Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
The Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop has been dubbed the "Woodstock of Humor." Another writer described it as 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!"
Nationally Renowned
The Writer magazine has called the biennial Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop the best writing conference in Ohio and "THE conference for humor writers." It's wildly popular and sells out within hours. The next workshop is slated for March 24-26, 2022.
Scholarships and Internships
Thanks to the generosity of the Alumni Association, University of Dayton students receive free scholarships to attend the workshop. Internships for academic credit are available for communication and English majors.
When humor goes, there goes civilization.
Wear Your Pajamas!
Emmy Award winners, celebrated authors and comedians headlined the Virtual Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop, a long weekend of learning — and hilarity. It's not too late to join us. Recordings (and bonus Q&A sessions with keynoters ) will be available through the end of 2021.
Save Me a Spot!
Buy Erma Swag
Erma merchandise is offered through the University of Dayton Bookstore. All proceeds benefit the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop Endowment Fund, which helps keep the workshop affordable for writers.
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