The Ocean State Summer Writing Conference consists of two parts: Part I, Three-day Workshops and Part II, the Main Conference, which includes Master Classes, Craft Seminars, Conversations, Publishing and Craft Sessions. See below for special rates and combination discounts.

Due to the mature topics discussed during the workshops and main conference, we cannot admit anyone under the age of eighteen.

MAIN EVENTS JUNE 23-25

Part I: Three-Day Workshop Thursday, 6/23, 1:00-3:00 pm; Friday, 6/24 and Saturday, 6/25, 9:00-11:00 am. This workshop offers participants the opportunity to write and to share their work over the course of three days with the same instructor and small group of fellow participants. Some reading and writing may be assigned for homework before and between the three workshop sessions. Keynote presentations, Friday and Saturday lunches, and the Friday night reception are included (however Friday night dinner has limited seats).

New this year: Advanced Intensive Three-Day Workshop Thursday, 6/23, 1:00-4:00 pm; Friday, 6/24 9:00-12:00 am; Saturday, 6/25, 9:00-11:00 am. Advanced Intensive Workshops are intended for writers with experience who want more in-depth feedback from fellow writers and conference faculty.  Registration will incur an additional fee – see options 2 and 4 below. Click here for more information. The Advanced Intensive Workshops in Fiction and Poetry require an application, Novel Planning does not. Keynote presentations, Friday and Saturday lunches, and the Friday night reception are included (however Friday night dinner has limited seats).

Part II: Main Conference Begins Friday, 6/24 at 8:30 am and runs through Saturday, 6/25 at 7:00 pm.
Listen to writers sharing their histories and offering advice. Explore new paths to writing. Take part in short writing exercises. Leave with new ideas to try on your own. Hear about new trends in publishing, and develop a strategy for your own writing career. From a 90 minute intensive to a Master Class to conversations with writers, Part II gives participants a wealth of experiences to take in. Keynote presentations, Saturday lunches, along with the Friday evening reception are included.

OPTION 1: $450 – See $425 Early Bird Special below
Part I, Three-Day Workshop and Part II, Main Conference
All-inclusive – Choose this option for the full conference experience. This includes Parts I and II Three-Day Workshop, Master Class, Conversations, Publishing and Craft Sessions).
Includes:
– Three-Day Workshop
– Panels, Master Class, and Craft Sessions
– Feature Speaker Presentations
– Friday & Saturday Lunches
– Friday Reception
*Special rates apply: See discounts below

OPTION 2: $600 – See $575 Early Bird Special below
Part I, Three-Day Advanced Intensive Workshop and Part II, Main Conference
All-inclusive – Choose this option for the full conference experience. This includes Parts I and II Three-Day Advanced Intensive Workshop, Master Class, Conversations and Publishing and Craft Sessions).
Includes:
– Three-Day Advanced Intensive Workshop
– Panels, Master Class, and Craft Sessions
– Feature Speaker Presentations
– Friday & Saturday Lunches
– Friday Reception
*Special rates apply: See discounts below

OPTION 3: $325 Part I, Three-Day Workshop
Option 3 gives you access to Part I only (Three-Day Workshops). You will be able to participate in one writing workshop, but will not have access to the Master Classes, Intensives, Conversations, Publishing and Craft Sessions.
Includes:
– Three-Day Workshop
– Feature Speaker Presentations
– Friday & Saturday Lunches
– Friday Reception

OPTION 4: $475 Part I, Three-Day Advanced Intensive Workshop
Option 4 gives you access to Part I only (Three-Day Advanced Intensive Workshop). You will be able to participate in one advanced intensive writing workshop, but will not have access to the Master Classes, Intensives, Conversations, Publishing and Craft Sessions.
Includes:
– Three-Day Advanced Intensive Workshop
– Feature Speaker Presentations
– Friday & Saturday Lunches
– Friday Reception

OPTION 5: $225 Part II, Main Conference
This option grants you access to Part II only (Master Classes, Intensives, Conversations, Publishing and Craft Sessions). Does not include access to Workshops.
Includes:
– Master Class, Craft Seminars, Conversations, Publishing and Craft Sessions
– Feature Speaker Presentations
– Friday & Saturday Lunches
– Friday Reception

Special Discounts

• Early Bird Registration for Workshops and Main Conference (Option 1 and 2): * must register by May 15, 2016. Standard rate applies after this date.
• URI Alumni / Members of OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute – URI) Discount (OLLI members must present their membership cards at the conference)
  • Three-Day Advanced Intensive Workshop and Main Conference: $425
  • Three-Day Workshops and Main Conference: $375
• Student Combination Discount (Must present a valid URI ID at the conference)
  • Three-Day Advance Intensive Workshop and Main Conference: $300
  • Three-Day Workshops and Main Conference: $250
• URI Faculty / Staff Combination Discount (Must present a valid URI ID at the conference)
  • Three-Day Advance Intensive Workshop and Main Conference: $300
  • Three-Day Workshops and Main Conference: $250

Scholarship Information: A limited number of scholarships are available. Please click here to download an application.

OPTIONAL FEES:

30 Minute One-on-One Consultation: $125
Consultations are a wonderful way for you to learn from some of our most accomplished conference faculty in a personalized, unique way. You are required to submit a short manuscript (no more than 10 pages or 5 poems) by June 17, 2016 and sign up for a 30 minute consultation. During the consultation, the faculty member will discuss your manuscript, offer suggestions for improvement, develop a strategy for getting the most out of your writing, and brainstorm ways to get you to the next level. You can also come to the consultation with specific questions about roadblocks or trouble spots. Limited space available.

Friday Night Dinner: $40 June 24 from 7:00 – 8:00 pm Enjoy dinner with presenters. Cash bar available.

On Campus Housing: Single Occupancy $53 per night, Double Occupancy $76 per night, Double Occupancy rooms are available on a limited basis for Thursday and Friday nights.

We wish to thank our supporters throughout the University of Rhode Island, whose generosity allows us to offer such affordable rates.