouraged to apply.
Participants register for either the poetry, fiction, or translation workshops, which meet for two hours daily over five days. The schedule also includes talks by faculty writers, special panels, and readings by the faculty at Napa Valley wineries. Workshops are restricted to participants only, but readings, panels and lectures are open to the general public (for a fee).
A typical day looks something like this:
- Breakfast: from 8 a.m.
- Poetry lecture: 9 – 10 a.m.
- Workshops: 10:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- Lunch
- Fiction lecture: 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
- Afternoons are usually free.
- Evening readings: wine reception at 6 or 7 p.m., with reading to follow
Check-in happens late Sunday afternoon, typically around 3:30.
More about the conference:
