How to Love this World: Writing about Life, Loss, and Earth August 4, 2026 By Event Details Date(s): Monday, May 17th, 2027-Friday, May 21st, 2027 Venue: Trinity Episcopal Church Categories: Writing Workshop How might writing show us how to love a world that’s both beautiful and on fire? How could crafting stories help us create meaning at the intersection of life and loss on this one Earth? In this workshop, we’ll write personal essays and other short form creative nonfiction to connect people and places in the midst of climate disasters and uncertainty in this world. We’ll read essays and excerpts from diverse writers such as Janisse Ray, Xiye Bastida, Elizabeth Rush, Darnell Lamont Walker, and Terry Tempest Williams on these interwoven themes. This gathering will include outdoor field experiences in Western North Carolina, group discussion, creative tools for brainstorming, and individual writing and reflection. Lastly, we will strategize about pitching and publishing essays in local and national outlets. The workshop is open to writers from all genres and experience levels who are interested in crafting short creative nonfiction pieces. The mornings will feature classes while afternoons–except one–will be free for writing or individual meetings with the instructor. Evenings are free except for one optional dinner. Participants will submit a short essay (750-1200 words) for discussion with the instructor and review by the group. Each writer will receive ~75 pages of assigned reading to complete before arrival, as well as the essays submitted in advance by participants. The instructor will assign additional essays as examples during the week. We will write outdoors and in class without devices, but you will need a laptop for drafting, reviewing and revising outside of class. Please note: The outdoor experiences will include some walking on mostly level terrain. We will walk for thirty minutes to an hour – with stops along the way – on level trails at each of two sites: a conservation cemetery and a local garden. We’ll then have time to write outdoors, weather permitting. There is no workshop registration fee for accepted participants, and some meals will be provided throughout the week. Please note that lodging is not provided and is the responsibility of participants. Accepted participants will receive a $500 fellowship to defray the costs of childcare, lodging, meals not provided, transportation, etc. Leader Bio: Mallory McDuff writes and teaches environmental education at Warren Wilson College, a liberal arts school that integrates academics with work and community engagement. She lives on campus with her two daughters in a 900-square foot house with an expansive view of a white barn, a herd of cows, and the Appalachian mountains of Western North Carolina. Her writing examines the intersection of people and places for a better world. She is the author of the books Love Your Mother: 50 States, 50 Stories, and 50 Women United for Climate Justice (Broadleaf Books); Our Last Best Act: Planning for the End of Our Lives to Protect the People and Places We Love (Broadleaf Books); Sacred Acts: How Churches are Working to Protect Earth’s Climate (New Society Publishers); Natural Saints: How People of Faith are Working to Save God’s Earth (Oxford University Press) and co-author of Conservation Education and Outreach Techniques, 2nd Ed., (Oxford University Press). In addition, she has published 20 articles in academic journals and more than 50 essays in The New York Times, The Washington Post, WIRED, BuzzFeed, The Huffington Post, Sojourners, and more. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Florida, M.S. from the University of South Alabama, and B.S. from Vanderbilt University. Who May Apply? The workshop is open to writers from all genres and experience levels who are interested in crafting short creative nonfiction pieces. Application Process: Applications due by Sunday, December 6. Apply here.
