The Longfellow Young Writers Camp is a week-long, residential Creative Writing camp for high school students held on the campus of the University of Maine Farmington.

The week-long Longfellow Young Writers Camp introduces you to the art of creative writing, giving you the chance to hone your writing skills while allowing you to experiment with various genres: fiction, poetry, screenwriting, memoir, songwriting, while you also get a feel for what college life is like.

You’ll have the opportunity to connect and collaborate — in person — with like-minded high school students, explore the natural beauty of western Maine, enhance your craft, experience what it’s like to live on a college campus nestled in the beautiful foothills of the mountains of western Maine.

You’ll also learn how to professionally workshop pieces with your fellow Campers, receive feedback from award-winning authors, and most importantly — have fun! We’ll have fun-filled activities offered by UMF student mentors and faculty to allow you to experience your week in Farmington to the fullest.

All Inclusive Cost: $675 (need-based scholarships available)
This includes Tuition and Room & Board (on-campus housing + meals)

All participants will earn one Early College credit for their Longfellow Writers Camp experience. Campers who participate in two additional online Longfellow workshops will earn three Early College credits. Additional need-based scholarships are available to those who elect the 3-credit early college option.

Scholarships (full and partial) are available. Contact Assistant Professor of Creative Writing Lewis Robinson for details lewis.robinson@maine.edu

Apply Now — May 1 Deadline. Space is limited and available spots are filling fast.

Application Form

Please note: The Application Form will ask you to upload a writing sample of any genre along with your application (try to limit the piece to approximately 1,000 words). It also asks you to provide the name and email address of a teacher or advisor who can provide a reference for you. You’ll want to gather these items before you begin filling out the Application Form.

Here’s what some previous Longfellow Campers said about their experience:

“Longfellow gave me insight into the unique benefits of a close-knit Creative Writing BFA program. Getting to meet some of the professors in the program and participating in the variety of workshops that Longfellow offered was an invaluable opportunity. For the first time, I had a community of writers and mentors who were interested in my creative ambitions. Longfellow gave me my first feeling of belonging as a young writer and showed me exciting possibilities for my future in the writing world.”
— Hannah Binder, UMF ’21, author of 30 Feet Strong and Late Magnolias

“Longfellow had a huge impact on my future. Not only did I meet some of my closest friends there, but I found my passion for writing. I didn’t consider creative writing as a career path until I attended the camp. Now here I am, having published my first few pieces and working on my first novel.”
— Leo Goddard, Second year Creative Writing student at UMF

Faculty

Kristen Case (poetry) is Professor of English at University of Maine Farmington. She is the author of the poetry collections Little Arias and Principles of Economics, both of which received the Maine Literary Award in Poetry.

Ron Currie (fiction) is the author of four novels that have been translated into fifteen languages. His next novel will be published by Farrar, Strauss & Giroux in 2023. 

Jaed Coffin (non-fiction)  is the author of the memoirs A Chant to Soothe Wild Elephants and Roughhouse Friday. He teaches writing at the University of New Hampshire and lives with his family in Maine. 

Amy Neswald (screenwriting) is a fiction writer, screenwriter, and short filmmaker. Her debut novel-in-stories I Know You Love Me, Too, was a recipient of the New American Fiction Prize. She teaches creative writing at the University of Maine Farmington.

Hannah Paige (fiction and non-fiction) is the author of the novels Why We Don’t Wave, 30 Feet Strong, and Late Magnolias. She holds a BFA in Creative Writing from the University of Maine Farmington, and is currently attending Lindenwood University for her MFA in Writing.

Aaron Wyanski (songwriting) is a composer, pianist, and educator who has been a featured composer at the Hartford New Music Festival. In 2022 his song cycle, Three Benedictions, was premiered at Carnegie Hall by Yoon Sun Choi and Jacob Sacks. 



Application Form

Have questions? Contact us

Lewis Robinson
Assistant Professor of Creative Writing
Dept. of Creative Writing
University of Maine at Farmington
111 South Street
Farmington, Maine USA 04939
tel  207-778-7419
TYY (via Maine Relay Service) dial 711
lewis.robinson@maine.edu