If you’re an SFFH writer and have ever asked yourself “how do I find a writing community?” then you should definitely apply! (The bad news mentioned below no longer applies — apps are open!)

Are you a writer resolving to build craft and community in 2026? Applications to the Viable Paradise workshop are now open! We’re looking for 24 writers to join us in October. Learn more and apply: viableparadise.com

Writers! How are your workshop applications coming? I have good news and bad news… The good news is that we have a STELLAR group of instructors this year! Fonda Lee is back this year after a break, joining Arkady Martine and Valerie Valdes, and new to the faculty: John Wiswell! FOUR amazing alumni!

_screams in delight_ Congratulations to N. K. Jemisin, who attended Viable Paradise in 2002 (VP VI, back when we counted that way), and has gone on to do remarkable things!

It’s workshop time! Is everyone ready?

I can't wait to read this book, from one of the members of my @viableparadise.bsky.social cohort!

This story is built around 2 folksongs: The well known Whiskey in the Jar, and the less popular Parting Glass. I chose that one because it's personal to me. I have sung that song and wept at the passing of my closest friend's mother, and on the farewell evening of @viableparadise.bsky.social

Courtney was the first of our @viableparadise.bsky.social class (not already represented) to sign with an agent, sell her book and see it released almost exactly 3 years later. She is our vanguard and we march at her back, cheering and inspired. God willing and the creek don’t rise, see you soon.🪼🤘

Glad to join #VP2025 and meet alumni staff and my cohort!

I am incredibly offline at the moment, so I am late to the news, but WELCOME VP2025!!! You may still be in shock. You may be thinking that, surely, some clerical error is to blame for your acceptance (I did 😂), but I PROMISE you earned this, and you're about to have an absolutely amazing experience.

Somewhat late, but I was accepted to VP 2025! Aaaah! I am so thrilled, and also a little bit nervous, and totally shocked that it happened. Was not expecting this at all! Aah! So excited to meet my cohort and learn from our instructors and read everyone's work! Aaaaah!

So honored to have been accepted to 2025 @viableparadise.bsky.social and so excited to meet staff, teachers, and fellow classmates. #VP2025

excited to announce i was accepted to viable paradise 2025!! looking forward to reading some cool stories from my cohort :]]

Huge congratulations to the 2025 class of Viable Paradise! You have so many friends you haven't met yet.

Thrilled to be joining the Viable Paradise class of 2025! I will be workshopping the first chapters of my novel and can’t wait to be part of the extraordinary community of educators and learners at VP this fall. #vp2025

Congratulations #VP2025! VP was exactly what I was hoping it would be and more, I bet it'll be the same for you. And may you have weather as nice as we did last year.

I'm left questioning whether the powers that be were feeling especially generous or if they just made a mistake, because they let *me* in! #VP2025

Stunned and elated to be part of #VP2025! (thank you, haunted placenta story) Cannot wait to meet the rest of my cohort and the faculty.

Congrats to those going to the workshop. (and as is tradition, I hope to see you in future years at @4thstreetfantasy.bsky.social )

hey there #VP2025! going to viable paradise was life-changing for me, introduced me to a bunch of amazing people, and was in general really fun. have a great time & don't stress over Thursday. 🚀

Welcome to the dance, #VP2025!

Congrats to the new cohort!

I went in 2018 and loved it. Still stay in touch with my cohort. I was also not accepted on my first application. If you didn’t get in, don’t give up. 🪼🪼🪼

Ah, more grist for the Horror That Is Thursday :: cough grumble cough :: I mean welcome to the new class! And if you didn’t get in, keep going. You have all our permissions to keep writing and getting better and getting in next year or showing us all as fools and that you should have been accepted.

Welcome, Y’all!! Congratulations!

I got in #VP2025! This was my third application (wait listed last year). Aah!

I'm thrilled (and honestly a little shocked) to share that I've been accepted into Viable Paradise 2025. I'm truly over the moon and so excited to meet my cohort and the faculty!! #VP2025

welcome all!!! you are going to have such a good time

I'm so excited for all of you!!

I had to read the email a few times to be sure but I've been accepted to Viable Paradise '25!

so excited to announce that i’ve been accepted into viable paradise this year! honoured that my weird logic proof and dating sim shorts resonated and can’t wait to meet the rest of the cohort 🥹🤩⭐️ #VP2025

Welcome to the new cohort!

Congratulations 🪼 and WELCOME 🪼 to the 🪼 new members of 🪼 the 🪼 family 🪼

Welcome!

Welcome to the new class! Cannot wait to get to know everyone. 🪼🤍

So excited to get to know the new class! And: if you applied and didn’t get in? It’s okay to be sad about that but try not to let it slow you down. I applied and didn’t make it in my first time. If at first you don’t succeed, keep trying and hold fast.

Welcome to the new cohort!

Notifications have just gone out for the 2025 Viable Paradise workshop! Congratulations/condolences to all! If you applied and have not received an email, please reach out to [email protected]

MY MONSTER JUST WON A NEBULA AWARD "Thank you" feels too small, but thank you to everyone who has supported this weird, little book. To everybody who it made feel a little less alone? Remember: we all belong.

So many congratulations to workshop grad John Wiswell!

Thanks to everyone who sent us their work during the 2025 application period! We have a pile of reading to do, but we plan to get notifications out around July 1.

If you're looking for a tightknit writing community, expert craft lectures and feedback on your work, and a whole week to be treated like a Real Writer, please apply. It's OK if you haven't published a lot or anything at all (I hadn't when I went). It's a fantastic environment to grow as a writer.

If you've been waffling about whether or not to apply, DO IT. This is such an amazing opportunity.

As a former panicked last minute applicant, let me just say: panicked last minute applicants, it’s not too late! As always, don’t hesitate to slide into my DMs if you have any VP questions. 🤍

Workshop applications close at midnight EDT TONIGHT May 15. Not your local time zone, unless you live in the eastern US. Don’t wait until the last minute. If you want to join us for the 2025 workshop, get your application in. We are so excited to find the newest members of the VP community!

On top of the mentors who are top notch and the insights offered into publishing, Viable Paradise offers an opportunity to increase your writing community in terms of quality and quantity in a profound way. In many ways, the community you become a part of is even better than VP itself.

If you're sitting with your application queued up and still hesitant to hit send at the 11th hour like I was--take a deep breath and hit it.

Do it! It's such a wonderful experience!

If you’ve been waffling about whether to apply, DO IT. Deadline’s tomorrow, 5/15. They cram an unbelievable amount of learning into one week, with great instructors, staff, and fellow learners. Source: VP2024 alum.