Want to take your writing to the next level? Winter is the perfect time! Writing programs offer a focused, immersive experience that goes beyond learning from school classes. Rather than the broader, often hectic schedule of summer programs, winter writing programs, running from December through February, give you dedicated time to sharpen your skills, explore specialized genres, and work closely with experienced instructors or professional writers. By the end, you’ll have a stronger portfolio, personalized feedback, and a level of expertise that can make your college applications and future writing projects stand out.
Why pick a winter program over a summer program?
Winter programs provide a unique chance to dive deep into your craft without the distractions of summer vacations or travel. With a more compact schedule, you can focus intensively on refining your writing, experimenting with different styles, and receiving hands-on mentorship. It’s an excellent way to keep your creativity active during the school year, strengthen your academic routine, and make meaningful progress on writing projects that matter to you.
The following list highlights 12 Winter Writing Programs for High School Students. If winter isn’t the right fit, check out our blog on Summer Writing Programs for more opportunities to grow your skills during the summer break.
12 Winter Writing Programs for High School Students
1. Young Writers Winter Online Workshops (Kenyon Review)
Location: Virtual
Cost: $695 (need-based financial aid available)
Program Dates: January 24–February 28
Deadline: Applications open in early November
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors aged 16–18; international students welcome
The Young Writers Winter Online Workshops by the Kenyon Review offer a six-week, small-group experience for students eager to strengthen their writing voice and craft. You’ll attend weekly synchronous sessions with peers who share your passion for storytelling and creative experimentation. Each workshop focuses on a distinct theme, ranging from hybrid forms and multilingual writing to surreal fiction and poetic expression. Alongside your instructor, you’ll write new pieces, complete short assignments, and receive individual feedback that helps refine your technique.
2. Iowa Young Writers’ Studio: Winter 6-Week Online Courses
Location: Virtual
Cost: $475
Program Dates: January 18 – March 1
Deadline: Applications open September 8; close October 31
Eligibility: Open to 9th–12th graders worldwide; students must be proficient in English
The Iowa Young Writers’ Studio offers eight intensive 6-week online courses for high school students passionate about creative writing. You’ll choose from topics like fiction, poetry, nonfiction, playwriting, and TV writing, each taught by graduates of the renowned Iowa Writers’ Workshop. The asynchronous format allows flexible participation while maintaining weekly deadlines for writing, critiques, and discussions. Each class encourages you to explore craft fundamentals, experiment with form, and build community with peers. You’ll receive feedback from experienced instructors and finish the course with new writing and a Letter of Completion.
3. Sewanee Young Writers’ Conference: Winterim
Location: Virtual
Cost: $500
Program Dates: January 13–February 21
Deadline: November 30
Eligibility: Open to current high school students (grades 9–12)
The Sewanee Young Writers’ Conference: Winterim brings the spirit of Sewanee’s summer program into a flexible, online format. Across six weeks, you’ll focus on fiction or poetry through guided video lectures, structured prompts, and personalized feedback from experienced instructors. Workshops are small, allowing for deep engagement and ongoing peer exchange. You’ll participate in occasional live meetups over Zoom and collaborate through Google Classroom, blending self-paced learning with creative community.
4. Creative Writing One – The University of Chicago Graham School
Location: Online
Cost: $695
Program Dates: January 8 – February 26
Deadline: December 26
Eligibility: High school students; no prerequisites
Creative Writing One introduces high school students to the fundamentals of creative writing, guiding them from idea generation to revision. You’ll explore fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction through in-class and at-home exercises while receiving feedback on your own work and peers’ submissions. Readings include both canonical and contemporary authors, helping you study various styles and approaches. The course emphasizes discussion, writing exercises, and workshop sessions to develop your voice and craft. You’ll gain confidence experimenting with multiple genres, learn revision techniques, and build a foundation for more advanced writing courses in the future.
5. The Stanford Daily Pre-Collegiate Winter Workshops
Location: Online
Cost: $30 application fee (applied toward tuition if accepted; full tuition not specified;
need-based aid available)
Program Dates: December 15 – January 9
Deadline: November 30, 5:00 p.m. PT
Eligibility: High school students
The Stanford Daily’s Pre-Collegiate Winter Workshops offer high school students an immersive, all-remote experience in journalism, technology, or multimedia production. In the Journalism Workshop, you’ll learn reporting fundamentals, craft feature and opinion pieces, and gain real-world publication experience, including possible articles published on The Daily’s website. The Tech Workshop teaches web and software development for newsrooms, covering HTML, CSS, JavaScript, data visualization, and modern newsroom tools. In the Multimedia Workshop, you’ll explore audio, video, and podcast journalism, develop projects, and receive guidance from Daily editors and visiting experts. All workshops combine structured lectures, interactive projects, one-on-one mentoring, and a collaborative Slack workspace to foster skill development and community engagement.
