"Because of Writing Room, I'm actually getting published... I finally know how to turn my ideas into finished pieces that are ready to share. This is unreal."
- Sarah, Writing Room Member Since 2023
Every writer you’ve ever admired has had mentors, trusted confidants, and a supportive community to guide and challenge them. Now is your chance to build your writing team and surround yourself with teachers and other writers who will guide you and cheer you on every step of the way.
At this year's Summer School, we're joined by guest authors Anne Lamott, Daniel Pink, Maggie Smith and Jen Pastiloff, as well as Penguin editor Jake Morrissey and literary agent Eric Smith.
Summer School begins with Orientation — a free event open to the public. Join Anne Lamott LIVE to learn her best tips for writing and find out what you can expect from the 5-week program. Since this session is completely free, we encourage you to invite a friend!
For our first week's session, best-selling non-fiction author Daniel Pink joins Anne to discuss the intricacies of compiling research into a compelling narrative arc, how different genres require different writing practices, and how to revise your drafts. As this session has already passed, the replay of Daniel's class will be emailed to all new attendees.
In Week Two, Anne is joined by her editor from Penguin, Jake Morrissey, to discuss what the editing process looks like between author and editor, and how to get your manuscript ready to be reviewed by a publishing house.
The legendary Maggie Smith returns to A Writing Room to discuss how to maintain a writing practice during even the busiest seasons of your life so that writing moves from a part-time, on-the-side pursuit to a full-time mindset.
In Week Four, literary agent Eric Smith joins Writing Room to discuss what agents are looking for today, what stops your query letter from getting a response (versus what piques the interest of an agent), and how to construct a perfect query letter.
Author Jen Pastiloff joins Anne to discuss how to write freely and without a filter for larger audiences. This final session in the Summer School series will be available virtually AND in-person at Writing Room's San Francisco headquarters.
The beloved author of ten New York Times bestselling books, California Hall of Fame Inductee, and Guggenheim Fellowship recipient, Anne Lamott is a living literary legend. Anne partnered with Writing Room at our very first retreat in 2022, and shortly after became a full-time artist in residence at A Writing Room. She brings her passion, humor, and skill as a writer — and human — to this year's cohort, as well as a little “benevolent pressure.” Through her guidance, you will learn how to stop not writing and officially be able to call Anne a mentor who is in your corner.
Maggie Smith is the author of seven award-winning books, including Dear Writer: Pep Talks & Practical Advice for the Creative Life, You Could Make This Place Beautiful, Lamp of the Body, The Well Speaks of Its Own Poison, and Good Bones, named by the Washington Post as one of the Five Best Poetry Books of 2017. Her most recent poetry collection, A Suit or a Suitcase, is forthcoming from Washington Square Press in 2026. The title poem of Good Bones was called the “Official Poem of 2016” by Public Radio International and has been translated into nearly a dozen languages. We're thrilled to welcome her to A Writing Room as a teacher and mentor.
If you love to read, you’ve almost certainly loved a book that Jake Morrissey helped bring into the world. From Calvin and Hobbes to The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store to Bird by Bird, Morrissey’s taste has largely defined the modern bookshelf, and he has a deep love for making a writer’s work shine, even if his own influence is invisible. Jake is an editor at Penguin and one of Writing Room’s industry experts where he offers his unique insight gained through an editor’s lens.
Daniel H. Pink is the author of five New York Times bestsellers, including his latest, The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward. His other books include the New York Times bestsellers When, A Whole New Mind, Drive and To Sell is Human. Dan’s books have won multiple awards, have been translated into 46 languages, and have sold millions of copies around the world. We're thrilled to welcome him to Writing Room for the first time.
To write is to give yourself a voice — and if you feel like no one is listening, Jen Pastiloff is here to say, “I’ve got you.” Thousands of people have seen themselves and recognized their own experience in her online essays, podcast, and book, On Being Human: A Memoir of Waking Up, Living Real and Listening Hard, which recounts her journey through depression, shame, and rebuilding her family. Her focus on authenticity, healing, and vulnerability, along with her unique teaching style, have seen her featured on Good Morning America, CBS News, New York Magazine.
As a literary agent, Eric has worked on New York Times bestselling and award-winning books. His recent novels include the YALSA Best Books for Young Readers selection Don’t Read the Comments and the anthologies Battle of the Bands. Eric's latest novel, With or Without You, a rom-com about two teens working in rival cheesesteak trucks, was a Junior Library Guild selection. We're thrilled to welcome him to Writing Room as one of our industry experts.
Sign up for Summer School by purchasing an annual membership to A Writing Room (here), then RSVP to each Summer School event in "Event Gatherings."
Or you can sign up for just Summer School here, and you'll receive the emails with links to each event.
$249 = Summer School only: Access to all 5 weeks + replays (buy now)
$499 = Summer School + membership: Access to all 5 weeks + replays + one year of membership (buy now)
Replays will be available for all sessions!
If you're a member, you'll receive the replay very quickly, usually within 24 hours of each event.
If you decide to just attend Summer School, you'll receive links to the replays via email after Summer School ends.
Do you have questions, comments, or need extra assistance? Reach out using the contact form and we'll get back to you shortly, or email support@awritingroom.com.
