Tuition for Writing Workshops New Orleans January 2025
2025 Workshop Dates:
January 29th - February 2nd, 2025
Workshop Faculty
Fiction Workshop Instructor Karen E. Bender is the author of two collections; Refund, which was a Finalist for the National Book Award, shortlisted for the Frank O'Connor International Story Prize, and Longlisted for the Story prize, and The New Order, which was Longlisted for the Story prize. A new collection, The Words of Dr.L and other stories, will be published by Counterpoint Press in May, 2025. Her novels are Like Normal People and A Town of Empty Rooms. Her fiction has appeared in The New Yorker, Granta, Ploughshares, Zoetrope, The Yale Review, The Harvard Review, Story, Guernica, and others, have been reprinted in Best American Short Stories and Best American Mystery stories and won three Pushcart prizes.
Nonfiction Workshop Instructor Robert Anthony Siegel is the author of a memoir, Criminals, and two novels, All Will Be Revealed and All the Money in the World. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Smithsonian Magazine, The Paris Review, The Drift, The Oxford American, and Ploughshares, and has been anthologized in Best American Essays 2023, O. Henry Stories 2014, and Pushcart Prize XXXVI. He has been a Fulbright Scholar in Taiwan, a Mombukagakusho Fellow in Japan, a Writing Fellow at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, and a Paul Engle Fellow at the Iowa Writers Workshop. He holds an MFA from the Iowa Writers Workshop.
Lodging at Henry Howard Hotel
Constructed in 1867 as a double-gallery townhouse by famed-architect Henry Howard, the Henry Howard Hotel has been reimagined into a boutique hotel with many of its original elements still standing. In this hotel, rich tradition meets modern-day design and like shrimp and grits, they just go together.
Class Size
Each genre workshop will have no more than 10 participants, led by the genre faculty instructor. Daily craft talks are open to all participants and led by program staff or faculty.
Fiction & Nonfiction Workshops:
Ahead of our arrival in New Orleans, fiction and nonfiction students will submit two manuscripts. One manuscript of up to 5,000 words will be critiqued in the group workshop and include letters of critique from your peers and instructor; your second manuscript of up to 5,000 words will be discussed in a one-on-one conference with your instructor in New Orleans. All writers can submit up to 10,000 words in total between their two manuscript submissions.
Schedule Overview
Wednesday, January 29th, 2025
3:00PM: Hotel check-in begins.
6:00PM: Free introductory dinner at the hotel.
Thursday, January 30th - Saturday, February 1st, 2025
Mornings: Workshops and one-on-one instructor meetings.
Afternoons/Evenings: Lunch Break & free time. Optional afternoon seminar, led by faculty or staff. Optional evening activity and dinner.
Sunday, February 2nd, 2025
11:00AM: Final check-out at the Henry Howard Hotel.
Optional Evening activities:
Wednesday: Welcome Dinner
Thursday: Walking Tour of Garden District
Friday: Hands-on cooking class at New Orleans School of Cooking
Saturday: Reading and Happy Hour
**Details subject to change. Final version will be sent out roughly one month before the start of the workshop.
Included Optional Evening Activities
Wednesday: Welcome Dinner at the Henry Howard HotelKick off your New Orleans writing retreat with a warm welcome dinner at the elegant Henry Howard Hotel. Enjoy a delicious meal in a beautifully restored historic mansion, where you can meet and mingle with fellow writers and instructors in a relaxed and charming setting. This intimate gathering sets the stage for a week of creativity and camaraderie.
Thursday: Walking Tour of The Garden District and Lafayette Cemetery
Nestled within the heart of New Orleans lies the illustrious Garden District, a storied enclave renowned for its resplendent architecture, verdant landscapes, and vibrant cultural tapestry. Here, we will embark on a mesmerizing walking tour where the city's captivating past unfolds before our eyes. Meandering along tree-shaded avenues adorned with stately Greek Revival mansions, antebellum residences, and majestic oak trees, we'll be transported to an era of grandeur and charm. Our journey commences at Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, a hauntingly beautiful resting place steeped in Gothic splendor and cinematic allure. From there, we'll amble through the district's enchanting streets, discovering hidden gems like quaint boutiques and the luxurious abodes of celebrities. Along the way, we'll delve into the district's rich literary heritage, tracing the footsteps of esteemed authors such as Anne Rice, Mark Twain, and George Washington Cable, whose words have woven themselves into the fabric of New Orleans' cultural identity. As we immerse ourselves in the allure of the Garden District, this walking tour offers a captivating glimpse into the city's soul. So, join us on this immersive journey through time and history, where every step reveals a new facet of New Orleans' enchanting Garden District.
