Supporting Writers and Everyone Who Wants to Write
The Writer’s Center offers hundreds of writing workshops, hosts dozens of free events, and fosters a community of writers, virtually and in-person.
Workshops & Free Events Calendar
Events
Calendar of Events
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20 events,
Venue :
Zoom
Bring your novel to life with best-selling author Susan Coll! Whether you have been thinking about writing a novel for years but are not sure how to get started, or are already published but embarking on a new project, this year-long workshop is intended to help get the next book off the ground. Watch the […]
Venue :
Wet Ink
Through reflection, community, and practice, you’ll awaken the artist within and build a creative life that feels aligned and alive. This year-long journey through The Artist’s Way offers a sustained path for creative reawakening and artistic growth. Writers, artists, and creative seekers will move chapter by chapter through Julia Cameron’s classic text, reconnecting with their […]
Register
$2,000.00
Venue :
Zoom
Work on your memoir with bestselling author Nicole Chung! This intensive workshop is open to writers working on a memoir or memoir-in-essays. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in lively craft discussions, generative exercises, and in-depth workshops designed to help you identify and hone your strengths as a writer. If you have an idea for […]
Venue :
Zoom
Jumpstart your novel and writing practice in this ten-month intensive! If you're wondering how to write a novel and sustain a writing practice in the midst of everything, Novel Club is for you. Together, with the guidance of an experienced mentor and author and the camaraderie of your Novel Club cohort, this is the year […]
Register
$5,400.00
Venue :
Wet Ink
Sessions: 8 Sessions Look beyond your inner critic and limiting beliefs to tap into the flow of your boundless creativity, as you discover the powerful impact of your authentic voice. Over eight weeks, we'll be identifying unhelpful thoughts, deconstructing doubt, and building a sustained creative recovery practice that lets you write compelling pieces and foster a special connection with your readers. In a safe and supportive space, reintroduce your childlike wonder around creativity so you can write freely, reclaim your power, and uncover your true gifts. Unleash your brilliance and honor the impact of your stories, lessons, and innermost thoughts. Walk away feeling empowered with fresh awareness, confidence in your writing, and practical tools to stay inspired and let your art flow freely—long after the workshop ends. While the core workshop runs asynchronously on Wet Ink, it includes two optional live Zoom sessions, one at the start to meet as a group and set intentions, and one at the midpoint to check in, share progress, and troubleshoot together. Dates and times will be pre-set and shared upon registration; attendance is optional and encouraged, not required.
Register
$395.00
Venue :
Zoom
Write your YA novel over the course of a school year with bestselling author Betsy Cornwell! In this intensive ten-month course, you'll take your young adult novel from concept to complete manuscript with guidance from New York Times bestselling author Betsy Cornwell, as well as mutual support from fellow participants. Watch the Virtual Info Session […]
Register
$5,400.00
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 8 Sessions Can't find the time/energy/inspiration to get your novel written? This popular course, developed by the author of the book by the same name, will help you complete a rough draft in record time. During the 8 weeks of the course, students will receive encouraging guidance from professional writing coach Kathryn Johnson. Each author will commit to an aggressive writing schedule and learn the tricks pros use to create a productive working environment and meet their deadlines, despite life’s distractions. Each class will include accountability and progress reports from each student, live troubleshooting discussions, a brief lecture on a key skill of fiction writing, and the opportunity to submit a portion of the students’ works-in-progress to the instructor for individual feedback and guidance. (Note: This is not a work-shopping course. Further information will be sent to registered students, in advance of the first class.)
Register
$395.00
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 10 Sessions Whether you have just started your manuscript, or have made significant progress, this course will help you get over the finish line. We'll learn how to structure the book in a way that adds layers of meaning to the poems within, generate new work to fill in the structure, and hone poems until they are book-ready. To finish, students will revise the book as a whole and make a publication plan.
Register
$415.00
Register
$395.00
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 6 Sessions How do we turn the fragments of memory into writing that resonates? In this workshop guided by award-winning poet Chioma Urama, you’ll learn the techniques of lyrical memoir writing—using image, rhythm, and voice to shape personal experience into powerful narratives. Through guided exercises and discussion, we’ll explore how to access subconscious thought and emotion, and how to find the deeper story hidden in everyday moments. With in-class prompts, shared readings, guided reflection, and a workshop, you’ll practice transforming raw memory into evocative writing that moves both you and your reader. You’ll leave with 2-3 new pieces of writing, a workshopped lyric essay, and inspiration to continue exploring your inner landscape.
