BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//CalDiscovery//caldiscovery//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH DESCRIPTION:Discovered and maintained by CalDiscovery (https://caldiscover y.com). Event details belong to their publishers. Contains information fro m CalDiscovery\, which is made available under the ODbL 1.0. SOURCE:https://caldiscovery.com/baltimore-md/src-10623.ics X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H X-WR-CALDESC:Discovered and maintained by CalDiscovery (https://caldiscove ry.com). Event details belong to their publishers. Contains information fr om CalDiscovery\, which is made available under the ODbL 1.0. X-WR-CALNAME:CalDiscovery - baltimore-md BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:(Wet Ink) Creating Novel Characters DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260904 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260926 DTSTAMP:20260815T002542Z UID:10005341-1788480000-1790380799@writer.org CATEGORIES:education DESCRIPTION:When writing a novel\, we must know our primary characters ins ide and out. We need to understand their desires\, motivations\, and frust rations\, their histories and their futures. This workshop will focus on t he development of authentic characters. Participants will examine characte r as both autonomous and residing within the context of the other novelist ic elements\, and we will examine the challenge of creating and integratin g these various elements into a cohesive and credible whole. Participants will explore the main character(s) in their novels-in-progress. LAST-MODIFIED:20260815T002542Z LOCATION:Wet Ink URL:https://writer.org/event/wet-ink-creating-novel-characters/ X-SOURCE-NAME:The Writer's Center X-SOURCE-URL:https://writer.org/event/beth-konkoski END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:(Wet Ink) Intro to the Novel DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260904 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261024 DTSTAMP:20260815T002542Z UID:10005340-1788480000-1792799999@writer.org CATEGORIES:education DESCRIPTION:This workshop will help you understand the process of writing a novel so you can get started putting pen to paper. The workshop will foc us on everything from generating ideas to developing characters to establi shing point of view. Participants will discuss many elements of fiction (d ialogue\, scene\, etc.) but the emphasis will be on discovering the writin g process that works best for each writer. LAST-MODIFIED:20260815T002542Z LOCATION:Wet Ink URL:https://writer.org/event/wet-ink-intro-to-the-novel/ X-SOURCE-NAME:The Writer's Center X-SOURCE-URL:https://writer.org/event/beth-konkoski END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Writing the Truth: Lessons in Nonfiction Writing DTSTART:20260908T170000Z DTEND:20260929T200000Z DTSTAMP:20260815T002542Z UID:10005342-1788872400-1790697600@writer.org CATEGORIES:literary DESCRIPTION:The workshop is designed for beginning writers looking to gain a footing in non-fiction writing of different length and format\, from fi rst-person essays to long-form magazine writing and even book-length proje cts. You’ll learn both by reading and by writing. LAST-MODIFIED:20260815T002542Z LOCATION:Zoom URL:https://writer.org/event/writing-the-truth-lessons-in-nonfiction-writi ng-3/ X-SOURCE-NAME:The Writer's Center X-SOURCE-URL:https://writer.org/event/beth-konkoski END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Archival Research for Creative Writing DTSTART:20260909T200000Z DTEND:20261007T220000Z DTSTAMP:20260815T002542Z UID:10005343-1788969600-1791396000@writer.org CATEGORIES:literary DESCRIPTION:An introduction to archival research through narrative writing and experimentation. Learn how to work with and historical resources\, in terpret gaps\, and reconstruct your own story as a public history tool. Th e workshop will include a presentation of examples from the instructor’s current research process\, featuring archival imagery\, documents and sto ry iterations. Participants will engage in exercises to think and write th rough their own narrative projects\, whether meant for personal memoir or public scholarship. Designed for emerging scholars\, writers\, and communi ty members interested in recovering underrepresented histories. LAST-MODIFIED:20260815T002542Z LOCATION:Zoom URL:https://writer.org/event/archival-research-for-creative-writing/ X-SOURCE-NAME:The Writer's Center X-SOURCE-URL:https://writer.org/event/beth-konkoski END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Poetry Book Club w/ Chet'la