The AWA Group Leadership Training is an intensive course focused on instructing individuals in the AWA method. It is not a writing retreat. This training prepares people to lead groups for the general population and for traditionally silenced people in places such as public housing, shelters, hospitals or prisons. Each day begins at 11 a.m. Eastern, 8 a.m. Pacific and ends no later than 6:30 p.m. Eastern, 2:30 p.m. Pacific.

AWA Leadership is learned by experiencing elements of the method in a simulated workshop environment, experimental writing sessions, talks by experienced leaders, group discussion, role-playing, and film to give participants a full experience of the AWA method as it is actually used.

Upon completion of the training, participants will have a thorough understanding of the AWA method, AWA practices and guidelines, and will be able to convey these effectively to their workshop members. Participants also receive a year of AWA Affiliate status following the training which offers continued support to establish their own workshops.

To learn about other training dates in 2023, please see our upcoming trainings.

Full tuition for online trainings is $1750. The $500 deposit goes toward that tuition and the remaining $1250 is due 8 weeks before the start of the training. No transfers or refunds can be provided within 30 days of the training start date, so please negotiate any possible conflicts well in advance.  

An AWA Training Application has two parts:

1. The Application Form and Writing Sample, which you can fill out and submit at this link.
2. The $500 deposit, which you can submit below or via postal mail to: Amherst Writers & Artists, PO Box 1076, Amherst MA 01004