THE BASICS
When is the 2026 Conference at Kettle Pond Writers?
The 2026 conference will take place June 20 - 27 (Saturday – Saturday).
Isn't there usually some joke here, or something?
Good eye, and good question. Traditionally, yes. But our FAQ sort of melted, so you'll have to apply and come see us in June for that this year. We feel confident the joke will return as it sees fit. It always has.
Wait, what? That's question 2? This is legit, right? Is this legit?
This is legit. As are we. This will be our sixth summer gathering writers to do [something] at Paul Smith’s specifically, and Kettle Pond staff have decades of experience running writing conferences & other literary events, both together and individually. We do not have half a century of experience building websites, though; we are very sorry about this. We assure you they are largely unrelated skills.
Thank you so much for your patience in waiting on the answers to your questions, and for your interest in our project.
APPLYING
Is there an application fee?
No, what a ridiculous question. (Just kidding, but we can dream of the day it is...)
Kettle Pond is committed to removing as many barriers to access as possible for our writing community. In keeping with this philosophy, we pledge to never charge an application fee. Interested writers are encouraged to apply as early as they are able. (We also encourage you not over-think it, but we can't not-do that for you.)
FREE applications to the 2026 conference can be found here.
When is the application deadline?
The deadline for Kettle Pond 2026 is Wednesday, June 3.
When are manuscripts due?
That depends. As of 2023, Kettle Pond's workshop model entirely generative. As such, complete manuscripts are not required in advance to attend our workshops.
For new applicants, a writing sample or project proposal is required upon submission of their application.
As for Kettle Pond alums, hello & thanks for checking in on us! Returning writers need not submit new work as part of their applications, though they may, if they wish, and we'd love to read the new work.
How much does the conference cost?
Please see information on tuition here.
Is financial aid available at Kettle Pond?
Yes.
How do I apply for financial assistance?
Information on fellowship support can be found here.
On what qualifications are offers of fellowship support based?
Fellowship awards at Kettle Pond are entirely need-based. Because our conference's goals are rooted in community-building, and we are still building that community, we do not offer merit-based financial assistance at this time.
I have attended Kettle Pond before. Did I see somewhere that I don't need to submit a writing sample/project proposal if I apply for KP26?
We can't know if or where you saw it, but that is correct. Writers returning to Kettle Pond are not required to submit writing samples or project proposals as part of their applications, though we would love to know what you're working on, or plan to work on, during the conference if you're willing to share.
I'm just seeing this – I missed the posted deadline for conference and/or fellowship applications. Can I still apply?
Maybe! We’re sticking with a rolling submissions model for 2026. Please contact us directly with any questions if you would like to apply after posted deadlines. Conference staff will get back to you about the possibility of registering for a space that may have become available as admitted writers finalized their plans, or of joining a waitlist.
LIFE at KETTLE POND
Who are the 2026 faculty?
We encourage all interested writers to take a look at our 2026 faculty page. This page lists both current and previous faculty at Kettle Pond. More faculty and visiting writers will be added before conference week, so please check back if you're curious.
What is included in conference tuition?
Tuition includes room and board for the entire week, all programmed events, and access to campus academic and recreational facilities. Enrollment in some workshops will be limited, but all accepted writers will be ensured access to at least one workshop, and many if not most are open enrollment. Tuition is designed to be all-inclusive to allow writers to fully immerse themselves in the experience of the conference.
Will I be able to buy books during the conference? Will I be able to get them signed?
Absolutely! Books will be available for sale most evenings during social hours following faculty readings. Because Kettle Pond is a community-focused event, we don't facilitate formal book signings to allow for more informal interactions between all of our writers. We do offer book sales every evening, and residents are welcome to ask our faculty and visiting readers to sign books during that time.
How will housing arrangements be made? May I request [something] related to housing?
Housing assignments will be made based on responses to the conference registration form, which will be distributed to admitted writers following notification of acceptance to the conference. The Registration Form will allow attending writers to specify a number of preferences regarding housing arrangements. We are generally able to accommodate our writers' requests, although likelihood of our ability to make those accommodations increases with how far in advance they are made. More information on campus housing can be found here.
I live in the area or don’t wish to stay on campus. Is this an option?
Yes, local writers and those interested in arranging their own housing nearby are welcome to attend. More information can be found on our tuition page.
I won’t be staying on campus. Will I still have access to campus facilities?
Yes, all enrolled writers will have access to all events and campus facilities.
Is there cell phone service on campus?
That depends. We're working on a more comprehensive overview of what carriers currently work well on campus. We hear that service has much improved across most carriers in the area. The following info was historically our answer, so we shall leave it for now, and update it (perhaps with your help on campus!) when we have current details, but are operating with the understanding that the below may be a bit dated by this summer.