Sebree! DTSTART:20260909T230000Z DTEND:20260910T000000Z DTSTAMP:20260816T002451Z UID:10005307-1788980400-1788984000@writer.org CATEGORIES:literary DESCRIPTION:Poet Lore\, America’s oldest poetry journal and The Writer ’s Center welcomes poet Chet’la Sebree to our monthly Virtual Poetry B ook Club for a discussion of her collection\, Blue Opening. Chet’la is j oined by Book Club Host\, Hannah Grieco. \nWe encourage you to order a cop y of the book from your local\, independent bookseller or online »  dir ectly from the publisher\, Zando. \nFREE & open to the public. RSVP below. \n\nAn essayist and poet from the Mid-Atlantic\, Chet’la Sebree is th e author of the debut essay collection TURN (W)HERE: A Geography of Home a s well the poetry collections Blue Opening\, longlisted for PEN/Voelcker A ward for Poetry and a finalist for both the Los Angeles Times Book Prize a nd the Lambda Literary Award for Bisexual Poetry\; Field Study\, winner of the 2020 James Laughlin Award from the Academy of American Poets\; and Mi stress\, nominated for an NAACP Image Award. She’s an assistant professo r at the George Washington University and serves as a faculty mentor in Ra ndolph College’s MFA in Creative Writing program. \n\nAbout Blue Opening \n“A profound poetic talent.”—Ada Limón \nBlue Opening\, Chet’la Sebree’s brilliant\, illuminating poetry collection\, grapples with ori gins—of illness\, of language\, of the universe—as the speaker contemp lates whether she\, too\, can be a site of origin through motherhood. Navi gating chronic health challenges alongside grief and questions about the n ature of knowledge and religion\, she searches personal history and the co smos for answers to the unknowable. \nWith startling clarity and vivid ten derness\, Blue Opening calls into question not only where to begin\, but how to create\, across thirty-two poems that press the fluid boundaries o f form through sonnets\, prose poems\, odes\, and two unforgettable poetic sequences. As the speaker traverses loss\, possibility\, and the choice\, or often the lack of choice\, in the direction of her future\, she determ ines to press forward even as she is “unsure of what shape this language should take / and hulling\, from blue rock\, faith.” \n\nAbout Book Clu b\nThis is no run-of-the-mill book club. Visiting writers will read excer pts\, join the discussion\, and answer your questions about craft\, proces s\, the publishing industry\, and getting advice for our own writing! We ’ll hang and eat snacks with the authors and escape your doomscrolling. \nPoetry Book Club will meet on Zoom every second Wednesday of the mont h with a new poet. \nFiction Book Club will meet every third Sunday of the month in person at The Writer’s Center with a new author. \nCome bui ld community and read amazing books that the Big 5 didn’t have the sense to publish! \n\nIf you need an accommodation for this event\, please cont act us at access@writer.org. We will attempt to fulfill all requests\, bu t advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility services. \n\nEnjoying our free events? Help us offer more programs to support writ ers with a $10 donation » LAST-MODIFIED:20260816T002451Z LOCATION:Zoom URL:https://writer.org/event/poetry-book-club-w-chetla-sebree/ X-SOURCE-NAME:The Writer's Center X-SOURCE-URL:https://writer.org/event/beth-konkoski END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Open Mic @ The Writer's Center DTSTART:20260909T230000Z DTEND:20260910T010000Z DTSTAMP:20260816T062642Z UID:10005131-1788980400-1788987600@writer.org CATEGORIES:music DESCRIPTION:Prose\, poetry\, and spoken word Open Mic @ The Writer’s Cen ter! All writers are welcome to come and share 4-5 minutes of their latest work. \n\nSign-up starts at 6:45pm\, and readings begin promptly at 7pm.\ nLimited to 20 readers\, so arrive early if you plan to read.\n\nSponsored by Poet Lore\, America’s oldest poetry magazine. \nFREE and open to the public. Please note that we no longer offer advance sign-up. \n\nIf you n eed an accommodation for this event\, please contact us at access@writer. org. We will attempt to fulfill all requests\, but advance notice is neces sary to arrange for some accessibility services. \n\nEnjoying our free eve nts? Help us offer more programs to support writers with a $10 donation » LAST-MODIFIED:20260816T062642Z LOCATION:The Writer’s Center\, 4508 Walsh Street\, Bethesda\, MD\, 20815 \, United States URL:https://writer.org/event/open-mic-sep2026-1/ X-SOURCE-NAME:The Writer's Center X-SOURCE-URL:https://writer.org/event/beth-konkoski END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Inner