Register
$295.00
Venue :
Zoom
Write your memoir with award-winning author Edgar Gomez! In this intensive ten-month course, you will learn about the art of creative nonfiction and be given the tools to ready your memoir or memoir-in-essays for publication. Watch the Virtual Info Session Meet Edgar Gomez, instructor for our yearlong memoir workshop, and have all your questions about […]
Register
$5,400.00
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 5 Sessions Go beyond nature and love poetry to explore how you live and work in the suburb/city. Participants each week can expect to learn about basic poetry elements, such as line, image, point of view, and rhythm/music, as well as workshop poems each class as a group. Students will also learn how the themes of suburb/city can be used to create poetry that has relevance and purpose for readers and editors. By the end of the class, participants will learn how to go beyond their normal subjects for poems, as well as revise at least one poem.
Register
$250.00
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 10 Sessions Each week, participants will focus on a different stage of the revision and publishing process, including structural and line-level revision strategies, identifying common problems in manuscripts, understanding the role of agents and editors, and exploring different paths to publication. The workshop will combine discussion of craft principles, practical publishing guidance, and analysis of participant work in a supportive, workshop-based setting. By the end of the course, participants will have a clearer, more polished manuscript excerpt, a realistic understanding of its readiness for submission, and a practical toolkit for querying agents and navigating publication options with greater confidence. Participants should submit a draft of a short story or novel excerpt up to 3000 words to the first class.
Register
$415.00
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 7 Sessions Each session of Boot Camp for Writers will begin with a prompt followed by writing time. Participants will have the opportunity to share and discuss their work as well as receive in-class feedback. The workshop is designed so that participants will have the start of six new pieces by the end of class. Former Boot Camp participants are always (and happily) welcome. Note: No meeting November 3 and 24.
Register
$350.00
Venue :
Zoom
Write new short stories with award-winning author and editor Rita Bullwinkel! Writing is a unique art medium in that it is both made and, generally, consumed in isolation. Through the space of the writers' workshop, an author can escape the isolation in which they made their work, understand their work from a consciousness other than […]
Register
$5,400.00
Register
$215.00
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 4 Sessions Whether you are writing short pieces or are embarking on a full-length memoir, you need a roadmap. Over the course of four weeks, we will cover the tools you need to write a memoir from start to finish. We will discuss methods for starting a piece and getting content on the page. We’ll explore memoir structures and the relationship of form and content. We will learn editing techniques on both the sentence and big picture levels. Finally, we will talk about publishing options for memoir projects large and small. Participants will leave with the tools and confidence to start and complete a memoir project.
Register
$215.00
Register
$100.00
Venue :
Wet Ink
Sessions: 8 Sessions Are you serious about writing a novel but struggling? This intermediate course will examine the eight fundamental elements of the novel to help you find the strengths and weaknesses of your work-in-progress. From Concept to Conclusion, we will study the key components of a novel, with generative and evaluative exercises along the way. Written lessons, curated online resources, and targeted exercises (along with instructor and peer feedback) will help guide you as you continue to draft your novel. (Note: This course is a good follow-up to Tammy Greenwood’s Intro to the Novel workshop.)
Register
$395.00
Whole-Brain Poetry
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 5 Sessions “Whole-Brain Poetry” is an opportunity to explore some of the many ways poetry interacts with the brain, and to enrich your writing with that knowledge. This includes but goes beyond the use of metaphor. Through writing exercises, close examination of time-honored and recent poems, workshopping of participant poems, and brief reading assignments, we will examine the neurology and psychology of poetry, the relationship between time and memory, how science has influenced well-known poets, how poetry can help to heal trauma and prevent PTSD, and more.
Register
$250.00
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 5 Sessions “Whole-Brain Poetry” is an opportunity to explore some of the many ways poetry interacts with the brain, and to enrich your writing with that knowledge. This includes but goes beyond the use of metaphor. Through writing exercises, close examination of time-honored and recent poems, workshopping of participant poems, and brief reading assignments, we will examine the neurology and psychology of poetry, the relationship between time and memory, how science has influenced well-known poets, how poetry can help to heal trauma and prevent PTSD, and more.
