Great Smokies Writing Program Begins Accepting Applications For Summer 2026

This week, UNC Asheville announced that it was accepting applications for The Great Smokies Writing Program at UNC Asheville led by professional writers in poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and visual narrative. This program provides a variety of opportunities for young writers to develop their writing skills in a variety of ways.

Classes carry academic credit awarded through UNC Asheville. All summer classes are 5 weeks in length and will begin in early June, with two offered virtually and three in-person.

Several Cori Gross Scholarships are available to those with financial need. Full information is available on the Great Smokies Writing Program website.

Summer Classes:

• “Writing the City: A Poetry Workshop” with Eric Nelson (in-person)

• “Poetic Kinesis: Movement and Energy in Poetry” with Whitney Waters (in-person)

• “The Work of Attention: An Embodied Short Fiction Workshop” with Halle Hill (virtual)

• “Visual Storytelling: Text + Image” with Grey Wolfe LaJoie (virtual)

• “Getting Back to Our Roots: Intro to Nature Writing” with Liam Danzis (in-person)

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The program is also offering two non-credit workshops this summer:  

• “Confessionalism in the Work of Bishop, Plath, & Clifton” with Jennie Malboeuf (virtual 3-session workshop)

• “The Soul of Poetry is Sound” with Todd Boss (1-session in-person workshop)

Enrollment is limited. Registration is open now. Visit unca.edu/greatsmokies to learn more and apply!