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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19 events,
Venue :
Zoom
Write your memoir in 9 months! If you're finally ready to write the memoir of your heart, we invite you to join longtime writing teacher and author Diane Zinna for her new class, Memoir Maker. This will be Diane’s 12th time leading a book-in-a-year course, which has helped bring so many writers to a finished […]
Register
$5,400.00
Venue :
Zoom
Write your novel in a year with bestselling author Kristen Arnett! Are you looking for an exciting, fun, collaborative way to get your writing brain into gear? Are you ready to finally sit down and write that novel that you’ve been thinking about forever? Do you wish you had a confident, cheerful writing coach to […]
Register
$5,400.00
Venue :
Zoom
Join us for five months of craft lessons, workshops, editor visits, and personal editorial feedback! This small and inclusive class meets bi-weekly on Zoom, with the goal of creating an intimate, writer-based community of essayists who learn and grow together. You’ll read, brainstorm, and write drafts. You’ll explore different essay forms and practice a variety of narrative techniques. You’ll learn tangible self-editing tools, then revise, workshop, and revise some more! You’ll discover the publications you love, whether literary or freelance in nature (or both!), and you’ll create a plan to get those bylines! You’ll receive supportive, thoughtful peer workshop feedback on six drafts. You’ll have three personal one-on-one meetings (with detailed line edits) from your instructor. You’ll meet editors, attend panels, and participate in a final online reading event to celebrate your hard work! You’ll discuss next steps in publication, including how to pitch editors and begin forming a full collection. This workshop is for writers who already have some experience publishing personal essays in either literary or freelance publications. The workshop model will be carefully scaffolded and writer-centric, evolving as the class evolves. Writers will finish the class with ten complete drafts and a path forward for publication.
Register
$2,600.00
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
Sessions: 8 Sessions 
If you struggle to get your novel written, you aren't alone. Most novelists never complete the story...
Register
$395.00
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 10 Sessions 
Write your first (or newest) play, break that writers’ block, and unlock your theatrical voice! Duri...
Register
$450.00
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 6 Sessions 
This class aims to teach students how to write poems that surprise with imagery and ingenuity. Sever...
Register
$295.00
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 :
Zoom
Sessions: 8 Sessions 
You'll not only learn how to write your own television pilot, but the ins and outs of the entire tel...
Register
$395.00
Venue :
Wet Ink
Sessions: 8 Sessions 
Are you serious about writing a novel but struggling? This intermediate course will examine the eigh...
Register
$395.00
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 4 Sessions
Learn how to pack a powerful punch when writing persuasively! This four-week workshop covers the pro...
Register
$215.00
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 6 Sessions 
This workshop deconstructs and demystifies the novel-writing process for struggling and/or aspiring ...
Register
$295.00
Venue :
The Writer’s Center
Sessions: 4 Sessions 
Using various writing prompts will invite ourselves into new stories, and explore new ways to tell f...
Register
$215.00
Venue :
Wet Ink
Sessions: 4 Sessions 
Romance is a booming market. Although maligned as “fluff,” writing a compelling romance requires ser...
Register
$215.00
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 2 Sessions 
We will explore the complexities of writing about sensitive topics with vulnerability and creative c...
Register
$115.00
Venue :
The Writer’s Center
Sessions: 2 Sessions Writers often hear about “the revision process” as if it’s a singular thing. It’s not. Revising your work entails several processes and sub-processes, from the “30,000 feet” view to macro-strategies to micro-editing. If all you’re doing is going over it “from the top” again and again, a manuscript may need up to fifty revisions before […]
Register
$115.00
Reading and Celebration of Sara M. Taber
Venue :
The Writer’s Center
The Writer’s Center welcomes students, colleagues, and friends for a celebration of former Writer's Center instructor, Sara M. Taber, with a reading and reception. In lieu of flowers, the Memoir Club suggests donations be made to The Writer's Center during or in advance to the celebration. Please feel free to bring something to share and […] |
17 events, |
17 events, |
15 events, |
16 events,Virtual Craft Chat w/ Poet Cortney Lamar Charleston
Venue :
Zoom
Poet Lore and The Writer’s Center present a FREE virtual chat about the craft of poetry! We’re joined by Cortney Lamar Charleston to discuss his new collection, It's Important I Remember. Cortney is in conversation with Emily Holland, poet and editor of Poet Lore, America’s oldest poetry journal. RSVP below to receive login information (our virtual […]
Register
Free
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15 events,DIY Novel Revisions
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 ...