Register
$250.00
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20 events, |
19 events, |
18 events, |
20 events,Revising Through Generative Prompts
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 1 Session This workshop introduces a revision strategy that uses interconnected generative prompts to re-enter an existing draft, uncover hidden emotional dynamics, and reveal new possibilities for character, conflict, and story. Through visual presentation, brief craft discussions, guided writing exercises, and opportunities to reflect and share, participants will use these prompts to push both themselves and their characters in unexpected directions, breathing new life into stalled scenes and rediscovering the emotional momentum of their work. By the end of the workshop, participants will have generated new material, uncovered fresh insights into their characters, and developed a practical revision technique they can return to whenever a draft loses momentum. Participants are invited to have work-in-progress—a draft, scene, chapter, or story they'd like to revisit.
Register
$60.00
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17 events, |
19 events,Poetry Workshop
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 7 Sessions This workshop will offer a lecture each week, followed by workshoping participants’ poems. The class will focus on the elements of story, musicality, figuration, and most of all feeling. Open to all poets at all levels, who are curious about poetry and its craft and tools for revision.
Register
$350.00
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 7 Sessions This workshop will offer a lecture each week, followed by workshoping participants’ poems. The class will focus on the elements of story, musicality, figuration, and most of all feeling. Open to all poets at all levels, who are curious about poetry and its craft and tools for revision.
Register
$350.00
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19 events,How to End a Poem
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 1 Session There is no "right" or "wrong" when it comes to deciding how a poem should end. But there are some options that might be more effective than others. This workshop will focus on closure—the strategies that poets have traditionally used to bring their poems to a clear, resonant conclusion. We will also discuss anti-closure—the resistance that so many feel toward poems that “click shut.” By looking at the work of several contemporary poets, we will discuss what worked best for their poems and might help yours.
Register
$60.00
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18 events,Self-Publishing 101
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 1 Session Ever wanted to learn more about the self-publishing process? Then this workshop might be the right fit for you! Discover the core steps of self-publishing from a 40-time bestselling author. Explore editing, writing, and publishing tips intended to expedite the drafting journey. Delve into the core tools necessary to turn a strong draft into a […]
Register
$60.00
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19 events,Crafting Flash Fiction
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 6 Sessions This course focuses on writing and reading *very* short fiction. Together, we’ll investigate the following questions: what can a story accomplish in a single page? In a single paragraph? How can we, as writers, create character, place, plot, or voice in such a compressed form? What techniques are helpful for drafting and revising a super-short story? How does contemporary “flash fiction” or "micro fiction" relate to older forms—like the fable—and other genres, like poetry? What makes a piece of very short prose a "story" at all? Each week, we will workshop participants' fiction and do writing exercises to learn about this form. We’ll also read a range of published flash fiction from a craft perspective. By the end of the workshop, each participant will have written and received feedback on at least one very short story (under 2,000 words). The course will conclude with a discussion of strategies for submitting very short fiction to literary magazines.
Register
$295.00
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 6 Sessions This course focuses on writing and reading *very* short fiction. Together, we’ll investigate the following questions: what can a story accomplish in a single page? In a single paragraph? How can we, as writers, create character, place, plot, or voice in such a compressed form? What techniques are helpful for drafting and revising a super-short story? How does contemporary “flash fiction” or "micro fiction" relate to older forms—like the fable—and other genres, like poetry? What makes a piece of very short prose a "story" at all? Each week, we will workshop participants' fiction and do writing exercises to learn about this form. We’ll also read a range of published flash fiction from a craft perspective. By the end of the workshop, each participant will have written and received feedback on at least one very short story (under 2,000 words). The course will conclude with a discussion of strategies for submitting very short fiction to literary magazines.
Register
$295.00
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20 events,Poetry Book Club w/ Melanie McCabe!
Venue :
Zoom
Poet Lore, America’s oldest poetry journal and The Writer’s Center welcomes poet Melanie McCabe to our monthly Virtual Poetry Book Club for a discussion of her collection, All The Signs Were There. Melanie is joined by Book Club Host, Hannah Grieco. We encourage you to order a copy of the book from your local, independent bookseller or online » FREE & open to the public. RSVP below. Melanie McCabe is a writer of poems, essays, memoir, and most recently, fiction. She is a lifelong Virginian and was a high school English and creative writing teacher in Arlington for twenty-two years. Her debut novel, Road Longer […]
Register
Free
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18 events,Inner Loop Author’s Corner w/ Shelagh Johnson!