Loop Author's Corner w/ Hasan Dudar! DTSTART:20260910T230000Z DTEND:20260911T000000Z DTSTAMP:20260825T182859Z UID:10005303-1789066800-1789070400@writer.org CATEGORIES:literary DESCRIPTION:The Inner Loop and The Writer’s Center present a FREE virtua l chat about the craft of fiction! We’re joined by Hasan Dudar\, author of the short story collection Carryout. Hasan is in conversation with aut hor Madeleine Moss. \nCarryout is The Inner Loop’s Author’s Corner s potlight. The Inner Loop cultivates and promotes the distinctive literar y culture of Washington\, DC. Author’s Corner supports local authors ’ independently published books by spotlighting them in community progra mming and collaborations. \nRSVP below to receive login information (our virtual events are held via Zoom). FREE and open to the public\, all time s Eastern \nWe encourage you to order a copy of the book from your local\, independent bookseller or online from Bookshop.org » \n\nHasan Dudar is the author of Carryout\, a short story collection out with the University of Iowa Press in May 2026. He is originally from Toledo\, Ohio\, and curr ently lives in Washington\, DC. \nMadeleine Moss grew up in Ithaca\, New Y ork\, and holds a degree in French literature from Cornell University. Sh e received her MFA in fiction from Washington University in St. Louis and currently lives in Strasbourg\, France. Her debut novel\, Mistranslation\, is forthcoming from the University of Iowa Press in September 2026. \n\nA bout Carryout \nIn the late 1970s\, Ziad Idilbi\, a Palestinian refugee fr om Lebanon\, marries Salma\, a Lebanese refugee escaping the war in Beirut . Resolving to start over for the very last time\, the couple opens a corn er store in Toledo\, Ohio\, across from the General Motors factory\, where Toledo’s Arab community intermingles with the working class. Over the d ecades\, whether it’s bigotry (pre- and post-9/11)\, financial ruin\, or terminal illness\, the Idilbis find themselves on life’s outskirts\, at tempting to build something new. \nAchingly poignant and slyly funny\, the linked stories in Carryout follow the Idilbis and their children as they teeter on the brink of catastrophe. Walid\, the youngest child of Ziad and Salma\, navigates the heartbreaks of youth as well as the colorful charac ters who haunt his parents’ corner store. As he grows up into a writer\, Walid’s gaze fixes on his father and the long shadow of displacement an d occupation. Mustafa\, the eldest son\, is forever trying to outrun the d isasters that seem to seek him out\, while Nawal\, the only daughter\, is dumped by a friend and hatches a scheme to win her back. Unsure whether to run toward each other or away from each other\, the characters in Dudar ’s exquisite debut suffer the absurdities and indignities of life in Ame rica with wry obstinance and striking wisdom. \n\nIf you need an accommoda tion for this event\, please contact us at access@writer.org. We will att empt to fulfill all requests\, but advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility services. \n\nEnjoying our free events? Help us of fer more programs to support writers with a $10 donation » LAST-MODIFIED:20260825T182859Z LOCATION:Zoom URL:https://writer.org/event/inner-loop-hasan-dudar/ X-SOURCE-NAME:The Writer's Center X-SOURCE-URL:https://writer.org/event/beth-konkoski END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The First 50 Pages: Craft a Submission-Ready Opening DTSTART:20260910T230000Z DTEND:20261002T010000Z DTSTAMP:20260820T002932Z UID:10005213-1789066800-1790888400@writer.org CATEGORIES:education DESCRIPTION:The first fifty pages of a manuscript can make or break your b ook’s success on submission!\nThis course is designed to help writers sh ape those YA Novel pages into an unputdownable introduction that is ready for consideration by industry professionals. Over four weeks\, participant s will focus on the essential elements that make for strong opening pages\ , including narrative momentum\, character and voice\, and line-level clar ity—with each session combining craft discussion and targeted revision s trategies. The final session will function as a guided workshop in which p articipants exchange and discuss their first ten pages\, applying the tool s from earlier sessions while learning how to give and receive productive\ , professional feedback. By the end of the course\, each writer will have a stronger\, more polished opening and a clear understanding of how to con tinue refining their manuscript for submission. To effectively participate in this