Writers with Verizon service plans will generally have service throughout Paul Smith's campus, where all conference events take place. AT&T customers may more limited service. Those with other carriers may not have service on campus or in the area at all.
Paul Smith's College has free and open wifi throughout the main campus, and writers without service may be able to connect to wifi to make calls or send messages. We encourage writers who may be working with limited or no cell service to think of this as a blessing rather than a curse; we know firsthand that it can enhance the creative impact of the experience.
Is there internet on campus?
Yes; wifi is open and free throughout Paul Smith's College campus, including conference housing, the dining hall, and all conference venues (except, potentially, the Forestry Cabin, which is only used on Friday evening; see above answer on cell service).
I have dietary restrictions. Can you accommodate them?
Most likely, yes. Kettle Pond can accommodate all dietary restrictions except Kosher, and even in that case, maybe. Kosher applicants are welcome to make use of kitchens in campus housing and should contact us directly for more details. More info on dining on campus can be found here.
Are conference facilities barrier-free?
All venues that will be used for the conference have, or can be made to have, barrier free-access. Please contact our staff or note your needs in your application to ensure we are able to make accommodations before your arrival on campus. Some more basic information on accessibility on campus can be found here.
May I bring my pet or support animal?
Pets are not allowed in campus housing. Writers who plan to bring pets should make alternate housing arrangements and contact Kettle Pond directly for pricing that does not include housing, as well as information on campus facilities and events where pets and/or support animals may be welcome in certain circumstances.
Can you accommodate my service animal in campus housing?
Unfortunately, Kettle Pond is unable to accommodate Service Dogs at the 2026 conference. Please see our accessibility page for more information.
May I bring my partner/caregiver/dependents/random buddy?
Absolutely! Writers who wish to attend with non-applicants should note this in their application. We are open to accommodating creative collaborators, dependents, partners, or caregivers of any kind. Please note your situation in your application and our staff will follow up upon admission.
How does parking work on campus?
Parking is included in the cost of the conference and is available throughout the Paul Smith’s College campus.
What does Kettle Pond provide? What should I plan to bring?
Outside of clothing, toiletries, and whatever supplies our writers require for their work, we aim to provide everything our writers will need during the week. Beginning in 2026 bedding is available on request, but writers are strongly encouraged to bring their own. (More details on bedding options will be provided to writers upon admission and commitment to attend the conference.)
Over the years, we have also curated a fairly exhaustive list of packing suggestions. We've heard from some it's overkill, but we have also lent coats to many of those critics. We urge writers to pack as we do: plan for three seasons of weather, hope for fewer.
Are there laundry facilities on campus?
Yes, laundry is available in campus housing and included in tuition. No change or laundry cards needed, though writers will need to provide their own detergent.
TRAVEL INFO
Where is Kettle Pond, again?
Kettle Pond takes place on the campus of Paul Smith’s College, located within the Adirondack Park in upstate New York. Their campus is ~13 miles from Saranac Lake and ~20 miles from Lake Placid, NY.
How do I get to Kettle Pond/Paul Smith’s College?
Information on travel to the conference can be found on our travel page.
Can Kettle Pond help with travel expenses?
Unfortunately, Kettle Pond is currently unable to assist our writers with travel expenses; however, we will make every effort to connect attending writers wishing to ride-share to Paul Smith's once admissions are finalized. Admitted writers interested in offering or accepting a ride are encouraged to note this in their conference registration forms upon commitment to attending. More information regarding ridesharing will be distributed later in our admissions process.
I may need to arrive late/leave the conference early, is that possible?
That depends. We ask that all accepted writers attending workshops plan to be on campus for the duration of the conference. Given Kettle Pond's rural location, all attending writers are expected to plan to arrive on campus during official conference registration hours on Saturday, June 20. Permission to arrive outside of registration hours will generally only be granted to alumni or (in limited cases) writers who may be traveling with them. (Or, of course, in the event of delayed trains/conference shuttles, or anyone who chooses to arrive on the morning bus
Though we understand that personal and professional obligations can come up without warning, Kettle Pond strongly discourages early departures from the conference outside of emergencies. All that said, we respect our artists' choices and no one will be keeping tabs on you, we will help accommodate our writers should an urgent situation arise.
Any writers for whom arriving during registration is not possible are encouraged to arrive in the area a day early, and continue to campus the following day, or to work out other arrangements with conference staff. We are happy to work with all of our writers as they arrive in the region, but advance notice of any travel concerns is always best. Please see our travel page and contact Kettle Pond staff directly with any travel questions related to arrival and departure.
This is really long.
Yes. We’ve been doing this a while, so this is all here not only to answer your questions, which we are always happy to do, but to help things run much more smoothly on the ground, which supports our art, and helps offset the inevitable, unforeseen Thing that tends to come up when planning large events for writers. You may go if you wish. We encourage you to go apply, but of course this is up to you.