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
Calendar of Events
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10 events,
Novel Year with Dr. Mathangi Subramanian
Application deadline extended to August 31! Finish your novel in just one year! Do you have a book-length work of fiction that can't seem to find the time to finish? […]
Application deadline extended to August 31! Finish your novel in just one year! Do you have a book-length work of fiction that can't seem to find the time to finish? […]
How to Write a Stand-Up Comedy Routine
Tell jokes in a funny conversational style that sounds like you made it up on the spot. You'll learn the art of brevity, word choice, and rhythm in your writing. […]
Tell jokes in a funny conversational style that sounds like you made it up on the spot. You'll learn the art of brevity, word choice, and rhythm in your writing. […]
Poetry Writing and Revision
Craft new work and rebuild your relationship with revision. For some poets, the most difficult part of writing is getting to the page. For others, it is the act of […]
Craft new work and rebuild your relationship with revision. For some poets, the most difficult part of writing is getting to the page. For others, it is the act of […]
Creative Writing for Beginners
Try your hand at creative writing! This course offers a virtual safe space to try your hand at creative writing or reignite your love for it. You’ll explore how to […]
Try your hand at creative writing! This course offers a virtual safe space to try your hand at creative writing or reignite your love for it. You’ll explore how to […]
Speculative Fiction
Blend literary and speculative fiction! This course will explore the intersection of literary fiction and speculative fiction, with a focus on works by Kelly Link, Karen Russell, and other writers […]
Blend literary and speculative fiction! This course will explore the intersection of literary fiction and speculative fiction, with a focus on works by Kelly Link, Karen Russell, and other writers […]
Generating Flash Fiction
Short and Sweet! Let’s discover and write some flash fiction! What is flash fiction? How can you write it? Let’s use these five weeks to explore some new styles, workshop […]
Short and Sweet! Let’s discover and write some flash fiction! What is flash fiction? How can you write it? Let’s use these five weeks to explore some new styles, workshop […]
Crafting Fiction: Element by Element
Let's demystify the craft of fiction writing! By working through basic craft elements of fiction, participants will build a strong foundation for their writing—be it short stories or novels. This […]
Let's demystify the craft of fiction writing! By working through basic craft elements of fiction, participants will build a strong foundation for their writing—be it short stories or novels. This […]
Plotting Your Novel
Study the architecture of the novel and devise plans for plotting your own. Whether you are an organized planner or a writer who flies by the seat of their pants, […]
Study the architecture of the novel and devise plans for plotting your own. Whether you are an organized planner or a writer who flies by the seat of their pants, […]
Writing Compelling Historical Fiction
Make your fiction — and your non-fiction — come alive by incorporating gripping facts about what the world was really like when your story takes place! During the first four […]
Make your fiction — and your non-fiction — come alive by incorporating gripping facts about what the world was really like when your story takes place! During the first four […]
Advanced Personal Essay
Take your essays to the next level. This workshop is for writers who have a good understanding of what a personal essay is, are open to exploring further the many […]
Take your essays to the next level. This workshop is for writers who have a good understanding of what a personal essay is, are open to exploring further the many […]
11 events,
Writing Contemporary Fiction
Write a publishable story for the current literary market! What makes a story fresh? Contemporary? Stand out? Publishable? In this small-sized class, we'll examine a series of contemporary stories to […]
Write a publishable story for the current literary market! What makes a story fresh? Contemporary? Stand out? Publishable? In this small-sized class, we'll examine a series of contemporary stories to […]
12 events,
Fitzgerald Birthday Celebration presented by The F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Festival
The F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Festival presents Devotedly, With Dearest Love, a Dramatic Reading Drawn from The Love Letters of F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, by Lorrie Kyle. LEARN MORE […]
12 events,
Researching and Writing your Family History
Investigate your family trees! Historian/biographer Ken Ackerman shows the nuts and bolts of investigating our family trees, going back generations. He will describe how to use archives, interviews, internet sources, […]
12 events,
Fundamentals of Persuasive Writing
Transfer strong, well-crafted opinions from your mind onto the page! Learn how to pack a powerful punch when writing persuasively. This six-week workshop teaches you the processes involved in crafting […]
Transfer strong, well-crafted opinions from your mind onto the page! Learn how to pack a powerful punch when writing persuasively. This six-week workshop teaches you the processes involved in crafting […]
12 events,
13 events,
Compelling First Pages
Grab your reader’s attention from page one! Learn how to grab your reader’s attention from the first page of your short story, novel, or personal essay! Many editors and agents […]
13 events,
Poetry Vs. Trauma
Learn, and try out, some of the many ways poetry can help to free the writer. Trauma can shut us down; writing poems can help free us to open up […]
Learn, and try out, some of the many ways poetry can help to free the writer. Trauma can shut us down; writing poems can help free us to open up […]
14 events,
Intro to Flash Fiction
This workshop will introduce writers to the explosive short form of Flash Fiction. This workshop will introduce writers to this explosive short form. Each week, writers will read several contemporary […]
This workshop will introduce writers to the explosive short form of Flash Fiction. This workshop will introduce writers to this explosive short form. Each week, writers will read several contemporary […]
15 events,
Personal Essays from Start to Finish: 10 Essays in 5 Months!