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 ...
Register
$215.00
|
17 events,Persona Poem Crash Course
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 1 Session 
In the Persona Poem, or Dramatic Monologue, the poet writes in the voice of another real or imagined...
Register
$60.00
Poets Claudia Gary and Roderick Deacey Book Launch
Venue :
The Writer’s Center
The Writer’s Center welcomes Poets Claudia Gary and Roderick Deacey for a reading and discussion of their new collections, Time and Other Solvents, and Birds Flew In, respectively. FREE & open to the public. RSVP below. Claudia Gary teaches workshops on Sonnets, Villanelles, Natural Meter, Persona Poems, Poetry vs. Trauma, etc., at The Writer’s Center […]
Register
Free
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15 events, |
17 events,
Virtual Event
Novel 101: How to Write the Story
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 4 Sessions 
If you’ve always wanted to create your own exciting novel then this is the class for you. The class ...
Register
$215.00
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 4 Sessions
If you’ve always wanted to create your own exciting novel then this is the class for you. The class ...
Register
$215.00
Cafe Muse Literary Salon
Venue :
The Writer’s Center
The Writer’s Center welcomes the Café Muse Literary Salon for a reading featuring writers Holly Karapetkova and Steven Leyva. The evening begins at 7 PM with Michael Davis live on classical guitar. The readings begin at 7:30 PM with opening remarks by a Café Muse co-host. FREE & open to the public. RSVP on the […] |
15 events, |
17 events,Open Mic @ The Writer’s Center
Venue :
The Writer’s Center
Prose, poetry, and spoken word Open Mic @ The Writer’s Center! All writers are welcome to come and share 4-5 minutes of their latest work. Sign-up starts at 6:45pm, and readings begin promptly at 7pm. Limited to 20 readers, so arrive early if you plan to read. Sponsored by Poet Lore, America’s oldest poetry magazine. […]
Register
Free
Poetry Book Club w/ Elizabeth Hazen!
Venue :
Zoom
Poet Lore, America’s oldest poetry journal and The Writer’s Center welcomes poet Elizabeth Hazen to our monthly Virtual Poetry Book Club for a discussion of her collection, The Sky Will Hold. Elizabeth is joined by Book Club Host, Hannah Grieco. We encourage you to order a copy of the book from your local, independent bookseller […]
Register
Free
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18 events,Opening Art Reception & Book Talk for The Green Heart of Italy
Venue :
The Writer’s Center
The Green Heart of Italy: Umbria and its Ancient Neighbors Photographs by Judith Goodman and Frank Van Riper Text by Frank Van Riper The Writer’s Center of Bethesda is proud to welcome Chevy Chase, DC husband and wife photographer/authors Frank Van Riper and Judith Goodman to a reception, exhibition and book-signing to celebrate publication of […]
Register
Free
Your Writing Journey Begins
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 1 Session 
You have a story inside you, but how do you even start to bring it out? With so many crazy things go...
Register
$60.00
Travel Storytelling in Words and Pictures
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 1 Session
Travel isn’t about mileage. It’s about the personal experiences and stories that bring a journey ali...
Register
$60.00
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14 events,The Honest Truth about the Publishing Industry: One Survivor’s Perspective
Venue :
The Writer’s Center
The Writer’s Center welcomes novelist and former instructor Amin Ahmad for a frank discussion of writing with an eye on the market, writing in genre, how agents work and different pathways to publication. Amin will be joined in conversation with Susan Coll as they discuss how these considerations led to their most recent publications, A […]
Register
Free
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17 events,Creating Backstory & Flashbacks
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 1 Session 
Every character in your story has a past. The events that occurred in a character’s life before they...
