Writers looking to deepen their craft in an inspiring natural setting can now apply for the 2026 Tremont Writers Conference, an immersive five-day creative retreat held in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Hosted by Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont in partnership with Smokies Life, the conference will take place October 21–25, 2026, on the Tremont campus in Townsend, Tennessee.
Applications are open now through May 15 and can be submitted online at writers.gsmit.org.
A One-of-a-Kind Writing Retreat in the Smokies
Now in its fourth year, the Tremont Writers Conference brings together writers of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for an intensive, small-group experience designed to foster creativity, collaboration, and growth. Participants will work closely with award-winning authors and professional park educators while surrounded by the ancient landscapes of the Smokies.
“This is a rare opportunity for writers to work closely with authors they admire in a setting as immersive as it gets: the Smokies,” said Frances Figart, conference co-director and creative services director for Smokies Life. “We keep the retreat intentionally small — choosing writers who are deeply engaged with their work and excited to challenge themselves in a new setting.”
2026 Faculty Lineup
The 2026 Tremont Writers Conference features an accomplished and diverse faculty of nationally recognized writers:
- Ron Rash – New York Times best-selling author (guest writer)
- Crystal Wilkinson – Recent Kentucky Poet Laureate and memoirist (nonfiction cohort)
- Linda Parsons – Celebrated playwright and Knoxville Poet Laureate (poetry cohort)
- Kelli Jo Ford – Award-winning Cherokee novelist (fiction cohort)
Faculty members lead daily morning workshops and offer optional one-on-one mentoring sessions throughout the retreat.
Writing, Nature, and Community
Afternoons at the conference are dedicated to guided experiences with Tremont naturalists, helping participants build a deeper connection to the region’s cultural and natural history. Many workshops take place outdoors, encouraging writers to draw inspiration directly from the surrounding landscape.
“Roughing it (a little!) is part of the experience,” said co-director Jeremy Lloyd, Tremont’s manager of field and college programs. “With fewer distractions from the modern world, writers are able to form meaningful connections with each other and their work.”
Evenings include group dinners, fellowship, and readings by featured authors. Meals and lodging are included with conference participation.
Scholarships Available
Acceptance to the conference is based on evaluation of submitted writing samples, with applicants notified of their status by mid-July.
Several scholarships are available to support participating writers, including:
- The Debbie Ellis Scholarship – A $1,000 award honoring the late Debbie Ellis, whose love of the Tremont area inspired her writing
- The Laurel Rematore Tremont Writers Conference Scholarship – A $5,000 scholarship distributed among three or more writers whose attendance depends on financial assistance
How to Apply
Writers interested in attending the 2026 Tremont Writers Conference should submit their applications by May 15. Full details, application guidelines, and submission requirements are available at writers.gsmit.org.
About the Partners
The Tremont Writers Conference is a joint partnership between Smokies Life and Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, offering writers a rare opportunity to create, reflect, and connect in one of the most biologically diverse regions in North America.
Smokies Life supports the scientific, historical, and interpretive activities of Great Smoky Mountains National Park through educational products and services. Learn more at SmokiesLife.org.
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont provides immersive educational experiences that celebrate ecological and cultural diversity while fostering stewardship of the national park. Learn more at gsmit.org.
