E.L. and Helen Henslee Doctorow, Karen Ackerson (Founder and Executive Director), Gail Godwin, and Peter Matthiessen
at a benefit for The Writers' Workshop of Asheville.

Serving writers in the Southeast and beyond since 1985

"The Writers' Workshop is a community treasure that deserves to be nurtured and supported" -   John Le Carre
​     Award-winning writers have supported our programs by giving benefit readings in Asheville, including Eudora Welty (broadcast on N.P.R.'s "All Things Considered"), John Le Carre (featured in The Washington Post), Peter Matthiessen, Kurt Vonnegut, E.L. Doctorow, Don De Lillo, Sue Monk Kidd, Gail Godwin, Reynolds Price, Pat Conroy, Alex Haley  - and many others.   
     Our mission is to provide top-notch workshops, readings, retreats and contests for the benefit of the community at large.

Volunteers and interns needed!
   We need volunteers to help with media publicity, programming and fundraising in exchange for free classes.
    Please email writersw@gmail.com - or call 828-254-8111.

December 2018 Fundraiser

Dear Friends of Literature,
 
Since 1985, people have depended on us to educate and nurture writers and readers of all ages and backgrounds. We've helped thousands of adults, children and teens improve their writing and reading skills, and to get published. 
 
Now, we depend on your help to continue our award-winning programs, give workshop scholarships to low-income students, and repair our roof that got damaged from recent storms.  Your tax-deductible gift will directly affect hundreds of aspiring writers, young and old. Like all arts organizations, we depend on our members to sustain our award-winning programs.
 
Please, support the literary arts by giving a donation today. Your gift of $75 or more includes a full year’s membership renewal! You can donate today by clicking here:

​From all of us at The Writers’ Workshop, we wish you a peaceful and creative New Year – and many thanks for your support!

Hot off the press... Check out our calendar for more!

Annual Memoirs Competition

Submit a memoir of 5,000 words or less. Pages should be paper clipped, with your name, address, email, phone and title of work on the first page. Double-space, and use 12 point font. Submission deadline is December 31st, 2018.

The entry fee is $25 per memoir, or $20 for Workshop members. Multiple entries are accepted. Enclose self-sealing SASE for critique and list of winners.

For further guidelines, prize information, previous contest winners, and entry, please visit our contests page!

Literary Fiction Contest

     Our Literary Fiction Contest deadline has been extended. You now have until December 15th to submit your short stories (or chapter of a novel)!
     ​​Submit a short story or chapter of a novel of 5,000 words or less.
     Pages should be paper clipped, with your name, address, phone number, and title of work on the first page. Double-space, and use 12 point font.
     The entry fee is $25 per entry (or $20 for Workshop members). Multiple entries are accepted.
     Send to Fiction Contest, 387 Beaucatcher Rd., Asheville NC 28805. Enclose check and self-sealing SASE for critique and list of winners.
     Emailed submissions may be sent to writersw@gmail.com (double- spaced, in Word Doc.) Put "Fiction Contest" in the subject.
Register here!

Are you a literary professional interested in teaching a workshop with us? Click here to get in touch!

Thinking about publishing your work?

The Renbourne Editorial Agency provides expert assistance with revising and editing your work - memoirs, fiction or creative non-fiction. We use a fine-tooth comb to ready your work for publication, in person or online. We also have writing coaches available to help organize and ready your work for publication, in person or online. In addition, personal tutorials and writing classes are also available. Please contact us at writersw@gmail.com, or call 828-254-8111 to discuss our services in further detail.

The Renbourne Editorial Agency is a division of The Writers' Workshop of Asheville, NC, a literary center founded in 1985.