Discover the Essence of Writing From the Land

WRITING FROM THE LAND WORKSHOP

Join us for an inspiring workshop that brings writers together with the stunning beauty of the Colorado Plateau. Explore the intersection of creativity and nature at our upcoming event.

2026 Event Details

Join us for an unforgettable experience at the 2026 Writing from the Land workshop, where creativity meets nature in the heart of the Colorado Plateau. This year’s event promises to be our most engaging yet, featuring a diverse lineup of speakers, interactive sessions, and opportunities for personal reflection. Our schedule is packed with activities designed to inspire and challenge writers of all levels.

The workshop begins on Thursday evening, with full-day events on Friday and Saturday.

Date

May 14-16, 2026

Location

Robbers Roost
185 W Main St, Torrey, UT 84775

Explore Our Program

Writing from the Land: A Journey of Creativity

Writing from the Land is an annual writing workshop held each May in Torrey, Utah, near Capitol Reef National Park. Sponsored by the Entrada Institute and supported by a generous grant from the Jarvis & Constance Doctorow Family Foundation, this workshop honors esteemed writer and teacher François Camoin.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Colorado Plateau and Capitol Reef National Park, attendees draw deep inspiration from the area’s dramatic landscapes and rich cultural history. The workshop encourages exploration of craft, voice, and storytelling through hands-on sessions, guided writing exercises, and community discussions.

Writers leave the workshop not only with new works and insights but also with a deeper connection to the land and a supportive writing community. This unique experience nurtures both emerging and established voices, celebrating the power of words shaped by the landscape.

Meet Our Esteemed Faculty

Our 2026 workshop features a distinguished panel of faculty members, each bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience in the literary arts. These experts are dedicated to guiding participants through an enriching journey of creativity and expression.

Annette McGivney
Annette McGivney

(Nonfiction)

Jonathon Thompson
Jonathon Thompson

(Editor, Journalist)

Laura Pritchett
Laura Pritchett

(Fiction)

The Writer-in-Residence Award

François Camoin

The Writer-in-Residence program supports writers whose work engages with the Colorado Plateau’s ecology, culture, and history. The Francois Camoin Fund grants one award of $5,000 in the spring each year and provides awardees the opportunity to work in the inspiring desert landscape of Torrey, Utah, for a period up to two weeks.

We encourage emerging and established writers in the fields of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction to apply. 

The selected awardee will be notified in late fall, with the residency taking place in the winter or spring. As a condition of the award, the selected Writer-in-Residence will be expected to participate in the following year’s Writing from the Land workshop. During this event, the writer will share insights and outcomes from their residency, including a brief presentation or reading of the work developed during their time in residence.

Application Process

How to Apply for the Writer-in-Residence Award

Writer-in-Residence Application Process 

Application Deadline: November 15, 2025
Residency Dates: January – May 2026

Requirements

  • The residency is open to emerging and mid-career writers with a strong track record of publication in any genre. Ideal candidates show exceptional talent, a thoughtful approach to writing about today’s world and the environment, and a meaningful connection to the desert landscapes of the American Southwest in their work.
  • A self-directed residency of up to two weeks at the Entrada House, located on Entrada Institute property in Torrey, Utah.
  • Participate in the 2027 Writing from the Land workshop, an annual Entrada program
  • Applications require a biography, a sample of previous work, and a statement of proposed work. See application for more information.

Past Writer-in-Residence Awardees

“Following the publication of Path of Light, the residency at Entrada Institute offered me the support and space to dream up and begin new stories. Peacefully tucked away near Capitol Reef National Park, Entrada is the optimal location to focus on writing and nature.”

Morgan Sjogren

2024 Recipient

In 2023, I had the honor of being selected as the Entrada Institute’s first Writer-in-Residence. I was working at the time to complete my second book, Life After Dead Pool, which looks at positive ecological changes around the nation’s second-largest reservoir since the year 2000. The Entrada Institute’s assistance came at a critical time for the book project, when I needed funding to help me complete my research.

Zac Podmore

2023 Recipient

Get in Touch

We welcome your inquiries about the Writing From the Land workshop.
Please reach out to us for more information or assistance.