6. UCI Writing Project Virtual Program for Youth – Winter Session
Location: Virtual
Cost: $575 (multi-session: $1,000 with $150 discount; additional small discounts available)
Program Dates: January–March
Deadline: Registration is open now until filled
Eligibility: Students in grades 2–12
The UCI Writing Project Virtual Program for Youth – Winter Session helps young writers build confidence and creativity through structured, research-based instruction. Across eight sessions, you’ll engage in 1.5-hour interactive classes that emphasize both academic rigor and imaginative exploration. Taught by credentialed instructors, the program blends skill-building with self-expression, helping you see writing as a powerful tool for voice and communication. You will receive personalized feedback, one-on-one guidance, along with small class sizes.
7. Tin House Winter Online Workshop
Location: Virtual
Cost: $800
Program Dates: February
Deadline: Applications open September 3; close October 6
Eligibility: Applicants must be 18 or older; international writers may apply
The Tin House Winter Online Workshop offers an intensive literary experience that combines small-group workshops, craft lectures, agent meetings, and community sessions. You’ll engage with accomplished editors and agents through panels, readings, and discussion-based classes. Each cohort is capped at ten participants, fostering focused feedback and mentorship.
8. Writopia Lab Winter Retreat for Teen Writers
Location: Camp Mariah, Fishkill, New York
Cost: $985 (limited financial aid available)
Program Dates: February 14 – February 17
Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Students ages 12–18
The Writopia Lab Winter Retreat offers a creative mountain escape where teen writers can immerse themselves in storytelling, filmmaking, or role-playing adventures. You’ll spend mornings in focused workshops and afternoons exploring electives or filming original scripts, depending on your chosen track. Older participants can also apply for teen leadership roles, designing and leading their own arts or literary activities. The experience concludes with a showcase of your work.
9. NHSI TV Pilot and Playwriting Boot Camps
Location: Online
Cost: TV Pilot Boot Camp: $400 | Playwriting Boot Camp: $250
Program Dates: TV Pilot Boot Camp: January 18 – February 22
Playwriting Boot Camp (Winter): January 27–31; Spring session TBD
Deadline: Rolling (apply early to secure a spot)
Eligibility: High school students, grades 9–12
NHSI’s Writing Boot Camps provide high school students with immersive experiences in TV and playwriting formats. In the TV Pilot Boot Camp, you’ll study acclaimed pilots, analyze scripts, and create your own pilot outline, including a teaser and first act. The Playwriting Boot Camp guides you through a fast-paced, distance-based process, starting with brainstorming and reading assignments, culminating in a first draft of a 10-minute play. Both programs emphasize hands-on learning, creative exploration, and skill development, preparing you for further writing opportunities like summer intensives or independent projects.
10. Dynamic Thinking: Essay Prep
Location: Online
Cost: $249
Program Dates: January 19 – February 13
Deadline: Registration opens December 8, at noon ET
Eligibility: Ages 13–18; recommended for students with little prior academic essay experience
Dynamic Thinking helps teens develop critical thinking and rhetorical skills essential for strong essay writing. Over four weeks, you engage in exercises that promote reflection, association, and exploring multiple viewpoints, culminating in a final collage project synthesizing your work. You’ll learn to harness metaphor, analogy, and nuanced perspectives while maintaining your original voice, all in a supportive, interactive online environment. The class is designed for asynchronous participation, allowing you to complete assignments on your own schedule while receiving structured prompts and guidance.
11. New York Post Scholars Contest
Location: New York City, NY (In-person events)
Cost: Free of cost
Program Dates: Rolling submissions; Masterclass and Discovery Day dates TBD
Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students in the New York area
The New York Post Scholars Contest is an annual writing competition giving high school students the chance to showcase their journalistic and creative writing skills. You can have your work published in the New York Post. The three highest-ranking students receive personalized college strategy sessions with Command Education, attend an exclusive Discovery Day with journalists, and help their schools earn a $2,500 grant. You’ll gain experience in crafting compelling articles, analyzing current events, and presenting your unique perspective while connecting with professional journalists.
12. The Writers Studio Online Program
Location: Online
Cost: Varies by course (contact the studio for specific tuition)
Program Dates: Rolling sessions throughout the year
Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students and adult learners; suitable for beginners to advanced writers
The Writers Studio Online Program provides you with an immersive, technique-focused approach to creative writing. You’ll participate in weekly writing exercises, submit work for detailed written critiques, and engage in peer reviews, all guided by experienced instructors. Online formats include typed chat, weekly video discussions, and live video classes. Courses cover fiction, memoir, essay, prose poetry, flash fiction, and more, helping you develop your voice, refine craft, and build confidence in storytelling.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in areas connected to writing, such as creative writing, literature, journalism, communication studies, media analysis, or interdisciplinary fields, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – The University of Chicago Graham School