Now, more than ever, it's time to write and speak your truth. Let's write. Those familiar with The Writer's Hotel know that we have helped writers take their writing to the next level. Almost every single writer we've worked with has gone on to publish, and many have gotten book deals and representation. The bottom line is that we give writers the tools they need for writing and publishing success. Are you ready to take that next step? We're here for you.
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:: Please note that The Writer’s Hotel Maine All-Genre “Mini MFA” 2024 has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances that are out of our control. TWH cares about its attendees and will only host the highest quality conferences that live up to and exceed expectations. We have retained our full 2024 Faculty for our upcoming 2025 conference, which will be held in Maine at a new location. We are looking forward to hosting the 2025 event at our next Maine location. ::
There is no other writing program like TWH. The Writer’s Hotel Maine “Mini MFA” is a unique, hybrid, comprehensive writing program. Our programming includes our TWH two-editor pre-conference Team Reading and our conference, held IN-PERSON June 4-10, 2025 in Maine. Faculty: Lidia Yuknavitch, Richard Blanco, Maine Poet Laureate Julia Bouwsma, Susan Conley, Elyssa East, Jeffrey Ford, Elizabeth Hand, Former Maine Poet Laureate Wesley McNair, Alexandra Oliver, Mira Ptacin, Debra Spark and TWH Directors Shanna McNair and Scott Wolven.
:: Deadline to apply to TWH 2025 is February 19 or when we reach capacity. Space is limited. We look forward to reading your work.::
TWH Directors and Editors Shanna McNair and Scott Wolven read and consult on each writer’s full length manuscript pre-conference in our “TWH Team Reading”. Each writer receives two sets of comments in their Team Reading—two editors read each manuscript. TWH also offers a follow-up phone conference to discuss comments and strategize next steps.
Following the pre-conference Team Reading process, writers meet in Maine for our immersive, intense program. Writers workshop their writing in intimate Major Workshops with some of the industry’s top authors, and they attend generative Craft Lab workshops and readings and TWH "Salons", intimate readings with feedback. ++This is a semi-hybrid event; our Agent Pitching Sessions and Agent Pitching Practice Session will take place virtually on Zoom on Saturday, June 27th, 2025 from 11:00 AM-5:00 PM Eastern Time.++
From our virtual pre-reading process through to conference, TWH takes writers and their writing to the next level. Via TWH, writers bring their work from desk to marketplace. It's an extraordinary opportunity. ::It is $30 to apply. Submit a cover letter and up to 5000 words of prose or 15 pages of poetry to be considered. Cost of the program is $3500. Lodging and food is not included.::
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TWH Workroom: Our Writer-to-Writer Virtual Program.
Rather write from home? This program might just be for you. Now, more than ever, it's time to write and speak your truth. Let's write.
TWH Editors work with a limited amount of writers virtually via our writer-to-writer virtual program, "TWH Workroom." Writers don’t need to travel and attend a conference—they can simply email their manuscripts when they are ready for our Team Reading process. We work with writers of Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Film Screenplays, TV scripts, Playwriting and all sub-genres. We also work to connect authors with agents and editors via TWH Workroom, just like we do for our conference participants.
We offer three different options in TWH Workroom. You can opt for a single Reading (Workroom 1); two readings (Workroom 2); or five readings (Workroom Program cost varies.
To apply, submit up to 5000 words of prose, 10 pages of poetry or 15 pages of a Final Draft script. All applicants we consider for TWH Workroom will be phoned for an interview. We offer TWH Workroom on a first-come, first-serve basis. It is $20 to apply.
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The Writer's Hotel and The New Guard in the news.
The New Guard Volume X on NewPages: "The New Guard Volume X is more than just a pretty face."
Portland Press Herald's Ray Ruthier: “Mainer moves writing conference from New York City back home”
The Writer’s Hotel on National Public Radio (NPR) with Clifford Brooks of Dante’s Old South Radio Show, on Spotify and Apple Podcast
The Blue Mountain Review Feature (pages 123-125) on The Writer’s Hotel and The New Guard directors, Shanna McNair and Scott Wolven
NewPages.com article by Nicole Foor, “The Writer’s Hotel Goes Virtual for Fall Conferences”
Lumina Journal article by Nicole Flippo, “In Conversation with Shanna McNair and Scott Wolven, with Thoughts on The Writer’s Hotel and The New Guard”
“The Magic Continues for The Writers Hotel” by TWH ‘17 & ’19 Fiction Alum and TA Lyndsie Manusos on Sacred Chickens
Article in the Portland Press Herald by Bob Keyes, “For nation’s aspiring writers, there’s room at the inn” on The Writer's Hotel program and TWH Founding Director Shanna McNair's vision for writers
TWH on Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP): "A New Kind of Writing Program? The Writer’s Hotel Master Class"
Article on The Writer’s Hotel by TWH Fiction Alum and TA Julie Carpenter: “The Writer's Hotel: My Experience and Why You Should Consider Applying”
Article about The Writer's Hotel by Lisa Markuson: "The Only Writers Conference I Ever Dreamed of Attending"
TWH Director Shanna McNair onExaclair's "The Writer's Project"
TWH on The Portland Phoenix: "Checking in: The New Guard and The Writer's Hotel"
TWH on the Poets & Writers Conferences and Residencies Database
*The Writer's Hotel holds a membership with the WC&C
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Please visit us on the web at www.writershotel.com for more information. You can always contact us by email at editors@writershotel.com about any of our programs.
