1) "Taos Toolbox nestled in the high altitude of Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico took a quivering mass of insecurity and made a man out of me. Which is pretty amazing considering I was a woman before I went."
2) "Taos Toolbox exposed the blindspots in my writing. It's two weeks of networking with a well-rounded group of emerging talent and two seasoned pros. Walter put a lot of thought into everything from the roommate choices to the catering. My time with Connie and Walter gave me a lot to think about over the next six months of work back at home. And you'll never see another movie without yelling out its plot techniques."
3) "Before Taos Toolbox, I was a hot tub virgin."
4) "Bring a camera to use on the paparazzi. Have a loved one send you a care package. Bring a printer and coffee and chocolate. Lots."
5) "Better than my Clarion experience. Better accommodations and no one ended up hating anyone. In fact, we all became outrageously sentimental at the end. I'd do it again."
-- Isabel Whiston, Toolbox 2007


"Taos Toolbox was everything I was hoping for and more. In two weeks I learned what felt like years' worth of experience about the craft of novel writing. Walter and Connie are among the very best writing instructors I've ever had the pleasure of working with, truly in a class of their own."
-- Christopher M. Cevasco, Toolbox 2007


"Taos Toolbox was a roller coaster ride into writer's paradise. Waking to the fresh mountain air and the crack of Walter's whip made every day a joy. Sometimes the learning continued after dinner with a movie highlighting the writing tools we had focused on during the day. After the movie, I might be up until 2 am working on Walter's exercises, my week two submission, and reviews of other students' submissions--and loving every minute of it. The voices of our crit circle echoed in my mind for weeks afterward. Leaving the friends I had met and coming down from the mountain after such an extraordinary two weeks was very hard."
-- Bonnie Freeman, Toolbox 2007


"I've never worked so hard in my life and I've never learned so much. Taos Toolbox would be cheap at twice the price."
-- Dorothy Windsor, Toolbox 2007


"Taos Toolbox provided the perfect mix of professionalization, camaraderie, individualized attention, and genuinely useful advice on craft. Walter is a wonderful instructor, and I couldn't have been more pleased with the experience."
-- Saladin Ahmed, Toolbox 2007


"Taos Toolbox fulfilled my expectations and then some. My notes from our lecture and critique sessions contain more useful (and entertaining) information than most books I've seen about fiction writing, and the motivation and camaraderie were unbeatable. Time and a lot of rewritten pages will tell if Toolbox made me a better fiction writer; without doubt it has made me a more insightful reader."
-- Rebecca Stefoff, Taos Toolbox 2007


"Two fantastic writers and workshop leaders in a comfortable lodge with a hot tub, movie nights, catered dinners, nature hikes, trips to scenic Taos, dinner at a fabulous Bavarian restaurant, and no worries in your head except for those about writing. Who could ask for anything more?"

"But what if the movies are instead lessons in plotting and raising stakes, the trips to town mean getting groceries and story copies, hikes and the hot tub provide a much-needed break with those fast becoming friends, and dinner out is a bittersweet ending to a wonderful two-week journey? Is that enough, or should I mention the one-on-one meetings with the instructors or the in-depth discussions on plot, structure, and a dozen other useful things much-needed by fledgling novelists? Leave some extra room in your suitcase, because you'll be returning home with an ample supply of tools to further your career as a writer."
-- Traci Castleberry, Toolbox 2006

“Walter understands how stories work -- and don't work -- with an impressive depth that few others match.  His acumen is unparalleled."

“In addition to being a first-rate writer and storyteller, Walter is an excellent analyst.  He sees straight to the heart of things, and renders even the most complex writing issues with remarkable clarity and wit."

“Walter has a long history of mentoring new talents.  He actively encourages the professional growth of promising writers.  He is a top-notch instructor, and an accomplished cook to boot!”
-- Ian Tregillis, Clarion 2005

“Walter Jon Williams is not just an award-winning writer, but also a gifted writing teacher. He has a talent for finding the heart of a story and helping bring it to life. Sign me up for any workshop he offers.”
-- Paolo Bacigalupi, Rio Hondo 2006

“After thirty years in this business I sometimes get pretty smug about my experience, but a half hour in the presence of Walter Jon Williams reminds me how much more I have to learn.  This guy could teach the muses themselves a thing or two. “
-- Jerry Oltion, Rio Hondo 2005

“Walter Jon Williams is a superb writer, but more importantly, he is  an extremely capable workshop organizer, and a brilliant teacher and  mentor.”
-- Geoffrey Landis, Rio Hondo 2005

“Unless you've decided to give up writing and play the tuba for change down near the park swings, passing up a chance to go to Taos and study writing with Walter Jon Williams is probably a big mistake.  Walter knows how to run a workshop, and he knows what he's talking about.  He knows about the art, the craft, and the business of writing.  This kind of graduate stuff isn't easy to find elsewhere.”
-- Ray Vukcevich, Rio Hondo 1999, 2000, 2006

"Eat, drink, critique and be merry, because. . . In that case you must obviously be workshopping with Walter Jon Williams."
-- Michaela Roessner, Rio Hondo 1997, 1998, 2006

           
“Walter Jon Williams is a thoughtful and perceptive critic and critiquer, with a wide-ranging knowledge of the sf/f field.  He is also a human cornucopia of arcane information, a martial artist, and an avid hiker.  He has experienced more ups and downs in his career than many elevators, and can speak with authority about writing pitfalls others don't even know exist.  He also runs a mean workshop, with out-of-this-world culinary adventures thrown in.”
-- Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Rio Hondo 1997-2006

“When we were shot down over Cambodia, Walter carried me on his back through the jungle for two grueling, harrowing days.  How he managed to nurse me back to health all the while evading enemy patrols, I'll never know.  His stamina and stealth are nothing short of astonishing.”
-- The highly imaginative Ian Tregillis, Clarion 2005