July 12, 2026 - July 18, 2027

You must be 18 or older to attend this workshop.

Workshop Description:

The 2026-2027 Long Form workshop is a 12-month, comprehensive and intensive writing workshop focused on memoir and essay collections led by award-winning author and educator Sayantani Dasgupta. It provides an in-depth experience in developing your nonfiction work from draft to near completion.

In addition to Sayantani Dasgupta’s expertise and mentorship, the course includes virtual guest sessions throughout the year with acclaimed creative nonfiction authors such as Kim Barnes (In the Wilderness), Melody Moezzi (The Rumi Prescription), David Gessner (All the Wild That Remains), and Rajiv Mohabir (Antiman). There will also be guest lectures from a publisher and two editors (TBD) who will share the industry aspects of publishing a book-length work of creative nonfiction.  

The workshop culminates in July 2027 with a final weeklong retreat at the Port Townsend Writers Conference. During this closing session, participants will have the opportunity to complete their drafts, refine their projects, and discuss pathways for sharing their work with the world. This experience is designed to immerse writers in a supportive community, providing the structure, feedback, and inspiration to bring their books to completion. 

Application Process: 

Capped at 12 participants. Applications are accepted January 2, 2026 - May 1, 2026. Centrum staff and Sayantani Dasgutpa will select applicants by April 15, 2026.

Accepted applicants will have the option to pay tuition, less their deposit, in full by July 13, 2026 for a 10% discount, or they can pay full tuition less their deposit by making payments of $600 on the 1st of every month from July 2026 through June 2027.   

Costs:

There is a $550 deposit to apply.  

Long Form Tuition, $7750 if paid in monthly installments, or $7,000 if paid in full before July, 2026.

Tuition includes two in-person, weeklong sessions with Sayantani Dasgupta at the 2026 and 2027 Port Townsend Writers Conference as well at least 24 remote bimonthly meetings hosted online. Tuition also includes access to all afternoon craft lectures, afternoon workshops, evening readings, open mics, and social gatherings at the 2026 and 2027 Port Townsend Writers Conference. Tuition does not include travel, food, and lodging when attending the 2026 and 2027 Port Townsend Writers Conference in person at Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend, WA. 

There is a $550 deposit to apply.  Applicants will be notified of admittance by May 30, 2026. If this period needs to be extended, applicants will be notified by Centrum staff. If not admitted to the workshop, the $550 deposit will be refunded. No refunds for payments made, including deposits, will be issued for cancellation by accepted applicants after June 1, 2026.

Deadlines:

Tuition must be paid in full by July 13, 2026 or June 1, 2027 depending on payment track.

Conference dates are July 12-19, 2026 and July 11-18, 2027. Accepted applicants can choose to purchase meals and lodging through Centrum at the Conferences or plan for meals and lodging on their own.

Important. Please read carefully. We try to take every safety precaution we can to ensure we can meet together in-person at Fort Worden State Park. As such, if the Port Townsend Writers Conference is unable to operate in-person due to inclement weather, sudden viral or infectious disease risks or another unforeseen event, we are able to pivot the entire conference to an online-only platform and maintain a quality of instruction. Dates, times, and faculty for the conference will remain the same. If conferences must shift to online only due to significant and unforeseeable risks to our community of writers, all housing and meal fees will be refunded.