Venue :
Zoom
The Inner Loop and The Writer’s Center present a FREE virtual chat about the craft of fiction! We’re joined by Shelagh Powers Johnson to discuss her short story collection, A History of Existing Life. Shelagh is in conversation with author Michael Don. A History of Existing Life is The Inner Loop’s Author’s Corner spotlight. The Inner Loop cultivates and promotes the distinctive literary culture of Washington, DC. Author’s Corner supports local authors’ independently published books by spotlighting them in community programming and collaborations. RSVP below to receive login information (our virtual events are held via Zoom). FREE and open to the public, all times Eastern We encourage you to order a […]
Register
Free
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17 events, |
21 events,Mapping Strategies for Story Structure
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 1 Session There is no one-size-fits-all strategy for story structure. Let’s discuss a plan that works for you. We’ll examine your story’s strengths and weaknesses, focusing on both the destination and the journey. Does your narrative feature a compelling character arc, a strong point of entry, well-placed flashbacks, and a transformative, resonant ending? Will readers care? We will use maps, sketches, and diagrams, emphasizing the importance of revising your initial plan as your story evolves. Bring your specific idea for a short story, memoir, or novel.
Register
$60.00
How to Write Compelling Micro Memoir
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 1 Session In this one-night introduction, historian/biographer Ken Ackerman shares the tricks of the trade for investigating our family roots, going back generations, using archives, interviews, internet sources, family records, and memories - and ideas to organize and share our heritage with children and grandchildren.
Register
$60.00
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18 events,Fiction Book Club w/ Caroline Bock!
Venue :
Zoom
The Writer’s Center welcomes author Caroline Bock to our monthly Fiction Book Club for a discussion of her most recent collection, The Other Beautiful People, at The Writer's Center! Caroline is joined by Book Club Host, Hannah Grieco. We encourage you to order a copy of the book from your local, independent bookseller or online » FREE & open to the public. RSVP below. Caroline Bock is the author of The Other Beautiful People (Regal House Publishing, 2026), a workplace love story, inspired by her two-decade career at AMC, Bravo, IFC, and IFC Films. She is also the author of the young adult […]
Register
Free
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17 events, |
17 events,Show, Don’t Tell
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 1 Session “Show, Don’t Tell” is an interactive writing workshop designed to help participants bring their stories, ideas, and experiences to life on the page. Through guided prompts, sensory exercises, and creative writing activities, participants will practice moving beyond explanation and into vivid, specific, emotionally engaging writing. This workshop invites writers to explore how detail, dialogue, action, setting, and perspective can create stronger connections with readers. Participants will have opportunities to write, reflect, share, and revise in a supportive environment. Whether they are working on personal essays, fiction, professional storytelling, or simply looking to strengthen their creative voice, this workshop offers practical tools to make writing more immediate, memorable, and alive.
Register
$60.00
Researching and Writing Your Family History
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 1 Session In this one-night introduction, historian/biographer Ken Ackerman shares the tricks of the trade for investigating our family roots, going back generations, using archives, interviews, internet sources, family records, and memories - and ideas to organize and share our heritage with children and grandchildren.
Register
$60.00
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16 events,Writing Picture Books II
Venue :
The Writer’s Center
Sessions: 1 Session You’ve drafted your picture book, what’s the next step? Learn to revise and polish your picture book manuscript before submitting to an agent or publisher. A widely published author and an acclaimed illustrator will lead discussions in pacing, page turns, storyboarding, and visually dramatic storytelling. During this hands-on workshop, writers will be editing their own manuscripts and enhancing their skills as picture book creators. Bring your questions and two double-spaced copies of a picture-book manuscript that you’ve revised. Workshop may most benefit those who have taken Writing Picture Books or another picture book class.
