frequently asked questions

The Key West Literary Seminar and Writers’ Workshop Program are two separate and distinct programs.

The Seminar explores a different literary theme each year through a four-day program of readings, conversations, lectures, panel discussions, and interviews. Approximately twenty writers are featured at the Seminar, with up to 350 people in the audience during any given session.

The Workshop Program is composed of eight to ten individual workshops. Each workshop is led by a different instructor, and each has its own focus and eligibility requirements. Class size is limited to twelve participants per workshop; with a total of approximately 100 participants in the program. We offer two types of workshops: “All Levels” and “Advanced.” Advanced workshops require a writing sample as part of the application; all levels workshops are open to writers at any level and require only a cover letter.

The registration fee for the Seminar is $825 per person. The fee for writers’ workshops is $675 per person.

A $300-per-person deposit is required to register for either the Seminar or a workshop. The balance must be paid by September 30. See below for our cancellation/refund policy.

The revenue generated from registration fees covers less than half of our total event costs (not including year-round operations). We are grateful to the members of our Patrons Circle, whose funding support allows us to keep registration fees relatively low and subsidizes the experience for most audience members.

The Seminar and Writers’ Workshop Program occur annually in January. The exact dates are announced approximately one year in advance. In 2026, the workshop program will take place January 4–8 and the Seminar will be January 8-11.

Confirmed speakers for the upcoming Seminar are listed here. Click through for biographical information, a selected bibliography, and links to online resources. Writers’ Workshop faculty and course offerings are posted here (updated each year in the spring).

The annual four-day Seminar begins with our keynote presentation on Thursday evening around 7 pm. If you have registered for the Seminar and paid in full, you may check in and pick up your registration packet in the afternoon that same day, shortly before the keynote, or anytime during the weekend.

Programming begins again on Friday morning around 9:30 am, and continues all day Friday and Saturday, and Sunday.

All presentations take place in a single location, the San Carlos Institute (516 Duval Street), and run consecutively so that it is possible to attend everything. A detailed schedule will be released in early December.

Advance registration is required to attend the Seminar in full and includes access to all onstage events, as well the opening night reception (catered, open bar). Selected portions of the Seminar are free-of-charge and open to the general public; these will be announced closer to the event.

The workshop program officially begins on Sunday afternoon with an optional registration period for students to pick up their welcome packets and meet staff.  Workshop classes begin Monday morning and take place from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm each day until the final class on Thursday. On Monday evening, students and faculty attend a Welcome Cocktail Party. Most workshops require some advance reading and/or a manuscript submission.

For the daily workshop sessions, you will be in a classroom with your instructor and eleven fellow students. At the end of the workshop week, if tickets are available, it is possible for you to attend the full Seminar (tickets must be purchased in advance). Other opportunities to engage with your fellow workshop students or the community at-large will be announced at a later date (see tentative 2026 schedule available here)

We urge you to make lodging reservations as soon as possible. Key West is among the most sought-after winter destinations in the country, and availability is limited (there are no camping sites in Key West). We’ve made this easy by securing special rates at first-class hotels — available exclusively for attendees of the 2024 Seminar. See details for our Partner Hotels on our website and act soon — only a limited number of rooms are available. These hotels are within walking distance of the San Carlos Institute and within walking or biking distance of the workshop locations.

You can also call the good people at Vacation Key West (305-295-9500) for assistance with current rates and availabilities at a number of places.

The easiest route is to fly into Key West (airport code: EYW). Direct flights are available from an increasing number of cities, but most flights still require a layover. It’s possible to save a bit of money by flying into Fort Lauderdale (FLL) or Miami (MIA) and taking the Greyhound bus or Keys Shuttle, but keep in mind that the drive will add 3-5 hours to the trip (longer on the bus). Key West itself is very small; you may be able to walk from your hotel to Seminar and/or Workshop locations, and you can rent a bicycle to explore further. Uber and Lyft are both readily available.

We reserve a number of spaces for scholarship recipients to participate in the Seminar and/or Workshop Program. If you are awarded a scholarship, there will be a place for you.

