A guided
writer's residency
Intimate master classes, inter-galactic conversations, readings and craft talks for poets, fiction writers, investigative journalists and writers of witness.
Next Program Date
January 8 – 22, 2027
Application deadline
July 5, 2026
Fellowship deadline
August 15, 2026
A Space to Dream, Create and Connect
Set in one of Mexico’s legendary villages, Under the Volcano 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
- Master classes with master writers in your language and genre
- Ample time to write, revise and polish new work
- Individual consultations with your instructor
- Feedback from accomplished peers
- Option to stay on for a third week
Programs
Under the Volcano master classes are open to emerging as well as accomplished fiction writers, poets and journalists, and offer high-level feedback and mentorship from award-winning writers in each genre. A roster of distinguished guests joins our core faculty in a program designed to take each participant’s voice to the next level.
A Writing Residency Like No Other
Most writing residencies give you a room with a desk. Under the Volcano gives you a whole literary world, with six three-hour master classes in your genre (you’ll also have a room with a desk!)… , a fantastic group of colleagues and so much more.
Our master classes are open to accomplished writers and journalists and are led by award-winning writers in both English and Spanish.
Fiction
Master the architecture of narrative and the delicate balance of prose in the high mountains.
Poetry
Explore the resonance of voice and the precision of lyricism under the shadow of the volcano.
Journalism
Deep reportage and the pursuit of truth through immersive literary non-fiction.
Writing of Witness
Honoring legacy and memory through the transformative power of the written word.
Ready to Take your Voice to the Next Level?
Under the Volcano welcomes applications from writers whose work shows passion and originality. Our admissions process is both selective and intuitive, with a view to building an inclusive, caring and talented community.
Poetry, fiction, writing of witness, or journalism, find the genre that fits your work.
2. Review the application guidelines
Each masterclass has specific requirements, read them carefully before you begin.
3. Submit your online application
Complete the form, attach your writing sample and cover letter, and submit.
Highlights from UTV 2026
Our residency has been a hub for literary excellence for over a decade. Explore the moments that define our community through the years.
Testimonials
“The dream always is to feel that writing is your only job in life. At Under the Volcano that dream becomes real.”
“The time I spent in Tepoztlán working on my novel was magical. It re-charged my batteries so that I could finally get through my first draft.”
“Una experiencia emocionante que te motiva a continuar en el camino de la poesía y la literatura en contacto con gente brillante.”
Great teaching meets committed writers–it’s an unbeatable combination!