Friday: Hands-on Cooking Class at New Orleans School of Cooking
Friday promises an unforgettable culinary escapade as we venture into the iconic French Quarter for an immersive, hands-on cooking experience with the esteemed New Orleans School of Cooking. Over three captivating hours, we'll hone our culinary skills and delve deep into the fascinating tapestry of New Orleans cuisine, unraveling its rich history and cultural significance. Guided by expert chefs, we'll embark on a gastronomic journey, preparing a mouthwatering array of dishes that showcase the diverse flavors of the region. From the hearty warmth of chicken & andouille gumbo to the tantalizing allure of BBQ Shrimp & Grits, each recipe will serve as a gateway to the soulful essence of Creole cooking. And as we indulge our senses in the delightful sweetness of bananas foster for dessert, we'll find ourselves transported to a realm where every bite tells a story of tradition and indulgence. Adding to our culinary adventures, a selection of complimentary beverages awaits, including wine, beer, soft drinks, iced tea, and lemonade, ensuring nobody departs with an empty stomach. So, join us as we embark on this epicurean odyssey through the flavors and traditions that define the culinary landscape of New Orleans.
*Please let us know at least two weeks before the cooking class if you have any dietary restrictions.
Saturday: Reading & Happy Hour Followed by Farewell DinnerCelebrate the culmination of your New Orleans writing workshop with an evening of readings and revelry. Share your work and listen to your peers' pieces during our reading session, followed by a lively happy hour. Conclude the night with a memorable farewell dinner, savoring delectable cuisine while reflecting on the week’s experiences and newfound friendships.
Tuition
Tuition is $2,995 for your own room, or $2,295 to share a room with two double beds. Tuition includes the following:
- Lodging in your own room at Henry Howard Hotel for 5 days, 4 nights
- Complimentary breakfast featuring coffee, tea, OJ, and pastries from a local bakery
- 3-day writing workshops in small groups of no more than 10 writers, led by program faculty
- Critical feedback on writing submissions
- Daily craft of writing and/or business of writing seminars
- One-on-one conference with faculty
- Walking tour of the Garden District on Thursday
- Dinner and drinks on the first night at the hotel.
- Hands-on cooking class with New Orleans School of cooking Friday including dinner and drinks.
- Happy hour drinks during the reading on our final night.
- Please Note: lunch each day and dinner on Thursday and Saturday are not included in the price of tuition.
How much does it cost?
Tuition is $2,995 for your own room or $2,295 to share a room with two double beds. If your application is accepted, full tuition is due within 14 days. Upon acceptance, you will have the option to pay your tuition in full or opt for a payment plan by selecting Affirm at checkout.
What is your refund policy for the workshop in New Orleans?
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.
By making your tuition payment in full, you agree to these terms.
What does tuition include?
-Lodging in your own room at Henry Howard Hotel for 5 days, 4 nights-Complimentary breakfast featuring coffee, tea, OJ, and pastries from a local bakery
-3-day writing workshops in small groups of no more than 10 writers, led by program faculty
-Critical feedback on writing submissions
-Daily craft of writing and/or business of writing seminars
-One-on-one conference with faculty
-Walking tour of the Garden District on Thursday
-Dinner and drinks on the first night at the hotel.
-Hands-on cooking class with New Orleans School of cooking Friday including dinner and drinks.
-Happy hour drinks during the reading on our final night.
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 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 at checkout.
Where is the hotel and workshop venue?
Constructed in 1867 as a double-gallery townhouse by famed-architect Henry Howard, the Henry Howard Hotel has been reimagined into a boutique hotel with many of its original elements still standing. In this hotel, rich tradition meets modern-day design and like shrimp and grits, they just go together.