Inspiration, accountability, and the tools you need to get your essays out into the world! Join us for five months of craft lessons, workshops, editor visits, and personal editorial feedback! […]
Inspiration, accountability, and the tools you need to get your essays out into the world! Join us for five months of craft lessons, workshops, editor visits, and personal editorial feedback! […]
Characterization in Fiction and Creative Non-Fiction
Let's make the people you’re writing about in your fiction and non-fiction feel as real on the page as they do in life! Do you have trouble making the people […]
Let's make the people you’re writing about in your fiction and non-fiction feel as real on the page as they do in life! Do you have trouble making the people […]
16 events,
Open Mic @ The Writer’s Center
Prose, poetry, and spoken word Open Mic at The Writer’s Center! All writers are welcome to come and share 4-5 minutes of their latest work. Limited space. In-person signup starts […]
Contracts and Copyrights for Writers
What every writer needs to know about the legal netherworld of contracts and copyrights that control our business. Most writers understandably cringe at the legal and technical jargon of book, […]
17 events,
Writing Picture Books
Learn the basics — from story structure to marketing — of writing picture books for children! Learn how to write a picture book from a successful author of thirty award-winning […]
Learn the basics — from story structure to marketing — of writing picture books for children! Learn how to write a picture book from a successful author of thirty award-winning […]
Intro to Haiku
In this introductory course, we will learn about the Japanese and English language traditions of haiku, write our own haiku, and learn about related short-form poems. Haiku is one of […]
In this introductory course, we will learn about the Japanese and English language traditions of haiku, write our own haiku, and learn about related short-form poems. Haiku is one of […]
Free Association Writing
Bring back the fun, whimsy, and joy you once felt when writing! Participants will engage in exercises to help them free associate ideas and activate their senses. Each writer will […]
16 events,
20 events,
Evoking Reader Empathy
Learn how to employ the craft of emotion that is essential to every story’s purpose. Even when a story is skillfully written, it may not be enough to make the […]
Compelling Scenes
Learn the critical elements you need in every scene you write and gain confidence in your writing. The building blocks of any short story, novel, memoir, or work of creative […]
Novelist Sergio Troncoso Reading & Discussion
The Writer’s Center welcomes Sergio Troncoso for a reading and discussion of his new novel, Nobody’s Pilgrims. Sergio will be in conversation with Charles Lane, Washington Post editorial writer. Free […]
Latine Open Mic @ The Writer’s Center
Bilingual Open Mic for Latine writers! All Latine writers are welcome to come and share 4-5 minutes of their latest work in English, Spanish, or spanglish. Limited space (sign up […]
16 events,
16 events,
17 events,
Boot Camp for Writers
Tone up your writing muscles so you can go the distance. Classes begin with a short warm up exercise followed by a prompt for a longer piece. Participants will then […]
Tone up your writing muscles so you can go the distance. Classes begin with a short warm up exercise followed by a prompt for a longer piece. Participants will then […]
18 events,
Writing about Mental Illness
Write about your experience with mental illness in a safe space. Whether you have experienced mental illness personally or have a loved one with mental illness, writing about it can […]
Write about your experience with mental illness in a safe space. Whether you have experienced mental illness personally or have a loved one with mental illness, writing about it can […]
Memoirist Melanie Brooks Reading & Discussion
The Writer’s Center welcomes Melanie Brooks for a reading and discussion of her new memoir, A Hard Silence. Melanie will be in conversation with author Aaron Hamburger. Book signing to follow. […]
19 events,
Second-Generation Immigrant Writers Mixer
