E.L. and Helen Doctorow, Karen Ackerson (Founder and Executive Director), Gail Godwin, and Peter Matthiessen at a 1990 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 your help with updating our website, publicity, and fundraising in exchange for free classes. Please email writersw@gmail.com - or call 828-254-8111.

Upcoming Contests

Upcoming Workshops

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

2018 Fundraiser

​Our goal is to raise $65,000 this year to continue our award-winning programs in NC & SC; to offer free writing classes to young people in Western North Carolina at area libraries; and to give workshop scholarships to low-income writers.
Your tax-deductible donation will make these worthy goals possible! A $50 donation or more will establish you as a Friend of the Arts, and includes a year's membership, which entitles you to discounts on all workshops and contests.

Edisto Beach Writers' Retreat - April 26-29, 2018

The Writers’ Workshop of Asheville is hosting its 20th  Annual Writers’ Retreat at Edisto Beach, SC. It is open to a small group of beginning or experienced writers, and is an ideal place to relax, write and review participant’s work.  Daily sessions in fiction, creative non-fiction, memoirs and self-editing will be led by The Writers’ Workshop instructors. Participants will share a beach house near the ocean.
The all-inclusive rate (except for meals) is $495 for a private room, or $395 shared. The commuter rate is $55 per day. Carpooling is available from Asheville.

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.

Need a mountain retreat?

Come stay at our own beautiful Mountain Muse Bed and Breakfast. Catering to literary and artistic minded folks, this century-old farmhouse is the ideal place to relax and rediscover your muse. A peaceful place with 3 bedrooms, two porches and gardens, we're only minutes away from downtown Asheville, The Biltmore Estate, the Folk Art Center, and the Blue Ridge Parkway.