5th Annual Todos Santos Writers Workshop

Jan. 27 to Feb. 3, 2018: 

In its fifth year, the 2018 Todos Santos Writers Workshop is expanding its curriculum. In addition to workshops in fiction, non-fiction and memoir, TSWW will launch a poetry workshop with award-winning poet, translator and journalist Christopher Merrill as its inaugural instructor.

Christopher Merrill

Merrill is the director of the renowned International Writing Program of the University of Iowa and this year will mark his second visit to Todos Santos, following his first stint as guest lecturer at TSWW’s 2016 session. The author of six collections of poetry and five books of nonfiction, his latest book, “Self-Portrait With Dogwood,” was released this year to wide acclaim. Among many honors, Merrill was recently awarded the Changwon KC International Literary Prize for his work as a poet, essayist, and translator at the Changwon Literary Festival in Changwon, South Korea.

“I am thrilled to return to the vibrant community of the Todos Santos Writers Workshop,” says Merrill, “where the written word is honored, the land and seascape are as glorious as the light, and the food and conversation are delicious.”

The addition of poetry to TSWW’s offerings has been a long-held goal. As a preview, Merrill says, “In my poetry workshop we will generate new poems, discuss a range of exemplary texts, and consider how best to make poetry central to our busy lives. This will be a space in which to stretch our wings—and fly.”

Writers Roundtable

The public event this year – scheduled Thursday, Feb. 1 at 3 p.m. – is a Writers Roundtable, with a discussion of “Inner and Outer Landscapes: Writing Personally About Nature,” featuring Chris Merrill and Ellen Waterston. Also a noted poet and author, Waterston, is the founder of Writing Ranch, a long-running writers retreat in Todos Santos. The roundtable will be held in the courtyard gardens of the legendary Casa Dracula, which also serves as the HQ for TSWW.

Application for admission:  2018

Tuition is $1,200.00US, covering the workshops, seminars and TSWW-hosted opening and closing events. Advance registration requires a 50% payment no later than November 30, 2017 to reserve your place.

Enrollment information: Enrollment in the TSWW program is granted on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to review by the TSWW directors. Your advance payment secures your registration in the workshop.

Cancellation policy: 50% of the advance payment will be reimbursed in event of cancellation notice by January 1, 2018. No reimbursements after that date.

Applications for admission are by email:  [email protected]