Join us at The Writer’s Center for an informal gathering with other second-generation immigrant writers. It's the perfect opportunity to network and share stories. Please bring a drink or an […]
Virtual Craft Chat on Fiction with Megan Kamalei Kakimoto
The Writer’s Center presents a FREE virtual chat about the craft of fiction! We’re joined by Megan Kamalei Kakimoto to discuss her “knockout” debut story collection, Every Drop Is a […]
19 events,
Gratitude in Poetry
Bring wisdom, joy, and gratitude to your writing. Each class will include discussion of inspiring poems, guided free-writes, and sharing as we explore how we can bring wisdom, joy, and […]
Bring wisdom, joy, and gratitude to your writing. Each class will include discussion of inspiring poems, guided free-writes, and sharing as we explore how we can bring wisdom, joy, and […]
Readings in Honor of Jonathan Franzen
A Free Fitzgerald Literary Festival Event Co-sponsored with The Writer's Center Featuring Louis Bayard, David Means, Marcela Valdes and a response from Jonathan Frazen. Register here » In the words […]
21 events,
Mastering Precision at the Sentence Level
Writing good sentences is harder than you think! Each session will consist of an in-person lecture on a particular sentence-level technique, followed by a workshop component. Participants will apply the […]
Writing good sentences is harder than you think! Each session will consist of an in-person lecture on a particular sentence-level technique, followed by a workshop component. Participants will apply the […]
Create Your Novel Revision Plan
Learn how to approach revision strategically. You know that writing is rewriting, but you’ve combed over your manuscript so many times and it’s still not working. Do you give up? […]
Learn how to approach revision strategically. You know that writing is rewriting, but you’ve combed over your manuscript so many times and it’s still not working. Do you give up? […]
How to Write Micro Memoir
Write your life story as you lived it, one moment at a time. This interactive workshop teaches writers to distill a moment of change, conflict, contradiction, or mystery to its […]
Poets Nancy Naomi Carlson & David Keplinger Reading & Discussion
The Writer’s Center welcomes poet/translator Nancy Naomi Carlson (Piano in the Dark) and poet David Keplinger (Ice) for a reading and discussion of their new books. Book signing to follow. […]
20 events,
Washington Writers’ Publishing House Award Winners Reading & Reception
The Writer's Center welcomes the Washington Writers' Publishing House and its 2023 award-winning authors, featuring Len Kruger with Bad Questions, a novel; Bernardine (Dine) Watson with Transplant: A Memoir and […]
19 events,
Finish that Flash
Workshop and edit those flash fiction stories sitting around on your computer! If you have some drafts of flash fiction rattling around your hard drive, this is an opportunity to […]
Workshop and edit those flash fiction stories sitting around on your computer! If you have some drafts of flash fiction rattling around your hard drive, this is an opportunity to […]
21 events,
Personal Reported Essay Workshop
Personal reported essays are journalism with a personal twist. Interested in journalism but with a personal touch? A personal reported essay allows you to use storytelling to help readers connect […]
Personal reported essays are journalism with a personal twist. Interested in journalism but with a personal touch? A personal reported essay allows you to use storytelling to help readers connect […]
Curated Conversation(s): Adriana Díaz Enciso & Alexandra Lytton Regalado
UK poet Adriana Díaz Enciso and US poet Alexandra Lytton Regalado come together for a transatlantic discussion of their work. Curated Conversation(s): a Latinx Poetry Show is a virtual discussion series […]
20 events,
Open Mic @ The Writer’s Center
Prose, poetry, and spoken word Open Mic at The Writer’s Center! All writers are welcome to come and share 4-5 minutes of their latest work. Limited space. In-person signup starts […]
20 events,
Book Marketing On A Budget
You’ve written – or are writing your book – now fight for it! In this workshop we’ll focus on over two dozen book marketing tips, with a close eye on […]
