Apart, and Yet a Part: A Workshop with Writing Coach Michael N. McGregor

Michael N. McGregor, MFA: writing coach Professor Emeritus, Creative Writing and English, Portland State University

Ingredients for a productive writing experience: a room with a view, meals provided, the opportunity to structure your writing time as you wish, and access to a professional writing coach. This program is designed to give participants maximum time and freedom for writing. Mornings and afternoons are yours to structure as you wish. Write, have breakfast, write, take a walk, consult with a writing coach, write, chat with your neighbor, browse the library. Residents will gather in the late afternoon for a reception, common meal, and informal evening sessions which may include conversations about publishing, meeting with local artists, and visits to the Saint John’s Abbey Church and the Saint John’s Bible—the first illuminated Bible in 500 years.

The program is open to advanced writers—essayists, historians, fiction writers, poets, memoirists—whose work involves matters of faith and aims to reach a broad reading audience. Participants who show a record of previous publications or past publishing experience will be taken into consideration.

Due to COVID precautions, workshop participants are asked to be fully vaccinated and to show proof of vaccination before arriving on the Collegeville Institute campus.

The Collegeville Institute will cover travel expenses to and from the workshop within the continental United States, all workshop fees, and room and board. International travel costs, and travel from Hawaii and Alaska may be shared between the Collegeville Institute and the workshop participant. Those who join the workshop will be expected to reside at the Collegeville Institute throughout the entire term.

I have been in a lot of writing workshops and worked with a lot of mentors over the years – Michael is absolutely one of the best.

–participant in “Apart, and Yet a Part: A Week with Writing Coach Michael N. McGregor,” Summer 2019

Application Process:

The application deadline for this workshop has passed.