::The New Guard literary review and High Frequency Press are the publishing arm of The Writer's Hotel.:: www.newguardreview.com.::
WRITE BETTER, PUBLISH SMARTER. GET INSPIRED.:: Please note that The Writer’s Hotel Maine All-Genre “Mini MFA” 2024 has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances that are out of our control. TWH cares about its attendees and will only host the highest quality conferences that live up to and exceed expectations. We have retained our full 2024 Faculty for our upcoming 2025 conference, which will be held in Maine at a new location. We are looking forward to hosting the 2025 event at our next Maine location!:::: Please note that The Writer’s Hotel Maine All-Genre “Mini MFA” 2024 has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances that are out of our control. TWH cares about its attendees and will only host the highest quality conferences that live up to and exceed expectations. We have retained our full 2024 Faculty for our upcoming 2025 conference, which will be held in Maine at a new location. We are looking forward to hosting the 2025 event at our next Maine location!::
APPLICATION GUIDELINES FOR TWH MAINE "Mini MFA" All-Genre Writers Conference, June 4-10, 2025
To apply, please follow the instructions to submit 5000 words of your prose manuscript or 15 pages of poetry, along with a cover letter. International applications are welcome.
The application writing sample should contain pages of a current "target manuscript". A "target manuscript" is a writer's present writing project.
If we move forward with an application, the writer will be contacted for a brief phone interview. During the interview, the writer will have the chance to discuss their writing and writing goals, and we will offer feedback on those first pages. We notify about acceptance following the interview.
The fee for our 2025 TWH MAINE "Mini MFA" All-Genre Writers Conference program is $3500, which includes the pre-conference TWH Team Reading (performed by two TWH editors) and on-site events June 5-11 and our follow-up Virtual Agent Pitching Sessions on June 27 (2025) 1-5 PM ET. On-site, writers will attend Major Workshops, Faculty Readings, Craft Labs and TWH Attendee Reading Salons. Each TWH Team Reading includes hundreds of comments, from line edits to developmental edits, and a follow-up phone call to address any questions a writer may have about the generated comments.
TWH All-Genre "Mini MFA" Faculty: Lidia Yuknavitch, Richard Blanco, Maine State Poet Laureate Julia Bouwsma, Susan Conley, Elizabeth Hand, Elyssa East, Jeffrey Ford, Former Maine Poet Laureate Wesley McNair, Mira Ptacin, Alexandra Oliver, Debra Spark and TWH Directors Shanna McNair and Scott Wolven.
Deadline to apply to TWH 2025 is February 19 (2025) or when we reach capacity. Space is limited. We look forward to reading your work.
:: Please note that TWH Maine “Mini MFA” 2024 has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances out of our control. TWH cares about its attendees and will only host the highest quality conferences that live up to and exceed expectations. We have retained our full 2024 Faculty for our upcoming 2025 conference and are looking forward to hosting the 2025 event at our next location.::
The Writer's Hotel Workroom 1 is a virtual one-on-one program.
Application guidelines for The Writer's Hotel Workroom 1
We run TWH Workrooms 2 in the following genres: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry and Screenplay/Scripts.
The Writer's Hotel Workroom 1 is one full manuscript reading. The Writer's Hotel Workroom 1 is a full manuscript reading is performed by TWH Editors Scott Wolven and Shanna McNair. TWH Editors read and review together as a team of two, so writers get notes from each of us. This reading is performed one time only and includes a follow-up phone call to strategize next steps and talk about agent referrals. This option is best for those writers who wish to do a final polish on their manuscript before sending it out to agents. Cost is $1500. Turnaround is roughly six weeks. 100K words is our maximum reading length, unless we make an exception. All applicants we consider for TWH Workroom 1 will be phoned for an interview.
We offer TWH Workroom 1 on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The Writer's Hotel Workroom 2 is a virtual one-on-one program.
TWH Workroom 2 includes two full manuscript Team Readings, performed by Scott Wolven and Shanna McNair. TWH Workroom 2 spans a twelve month period, and includes two follow-up phone calls and agency referrals. We run TWH Workrooms 2 in the following genres: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry and Screenplay/Scripts. Cost is $2500. Space is limited. TWH Workroom 2 spots tend to fill up quickly and must be reserved in advance.
Application guidelines for The Writer's Hotel Workroom:
To apply, please submit up to 5000 words of prose, 10 pages of poetry or 15 pages of a Final Draft script . Please include a letter of interest, describing your current projects. And please tell us why you think The Writer's Hotel Workroom 2 would be helpful or meaningful to you as a writer. All applicants we consider for TWH Workroom 2 will be phoned for an interview.
There is no deadline. We offer TWH Workroom 2 on a first-come, first-serve basis. When TWH Workroom 2 is full, we will not accept applications.
The Writer's Hotel Workroom is a virtual one-on-one program.
TWH Workroom 5 includes five full manuscript Team Readings, performed by Scott Wolven and Shanna McNair. TWH Workroom 5 spans a fourteen month period, and includes five follow-up phone calls and agency referrals. We run TWH Workrooms 5 in the following genres: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry and Screenplay/Scripts. Cost is $5000. Space is limited. TWH Workroom 5 spots tend to fill up quickly and must be reserved in advance.
Application guidelines for The Writer's Hotel Workroom:
To apply, please submit up to 5000 words of prose, 10 pages of poetry or 15 pages of a Final Draft script . Please include a letter of interest, describing your current projects. And please tell us why you think The Writer's Hotel Workroom 5 would be helpful or meaningful to you as a writer. All applicants we consider for TWH Workroom 5 will be phoned for an interview.
There is no deadline. We offer TWH Workroom 5 on a first-come, first-serve basis. When TWH Workroom 5 is full, we will not accept applications.