The Writers Circle

SUMMER 2026 CREATIVE WRITING INTENSIVES

for TEENS Who LOVE to Write

~ now in our 14th season ~

Three Week-long Intensives
Writing Daily, 9:00 AM-3:30 PM (ET)

Week 1: July 13-17 | Week 2: July 20-24 | Week 3: July 27-31

~ Join us for one, two, or all three weeks ~

We're looking forward to another great summer at Drew University in Madison, NJ.

If your teen loves to write,
The Writers Circle is the perfect place to hone their craft
in a generous, creative environment.

 

For teens who love to write, The Writers Circle’s Summer Creative Writing Intensive is the perfect place to hone their craft. Students will develop their voices and writing ideas in a generous, creative environment with professional authors as instructors. Each week they’ll choose from two different genres to focus on - fiction, poetry, sci-fi/fantasy, and more. They’ll focus on their own writing projects as well as new work inspired by creative exercises and prompts. They’ll receive supportive, constructive feedback from instructors and peers. Literary inter-activities and group writing adventures, plus a reading on Friday will round out the week. They’ll also have the chance to submit their work for publication in The Writers Circle's online journal.

 

The Writers Circle is a Scholastic Awards Summer Scholarship Program partner.

Week 1 - July 13-17, 2026

Summer Teen Intensive Week 1 2026

 

MORNING WORKSHOPS*

  • Elements of Fiction with Michelle Cameron
  • Exploring Poetry with Cat Doty
  • Romancing the Beat for Every Genre with Talia Tucker
  • LOL 101: Stand Up Comedy Camp with Liz Alterman
  • Works-in-Progress with Judith Lindbergh (submission required)**

 

WEDNESDAY LITERARY ADVENTURE: TBD

9:00 AM - 3:30 PM

*All programs and instructors subject to change.

**Submission details are on the registration form.

$695.00 $645.00 (Early bird expires on Mar 01) Week 1 Tuition - (07/13/2026-07/17/2026)

Register

Week 2 - July 20-24, 2026

Summer Teen Intensive Week 2 2026

 

MORNING WORKSHOPS*

  • FUN SIZED: Flash Fiction and Short Stories with Libby Cudmore
  • Dancing in Chains: Poetic Forms with Cat Doty
  • Horror and Dark Matter with Mike Allegra
  • Screenwriting with Chris Messino

 

WEDNESDAY LITERARY ADVENTURE: Pirates! with Mike Allegra

9:00 AM - 3:30 PM

*All programs and instructors subject to change.

$695.00 $645.00 (Early bird expires on Mar 01) Week 2 Tuition - (07/20/2026-07/24/2026)

Register

Week 3 - July 27-31, 2026

Summer Teen Intensive Week 3 2026

 

MORNING WORKSHOPS*

  • Elements of Fiction with Michelle Cameron
  • Exploring Poetry with Cat Doty
  • Crafting Imaginary Worlds: Sci-Fi/Fantasy with Barry Lyga
  • Revealing Forms: Storytelling Through Unique Formats and Structures with Livvy Jean
  • Works-In-Progress with Judith Lindbergh (submission required)**

WEDNESDAY LITERARY ADVENTURE: TBD

9:00 AM - 3:30 PM

*All programs and instructors subject to change.

**Submission details are on the registration form.

$695.00 $645.00 (Early bird expires on Mar 01) Week 3 Tuition - (07/27/2026-07/31/2026)

Register

Want to share a ride to Drew University? Check out our Carpool board.

~~~

A writer's day at TWC's Summer Intensive:*

9:00-9:20 - Writing Warm-ups (Physical, literary, and creative)

9:20-10:50 - Genre #1 workshop with a published author

10:50-11:00 - Quick break

11:00-12:30 - Genre #2 workshop with a published author

12:30-1:00 - Brown bag lunch, plus time to move and socialize

1:00-2:00 - Free writing and editorial conferences with published authors

2:00-3:15 - Group literary activities, special guests, etc., plus Friday afternoon reading

3:15-3:30 - Pack-up and pick-up

*Schedule based on in-person attendance. Subject to change.

 

All teens, rising 8th grade and up, are welcome to join the Summer Intensives.

~~~

See what we did in our 2025 Summer Intensives.

REFUND POLICY: Refund Fee $100 per session. Absolutely no refunds are issued after June 30 except in the case of medical emergency.

 

 | TWC's Freedom of Expression Policy |