What is your COVID policy?
It is the responsibility of attendees of Writing Workshops New Orleans to have the appropriate documentation required and to meet any COVID vaccination requirements implemented by the state of Louisiana. If the state of Louisiana forbids entry to their state for the dates of Wednesday, January 29th - Sunday, February 2nd, 2025, Writing Workshops will offer a full refund for program fees. Writing Workshops will not reimburse for any airline tickets or additional trip-related expenses incurred. If the New Orleans writing workshop takes place on the dates planned, no program fees will be reimbursed, regardless of attendance.
What will you do with my email?
We respect your privacy. We won't sell or rent your email to other organizations.
I have a question not answered here.
Please contact us and we’ll reply promptly.
Terms & Conditions
Our January 2025 in-person Writing Workshop in New Orleans for fiction and nonfiction writers is dedicated to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all participants and is not a place for behavior that is inappropriate, off-topic, disruptive, abusive, or illegal. WritingWorkshops.com defines inappropriate behavior as any conduct that undermines the integrity of the workshop, including written, verbal, or physical abuse or threats, the use of derogatory or discriminatory language, gestures, or actions, any form of harassment, racism, sexism, or any other targeted comments which may violate any local, state, federal, or international laws, or cause harm to another participant before, during, or after the workshop, whether in-person in New Orleans, at associated events, through the WritingWorkshops.com website or social media channels, during any online component of the workshop, or through any other method of communication. WritingWorkshops.com reserves the right, at its discretion, to take appropriate action against any individual(s) or group(s) it believes do not meet the standards set forth in this Code of Conduct, including, without limitation, revoking the violating parties' admission without refund. During in-person sessions, WritingWorkshops.com expects all attendees to adhere to public health guidelines relevant to safety, hygiene, and any identified pandemic-level communicable illnesses (including COVID-19), such as social distancing, hand washing, staying home if feeling unwell, and other disease prevention measures. Should you observe or experience a violation of this Code of Conduct, please contact WritingWorkshops.com. WritingWorkshops.com is committed to assessing the situation and responding promptly. Notifying WritingWorkshops.com does not substitute for notifying local law enforcement of suspected violations of the law. All such suspicions should be reported to local authorities. For emergencies, dial the local emergency number immediately. For non-emergencies, local law enforcement contact details will be provided in the workshop materials. By registering for the workshop, participants agree to abide by these terms and contribute to a welcoming and productive environment for all.
By participating in the WritingWorkshops.com January 2025 In-Person Writing Workshop in New Orleans for fiction and nonfiction writers, you waive all rights you may have to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with any use, exhibition, streaming, webcasting, televising, or other publication of these materials, regardless of the purpose or sponsoring of such use, exhibiting, broadcasting, webcasting, or other publication, irrespective of whether a fee for admission or sponsorship is charged. You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by WritingWorkshops.com or the person or entity designated to do so by WritingWorkshops.com. You have been fully informed of your consent, waiver of liability, and release before participating in the WritingWorkshops.com January 2025 In-Person Writing Workshop in New Orleans. By registering for this workshop, you agree to these terms.
By paying your tuition to attend the January 2025 Writing Workshop in New Orleans, hosted by WritingWorkshops.com, for fiction and nonfiction writers, you hereby acknowledge your participation in the event. You understand and agree that WritingWorkshops.com, its organizers, affiliates, and agents (collectively, the "Organizers") are not responsible for any injuries, illnesses, damages, theft, or loss of life that may occur during the workshop or as part of any related activities. You recognize that participation in the workshop involves certain risks and you engage in these activities voluntarily, at your own risk. You hereby release, waive, discharge, and covenant not to sue the Organizers from any and all claims, demands, liabilities, rights, or causes of action that arise from or are in any way related to any injuries, death, or damages, both physical and emotional, that may occur during or as a result of your participation in the workshop. You have been fully informed of your consent, waiver of liability, and release before entering and participating in the Writing Workshop in New Orleans, January 2025, organized by WritingWorkshops.com. By paying your tuition, you explicitly agree to these terms. For more information or inquiries, please contact WritingWorkshops.com.