

AWW is a weekend-long writing retreat in downtown Aurora, IL. You'll meet other writers, practice, discuss, laugh and learn. There will be time to explore the city's vibrant downtown filled with public art, pocket parks, small business and local restaurants. Visit First Friday, an art crawl through downtown, after the keynote speaker event. Stop by the farmers market for coffee and a pastry or fruit before heading to the Saturday small group sessions. Then, celebrate Pride on Sunday after our final event at Aurora's Pride Parade! This area is a hive of creative activity that's sure to spark your writing, along with our well-published and esteemed faculty to help you hone your craft and leave you inspired.


Aurora Writers Workshop was founded in 2023 by Aurora writer Kristin LaTour. She envisions a space for writers to meet, work creatively, and bring their knowledge back to their communities.

The faculty for the weekend-long Aurora Writers Workshop are dedicated to their work and enjoy sharing their ideas. They write prose and poetry and have published in many formats.

Aurora, IL has become a cultural hub outside of Chicago. From award-winning musical productions and local theater to galleries, thriving small businesses from boutiques to restaurants, quirky entertainment like a vintage video game arcade, and a beautiful river flowing through the heart of the city, Aurora has something for everyone.
The Aurora Writer’s Workshop is an inviting and generative experience full of supportive and encouraging participants. Organizer Kristin LaTour is a gracious host as she delivers a three-day writers’ weekend with remarkable faculty guests, inclusive gatherings of faculty readings and writing exercises, and all while nestled in the heart of Aurora. The AWW experience fulfills the best of a writer’s workshop with an abundance of opportunities to build camaraderie with other writers both in-and-out of the writing sessions.
Being relatively new to writing, I have attended only one other weekend writing conference but a number of zoom workshops on craft. The speakers are of excellent quality and all are enthusiastic teachers. I felt this enthusiasm from both the speakers and the attendees and because the groups were limited in size, I experienced being part of an intimate writing community. It was a wonderful, enjoyable, and productive workshop, well organized, and thoughtfully put together. Kristin was very accommodating and helpful as the host! T
I am so glad I attended the inaugural Aurora Writer's Workshop. I loved the small group sessions and full day with one presenter. I appreciated how Kristin utilized different locations in downtown Aurora. The quality of guest speakers was top notch. The energy of attendees was inspiring. A truly eclectic group of writers!
You can also find information on our Facebook page or through our Substack newsletter. On both sites, search for Aurora Writers Workshop.
If registration is SOLD OUT for a class, please message us to get on a waitlist in case someone needs to cancel.
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