Register
$60.00
Writing Micro Memoir
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 1 Session
Write your life story as you lived it, one moment at a time. This interactive workshop teaches write...
Register
$60.00
Writing Memorable Characters
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 1 Session
Whether you’re in the midst of your manuscript or just starting out, in this workshop you will devel...
Register
$60.00
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14 events,All About Tone
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 1 Session 
Robert Frost said, "It's tone I'm in love with; that's what poetry is, tone." The ability to control...
Register
$60.00
Search Party: Find Your Writing Group
Venue :
The Writer’s Center
Looking for a writing group? We want to help you meet other interested writers! The Writer's Center and The Inner Loop invite you to Search Party, a social event connecting writers to other writers interested in forming/joining a writing group. Simply show up, fill out a nametag with your genres and other areas of interest, […]
Register
Free
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12 events, |
12 events, |
13 events,Disabled Writers Mixer
Venue :
The Writer’s Center
Are you a writer who identifies as disabled? Join us for an informal gathering at The Writer’s Center to hang out and talk writing! Please bring a drink or an appetizer that serves six. You’re welcome to bring a friend, too. FREE & open to all DMV writers who identify as disabled. RSVP required below. […]
Register
Free
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14 events,The Practice of Nonfiction Revision
Venue :
The Writer’s Center
Sessions: 3 Sessions 
This class is designed for writers of all levels of experience to help them find the story tapping t...
Register
$150.00
Venue :
The Writer’s Center
Sessions: 3 Sessions
This class is designed for writers of all levels of experience to help them find the story tapping t...
Register
$150.00
Publishing Your Book for Children
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 1 Session
Having a children's book published in today's tough market may seem like an impossible dream. But, i...
Register
$60.00
Virtual Craft Chat w/ Poet Preeti Vangani
Venue :
Zoom
The Writer’s Center presents a FREE virtual chat about the craft of fiction! We’re joined by author Preeti Vangani for a discussion of her newest poetry collection, Fifty Mothers. Preeti is in conversation with Brandon Johnson, poet and Events Director at The Writer’s Center. RSVP below to receive login information (our virtual events are held via […]
Register
Free
|
12 events, |
14 events,Natural Meter Crash Course
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 1 Session 
Have you ever wondered how scanning the lines of your first draft can make for a better poem? Here’s...
Register
$60.00
Poet Elizabeth Hazen Book Launch
Venue :
The Writer’s Center
The Writer’s Center welcomes Poet Elizabeth Hazen for a reading and discussion of her new collection, The Sky Will Hold. Elizabeth is in conversation with Poet Rose Solari. FREE & open to the public. RSVP below. Elizabeth Hazen is a poet and essayist. Her work has appeared in Best American Poetry, Epoch, American Literary Review, Shenandoah, and […]
Register
Free
|
15 events,Journaling Techniques for Writing Memories
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 2 Sessions 
This workshop is about the pursuit of insight through writing personal memories. Whether you current...
Register
$115.00
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 2 Sessions
This workshop is about the pursuit of insight through writing personal memories. Whether you current...
Register
$115.00
Collage Poetry: Telling Your Story in Pieces
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 1 Session 
How to tell your story in pieces. Create physical / digital collage poems representing your personal journey(s), origin stories, and / or future aspirations using found imagery and text. This hands-on workshop encourages creative inquiry, experimentation and expression through the art of collaging. Source, sort, and assemble with generative prompt questions in mind. Live video […]
Register
$60.00
Fiction Book Club w/ Megan Howell!
Venue :
The Writer’s Center
The Writer’s Center welcomes author Megan Howell to our monthly Fiction Book Club for a discussion of her debut short story collection, Softie at The Writer's Center! Megan 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 » ***Get a […]
Register
Free
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13 events, |
13 events, |
13 events, |
14 events,Setting in Fiction: Beyond Time and Place
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 1 Session 
Setting is the foundation for any story. Whether you’re thinking about character, motivation, obstac...
