Speculative Online Workshop: The McCormack Writing Center
McCormack Writing Center’s 2026 Speculative Online Workshop: Key Dates, Scholarships, and How to Apply
If you write speculative fiction and want a serious online workshop experience this fall, the McCormack Writing Center’s 2026 Speculative Online Workshop should be on your radar.
The workshop runs in October 2026, with applications opening from May 6 to June 3, 2026.
What the Workshop Offers
This online program is built for speculative writers working in short fiction or novels. Participants receive:
- Small workshop groups of no more than 10 writers
- Craft lectures and industry panels
- Generative writing sessions
- Affinity groups and social hours
- A 10-minute one-on-one guest agent meeting
- Access to a private Slack community
- Recorded lectures and readings available for two months after the workshop
The program also includes pre-workshop events like agent panels, editor panels, and participant readings, making it especially useful for writers preparing manuscripts for the market.
For writers refining scenes and emotional pacing before applying, this guide on showing vs telling is especially helpful. And if your sample needs sharper momentum, these 5 tips on holding attention in a short story can help strengthen your opening pages.
Application Requirements for the Speculative Online Workshop
The application is straightforward and focused on writing quality.
Applicants must submit:
- One unpublished writing sample
- Short fiction or novel excerpt
- 4,000 words or less
- Responses to project questions
- Applicants must be 18+
- International writers are welcome
A useful detail: the manuscript you apply with does not have to be the same piece you later workshop.
Selections are based on:
- Strength of the writing sample
- Promise of the project
- How much the writer may benefit from the workshop
- Potential contribution to the community
Scholarships and Fee Support
One of the strongest parts of this workshop is its financial support structure.
The center offers three full-tuition general scholarships, plus several targeted awards, including:
- BIPOC Scholarship
- Debut 40 Scholarship
- Own Path Scholarship
- Parent Scholarship
- Scholarship for Trans Writers
- Without Borders Scholarship
- North American Indigenous Author Scholarship
There are also:
- Flexible payment plans
- First-come, first-served application fee waivers
- A Pay It Forward program that helps fund other writers’ fees and scholarships
Importantly, scholarship applicants are automatically considered for general admission, so there’s no need for a separate application.
Bookmark!
