Summer Writers' Conference
of Pine Manor College
Application Information & Submission Guidelines
Download the Solstice Summer Writers’ Conference Application (PDF) and optional Solstice Financial Aid Application (PDF).
At the Solstice Summer Writers’ Conference, we believe that students receive the best attention, and faculty are able to provide 100 percent of their energy, if workshops are kept small. For this reason—unlike many other writers’ conferences—there are never more than 12 students in our workshops.
Because some workshops will fill more quickly than others, we advise you to apply for more than one workshop in order to increase your chances for acceptance. Please list your choices in order of preference. Applicants may choose up to three workshops; if accepted, they will attend one of their three choices.
Note that there are two faculty members listed for each workshop; each faculty person will teach half the conference (with the exception of Lee Hope, who will co-teach short fiction during the first half, and teach solo the second half). This format exposes student to range of artistic approaches and keeps the energy level high. While in most of our workshops, a student’s writing is discussed in detail by one faculty member, all students gain insights and knowledge from discussions of their fellow participants’ work as well as from each other.
Please download the application, fill it out completely, and email or mail it with your writing samples to the address below. We recommend that you apply as early as possible. We will accept applications through June 2nd (not a postmark date; materials must be received by our offices before or on June 2, 2008).
Advantages of Applying Early:
- Acceptances are made on a rolling basis (we begin filling slots in January)
- The earlier you apply, the greater your chances of earning a place in the workshop you most want to attend
- Participants needing to make flight arrangements will save money on airfare
- Financial assistance is extremely limited, and awarded in tandem with acceptances (that is, on a rolling basis); needy students should apply before our funds are depleted
Tuition to the Solstice Summer Writers’ Conference is $675. Once you are accepted, your slot will be secured upon receipt of payment. (Please read our Cancellation and Refund Policy.)
Meg Kearney, Director
Solstice Summer Writers’ Conference
Pine Manor College
400 Heath Street
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
solstice@pmc.edu
(617) 731-7697 or (617) 731-7684
- Application Requirements
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The Solstice Summer Writers’ Conference welcomes writers of various genres and styles who want to expand their knowledge of their art. Admission is selective, but the Application Committee will accept writers whose abilities range from early potential to advanced. Acceptance is based on evaluation of a short manuscript.
- Submitting Samples of Your Writing
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Please submit samples in hard copy to the above address, or as an email attachment in Word, with a cover letter describing your writing background to Meg Kearney, Solstice Conference Director, at solstice@pmc.edu. In the subject line of your email, indicate “SOLSTICE SUBMISSION.” Please keep copies of hard-copy submissions; your manuscript cannot be returned.
If you are applying for more than one workshop, submit a sample only for the workshop that is your top choice. If you are crossing genres in your submission (e.g., your first choice is the short-story workshop and your second is a poetry workshop), submit one sample in each of those genres.
IMPORTANT note: Upon receiving an acceptance letter, participants must send a Word attachment version of the piece of writing they would like discussed in workshop (by June 6 at the latest). If you are using the same piece you submitted with your application, you will still need to send a NEW copy to us by June 6.
- Guidelines for Writing Samples (please read with care)
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[Note: All fiction and nonfiction pieces must be typed in a 12-pt. font, double-spaced, and paginated; poetry must be typed with a 12-pt. font. No “fancy” fonts, please. Ensure that your name appears on every page. Please do not send more than the number of pages listed in our guidelines.]
Writing the Novel
Applicants must submit the first chapter (up to 20 typed, double-spaced, paginated pages) of a novel in progress. If the first chapter is fewer than 20 typed, double-spaced pages, students may also include the second chapter (in full or in part) so long as the submission does not exceed the 20-page limit.
Writing the Short Story
Submit one short story, 7–20 typed, double-spaced, paginated pages.
Writing Poetry
Submit eight poems (no more than 10 pages total). Please number and place the poems in the order in which you would like to have them workshopped, knowing our faculty might not be able to discuss all eight of your poems during the Conference. All poems should be typed in a 12-point font, preferably Times New Roman.
Writing Creative Nonfiction
If you are submitting a section of a book-length manuscript, submit the first chapter (no more than 20 typed, double-spaced pages), plus a one-page synopsis of the book. Otherwise, submit up to 20 typed, double-spaced, paginated pages of work.
Writing for Children & Young Adults
Students interested in writing young-adult novels should submit no more than 20 typed, double-spaced and paginated pages of a novel (the first 20 pages are preferred), plus a one-page synopsis of the book. Students wishing to focus on picture books should submit a typed, double-spaced manuscript. Sample illustrations are welcome but not required. While students will learn about both forms—YA novels and picture books—they should submit only one.
For information about our Cancellation and Refund Policy, click here.