Register
$60.00
Virtual Craft Chat w/ Poet Alan Chazaro
Venue :
Zoom
Poet Lore, America’s oldest poetry journal. and The Writer’s Center present a FREE virtual chat about the craft of poetry! We’re joined by Alan Chazaro to discuss his latest collection, These Spaceships Weren't Built For Us. Alanis in conversation with Brandon Johnson, poet and Events Manager of The Writer’s Center. RSVP below to receive login […]
Register
Free
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11 events, |
11 events,Life Stories Intensive
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 1 Session
Whether you want to write a memoir, blog, letter to your granddaughter, or use your life as the foun...
Register
$60.00
Book Launch for Poet Richard Smith
Venue :
The Writer’s Center
The Writer’s Center welcomes poet Richard Smith for a reading from his new collection, Beyond Where Words Can Go. This reading will be followed by a Q&A and signing. FREE & open to the public. RSVP below. Richard Smith’s first book, Not a Soul but Us, is a narrative in sonnets about the plague pandemic […]
Register
Free
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11 events,Poetry for the End of the World (and other hard times)
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 1 Session
In this workshop, writers will consider end-times poems both ancient and contemporary in order to fi...
Register
$60.00
Writer Pauline Steinhorn Book Release
Venue :
The Writer’s Center
The Writer’s Center welcomes writer Pauline Steinhorn for a reading from her new publication, Dreaming of the River. FREE & open to the public. RSVP below. Pauline Steinhorn enjoys telling other people’s stories. Throughout her career as an award-winning filmmaker and writer, she has written and directed documentaries for PBS, Maryland Public Television, Sesame Street, […]
Register
Free
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8 events,Write Like the News
Venue :
Zoom
Sessions: 1 Session
Lead with the future — not background — for lead-ership, especially in a crisis. That’s the most imp...
Register
$60.00
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
|
7 events,Virtual Craft Chat w/ Novelist Zach Powers
Venue :
Zoom
The Writer’s Center presents a FREE virtual chat about the craft of fiction! We’re joined by our own Zach Powers to discuss his new novel, The Migraine Diaries. Zach is in conversation with Emily Holland, poet and editor of Poet Lore, America’s oldest poetry journal. RSVP below to receive login information (our virtual events are […]
Register
Free
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How Can We Support You?
Discover more about what we offer in the categories below.
Rent a Space at TWC
Make The Writer’s Center the venue for your next meeting or event in Bethesda, Maryland! From off-site business meetings to theater productions, we have a space that’s right for you.
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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programs for writers every year
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.
Follow Us on IG
Once your book is out in the world, how do you ensure it works for you? This session demystifies publishing contracts, royalties, and rights so you can make informed choices about your book’s financial and creative future.
Register at writer.org
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Music in poetry can be difficult; insist on it too much and the music can overtake meaning, too little and the words doing the least amount of work are highlighted, and yet, music can be one of the sweetest qualities of language. As Carl Philips writes, all poetry is patterned language and in that way, the aim of this class is to diversify the patterns at your disposal to write breathtaking poetry. For the first half of this workshop, participants will learn, draft, and critique poems in traditional forms and meters and in the second half, students will revise their poems away from their strict forms in order to write poems in ways only they can. By the end of this workshop, students will leave with at least three poems written in experimental forms ready for publication.
Register at writer.org
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The Writer’s Center is pleased to present SUTRA, an exhibition of drawings and paintings by artist Deborah Tomlin, on display in the Center’s Joram Piatigorsky Gallery, January 29–March 23, 2026.
Artist Talk is FREE & open to the public. RSVP at writer.org
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The Writer’s Center welcomes Michael Battisto and friends for an afternoon of Poetry.
Free and open to the public. RSVP by emailing poetrybethesda@gmail.com
