The Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop

The Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop has been dubbed the "Woodstock of Humor" and a "utopia" for writers — one "that only appears every other year, out of the mist, on the edge of the Great Miami River in Dayton, Ohio (like Brigadoon)."

The workshop's mission is simple: to encourage and inspire writers in the same way that celebrated columnist and author Erma Bombeck '49 found encouragement and inspiration at the University of Dayton.

Its mantra is timeless: "You can write!"


Mark Your Calendar
Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop

Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop link-arrow link-arrow

The Writer magazine has called the biennial Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop the best writing conference in Ohio and "THE conference for humor writers."

Our next workshop is slated for March 26-28, 2026. The event is sold out, but you can join the waitlist.

Subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter to receive workshop information and learn about other events.

Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop

Additional Erma Events link-arrow link-arrow

Explore more events and competitions, including Erma Home Schooling and the Erma Bombeck Writing Competition.


Humor Writer of the Month
Julianna Forlano
Erma Bombeck Writer Workshop
01.01.2026

Humor Writer of the Month: Julianna Forlano link-arrow link-arrow

Julianna Forlano, our Humor Writer of the Month for January, is a writer, radio host and recovering overthinker who uses humor to wrestle meaning out of life, politics and the daily circus of parenting and purpose.

When humor goes, there goes civilization.
Erma Bombeck

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