Apply for Summer Words by Wednesday, February 26
2025-02-26 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Denver) | CO
Summer Words Writers Conference (June 22-27, 2025)
Deadline to apply for juried workshops: Wednesday, Feb. 26
$35 application fee and writing sample required for all juried workshops.
Please carefully read the manuscript guidelines before applying.

Juried Workshops:

Fiction: Led by Steve Almond, Vanessa Chan,
& Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
Memoir: Led by Héctor Tobar
Sci-Fi/Fantasy: Led by P. Djèlí Clark

Screenwriting: Led by Christina Lazaridi
Apply for Juried Workshops Here

2025 Summer Words Writers Conference
2025-06-22 08:00 - 2025-06-27 17:00 | CO
Join us June 22-27 2025, in Snowmass Village for inspiring workshops, readings and craft talks at the Viewline Resort.
General admission workshops including Book Branding, Generative Writing and a Readers Retreat are filled on a first come, first served basis until capacity is reached. Register today!
Recognized as one of the nation’s top literary gatherings, Summer Words is a six-day celebration of words, stories and ideas held annually in an idyllic Rocky Mountain setting.
Summer Words 2025 will return to Snowmass Village, Colorado, a vibrant community just 9 miles from Aspen, with incredible mountain vistas in addition to 2.8 million adjacent acres of wilderness open for activities and exploration. Snowmass is home to 30+ restaurants, shopping, unique special events and music.
The faculty lineup and workshop descriptions for Summer Words 2025 are now available.
Learn more about Summer Words here.

Book Branding: From Manuscripts to Momentum with Taryn Roeder -- Register Today!
2025-06-22 09:00 - 2025-06-27 11:00 | CO
Registration for general application workshops is open now!

General admission workshops including Book Branding and Generative Writing are filled on a first come, first served basis until capacity is reached. Register today!
Daily workshops Monday – Friday from 9-11am.

Taryn Roeder is executive director of publicity at Abrams Books, leading the publicity departments for the Adult and Children’s divisions. Taryn has 20+ years of experience in book publicity and has worked with major figures in politics, science, art, and music, as well as on literary fiction and narrative nonfiction. Taryn was previously senior director of publicity at HarperCollins. While managing a team of publicists there, Taryn worked on many titles, including the instant New York Times bestseller “A Sacred Oath” by former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and “Read Dangerously: The Subversive Power of Literature in Troubled Times” by Azar Nafisi. Prior to that, Taryn was at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for 17 years, rising in leadership to become the vice president, director of publicity. She worked with New York Times bestselling authors Temple Grandin, Guy Raz and Sinead O’Connor, and on Lori Gottlieb’s “Maybe You Should Talk to Someone.” She led the publicity campaigns for many beloved debut novels, including instant New York Times bestsellers “Black Buck” by Mateo Askaripour and“Friday Black ”by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, as well as on Adrienne Brodeur’s highly acclaimed memoir “Wild Game.” While it is true that some books are easier to promote than others, Taryn swears she loves all of her authors equally
REGISTER NOW
Workshop Description
From Manuscript to Momentum: Elevate Your Book’s Success
You’ve written (or nearly completed) your book—so what’s next? How can you set yourself up for success and best shepherd your book into the world? And what does success truly mean for you? In this dynamic and interactive workshop, we’ll demystify the world of book publicity and promotion and equip you with actionable tools to navigate the process confidently. You’ll receive personalized guidance to craft a compelling elevator pitch and uncover your most engaging hooks and talking points. We’ll explore strategies to amplify your author platform, strengthen your media savvy, and build your press contacts. You’ll gain insider insights into the book publicity timeline, learn how to create impactful press kit materials, and discover opportunities to write and place book-adjacent content such as opinion pieces and curated reading lists. We’ll also dive into the value of author tours, festival appearances, and other events, and how to make them work for you. Through hands-on exercises and tailored assignments, you’ll leave this workshop with clear strategies to confidently promote your book while staying true to your goals and values as an author.
This is a 5-day workshop, meeting for 2-hours a day.
2025 Tuition:
2025 5-Day Inside the World of Book Publishing & Book Branding: $1,150
Tuition Includes:

Faculty instruction and materials
Access to all public panels throughout the week
Breakfast and lunch at the Viewline Resort (Monday through Friday)
Opening and closing receptions
Discounted lodging rates at our conference site, the Viewline Resort in Snowmass Village, Colorado.
Social activities such as guided hikes, an open mic evening and informal gatherings.