course\, writers should have already written at least fifty pages of their manuscript and be ready to begin working with those pages on day one. \n\nIn-person class: This workshop will take place at The Writer’ s Center\, 4508 Walsh St\, Bethesda MD. \n\nIn this workshop you’ll:\n\n Shape an opening that establishes momentum\, stakes\, and narrative direct ion\nDevelop compelling character presence and a distinctive\, consistent voice\nIdentify and strengthen the key structural elements expected in the first 50 pages\nApply line-level revision techniques to produce clear\, p olished\, submission-ready prose\nGive and receive focused\, constructive feedback in a professional workshop setting\n\nTime Requirements\n\nN/A\n\ nMaterials\n\nAll reading materials will be provided.\n\nWho should take t his workshop?\n\nThis course is ideal for young adult writers preparing a novel or book-length manuscript who want to strengthen\, refine\, and poli sh their opening pages for agent submission\, publisher consideration\, or other forms of professional review.\n\n\nIf you need an accommodation for this workshop\, please contact us at access@writer.org. We will attempt t o fulfill all requests\, but advance notice is necessary to arrange for so me accessibility services. LAST-MODIFIED:20260820T002932Z LOCATION:Zoom URL:https://writer.org/event/the-first-50-pages-craft-a-submission-ready-o pening/ X-SOURCE-NAME:The Writer's Center X-SOURCE-URL:https://writer.org/event/beth-konkoski END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Preparing Your Work for Submission DTSTART:20260912T143000Z DTEND:20260912T170000Z DTSTAMP:20260820T182947Z UID:10005345-1789209000-1794661200@writer.org CATEGORIES:education DESCRIPTION:Each week\, participants will focus on a different stage of th e revision and publishing process\, including structural and line-level re vision strategies\, identifying common problems in manuscripts\, understan ding the role of agents and editors\, and exploring different paths to pub lication. The workshop will combine discussion of craft principles\, pract ical publishing guidance\, and analysis of participant work in a supportiv e\, workshop-based setting. By the end of the course\, participants will h ave a clearer\, more polished manuscript excerpt\, a realistic understandi ng of its readiness for submission\, and a practical toolkit for querying agents and navigating publication options with greater confidence. Partici pants should submit a draft of a short story or novel excerpt up to 3000 w ords to the first class. LAST-MODIFIED:20260820T182947Z LOCATION:Zoom URL:https://writer.org/event/preparing-your-work-for-submission/ X-SOURCE-NAME:The Writer's Center X-SOURCE-URL:https://writer.org/event/beth-konkoski END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Pushing Genre Boundaries: More Than Memoir DTSTART:20260912T150000Z DTEND:20260912T170000Z DTSTAMP:20260821T062810Z UID:10005346-1789210800-1789218000@writer.org CATEGORIES:education,literary DESCRIPTION:This workshop considers how big the genre of creative nonficti on can be by looking at the ways writers expand\, explore\, and break open different forms and sub-genres. We’ll read a few short samples of conte mporary writers who are pushing boundaries\, then get into some prompts th at lead us toward our own innovations in telling true stories. LAST-MODIFIED:20260821T062810Z LOCATION:Zoom URL:https://writer.org/event/pushing-genre-boundaries-more-than-memoir/ X-SOURCE-NAME:The Writer's Center X-SOURCE-URL:https://writer.org/event/beth-konkoski END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Ekphrastic Fantastic: Responses and Conversations with Art DTSTART:20260912T150000Z DTEND:20260912T180000Z DTSTAMP:20260821T122750Z UID:10005347-1789210800-1789221600@writer.org CATEGORIES:arts,literary DESCRIPTION:Ekphratic Poetry or poetry in conversation with art can seem f ormulaic\; see a piece of art and use elements of it in a poem I am making . But why stop there? In this generative workshop\, participants will be e ncouraged to embody their piece of art (visual\, music\, or dance) as a me ans of saying what only they can say about that piece of art. Students wil l learn many different approaches to ekphrasis and will leave with a draft of a new poem. LAST-MODIFIED:20260821T122750Z LOCATION:Zoom URL:https://writer.org/event/ekphrastic-fantastic-responses-and-conversati ons-with-art/ X-SOURCE-NAME:The Writer's Center X-SOURCE-URL:https://writer.org/event/beth-konkoski END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Hunger Action Month Reading DTSTART:20260912T180000Z