Juniper Young Writers Online
Applications for the summer 2026 program are now open!
Program Dates: August 3-7, 2026
Application Deadline: April 6, 2026
Program Cost: $1,325
Program Overview
Juniper Young Writers Online (JYWO) provides young writers with opportunities for experimentation, creativity and wild invention in a virtual format.
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 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 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.
Programming
Participants will spend this dedicated week of time honing their writing craft through a range of programming. Each JYWO week will include the following program elements:
Program Schedule
The 2026 program schedule will be announced in February 2026. Stay tuned!
Here's the 2025 JYWO daily schedule:
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 pm | Break | Break | Break | Break | Break |
| 3-4 pm | Craft Sessions | Participant Reading | Craft Sessions | Writer's Life | 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.