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Unparalleled for its rigor, thoroughness, and integrity, Colrain is the original, one-of-a-kind manuscript conference.  Faculty includes nationally-renowned poet-editors and publishers. Work with the best for the best results!
Our unique, realistic method of manuscript evaluation sets poets with a manuscript-in-progress on a path toward publication. Poets also get a look into the publication world and make important contacts with leading editors, teachers, and publishers.

Participants Speak

The Colrain Poetry Manuscript Conference will benefit anyone wanting to gain a richer sense of the editor’s perspective, a fuller sense of the poem as an action within a collection, and a more nuanced sense of the collection as discourse for and with readers. The conference is well-designed, excellently staffed, and smoothly run. The iteration of the conference I attended was “remote participation via Zoom,” and the technology was no barrier to an effective and rewarding conference. ”Remote?” Yes. ”Participation”: absolutely and fully. —T.H., Normal, Illinois

Workshop with Joan Houlihan
Online via Zoom

Thursdays or Fridays

NOTE: Email to query about waiting list: conferences@colrainpoetry.com

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Though many of the poets in this workshop are working at an advanced level and have publications (books and/or journals), this workshop is for any poet wishing to re-envision, deepen and find the best expression of their work, perhaps with the goal of a manuscript in mind.

$300 for four workshops. Limited to 9 participants.

Colrain founder Joan Houlihan is the author of five books of poetry, most recently Shadow-feast, named a “must-read” book of 2018 by the Massachusetts Center for the Book. She has taught at Columbia University, Emerson College and Smith College and currently serves on the faculty of Lesley University’s Low-Residency MFA in Creative Writing Program in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She is also Professor of Practice in Poetry at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts.

The Colrain Classic
Online via Zoom

August 6 – August 9, 2021

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Learn More | Apply Now

A select group of poets will work with Peter Covino (Barrow Street Press), conference founder Joan Houlihan, (Lesley University Low-Residency MFA Program), Martha Rhodes (Four Way Books) and Ellen Watson (Smith College).

All poets with an in-progress or complete book-length or chapbook-length manuscript are welcome to apply.