More About The 2025 Summer Words Writers Conference

June 22-27 in Snowmass Village, CO

Join us June 22-27 2025, in Snowmass Village for inspiring workshops, readings and craft talks at the Viewline Resort.
Recognized as one of the nation’s top literary gatherings, Summer Words is a six-day celebration of words, stories and ideas held annually in an idyllic Rocky Mountain setting.
Summer Words 2025 will return to Snowmass Village, Colorado, a vibrant community just 9 miles from Aspen, with incredible mountain vistas in addition to 2.8 million adjacent acres of wilderness open for activities and exploration. Snowmass is home to 30+ restaurants, shopping, unique special events and music.
The faculty lineup and workshop descriptions for Summer Words 2025 are now available, and applications are open!

Generative Writing with Laura Zigman -- Register Today!
2025-06-22 09:00 - 2025-06-27 12:00 | CO
Registration for general application workshops is open now!

General admission workshops including Book Branding and Generative Writing are filled on a first come, first served basis until capacity is reached. Register today!
Daily workshops Monday – Friday from 9am-12pm.

Laura Zigman is the author of six novels, including “Small World,” “Separation Anxiety”(which was optioned by Julianne Nicholson and the production company Wiip (“Mare of Easttown”) for a limited television series); and “Animal Husbandry”(which was made into the movie “Someone Like You,” starring Hugh Jackman and Ashley Judd). She has ghostwritten/collaborated on several works of non-fiction, including Eddie Izzard’s New York Times bestseller, “Believe Me”; been a contributor to The New York Times,and was the recipient of a Yaddo residency.  She lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she consults for bookstores and literary events, and helps clients via Zoom, phone and sometimes in person with their writing. She is also at work on two new novels
Workshop Description
Most workshops focus on polishing and fine-tuning finished work (a short story, chapters of a novel). This workshop starts at the opposite end of the process– at the beginning–with an idea, a first line, a voice, an exchange of dialogue. Stories are built, sentence by sentence, scene by scene, and this workshop will cover some of the fundamental elements of storytelling: point of view, conflict, character arc, narrative structure, why a story begins where it does. Who is telling the story and can they be trusted? What do they want? What are the points of conflict? Where is the heart and soul of the story and what do we want the reader to feel? Whether you’rejust starting out or are a more experienced writer looking to gain new insight into the craft and process of writing, this generative workshop intends to inspire you to explore new work without fear of judgment, to embrace the joy and freedom of creativity in order to spark fresh ideas, and ultimately to help you find your way into the story you most want to tell.
This is a 5-day workshop, meeting for 3-hours a day.
REGISTER NOW

2025 Tuition:
2025 5-Day Generative Writing:  $1,925
Tuition Includes:

Faculty instruction and materials
Access to all public panels throughout the week
Breakfast and lunch at the Viewline Resort (Monday through Friday)
Opening and closing receptions
Discounted lodging rates at our conference site, the Viewline Resort in Snowmass Village, Colorado.
Two professional consultations with an agent and/or editor for most juried and book branding workshop participants (*generative writing and screenwriting students will have two alternative activities instead of one-on-one consultations)
Social activities such as guided hikes, an open mic evening and informal gatherings.

More About The 2025 Summer Words Writers Conference

June 22-27 in Snowmass Village, CO

Join us June 22-27 2025, in Snowmass Village for inspiring workshops, readings and craft talks at the Viewline Resort.
Recognized as one of the nation’s top literary gatherings, Summer Words is a six-day celebration of words, stories and ideas held annually in an idyllic Rocky Mountain setting.
Summer Words 2025 will return to Snowmass Village, Colorado, a vibrant community just 9 miles from Aspen, with incredible mountain vistas in addition to 2.8 million adjacent acres of wilderness open for activities and exploration. Snowmass is home to 30+ restaurants, shopping, unique special events and music.
The faculty lineup and workshop descriptions for Summer Words 2025 are now available, and applications are open!

