Do I need prior publication credits to apply?

No; the intensive is geared toward writers with an existing long-form project or sustained draft work rather than publication history.

What language is the workshop taught in?

Instruction is delivered in English; participants should be comfortable working and critiquing in English.

Lodging is not included—participants typically book nearby hotels or short-term rentals in central Amsterdam.

What should I bring to the first day?

Bring a current project sample (10–25 pages), a laptop, notebook, and any research or pitch materials you want feedback on.

Meals are not provided; sessions include breaks long enough to visit nearby cafes or bring packed lunches.

How many participants are accepted?

Enrollment is limited to preserve feedback quality; check the booking link for exact capacity and availability.

Advanced Long-Form Intensive in Amsterdam — Summer Writing Workshop | Workshop | Theater

Set in Amsterdam, the [Summer Intensive] Advanced Long-Form Intensive is a focused, multi-day workshop for writers who want to expand narrative range and stamina. Located in the city center of Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands, the program combines instructor-led seminars, craft labs, and sustained writing periods over consecutive days.

The intensive centers on long-form structures: narrative threads, scene architecture, beginning-to-end pacing, and research-driven storytelling. Small-group critiques and one-on-one mentorship sharpen draft-level work; daily writing sprints build endurance. The venue sits near Amsterdam's canals and 17th-century brick façades, which offer frequent inspiration — canals, narrow gables, and the city's brisk, often muddy light shape the workshop's urban mood.

Key features include instructor-led deep dives into structure and voice, a capstone project component that leaves participants with an actionable outline, and peer workshop sessions that mirror newsroom or editorial rooms. Expect taught modules on research techniques, structural revisions, and advanced paragraph-level craft, plus optional evening readings where participants test work aloud. This is not a residency but a concentrated classroom-style practice that rewards discipline and curiosity.

For writers, the locale matters: Amsterdam's literary culture, multilingual cafes, and historic bookshops provide both quiet research corners and lively conversational opportunities. The program's timing in summer enhances walking breaks along canals and quick visits to nearby museums for context and brightness between sessions.

Who should come: mid-career writers, journalists, essayists, or novelists with existing long-form projects who want to push beyond a first draft toward publication-ready structure. The schedule favors sustained attention—expect long days of critique and direction, followed by stretches of independent writing. It's especially useful for those aiming to break established patterns, experiment with hybrid forms, or complete a significant portion of a manuscript.

Practicalities: bring a current project, samples for critique, and the intention to work hard. Lodging options in Amsterdam's central neighborhoods suit walking commutes; transport links are efficient for regional travelers. The workshop's focus on craft and process makes it a standout in Amsterdam's creative offerings: it's less about spectacle and more about strategically expanding what your long-form writing can do.

Participants also benefit from structured feedback cycles that mimic editorial deadlines, practical lessons in pitching and project management, and recommended reading lists tailored to individual goals. Instructors emphasize ethics in nonfiction, sourcing for reportage, and ways to sustain voice across thousands of words. Outside sessions include guided walks to observe urban detail and short timed exercises designed to translate sensory impressions into durable scene work. Whether your aim is a feature-length magazine piece, a narrative nonfiction book, or a deeply reported investigation, the intensive supplies tools to move projects past stalling points. Enrollment is limited to preserve feedback quality, so early booking and a clear project pitch are advised. Materials encouraged.

About Boom Chicago

Boom Chicago is an improv theatre and comedy venue based in Amsterdam, Noord‑Holland. The company programs a wide range of live entertainment, including short-form and long-form improv shows, stand-up comedy nights, special events, and workshops through its Academy.

Boom Chicago's calendar features headline performances such as The Famous Boom Chicago Comedy Show, Improv Spectacular, Sunday Night Live, and rotating guest acts including Ed Gamble, Fábio Porchat, Laureano Márquez, and international tours like Comedy Link Up featuring Jordan Rock.

The venue offers structured training with multiple Academy levels and electives: Intro to Improv, Level 2 (The 2‑Person Scene), Level 3 (Building Character), Level 4 (Advanced Scenework and The Joy Of Short‑Form Games), and Level 5 classes focused on long‑form play and hosting. Additional Academy programming includes musical improv intensives, comedy writing electives, student shows, and public jams and community nights such as Indie Night and Sketch Comedy Night.

Special events and collaborations are part of the program lineup — examples include Magic Bingo Brunch, Boom Gone Country monthly nights, Pro Wrestling Holland Live x Boom Chicago, and themed meet-and-greets with figures like Sjaak Swart. Premier seasonal and ticketed events range from Slide Slam PowerPoint Karaoke to holiday dinner-and-comedy shows.

Located in Amsterdam, Boom Chicago presents both local community nights and international touring acts, serving audiences and students seeking live comedy, improv training, and curated entertainment in Noord‑Holland. Show dates, times, and ticket information are listed per event to help visitors plan attendance and choose performances or classes in advance online easily.