TESTIMONIALS
“Understory lived up to its promise as an intimate writing conference immersed in a beautiful setting, about craft and connection and community. I came away inspired, amazed, and full of energy and new tools for my work. Plus new friends and colleagues—what a wonderful gift Understory was!”
“This was one of those amazing conferences that truly left me in a daze—in a good way—after everything I learned. I was impressed with all the talented and generous people (attendees and presenters) I encountered. Yes, it was jam packed with back-to-back workshops, and we were exhausted, but that was exactly what we came for, and it was great.”
“Understory was an outstanding conference—and I have attended many. The presenters were excellent, and the participants were knowledgeable and creative, the kind of people one would want as a colleague. I left with new information and new skills. I will definitely come again.”
“Understory 2025 was a writer’s dream come true. Highly recommended for its top-tier speakers and workshops. Park City proved to be a welcoming mountain summer retreat, perfect for writers at any stage of their work. Jam packed full of content all writers can use, Understory delivered even more than expected. Can’t wait for Understory 2026!”
”Writing is a single-player game. You can talk about it with a partner or friends, but they won’t grok what’s going on in your head. Our characters live in our heads, outside the pages. Hanging out with other writers in a gorgeous place like Park City freed me to talk about my struggles and triumphs with other creatives. Call it cathartic, but communing with fellow writers was like a pressure release—in a most fulfilling way.”
“Starting with the elegant opening reception in a glass-enclosed greenhouse at Park City Gardens—with an open bar, passed hors d'oeuvres, and an overflowing cornucopia of talent—Understory made it abundantly clear to attendees from around the country that we had stepped into an environment that promised to nourish, encourage, pamper, and inspire. Understory is four days of literary luxury for the mind, soul, and body!”
“If you want to graduate from a writing program without accruing hundreds of thousands of dollars in student debt, Understory, in the rarefied air of Park City, is just the ticket. The faculty are accessible, and you get to spend the weekend hobnobbing (eating delicious sandwiches) with authors like you who have multiple projects in various stages of development. You get to benefit from the paths of your fellow students, whether they be traditionally published, hybrid published, or self-published, or even just pages into their first draft. There is a lot to learn here if you can take some deep breaths and listen.”
“It was very exciting to be part of Understory’s inaugural event. I left with immediately actionable ideas for tackling my second draft, and came home motivated to start. I met many already published authors who are still such curious learners, which is always inspiring. The writing community is a fascinating and fascinated bunch, and also endlessly appreciative to be in each other’s company. Thank you to our charming, talented, and passionate hostess and her teaching squad. Looking forward to next time.”