Writing Workshops Maine 2026
Writing Workshops Maine, with New York Times best-selling novelist Carol Goodman, award-winning memoirist Mira Ptacin, and New Yorker fiction contributor Justin Taylor, brings together fiction and nonfiction writers for an intensive week of workshops, craft seminars, one-on-one conferences, and in-depth discussions on the craft and business of writing. Our program is intentionally small and will take place in the heart of literary Portland, Maine.
Each fiction and nonfiction workshop will be capped at 10 participants. Writers will submit two completed pieces of writing: one to be workshopped with your cohort and instructor, and another for a one-on-one session with your workshop leader. Daily craft talks, led by faculty and staff, are open to all participants.
Our workshops are designed for writers seeking to refine their voice, deepen their understanding of craft, and chart a path to publication. We take your writing seriously and place the highest value on teaching the craft in a way that helps you produce powerful, lasting work with the potential to reach readers well beyond the workshop.
Since 2016, our mission has been to bring your writing out of the wilderness and into community. Next June, we gather in Portland—a coastal city with a rich literary history, working harbor, and thriving arts scene—to write, reflect, and connect. We believe there's no better place to do this work. Scroll down for more details!


Applications for our June 2026 workshops in Portland, Maine, are now open.
Applications Are Open
2026 Workshop Dates:
May 31st - June 5th, 2026
Though our admissions process is competitive and the quality of writing high, all interested writers are encouraged to apply.
2026 Portland, Maine Workshop Faculty:







Lodging at The Press Hotel
For six days and five nights, you'll stay at The Press Hotel, Portland’s premier boutique hotel, located in the historic former home of the Portland Press Herald newspaper. Designed with writers and creatives in mind, the hotel blends modern comfort with rich literary history: typewriters, vintage headlines, and newsroom-inspired decor are woven throughout the space, offering a daily reminder of the power of the written word.
Located in the heart of the Old Port, The Press Hotel is just steps from Portland’s waterfront, bookstores, galleries, cafes, and cobblestone streets. You'll enjoy your own private room, a daily breakfast, and a setting that naturally fosters reflection, creativity, and connection. Lodging is included in your workshop tuition.
Class Size
Each fiction and nonfiction workshop will have no more than 10 participants each. All writers will submit two completed pieces of writing. One submission will be workshopped by your cohort and instructor and a second piece will be submitted for your one-on-one meeting with your workshop leader. Daily craft talks are open to all participants and led by program staff or faculty.



Workshop Schedule Overview
Sunday, May 31st
3:00PM: Hotel check-in begins.
5:00PM: Meet & Greet Happy Hour
Monday, May 4th - Thursday, May 7th, 2026
Mornings: Workshops and one-on-one instructor meetings.
Afternoons/Evenings: Optional craft seminar, led by faculty or staff. Optional mid-afternoon activity.
Friday, May 8th, 2026
12:00PM: Final check-out at The Press Hotel
Optional Afternoon Activities will be included throughout the week. Full schedule detailed below.

Workshop Schedule Detail, May 31st - June 5th, 2026

Included Optional Evening Activities
MONDAY – PRIVATE TROLLEY TOUR WITH LIGHTHOUSES



2026 Workshop Tuition
Tuition is $3,395 for your own room, or $2,595 to share a room with two double beds, and includes the following.
- Daily free Breakfast
- 4-day writing workshops in small groups of no more than 10 writers
- Critical feedback on two writing submissions
- Several craft of writing and/or business of writing seminars
- One-on-one conference with faculty
- Optional afternoon activities
- The time of your life
- Please Note: lunch and dinner are not included in the price of tuition.
- Payment Plans: accepted writers will have the option to pay their tuition in full or opt for a payment plan divided into equal monthly payments by selecting Affirm (for U.S. & Canadian residents) at checkout.
- FAQ at the bottom of this page.


Testimonials For Our Retreats
"Hands down the best workshop feedback I’ve ever received. I felt so lucky to be a part of this workshop and really enjoy the friendships I forged." - Ben H.
"For me, as a yet-unpublished writer, it was a great introduction to the world of workshopping. I felt comfortable sharing my stories with this helpful, diverse and dedicated group. And even though I'm daunted by the amount of work I have ahead of me, I'm inspired to start combining my stories into a memoir--something I hadn't considered before." -Sue P.
"This workshop exceeded my expectations. The classroom critiques and instructor one-on-ones were extremely helpful, the people were wonderful, and the atmosphere was inviting. It was an experience I'm so glad I didn't miss." - Carissa C.
Trip Leaders & Program Staff


Application & General FAQ
What is the application deadline?
Applications for our June 2026 Workshops in Portland, Maine are open. Early applications are encouraged.
What will my application include?
- Brief bio informing us of your involvement in the writing and literary community, as well as any prior or forthcoming publications. (250 words max)
- Purpose statement explaining why you would like to participate in Writing Workshops Maine. You can also discuss current manuscripts or writing projects that you might choose to workshop. (500 words max.)
- Writing sample excerpt in fiction or nonfiction. This does not have to be published work, though that is acceptable, nor does it have to be a piece you plan to workshop. Complete works under the word count are not required; excerpts are acceptable. (Fiction/nonfiction: 5K words max).
- Applications are open. Click here to apply now.
When will I know if I've been accepted to the workshop?
We cap our workshop participation at 10 writers in each genre cohort (fiction and nonfiction) for the week. Our goal is to provide an intimate, rigorous workshop environment so that participants can come to Portland, Maine and find meaningful connections and excellent feedback on their work. We will accept applicants on a rolling basis until each cohort is full and then begin waitlists. Due to the volume of applications and competitive acceptance, writers are encouraged to apply early.
Are Payment Plans Available?
Yes. Accepted writers will have the option to pay their tuition in full or opt for a payment plan divided into equal monthly payments by selecting Shop Pay Installments or Affirm (for U.S. & Canadian residents) at checkout.
Are Scholarships Available?
Unfortunately, we do not have the ability to offer scholarships for this workshop. However, we do have payment plans available.
What does workshop tuition include for the dates of May 31st - June 5th, 2026?
- Free Breakfast
- 4-day writing workshops in small groups of no more than 10 writers, led by workshop faculty.
- Critical feedback on two writing submissions
- Several craft of writing and/or business of writing seminars
- One-on-one conference with faculty
- Optional afternoon activities
- The time of your life
- Please Note: lunch and dinner are not included in the price of tuition.
- Note: accepted writers will have the option to pay their tuition in full or opt for a payment plan divided into equal monthly payments by selecting Affirm (for U.S. & Canadian residents) at checkout.
What is your refund policy for the workshop in Portland, Maine?
Given the intimate nature of our destination workshops and our own, non-refundable deposit schedule as organizers, our refund policy is as follows:
90+ days before your trip, tuition payment minus a $900 deposit is fully refundable.
60+ days before your trip: 50% of your tuition is refundable.
30+ days before your: 25% of your tuition is refundable.
Less than 30 days before your trip: no refunds can be offered.
Where is the hotel and workshop venue?
For six days and five nights, you'll stay at The Press Hotel, Portland’s premier boutique hotel, located in the historic former home of the Portland Press Herald newspaper. Designed with writers and creatives in mind, the hotel blends modern comfort with rich literary history: typewriters, vintage headlines, and newsroom-inspired decor are woven throughout the space, offering a daily reminder of the power of the written word. Located in the heart of the Old Port, The Press Hotel is just steps from Portland’s waterfront, bookstores, galleries, cafes, and cobblestone streets. You'll enjoy your own private room, a daily breakfast, and a setting that naturally fosters reflection, creativity, and connection. Lodging is included in your workshop tuition.