You’ve written – or are writing your book – now fight for it! In this workshop we’ll focus on over two dozen book marketing tips, with a close eye on […]
Virtual Craft Chat with Poet Taylor Byas
Poet Lore and The Writer’s Center present a FREE virtual chat about the craft of poetry! We’re joined by Taylor Byas to discuss her debut collection, I Done Clicked My […]
20 events,
Intermediate Novel Writing: The 8 Cs
Let's finish that novel you've started! Are you serious about writing a novel but struggling? This intermediate course will examine the eight fundamental elements of the novel to help you […]
Let's finish that novel you've started! Are you serious about writing a novel but struggling? This intermediate course will examine the eight fundamental elements of the novel to help you […]
Creating Novel Characters
Bring your characters to life on the page. When writing a novel, we must know our primary characters inside and out. We need to understand their desires, motivations, and frustrations, […]
Bring your characters to life on the page. When writing a novel, we must know our primary characters inside and out. We need to understand their desires, motivations, and frustrations, […]
24 events,
Storytelling: Applying it to Your Writing
Learn how storytelling can enhance your writing. You'll leave the workshop with two strong stories that embody some methods of storytelling. The purpose of the workshop is to help readers […]
Learn how storytelling can enhance your writing. You'll leave the workshop with two strong stories that embody some methods of storytelling. The purpose of the workshop is to help readers […]
How to Plot Like a Pro
Learn to create a winning foundation for any story you write! You have a great idea for a story. Do you dive in and just begin writing, or start by […]
Exploring Gothic Fiction
A crash course on the ins and outs of Gothic fiction! Gothic fiction is a literary genre that has spawned and inspired everything from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Bram Stoker’s […]
Novelist Malve S. Burns Reading & Q&A for Stone Mother
The Writer’s Center welcomes author Malve S. Burns for a reading and Q&A for her debut novel, Stone Mother. Free and open to the public, limited space, registration required below. […]
22 events,
Christine Evans & Johannes Lichtman in Conversation with Donna Hemans
DC area writers Johannes Lichtman (Calling Ukraine and Such Good Work) and Christine Evans (Nadia and Cloudless) discuss their new novels, which both feature characters making home in a new place. In a conversation moderated […]
24 events,
Beginning Your Memoir
Learn ten generative lessons to help you imagine your memoir or provide needed structure for your memoir-in-progress. Join us for a burst of ten generative lessons to help you imagine […]
Learn ten generative lessons to help you imagine your memoir or provide needed structure for your memoir-in-progress. Join us for a burst of ten generative lessons to help you imagine […]
How to Become a Rock Star Freelancer
Learn the art and business of freelance writing from a veteran freelancer and former Washington Post editor. Want to become a full-time freelance writer or start a rewarding side hustle? […]
Learn the art and business of freelance writing from a veteran freelancer and former Washington Post editor. Want to become a full-time freelance writer or start a rewarding side hustle? […]
Fiction II: Refine Your Writing Voice
Hone your stories to make them publication-ready. How do you take an early draft and make it publication-ready? Each week, we will read interviews and essays from established writers in […]
Hone your stories to make them publication-ready. How do you take an early draft and make it publication-ready? Each week, we will read interviews and essays from established writers in […]
24 events,
Structuring Your Book
Explore different ways to structure a novel, memoir, or non-fiction book through exercises and examples. In just two sessions we’ll explore different ways to structure a novel, memoir, or non-fiction […]
Explore different ways to structure a novel, memoir, or non-fiction book through exercises and examples. In just two sessions we’ll explore different ways to structure a novel, memoir, or non-fiction […]