Welcome to Something Out of Nothing, a newsletter about meaning—making it, finding it, offering it. I talk about the writing life, teaching, thrifting, books, travel, obsessions and idle interests, and much more.
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UPCOMING CLASSES
Richmond Writers: Join me on Tuesday, February 17, 6:30-7:30pm at Quarry on Cary Street! I’m teaching “Opening Lines in Fiction & Creative Nonfiction,” a fast craft class about the pitfalls and tricks for finding momentum from the first line. $15! Register here.
Full list of upcoming classes here.
After something like seventeen years, I have a lot of experience applying for, being rejected by, and getting accepted into writing residencies, conferences, workshops, and other opportunities meant to support one’s writing goals.
In the midst of our ongoing and shared chaos, I’m trying to practice living alongside the grief and helplessness that can mostly feel overwhelming. In honor of that intention—to keep fucking living—I’m sharing some of the less-talked-about writing resources that have supported my work over the years, specifically conferences, workshops, and residencies/retreats. The below list is for folks at all levels of the writing life. This is nowhere near an exhaustive list of the places that have supported my work, so I’ll share more in the future.
AND! If you have questions or want to suggest opportunities of your own (including you teachers with upcoming classes!), I hope you’ll share in the comments.
Conferences and Workshops
Conversations & Connections: A one-day annual conference hosted by Barrelhouse, offering craft seminars/workshops, a small press book haul for each attendee, and super inexpensive add-on meetings with lit mag editors. All for like $100! It’s a great value, it’s run and attended by friendly folks, and the whole thing is centered around community and access. And this year, it’s back in Washington, D.C. Register for the April 18 conference here.
Key West Writer’s Workshop: Officially these workshops take place the second week of the annual Key West Literary Seminar in January, but you can choose—like I did—to only attend the workshops, which still includes plenty of readings and panel discussions. Most days were organized around a morning workshop then an evening event, with a long daytime stretch for wandering and writing. I received a scholarship to a workshop led by Francine Prose, plus most of my hotel room was covered. Sometimes it felt like I was at a conference, other times it felt like I was accidentally on vacation (see: Key West, the ocean, the warmth). Applications reopen in the spring. Apply for the scholarships! Always apply for the scholarships!
Residencies and Retreats
KWLS Writers-in-Residence: Another arm of the same organization, I stumbled on this residency opportunity after buddy Katie Lee Ellison attended for two weeks and raved about it. Entirely self-directed, in a fully-furnished apartment down a sweet little street, with no financial obligations beyond flights and food. After my original dates were canceled due to a hurricane, the organization kindly rescheduled me for early December. Again, what a delight to be in Key West! I wrote, read, walked, sunbathed, went to bed early. I felt among the great literary history of this island. The application process is straightforward and, I believe, free. Applications reopen in the Spring. Keep an eye out!
Writer-in-Residence at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond: Spend eleven months as the writer in a small cohort of annual artist residents—what a sweet, cushy gig! With a modest stipend, an office, and access to art and writing classes. With an event celebrating your work (if you want it). I was the 2024-25 writer-in-residence and wrote about my experience here and here. This opportunity is best for folks who already live in the Richmond region, or who have the flexibility to relocate (note: no housing is provided with this gig). Again, straightforward application process. Applications are currently open with a deadline of March 31. Apply, apply, apply!
Porches Retreat: About two hours west of Richmond, Porches is a big old farmhouse with porches slung around it, overlooking beautiful watery & wooded views. This retreat is the kind of place that rents out its rooms and you take care of yourself for meals, but they do offer a few paid fellowships that I don’t believe enough people take advantage of. I was awarded second place for one of the fellowships and they offered me four free days to come and work. It was quiet and restful and I fully recommend it! Here’s the current list of fellowships.
Hypatia-in-the-Woods: To the west coast now! For this women-only residency, you stay in a cozy cabin located outside of a small town on the Puget Sound in Washington State. You’re not alone-alone (there’s neighbors) but there’s tons of privacy. For my stay, I facilitated a writing workshop in exchange for my time in the cabin (you can do something similar, or pay a negotiated rate for your stay). The folks running this organization are super kind and welcoming. It’s strongly encouraged that you have a car, but I didn’t and a volunteer gave me a ride to the grocery store. Otherwise, I felt no need to go anywhere. The cabin and surrounding area were a cocoon and I got a lot of work done. People don’t talk about this one enough! Currently taking applications for the latter months of 2026. Apply!
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