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Our juried Writers conference 

returns June 14 - 19, 2026
at Whispertree

(formerly Bell Valley Retreat Center)
Boonville, CA

3 Prize-winning Authors
2 high-powered literary agents
1 well-connected publicist
only 24 attendees

For our 2026 writers conference, we're bringing together 3 distinguished authors, plus 3 publishing industry professionals to lead our workshops and master classes.

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That's a ratio of 1 faculty member for every 4 participants!

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Mornings will be given over to small (4 writers maximum) workshop groups, led by a different faculty member each day. 

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Each afternoon, one of our distinguished faculty members will give a one-hour master class in everything from the craft of writing, to how to impress (and work with) an agent, to the ins and outs of publicizing your book.

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In the evenings, participants are invited to read short excerpts from their writing to the group at large.

Our faculty

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publicist

Kimberly Burns

Kimberly Burns is the co-founder of Broadside PR. Her clients have included Zadie Smith, Adam Gopnik, Ann Beattie & Salman Rushdie.

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agent

Reiko Davis

Reiko Davis is a literary agent with DeFiore & Company, where she represents literary and upmarket fiction, as well as narrative nonfiction.

Author

Paul Harding

Paul Harding is the author of the Pulitzer Prize–winning novel, 'Tinkers.'  His most recent novel,'This Other Eden,' was a finalist for both the National Book Award and the Booker Prize.

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Author

Jonathan Lethem

Jonathan Lethem is the author of 'Motherless Brooklyn,' which won the National Book Critics Circle award, and 'Fortress of Solitude,' which became a National Bestseller. 

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Author

Janis Cooke Newman

Newman is the author of 'Mary; Mrs. A. Lincoln, which was an LA Times Book Prize Finalist & USA Today's Historical Novel of the Year, as well as 'A Master Plan for Rescue' (an SF Chronicle Best Book of the Year). She is the founder of Lit Camp.

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agent

Eric Simonoff

Eric has been at WME since 2009 where he represents a wide range of fiction and nonfiction. His clients include Jhumpa Lahiri, Edward P. Jones, Yaa Gyasi,Stacy Schiff,Tina Brown, Peter Balakian,Phil Klay, Christina Baker Kline,& Jonathan Lethem among many others.

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Pricing

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The Barn

Prices for the 5-day conference range from $1595 to $2795, depending on the accommodation chosen.

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This fee includes accommodations, all 5 days of the conference, all workshops and master classes, plus meals, provided by our amazing vegetarian chef.

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For more information on accommodations, click the button below.

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Platform tent

We offer a limited number of partial scholarships to the conference. Scholarships provide a $500 discount on the conference fee and are to be used on the double-occupancy tent accommodations only.

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Please indicate in your application letter whether you would like to be considered for a scholarship.

How to apply

Apply by submitting (through Submittable). Please include a cover letter letting us know a bit about you and your project, along with a writing sample of no more than 3500 words.​

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There is a $20 fee for applying. Please write to us if that represents a hardship.

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We will begin accepting applications on

October 1, 2025

 

All applications must be received no later than January 31, 2026

 

We will let you know if you have been accepted to the LitCamp Writers Conference by

March 15, 2026

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Payment in full must be received by

April 1, 2026 

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Contact
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Lit Camp was founded in 2012 to help writers get their books into the world. Since that time, many of our Lit Campers have gotten book deals from major publishers and published their books. 

Lit Camp is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. We are committed to never turning away any writer who is accepted into Lit Camp for financial reasons. Please consider donating to Lit Camp.

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