DTEND:20260912T193000Z DTSTAMP:20260823T002458Z UID:10005310-1789221600-1789227000@writer.org CATEGORIES:literary DESCRIPTION:EC Poetry and Prose\, The Writer’s Center\, Poet Lore\, and Poetry x Hunger are partnering to raise funds in honor of Hunger Action Mo nth! \nEach September\, Hunger Action Month unites millions to raise aware ness and provide nutritious food to neighbors facing hunger. Join us at Th e Writer’s Center on September 12th\, 2026 at 2pm for a reading of write rs against hunger. \n100% of your donation goes directly to the Maryland F ood Bank helping hungry children\, working families\, older adults\, and M aryland’s Under-resourced Communities throughout the state. \nFREE & ope n to the public. RSVP below. \nDonate in advance of the event using this link>>> \n\nAbout Poetry X Hunger\nPoetry X Hunger is bringing a world of poets and their poems to the anti-hunger cause. We are using poetry to rai se awareness\, compassion and funding. And\, speaking of funding\, by hold ing poetry fundraisers\, we magically turn poetry into food. In recent yea rs\, we’ve raised thousands of US dollars for anti-hunger organizations. \nAbout EC Poetry & Prose\nWe are a collective of poets and writers who b elieve in the power of language to convey truth and promote peace. Our mem bers are spoken word artists\, published authors\, and emerging writers. O ur founder and partners are from Howard\, Anne Arundel\, and Frederick Cou nties\; members reside throughout the state. \n\nIf you need an accommodat ion for this event\, please contact us at access@writer.org. We will atte mpt to fulfill all requests\, but advance notice is necessary to arrange f or some accessibility services. \n\nEnjoying our free events? Help us off er more programs to support writers with a $10 donation » LAST-MODIFIED:20260823T002458Z LOCATION:The Writer’s Center\, 4508 Walsh Street\, Bethesda\, MD\, 20815 \, United States URL:https://writer.org/event/hunger-action-month/ X-SOURCE-NAME:The Writer's Center X-SOURCE-URL:https://writer.org/event/beth-konkoski END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Submit-O-Thon! DTSTART:20260913T170000Z DTEND:20260913T210000Z DTSTAMP:20260824T002537Z UID:10005311-1789304400-1789318800@writer.org CATEGORIES:literary DESCRIPTION:Submit your Work for a Cause!\nEach autumn\, thousands of lit mags and journals open their portals/queues/websites to read your work. We know that submitting on your own can be a slog\, so let’s get it done\, together! \n \nThe Writer’s Center is hosting our first ever Submit-o-t hon\, a marathon-like afternoon where you commit to submitting your work f or 4 hours\, and enlist your friends and family to support you along the w ay! \nThe donations you raise will help pay for \n\nOur public programming (including readings\, panels\, and craft chats)\nBi-monthly open mics\nQu arterly mixers\nCreative writing workshops\nScholarships\nAnd more!\n\nAs a fundraiser\, you’ll receive a one month free subscription of Chill Su bs  and an optional  30 minute submission crash course on best tips for submitting! \nYou’ll spend your time submitting to a minimum of 20 liter ary journals and magazines to get your work out there! \nIn return for you hard work\, we will have prizes like mugs\, gift certificates\, and more! \nOnce you’ve registered\, you will receive an email with a personal fu ndraising page to send to your loved ones.  \n\nWatch an Informational Vi deo\nLearn all the logistics of this fundraiser! \nWATCH HERE >>>\n\nWhat to Expect:\n12:30-1pm: Sign in\, Pick a spot\, Receive your ChillSubs Bene fit\n1-5 pm: Quiet time to submit work\n1-1:30pm: (optional) Tips and Tric ks for a great submission\n5pm: Prizes Awarded and Reception Begins!\n\nOn ce you’ve registered\, you will receive an email with a personal fundrai sing page to send to your loved ones.  \n\nIf you need an accommodation f or this event\, please contact us at access@writer.org. We will attempt t o fulfill all requests\, but advance notice is necessary to arrange for so me accessibility services. LAST-MODIFIED:20260824T002537Z LOCATION:The Writer’s Center\, 4508 Walsh Street\, Bethesda\, MD\, 20815 \, United States URL:https://writer.org/event/submit-o-thon/ X-SOURCE-NAME:The Writer's Center X-SOURCE-URL:https://writer.org/event/beth-konkoski END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Turning Your Writing Practice into a Creative Offering DTSTART:20260913T170000Z DTEND:20260920T193000Z DTSTAMP:20260824T062747Z UID:10005348-1789304400-1789918200@writer.org CATEGORIES:literary DESCRIPTION:In this two-part workshop