The Art of the Essay: A Workshop
Join Kim Dana Kupperman & Baron Wormser for a weekend of discussing, contemplating, and generating essays, April 18-20, 2025
Join Best American Essays series editor and essayist Kim Dana Kupperman and distinguished author and Best American Essays contributor Baron Wormser for the second in a series of generative workshops focused on the art of the essay, at the Prospect Street Writers House in North Bennington, Vermont, April 18-20, 2025.
What Former Participants Are Saying
“The Art of the Essay experience affords a space of inspiration, with room to grow, to reflect on, revise, re-investigate, re-inhabit the deepest springs of the individual spirit in a place of profound listening, which is of course also a down-to-earth gathering of a variety of like-minded souls, hearing one another, laughing, enjoying delicious meals, taking walks, getting acquainted, all in the supportive atmosphere of the beautiful Prospect Street Writers House in North Bennington, Vermont These workshops are a gift to anyone serious about writing and thinking and life itself. If you have to travel some distance to attend, trust me, the workshop is worth every rpm! —Devon McNamara, West Virginia
Being brand new to nonfiction writing workshops, I was a blank slate. Two days later, I was amazed at how much I got done. The workshops were choreographed brilliantly—prompts, guidance, and discussions from Baron and Kim; the food, the atmosphere, and delightful fellow writers. I highly recommend these workshops.” —Sandra Hyde, Quebec
“This workshop single handedly released me from a three-month bout with writer’s block. Kim and Baron are two highly intelligent teachers who give each writer equal guidance and space to create. I’d return each and every time if I could.” —Cheyenne Paterson, Maryland
“Before: ‘Hot damn, what are we doing setting out on at least a 1,000-mile round trip and spending so much money for ‘just’ three days sitting around with a group of strangers writing and reading?’ After: ‘Hot super damn! What a time we had. Learned so much and met such lovely people. Hosts were fantastic and meals were divine. Where did the time go? And when do we return?’—David Evans, West Virginia
“What a special, beautiful place to move your own writing forward, with two teachers whose thoughts and insights can improve your own understanding of the essay and how to make your own work better. I highly recommend this workshop to any serious writer who wants to improve their own writing skills.” —Debra Nowak, New Hampshire
“Kim and Baron are wonderful teachers and workshop facilitators. Our weekend at the Prospect Street Writers House quickly coalesced into a writing community and soared with inspiration. Don't miss it!”—Ruth Crocker, Connecticut
Schedule
Arrival and settling in begin midday and continue until 1:30. The first session of the workshop will be held 2:30-5:30 pm on Friday (followed by dinner at 6:30 and participant reading at 8:00); the second and third sessions will be held Saturday, 9:00 am-12:00 pm (followed by lunch), and Saturday, 1:30-4:30 (followed by dinner at 6:30 and a participant reading at 8:00), and the final session is on Sunday 9:00 am-12:00 pm, (followed by lunch and departure).
Readings
We will be reading and discussing two essays from the The Best American Essays 1987 (guest edited by Gay Talese) and two from the The Best American Essays 2023, guest edited by Vivian Gornick), will be distributed via email prior to the workshop. Participants will have an opportunity to write in response to prompts generated from these essays and share their writing.
In the evening, participants are invited (but not required) to read a selection from their own essays or an essay by another writer. During and after dinner on Saturday evening, Kim will answer questions about The Best American Essays series.
Cost & Other Details
The cost for the workshop is $425; the cost for housing (single room with bathroom in a suite) is $350 for the weekend and includes all meals (dinner on Friday and Saturday, breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday). Each suite’s kitchenette is equipped with a mini fridge, hot plate, coffee maker, and teapot.
The maximum number of participants is eight. Each registrant will receive a copy of The Best American Essays 2024 (HarperCollins), guest edited by Wesley Morris, and a copy of Essaying the Essay (Welcome Table Press), edited by David Lazar.
About Us
Kim Dana Kupperman is the series editor of Best American Essays and the founder of Welcome Table Press, devoted to publishing and celebrating the essay in all its forms. She is the author of the award-winning essay collection I Just Lately Started Buying Wings; The Last of Her: A Forensic Memoir; and a historical novel, Six Thousand Miles to Home. She has worked as an editor, writer, and teacher for forty years.
Baron Wormser is the author of many books. He has received fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. From 2000 to 2005 he served as poet laureate of the State of Maine. His essays have twice been included in Best American Essays and have appeared numerous times on Vox Populi. He has taught extensively as a freelance teacher and as a faculty member of three MFA programs.
V. Hansmann is the founder of Prospect Street Writers House and your host. As he says, he was raised in suburban New Jersey, growing up to be neurotic, alcoholic, homosexual, and old. His inconsistent publishing credits consist of essays and poems.
To Register
For more information or to register, email Kim at kimdanakupperman@gmail.com. Once you have been admitted, please send a check made out to Welcome Table Press at 30 Garcia Lane, Hartland VT.
To pay for accommodations: once your registration fee has been received, you will receive a secure, online invoice for accommodations from the Prospect Street Writers House.
Cancellation Policy (please read)
If you cancel for any reason, and we can fill your spot from a wait list, you will be reimbursed in full. Otherwise, you are responsible for the slot you reserved, and the registration fee will not be refunded.
Details: Prospect Street Writers House (PSWH)
Accommodations
COVID-19 Policy
It is PSWH’s policy that all residents, staff, and guests be vaccinated and boosted. We ask you to take sensible precautions for several weeks prior to your arrival to minimize your exposure. Our experience has been that commonsense carries the day. PSWH requires a photograph of a negative test, taken before arrival.
Accessibility
The entry and entire first floor of Prospect Street are on grade, with an ADA-accessible bedroom with ensuite bathroom in the Gray Suite. The second floor contains no programming space. Please alert PSWH to any mobility issues.
Location & Travel to PSWH:
Prospect Street Writers House is located at 20 Prospect Street, North Bennington, VT, 05257. By car, estimated travel times are 3½ hours from Boston, three hours from New York City, four hours from Montreal, and five+ hours from Philadelphia.
From NYC: Train or fly to Albany. Two trips daily to Bennington are made by bus (the earliest arrives at 2:05 pm), which serves both the Albany airport and the Albany Amtrak station. Travel can be booked through Vermont Transit Lines. We’ll pick you up at the Bennington bus station if you let us know (646.369.0682 or 802.681.6387).
An Uber from Albany costs about $75. Ubers to Albany are nearly impossible to book; however, local car services are available.
Nearby restaurants:
The Prospect Coffee Shop serves breakfast and lunch.
Two establishments serve lunch: Powers Market and Kevin's Sports Pub & Restaurant
Further afield (in Bennington proper, an approximately fifteen-minute drive) you'll find the Bennington Community Market, Elm Street Market, and Your Belly's Deli.
V!
Oh, how I wish this weren't on Passover! I hope to apply the next time around. Sounds perfect for my essay writing practice.