Attend the Summer Words 2025 Panels
2025-06-23 13:30 - 2025-06-26 17:30 | CO
The Viewline Resort | Snowmass Village, CO
100 Elbert Ln, Snowmass Village, CO 81615
Tune In to the Summer Words 2025 PanelsJoin us at the Viewline Resort in Snowmass Village for an exciting lineup of panels featuring acclaimed Summer Words faculty, literary agents, and editors.
Purchase your Panel Pass here!Your Panels Pass includes access to six engaging panels designed to inspire and inform writers at every stage.
View the full schedule and your order summary below:
Panel ScheduleMonday, June 23 | 1:30–2:30 p.m.Publishing Unpacked: What Every Writer Needs to Know
From landing an agent to shaping your manuscript, to making sense of marketing, this panel pulls back the curtain on the publishing process. Expect candid insights, smart strategies, and a few myths busted along the way.
Speakers: Amy Guay, Kayla Lightner, Rakesh Satyal, Michael Taeckens
Moderator: Sally Wofford-Girand
Tuesday, June 24 | 3:30–4:30 p.m.Narrative Architecture: Structure and POV
Structure and POV shape every story, but how do you choose the right approach? This panel explores how structure enhances theme, how POV builds intimacy and tension, and how both work together to keep readers hooked.
Speakers: Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, Joshua Mohr, Héctor Tobar
Moderator: Mitzi Rapkin
Wednesday, June 25 | 3:30–4:00 p.m.How to Make Plot Your Friend
Plot doesn’t have to be a struggle! In this talk, Steve Almond will demystify how stories build momentum, tension, and emotional payoff—without feeling forced. Expect practical tools and a new perspective on storytelling’s most essential element.
Speaker: Steve Almond

Wednesday, June 25 | 4:10–4:40 p.m.12 Tips for Surviving and Thriving as a Writer (That Have Almost Nothing to Do with Craft)
Writing is an art, but sustaining a writing life is another challenge. Laura Zigman shares twelve hard-won lessons on overcoming self-doubt, redefining success, and staying inspired—even when the words won’t come.
Speaker: Laura Zigman

Thursday, June 26 | 3:00–4:00 p.m.Setting the Hook: Creating Characters That Keep Readers Turning the Page
What makes a character unforgettable? This panel explores how to craft multidimensional, flawed, and compelling protagonists (and antagonists!) who linger in readers’ and viewers’ minds long after the last page.
Speakers: Vanessa Chan, P. Djèlí Clark, Christina Lazaridi,
Moderator: Breeze Richardson

Thursday, June 26 | 4:15–5:30 p.m.Next Chapters: Staying Inspired After Summer Words
What happens after the conference ends? In this closing session, faculty members will reflect on key takeaways from the week, share their own creative routines, and offer advice on maintaining inspiration, discipline, and community in your writing life.
Speakers: Faculty
Moderator: Adrienne Brodeur

2026 Summer Words Writers Conference
2026-06-21 08:00 - 2026-06-26 17:00 | Viewline Resort Snowmass, Autograph Collection, 100 Elbert Ln, Snowmass Village, CO, 81615, United States
Summer Words Writers Conference 2026: June 21-June 26
Aspen Words is excited to welcome writers back to Snowmass Village for the 2026 Summer Words Writers Conference. We look forward to gathering once again for a week of craft, creativity, and connection.
Applications for the Emerging Writer Fellowships open December 10, 2025 and close January 12, 2026.
Juried Workshop applications open January 12, 2026 and close February 26, 2026.
We hope you will join us for another exceptional year. If you have any questions about the application process or general Summer Words inquiries, please reach out to aspenwords@aspeninstitute.org.
Learn more about the Summer Words Writers Conference here!