Register
$60.00
Virtual Craft Chat w/ Author Mathangi Subramanian
Venue :
Zoom
The Writer’s Center presents a FREE virtual chat about the craft of nonfiction! We’re joined by author Mathangi Subramanian for a discussion of her new publication, Our Periods, Ourselves: An Empowered Teen's Guide. Mathangi is in conversation with Amy Freeman, author and Development Director at The Writer’s Center. RSVP below to receive login information (our virtual events are held via Zoom). FREE and open to the public, all times Eastern We encourage you to order a copy of the book from your local, independent bookseller or online from Bookshop.org » Mathangi Subramanian, EdD, is an award winning neurodiverse, South Asian American author, educator, and advocate […]
Register
Free
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13 events, |
15 events, |
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14 events, |
13 events, |
13 events, |
13 events, |
13 events, |
14 events,(Wet Ink) DIY Novel Revision
Venue :
Wet Ink
Sessions: 4 Sessions Do you have a finished draft of a novel but don’t know what to do next? This workshop will take you through the revision and editing process step-by-step. From large-picture issues like plot and structure, characterization, etc… to line editing, we will look at what it takes to revise your own novel without the assistance of a professional editor.
Register
$215.00
Venue :
Wet Ink
Sessions: 4 Sessions Do you have a finished draft of a novel but don’t know what to do next? This workshop will take you through the revision and editing process step-by-step. From large-picture issues like plot and structure, characterization, etc… to line editing, we will look at what it takes to revise your own novel without the assistance of a professional editor.
Register
$215.00
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14 events, |
14 events, |
13 events, |
13 events,Me Myself and I: Understanding Memoir
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 1 Session This workshop is a two-hour seminar for those who want to better understand the genre of memoir and the craft elements required to write it well. In this course we will: Explore the tensions inherent in being author, narrator, and subject all at once; Unpack the subjectivity of truth; Commit to treat all characters fairly; […]
Register
$60.00
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11 events, |
11 events, |
11 events, |
13 events,Your First (or Next) Novel
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 1 Session Writing a novel takes commitment, but it doesn’t need to be daunting. Learn how to generate a handful of plots to choose from, methods for effectively planning your story, and simple hacks for fine tuning your basic fiction skills. Students will initiate a flexible writing plan that will keep their writing flowing. This is a great half-day session for the beginning long-form fiction writer, or for the more experienced author in need of a quick strategy brush-up.
Register
$60.00
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How Can We Support You?
Discover more about what we offer in the categories below.
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Our Impact
How We Support Writers
Writing classes. Free events for writers. New friends and networking. Every year, The Writer’s Center delivers hundreds of ways to connect more deeply with the literary life. Our writers hone their writing craft, master editing and revision, share their work, and get published. Most importantly, we bring likeminded writers together into a fun and welcoming community.
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Curated Conversation(s):
a Latinx Poetry Show
Curated Conversation(s) is a virtual discussion series. Season 1 features debut Latinx poets, and Season 2 pairs Latinx poets from the United Kingdom and United States.
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What does it mean to write from a wound? What does it mean to write from a scar? There are readers out there right now who need to see someone giving language to what they feel. But even with permission, it can be hard to find our way into a hard piece. In this gentle 2-hour class, we’ll explore five different hermit crab forms that work beautifully for grief writing and take inspiration from freeing, empowering examples. Each participant will leave with the starts of five pieces of writing and inviting ideas for how to continue. There is nothing you need to prepare in advance–come as you are.
Register at writer.org
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When the first draft is complete, the real work begins. You should not be your only editor, but you can be the first. Learn tips on how to tighten your prose, improve the immediacy and urgency of your work, identify plot holes, and more so that your work shines when you send it out wherever you decide to send it next. Note, this is not a class in grammar. You will learn the rules of developmental editing, so that you can follow or break them if you choose!
Register at writer.org
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Writers will explore how honesty and vulnerability can strengthen personal narrative. Through guided prompts, reflection, and discussion, participants will examine the internal barriers—such as fear, perfectionism, and self-censorship—that can prevent deeper truth from emerging on the page. By the end of the workshop, writers will leave with fresh insights for writing with greater authenticity and emotional clarity. No preparation required.
Register at writer.org
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Poet Lore, America’s oldest poetry journal and The Writer’s Center welcomes poet Adam Gianforcaro to our monthly Virtual Poetry Book Club for a discussion of his collection, Poems to Stage Dive to. Adam is joined by Book Club Host, Hannah Grieco. FREE & open to the public. RSVP at writer.org
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