Tremont Writers Conference 2026
Small residential writers conference in Great Smoky Mountains National Park with fiction, nonfiction, and poetry workshops.
- Dates
- October 21–25, 2026
- Location
- Townsend, Tennessee
- Attendees
- Maximum 25
TL;DR
- Tremont Writers Conference runs October 21–25, 2026 at Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont in Townsend, Tennessee.
- This small, residential writers conference accepts a maximum of 25 attendees in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry cohorts.
- Lodging is in bunkroom-style housing with family-style meals provided; off-site options exist in nearby Townsend.
- The conference is run by Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont and Great Smoky Mountains Association, educational partners of the National Park Service.
About
Tremont Writers Conference is a five-day intensive retreat designed for writers seeking focused mentorship in a secluded mountain setting. Participants join workshop leaders across three specializations: fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. The conference is jointly operated by the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont and the Great Smoky Mountains Association, both educational nonprofit partners of the National Park Service.
Who you'll find in the room
Fiction Writers
Writers developing work in the fiction cohort.
Nonfiction Writers
Writers developing work in the nonfiction cohort.
Poetry Writers
Writers developing work in the poetry cohort.
Featured speakers
1 listedKelli Jo Ford
Fiction Workshop Leader
Venue & travel
Venue
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TennesseeGetting there
Shuttle service is available for a modest fee from McGhee Tyson Airport and Knoxville bus terminal on arrival and departure days.
Getting there
Parking is available on campus.
Getting there
Cell service is nonexistent once you enter the mountains.
Questions people ask
10 answeredThe conference runs October 21–25, 2026.
Tremont Writers Conference accepts a maximum of 25 attendees by design.
The conference takes place at Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont in Townsend, Tennessee.
Writers in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry cohorts are invited to apply.
Attendees stay in gender-separated bunkroom-style housing in Nancy Caylor Lodge with family-style meals served in a shared dining hall, including a cookout on the first night.
Shuttle service is available for a modest fee from McGhee Tyson Airport and Knoxville bus terminal on arrival and departure days. Parking is available on campus.
Off-site lodging is discouraged as the residential experience builds community, though accommodations in nearby Townsend, Tennessee are an option.
Cancellations received up to two weeks before the program start date are refunded in full, minus a $50 processing fee per person.
Pack layers and comfortable clothes suitable for autumn weather in the mountains. The conference emphasizes outdoor activities and time in nature, so bring appropriate footwear and weather-resistant outerwear. Plan for casual, practical attire.
Consider attending if you seek intensive, personalized feedback on your writing from experienced authors. The small group size and residential setting create focused community for serious writers. The secluded mountain location, while limiting cell connectivity, provides minimal distraction from your work.
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