This intensive weeklong program in the literature of illness and recovery is open to doctors, nurses, patients, health care professionals and families of patients. Writers with a special interest in medical subjects are also welcome. Applications will be considered in two categories: poetry and prose. Acceptance into the program is based on the quality of the application sample. Previous participants need not submit their work.

The medical experience can lead to some of life’s deepest moments and is thus a rich source of subject matter for literature but it is often difficult to write about. Bringing together individuals with a shared interest in a literature of the body, along with our diverse ways of handling the body’s challenges will better equip us for writing the medical experience.

The conference will consist of lectures, workshops, panels, readings and informal gatherings on a wooded campus just north of New York City. View a sample schedule»

The Workshops

Poetry workshops will meet from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. daily. Workshop members and leaders change daily to give a variety of styles and voices to participants and faculty. Poets will be required to write a new poem each day to bring to the workshop. In this atmosphere of challenge and support, poets will be free to break old habits and write with more strength and truth. Because of time limitations, please bring a list of possible subjects for new poems.

Prose workshops meet from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. daily. Participants will meet with a new leader each day. Two to three manuscripts will be treated at each session. Participants will read manuscripts in advance and be prepared to give constructive feedback in the workshop. The first two days’ manuscripts will be due two weeks before the start of the conference, the remainder on registration. Participants being workshopped the first two days will be notified in advanced.

Afternoon and Evening Events

There will be daily talks and panel discussion on craft, editing, publishing, ethics and other subjects that address the particular concerns of writers. Faculty readings, participant readings and social gatherings will take place during the evenings.

Writing the Medical Experience is presented by The Center for Continuing Education’s Writing Institute and The Masters Program in Health Advocacy at Sarah Lawrence College in cooperation with The Foundation for Humanities in Medicine.