For forty years, the Jesse Stuart Foundation has been headquartered in Ashland, providing a wide variety of services to our home community. This spring we are hosting a writers workshop, and I invite the community to participate. The 2026 Jesse Stuart Writers Workshop, a two-day immersive writing event, is scheduled for April 17–18, 2026, at the Delta Marriott Hotel Ashland.
The workshop brings together acclaimed authors, educators, and literary professionals for an engaging lineup of sessions designed to inspire, educate, and support writers of all levels. Event highlights include a keynote presentation, skill-building workshops, panel discussions, and opportunities for participants to connect with fellow writers in a supportive and creative environment.
This event honors the rich literary legacy of Jesse Stuart while offering practical tools, insight, and inspiration to help writers strengthen their skills and move their work forward.
The Writers Workshop features a distinguished group of speakers and instructors covering topics such as memoir, poetry, fiction, publishing, and storytelling.
Al Cross, the keynote speaker, is an award-winning journalist and educator with decades of experience in Kentucky media. He is the former director of the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues at the University of Kentucky, where he worked extensively with community newspapers and rural journalists across the country. A Pulitzer Prize–winning reporter, Cross brings a wealth of real-world insight into the power of writing to inform, connect, and strengthen communities.
Additional presenters include Jim Gifford, Brenda Evans, Lee Pennington, John W. McCauley, Gwyn Hyman Rubio, Keith Kappes, Carol Boggess, and Adam VanKirk.
The event begins Friday afternoon, April 17 with registration at 1pm, followed by afternoon sessions and an evening keynote presentation by Al Cross. Saturday’s sessions continue with skills-focused instruction and discussions designed to sharpen participants’ writing techniques and expand their creative vision.
Registration is $100, with a $50 student rate available — register online with the link below. Registration is non-refundable. Writers who register and pay by March 20, 2026 will receive a $25 gift certificate to the JSF Bookstore.
The JSF has funds available to support registration fees for students and out of school adults. If you need help with the registration fee, please contact me, gifford@jsfbooks.com or 606-326-1667.
By James M. Gifford
JSF CEO & Senior Editor
