Lit Fest - Lighthouse Writers Workshop 2026

The tradition of nature writing goes back to the Romantics and before, most likely because we are creatures of place. In this hands-on and feet-walking session, we'll explore some of the 'natural' settings just outside of Lighthouse, using the landscape as inspiration, and see what we find, and what the world around us has to say. We won't be walking miles on end, but please wear comfortable shoes, a good hat, and sunscreen. We'll walk around the 39th Avenue Greenway for a time, and then settle back into the air conditioned comfort of 3844 York Street to share and perhaps dig a little deeper.

Panelists include: multi-press authors Cynthia Swanson (big press, no press) and Ramona Ausubel (big press, indie press) along with editors Brittany Torres Rivera from Graywolf (indie) and Caroline Bleeke Flatiron/Macmillan (big press)
Traditional publisher, small press, or self publication: how do you determine where your work belongs? Our distinguished panel of industry experts will discuss the pros and cons of publishing with a smaller indie press versus a large one—or even going it alone.

Panelists include: multi-press authors Cynthia Swanson (big press, no press) and Ramona Ausubel (big press, indie press) along with editors Brittany Torres Rivera from Graywolf (indie) and Caroline Bleeke Flatiron/Macmillan (big press)
Traditional publisher, small press, or self publication: how do you determine where your work belongs? Our distinguished panel of industry experts will discuss the pros and cons of publishing with a smaller indie press versus a large one—or even going it alone.
You've signed up for the Livestream version of this panel. If you'd prefer to attend in person, please register here.

Zadie Smith advises writers to “avoid your weaknesses.” With all due respect to Smith, sometimes our so-called weaknesses produce the best writing. In this generative class, we’ll embrace our weaknesses—personal, artistic, and physical—to see what power we can find. For writers of all levels and genres who don’t mind getting a little uncomfortable.

Hear readings from members of Lighthouse’s faculty while enjoying some of our Happy Hour offerings.
Hear readings from members of Lighthouse’s faculty while enjoying some of our Happy Hour offerings.
Our exciting roster:

• Nick Arvin
• Nini Berndt
• Michael J. Henry
• Suzi Q. Smith
• Tiffany Quay Tyson

This is the in-person version of this event. If you’re interested in the Livestream version, click here.
We will have a Sober Safe Space available on the second floor during this event. This is a welcoming, inclusive gathering place for people in all forms of recovery or anyone who wants to have a space to connect without alcohol during Lit Fest 2026. There will be snacks. NA beverages, writing prompts, and conversation starters available during this time. 
For more resources and recovery meetings close to Lighthouse, you can visit: https://www.yorkstreetclub.com/Schedule 

Hear readings from members of Lighthouse’s faculty while enjoying some of our Happy Hour offerings.
Our exciting roster:

• Nick Arvin
• Nini Berndt
• Michael J. Henry
• Suzi Q. Smith
• Tiffany Quay Tyson

This is the Livestream version of this event, if you'd like to attend this in-person, click here.

Writers taking workshops with Melissa Broder, Heather Christle, Ingrid Rojas Contreras, Layli Long Soldier, and Megha Majumdar,  join us on Friday afternoon for quick introductions to your instructor and fellow classmates and a tour of the Lit Fest campus. Stay for a visit to the food trucks, happy hour, and a CPR "Turn the Page" with Colorado Matters Interview at 7PM.

A newer Lit Fest tradition: Colorado Public Radio's "Turn the Page with Colorado Matters" comes to Lighthouse for a live, on-stage recording, this year with our own Rachel Weaver. Pick up her memoir, Dizzy, at the pop-up bookstore, then settle in as Ryan Warner— the most recognizable voice in Denver—does what he does best, this time exploring Rachel's account of a mysterious illness, the medical system that failed to address it, and the life that refused to wait.

This event is in-person. We also will have a livestream version of this event. 

More on the book:

Rachel Weaver’s novel Point of Direction was named a Top Ten Book To Pick Up Now by Oprah Magazine and won the Willa Cather Award for Fiction. Rachel’s newest book, Dizzy, an “arresting new memoir” according to Maureen Corrigan on NPR’s Fresh Air, published in February of 2026. Her second novel The Last Run, is forthcoming in June 2026 with Lake Union Publishing. Prior to earning her MFA in Writing and Poetics at Naropa University, Rachel worked for the Forest Service in Alaska studying bears, raptors and songbirds. She teaches at Wilkes University and Lighthouse Writers Workshop and holds a CPA in Narrative Medicine from Columbia University.

We will have a Sober Safe Space available on the second floor during this event. This is a welcoming, inclusive gathering place for people in all forms of recovery or anyone who wants to have a space to connect without alcohol during Lit Fest 2026. There will be snacks. NA beverages, writing prompts, and conversation starters available during this time. 

For more resources and recovery meetings close to Lighthouse, you can visit: https://www.yorkstreetclub.com/Schedule

A newer Lit Fest tradition: Colorado Public Radio's "Turn the Page with Colorado Matters" comes to Lighthouse for a live, on-stage recording, this year with our own Rachel Weaver. Pick up her memoir, Dizzy, at the pop-up bookstore, then settle in as Ryan Warner— the most recognizable voice in Denver—does what he does best, this time exploring Rachel's account of a mysterious illness, the medical system that failed to address it, and the life that refused to wait.

This event is livestream. We also have a in-person version of this event.

More on the book:

Rachel Weaver’s novel Point of Direction was named a Top Ten Book To Pick Up Now by Oprah Magazine and won the Willa Cather Award for Fiction. Rachel’s newest book, Dizzy, an “arresting new memoir” according to Maureen Corrigan on NPR’s Fresh Air, published in February of 2026. Her second novel The Last Run, is forthcoming in June 2026 with Lake Union Publishing. Prior to earning her MFA in Writing and Poetics at Naropa University, Rachel worked for the Forest Service in Alaska studying bears, raptors and songbirds. She teaches at Wilkes University and Lighthouse Writers Workshop and holds a CPA in Narrative Medicine from Columbia University.