Elk River Writers Workshop

The 2025 Elk River Writers Workshop was held from August 10 to August 15 at Chico Hot Springs, a historic retreat in Pray, Montana, near Yellowstone National Park. The program featured workshops, craft talks, outings, lectures, panel discussions, and campfire readings for poets, fiction writers, and nonfiction writers. The faculty included poets Kimberly Blaeser and Angie Trudell Vasquez, poet and memoirist Deborah A. Miranda, novelists Debra Magpie Earling and Oscar Hokeah, and memoirist Thomas C. Gannon. Tuition, which included meals, was $1,700; some scholarships were available. Lodging was available at Chico Hot Springs and other area hotels. To apply, writers submitted a writing sample of up to 1,500 words in any genre and a brief bio with a $25 application fee by May 1. To apply for scholarships, writers filled out an online application form after completing a workshop application; they applied by April 1 for scholarships for local writers, Indigenous writers, and other writers from diverse backgrounds based on factors including but not limited to gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, and economic status. Visit the website for more information.

Accessibility accommodations included accessible sidewalks, pathways, and doorways; a single-level event space; accessible restrooms; accessible parking; and assistive listening devices (with advance request). E-mail the program manager for additional accessibility details.