“An innovative, engaging format, and a lively, dedicated group of writers make this workshop memorable. Stimulating on many levels. I enjoyed every action-packed minute.”
— Deborah Noyes Wayshak, novelist; executive editor, Candlewick Press
“PCCWW has helped me hone my craft and make contact with esteemed editors and agents. Constructive, inspiring. This workshop is a definite 10.” — Annemarie O’Brien; debut author
of Lara’s Gift (Knopf) (Annemarie landed her contract with our workshop editor.)
“I’m impressed by how in-depth the masterclass critiques were. I was totally revved up by
the end of the workshop!” — Heather Tomlinson, author of The Swan Maiden
(Henry Holt) (Heather landed this debut contract at our workshop.)
“PCCWW combines the support and camaraderie of an educated, informed critique group
with a rare opportunity to connect with editors and agents in an intimate setting.”
— Joni Sensel, author of four youth novels (Holt; Bloomsbury)
“The most valuable writing event I’ve ever attended. Presenters were generous and
genuine. The insights I received from each one on my manuscript was invaluable.”
— Mary Cronk Farrell; author of the award-winning Clarion novel, Fire in the Hole!
“Well-organized, interactive, informative, congenial. The Pacific Coast Children’s Writers
Workshop is one of the best I’ve attended.” — Cece Meng, former winner
of the Writer’s Digest contest (Children’s Fiction category)
WHOLE NOVEL WORKSHOP
Envision and Edit Your Story with the Pros
After 20 successful years, the Pacific Coast Children’s Writers Workshop is on hiatus until mid-2024. At that time, writers may apply for a modified workshop, consisting of whole-novel mentorship and/or retreat. If interested, contact us. Meanwhile, use our Interviews Directory for past faculty’s editor-agent gems, and check out our workshop alums’ success stories.
Also, feel free to inquire about Project Oasis, Nancy Sondel’s nonprofit, arts-and nature-based therapy, free to at-risk, underserved youth. Launching in 2025.
WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS
Paused until 2024
Are you a skilled writer, published or aspiring, looking for something distinctive in a fiction workshop? Our intensive seminar offers editor or agent feedback on selected whole-novel manuscripts, including two in-person consults with your mentor. Or maybe you’re ready for editor and agent critiques on the opening chapters of your work in progress. Other options include our story consultant’s feedback, from brainstorming to polishing a flexible number of pages.
Whichever stage you’re at, here’s how we’ll support your publishing goals:
Annemarie O’Brien relishes faculty tips
before signing with our next year’s editor. Photo: Marsha Diane Arnold
At our intimate event, you’ll have continuous close contact with a top-notch editor and/or agent who is actively seeking new authors. Our open clinics, aka master classes, will allow you to learn from advanced colleagues, as well as from faculty.
To maximize your benefits, you may critique peer manuscripts before the seminar—then, at our event, compare your assessments with those of the pros. Our collegial format provides behind-the-scenes glimpses that reveal, in depth, what agents and editors really want.
You’ll meet individually with faculty selected with your fiction genre in mind, increasing the odds of a good fit. The result? Relevant, insightful feedback. And, while we can’t offer you any guarantees, in recent years an average of one in eight whole-novel enrollees has landed a publishing contract.
VIDEOS
Whole-novel critique
recipient from Florida:
“Best critique ever!”
Author Chris Crutcher
wants to (ha!) freeze-dry
our smart teen writers.
Sampler: Ocean view,
teens’ workshop, and
teen-adult writers panel
Additional Features
In their own, concurrent workshop, savvy teen enrollees (and enrollees in their early twenties) provide feedback on selected adults' full and partial manuscripts for teen readers. Some of these manuscripts have resulted in published books. Also, in panel discussions, teens field adults’ questions about their target readers’ literary tastes and social norms. (See videos above and here). These intergenerational exchanges prove mutually stimulating and fun.
For more opportunities, workshop adults and others may contact us to participate in our year-round TeenSpeak Critiques Service. Join us to see what an objective young reader will say about your story and/or those of peers!
Our Novel Writer’s Personal Retreat offers solitude in a serene coastal setting. Immerse yourself for up to four days: hone your craft, intermingle with advanced/published peers.
Creating a marketable novel is a multi-layered challenge. Join us for a working retreat or seminar—learn fiction-crafting with the masters. Pinpoint the tools you need to propel your novel from page-turner to published success!
Opportunity Camaraderie Craft
“This workshop played a huge role in my success. My novel improved largely due to
faculty and peer critiques, which led to my first sale. Outstanding seminar.”
— Tracy Holczer, The Secret Hum of a Daisy (G.P. Putnam)
20 years of Master Class to Masterpiece 
Camaraderie