The 28th Napa Valley Writers’ Conference July 27—Aug 1, 2008

The process of writing fiction begins with everything that is known and then, if it is successful, takes a leap forward into the unknown. You’re there in the unknown to serve the mysteries of your own creation, and your own end. Christopher Tilghman

The fiction workshops provide opportunity for the various aspects of craft (narrative technique, use of language, characterization, realization of theme/idea) to be reviewed and strengthened. Workshops meet two hours each day over five days. You will work exclusively with one faculty writer of your choice. He or she will lead a thorough discussion of your manuscript in workshop, and will also meet with you in a brief tutorial to discuss your work.

We are fortunate to have a gifted faculty again this year and hope that we will be able to schedule you with one of the workshop leaders you requested. If you are not matched with the faculty member who was your first choice, please remember that the informal nature of the conference lends itself to opportunities to meet and visit with the other faculty.

The schedule also includes talks by faculty writers, panels featuring visiting editors and agents, and readings by the faculty at Napa Valley wineries.

Fiction manuscripts

If you wish to submit for workshop discussion a manuscript different from the one you enclosed with your application (e.g., a revision, or a new one altogether), please make sure our office receives this new manuscript by July 2.

Single-story manuscripts should be no more than 25 pages. If you have shorter works, you may submit two stories that total no more than 20 pages.

If you wish to submit portions of a novel, it is often best to submit the first chapter and a one-page synopsis as well.

Please make sure that your manuscript is set in a regular 12-point typeface, double-spaced, and with standard margins. Put your name and page number (printed) on each page, and please try to provide a clean copy, so it will photocopy well.

All participants benefit — especially the writer — when the stories and novel excerpts under discussion have been carefully and thoughtfully prepared yet still have room for growth. Avoid the two extremes of workshop submission — the over-workshopped, ossified story on the one hand, and the draft that is barely a gleam in someone’s eye on the other.

Book manuscript critiques

For those who have completed a full-length manuscript, the Conference offers, as an additional service, a limited number of Book Manuscript Critiques.