Founded in 2003, Under the Volcano offers writing master classes every January with master writers from across the English- and Spanish-speaking worlds.

Set in one of Mexico’s legendary villages, the program is an incubator of literary and journalistic talent, a catalyst for writers with books in progress and an international community that transcends borders, languages and place.

Our alumni have published novels, stories, memoirs and articles, been admitted to top MFA programs, signed with leading literary agents and won prizes and honors that include a National Book Award, the Premio Nacional de Novela Tamaulipas, the Premio Quimera Literatura Queer and the Write Stuff competition at the London Book Fair.

In January 2022, the program will be hybrid.  More here…

Our master classes are open to poets, novelists, short story writers, investigative journalists, memoirists and essayists, as well as those working on projects that challenge traditional genre forms. Both accomplished and emerging writers are encouraged to apply.

Under the Volcano is a unique international community that is recreated each year on the principles of mutual support and respect for differences of character, opinion, identity, age and life choices. Please keep in mind that our program is highly selective and that acceptance is based first and foremost on the interest and promise of your writing.

Registration for all master classes is limited to ten, except for investigative journalism, which can accommodate 12.

Please visit the Masterclasses page for details on specific workshops.