Yes. Each of our scholarship opportunities has a different purpose, but you are welcome to apply for any and all opportunities you qualify for.

Our Teacher & Librarian Scholarships provide support for teachers and librarians to attend the Seminar. Workshop Fellowships provide support for the Writers’ Workshop Program only, and anyone can apply. The Emerging Writer Awards are based solely on your submitted writing sample, either a short story, novel-in-progress, or poetry. Winners of this award receive full tuition to both the Seminar and Writers’ Workshop Program, plus other benefits. Complete guidelines and application criteria for all our scholarships and awards can be found here.

We are committed to making it possible for every award winner to afford the experience of coming to Key West. For students, teachers, and librarians, many of your institutions will offset the cost of lodging and/or travel expenses. Upon request, we will provide a letter to help you ask for additional aid.

Lodging: We ask you to contribute what you can afford. Our financial aid allocation is based on a sliding scale; for example, some award winners contribute $200+ per night for lodging while others contribute $10 and still others aren’t able to contribute anything. We are happy to work with you as you determine what you are able to contribute. Average cost of hotels in Key West is $350/night.

Travel: We cover all travel expenses for our Emerging Writer Award winners. If you are a Workshop Fellow or a Teacher and Librarian scholarship recipient, we may be able to help you get funding for travel; please email us for further information. Once in Key West, you can rent a bicycle for about $12/day, walk, or take the free bus almost anywhere you’ll want to go.

Meals: During your stay in Key West, we will host several events (lunch, cocktail parties, dinner), but you will be responsible for the rest of your meals. Hotel rooms do not generally contain kitchens (refrigerators, coffeemakers, microwave etc).

The Seminar and workshop registration fees each include a $300 “deposit” component and the remainder, known as a “balance.” Deposits must be made at the time of registration. Deposits are fully refundable until June 30, or 60 days from date of registration, whichever is later, but never later than December 1. This is known as the refund deadline. Cancellations after this date will incur a $100 cancellation fee per person.

Balance payments must be received in full by September 30, or 60 days from date of registration, but never later than December 1. This is known as the balance due deadline. Registrations that are not paid in full on this date may be cancelled at the discretion of KWLS.

Cancellations after the balance due deadline but before December 1 will incur a $300 cancellation fee per person.

No refunds will be granted for cancellations after December 1, except in cases of medical emergency or bereavement, at the discretion of KWLS. No refunds will be granted for any reason within two weeks of the start of the event for which you have registered. If you are not eligible for a refund, payments made will be recorded as a tax-deductible contribution to support our scholarship program. You’ll receive a letter to this effect for IRS purposes by the end of the year.

You may transfer your registration to another person. Please notify KWLS with the name of the new registrant by January 1.

Young Writers Studio:
If admitted into the program, a $100 non-refundable deposit will be due within a week of acceptance, with the balance due in early June. No refunds will be granted once the balance is paid in full.

Additional exceptions to the above:
You will be entitled to a full refund upon request if, within one week of the event start date, you have a fever, cough, or think you may have a highly contagious disease such as Covid-19/Coronavirus, Flu, Strep Throat, or Norovirus. Anyone exhibiting symptoms of a contagious disease is strongly urged to stay home and request a refund. See also our Covid-19 practices, policies, and guidelines.

Your decision to participate in large gatherings, including events such as the Key West Literary Seminar and/or Writers’ Workshop Program, may heighten your risk of contracting and/or spreading Covid-19 and/or other infectious and/or communicable diseases. We urge all participants to consult and follow guidance issued by official agencies and consult with your physician as you see fit. In any case, your participation in any of our events is at your own risk.

Masks:

We do not require or request masks for participants in any of our programs. Individuals may choose to wear masks at any time.

Symptoms & Refunds:

Covid-19 may present with a variety of symptoms, some of which include: fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea, or diarrhea. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms of Covid-19, who tests positive, or who had close contact with someone who has Covid-19 is eligible for a full refund at any time. (Otherwise, see our general refund and cancellation policy.)

Pets are not permitted due to facility limitations and concerns about the potential for allergies, injuries, and liability.