Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Writing the Wild cohort?

Writing the Wild is an 8-month interactive writing journey guided by Krissy Kludt and J. Drew Lanham. Blending virtual gatherings and tactile-sensory learning packages sent by mail, the program offers writers a multidimensional experience to deepen creative intimacy with their human and more-than-human communities.

Our cohorts of 45-65 writers are open to writers at any stage of their writing journey. We see writing as both a contemplative practice and a method for active engagement in the wider world, responsive to the unique urgencies of our time.

Developing our own creative rhythms is an essential component of living well. This journey is guided, but self-driven—we trust each participant to discern their needs, take risks, and engage in the provided prompts in ways will benefit them in their particular place in their writing life.

Cohort gatherings are typically on Tuesdays at 6pm Central Time, about twice monthly, October-May.

How much time does the cohort require?

The amount of time you spend on the cohort is very much up to you. But to give you an idea, we recommend you plan for:

Gatherings (Zoom calls) approximately twice monthly (usually one 60-min call and one 90-min call)
Prompts guiding you in writing, creativity, nature connection and rest—perhaps 15 min a day most days and 1-3 hours a week most weeks
Optionally, a smaller writing circle that meets regularly (how often/for how long is up to the group)

Some people choose to spend a lot more time with the books and prompts. We send 8-12 different prompts each month, but we do not expect anyone to use all of them. We don't expect you to read the monthly book cover-to-cover, though some people do!

Am I “enough” of a writer to join?

If you worry you are not “enough” of a writer to join us, know this: We also sometimes wonder that about ourselves. We are in this with you.

You don’t have to be a published writer—or even have a desire or intention to publish—to enjoy and benefit from Writing the Wild.

Our prompts are simple and accessible. We avoid jargon and explain the literary vocabulary we use. All you need to be ready for this journey is to say yes to opening yourself to a habit of creativity and reflection—and it’s okay if your words are just for you.

How does enrollment work?

Application windows will begin this spring, first for those who have participated in our labs and other programs, then to the wider public. We accept applications on a rolling basis (apply early for a better chance of securing a spot before the cohort fills). Once your application has been accepted, you will be given a time-bound opportunity to register.

We do not require writing samples for our general applications. The application is simple—we want to know who you are and what intrigues you most about Writing the Wild to discern a good, mutual fit. (Scholarship applications are more in-depth.)

What does the program cost?

Writing the Wild has several price-points available for self-selection.

Program cost: $3,895

This pricing funds the core of our program: the costs of monthly mail, including books, broadsides, art supplies, shipping, etc.; operating costs for running the program (Zoom, marketing, website, etc.); paying our staff and guests; and more.

Discounted price: $3,695

In an effort to make Writing the Wild accessible, this price is for those who are unable to afford the full cost and may be self-selected.

Generosity prices: $4,295 or $4,695 or $5,195

The generosity of our writers in choosing these price points enables us to: offer scholarships; support discounts; offer free, public events; add fun surprises for the cohort; and more.

We offer 8-month payment plans for those who need them (at all levels of the sliding scale), at a slight additional cost to cover the time spent invoicing (approximately $10 per month).

We also have limited, partial scholarships available. (Contact us to request an application.)

What is a Lab?

Writing the Wild Labs are short term workshops on a particular theme or topic. You do not need to be a cohort member to participate in a lab (members receive priority registration and discounts).

Learn more about Writing the Wild Labs here, or register for upcoming labs.

Do you provide recordings of meetings?

We do not record our Zoom sessions. We want to keep these gatherings as human, intimate, and safe as we are able to in a digital context. These meetings are neither downloadable nor consumable; they are collective experiences. The ephemeral nature of our writing, thinking, and feeling together is part of the beauty of our gatherings.

We know there are costs to that decision when our writers have unavoidable conflicts. We will do our best to provide notes after calls for those who miss or want a second look. There may be content that you miss, and that’s ok. We trust you to prioritize your time as you need to, and that the meetings you do attend will be valuable enough.

Please note: We are committed to protecting the intellectual property rights of our contributors and the program at large. Therefore, any form of recording, redistribution or retransmission of sessions or prompts by any means for any use without written record of request and subsequent express consent from the creator of said content and the Writing the Wild program is strictly prohibited.

What accommodations are available to those with disabilities?

Writing the Wild is committed to inclusion and providing access to its unique and innovative programming for all people. Diversity in its many forms is vital to functioning ecosystems and to a healthy society as well. Automated captions are available in all Zoom meetings. Anyone with a disability who would like to request accommodations or who has questions about access may contact us three weeks in advance of the event.