Juniper Young Writers Online
Program Dates: July 7–11, 2025
Final Application Deadline (scholarships and self-pay): April 7, 2025
Cost: $1,300
Applications for the 2025 Online program are now open!
These last few years have shown us the great possibilities of virtual community and mentorship for young writers. This summer we will continue hosting online programming for students in grades 9-12. Juniper Young Writers Online will continue to provide young writers with opportunities for experimentation, creativity and wild invention.
Whether from their bedrooms or their gardens, JYWO participants will spend an intensive virtual week engaging deeply with the writing process in community with Creative Writing Instructors, all working writers and students in the UMass Amherst MFA for Poets and Writers, and a community of deeply passionate peer writers. During past JYWO sessions, participants from all around the United States and the world have joined to share their creativity, writing, and ideas with each other. Especially for young writers, finding a writing community can be so difficult, and Juniper Young Writers Online offers participants the opportunity to form connections with like-minded writers that can last long after the program ends.
Throughout the program, participants will spend a week of focused time on honing their craft and soaking up inspiration and advice from our faculty and from peers by taking part in our long developed programming, including Writing Labs, Craft Sessions, Participant Readings, Writer’s Life talks, and Write-alongs.
Here's an example of what the daily schedule looks like at JYWO:
| Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10-10:30 am | Write-in | Write-in | Write-in | Write-in | Write-in |
| 10:30-11 am | Break | Break | Break | Break | Break |
| 11-12 pm | Writing Lab | Writing Lab | Writing Lab | Writing Lab | Writing Lab |
| 12-12:30 pm | Break | Break | Break | Break | Break |
| 12:30-2:30 pm | Writing Lab | Writing Lab | Writing Lab | Writing Lab | Writing Lab |
| 2:30-3:30 pm | Write-in | Write-in | Write-in | Write-in | Write-in |
| 3:30-4 pm | Break | Break | Break | Break | Break |
| 4-5 pm | Craft Sessions | Participant Reading | Craft Sessions | Writer’s Life All CWIs read |
Participant Reading |
The University of Massachusetts reserves the right to cancel any program it deems necessary. In the event of program cancellation, payment will be refunded in full.