series\, you’ll first explore how to build a restorative\, sustainable writing practice rooted in your value s\, interests\, and natural creative rhythms. Then on day two\, you’ll l earn how to thoughtfully shape your writing into a creative offering\, ide ntifying the messages you want to share\, the audience you hope to reach\, and the platforms or projects that best align with your goals. Whether yo u’re beginning your writing journey\, returning after time away\, or loo king for fresh direction\, you’ll leave with practical tools\, greater c reative clarity\, and a deeper sense of purpose for both your writing prac tice and your creative life. Please note: If you’ve previously taken GG ’s standalone workshop\, Writing as a Restorative Practice\, the first d ay of this series covers much of that same material. The second day offers new content focused on shaping your writing into a creative offering and sharing it with intention. LAST-MODIFIED:20260824T062747Z LOCATION:Zoom URL:https://writer.org/event/turning-your-writing-practice-into-a-creative -offering/ X-SOURCE-NAME:The Writer's Center X-SOURCE-URL:https://writer.org/event/beth-konkoski END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:(Wet Ink) Experimentation in Flash Fiction DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260914 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261006 DTSTAMP:20260825T122629Z UID:10005349-1789344000-1791244799@writer.org CATEGORIES:education,literary DESCRIPTION:Discover how creative constraints can unlock surprising new po ssibilities in your writing. In this four-week generative workshop\, we wi ll explore how playing with time\, form\, and omission can change stories and move them beyond the familiar. Through close reading\, discussion\, an d in-class exercises\, participants will experiment with techniques to pla y with their stories. By the end of the workshop\, participants will have several new drafts as well as a toolkit of exercises and strategies for fu ture work. Participants should come prepared to write and to read a small selection of flash fiction between sessions\; no advance preparation is re quired for the first class. LAST-MODIFIED:20260825T122629Z LOCATION:Wet Ink URL:https://writer.org/event/wet-ink-experimentation-in-flash-fiction/ X-SOURCE-NAME:The Writer's Center X-SOURCE-URL:https://writer.org/event/beth-konkoski END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:(Wet Ink) Finding Your Authentic Voice DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260914 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261103 DTSTAMP:20260825T182859Z UID:10005350-1789344000-1793663999@writer.org CATEGORIES:education DESCRIPTION:Look beyond your inner critic and limiting beliefs to tap into the flow of your boundless creativity\, as you discover the powerful impa ct of your authentic voice. Over eight weeks\, we’ll be identifying unhe lpful thoughts\, deconstructing doubt\, and building a sustained creative recovery practice that lets you write compelling pieces and foster a speci al connection with your readers. In a safe and supportive space\, reintrod uce your childlike wonder around creativity so you can write freely\, recl aim 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 We t 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-s et and shared upon registration\; attendance is optional and encouraged\, not required. LAST-MODIFIED:20260825T182859Z LOCATION:Wet Ink URL:https://writer.org/event/wet-ink-finding-your-authentic-voice/ X-SOURCE-NAME:The Writer's Center X-SOURCE-URL:https://writer.org/event/beth-konkoski END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Cafe Muse Literary Salon DTSTART:20260914T230000Z DTEND:20260915T003000Z DTSTAMP:20260826T064056Z UID:10005144-1789412400-1789417800@writer.org CATEGORIES:literary DESCRIPTION:The Writer’s Center welcomes the Café Muse Literary Salon f or a reading featuring writers  Luther Jett and Julia Kolchinsky. The eve ning begins at 7 PM with Michael Davis live on classical guitar. The readi ngs begin at 7:30 PM with opening remarks by a Café Muse co-host. \nFREE & open to the public. RSVP on the Cafe Muse Website. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\ n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n  \n\nEnjoying our free events? Help us offer more programs to support writers with a $10 donation » LAST-MODIFIED:20260826T064056Z LOCATION:The Writer’s Center\, 4508 Walsh Street\, Bethesda\, MD\, 20815 \, United States URL:https://writer.org/event/cafe-muse-literary-salon-sep-26/ X-SOURCE-NAME:The Writer's Center X-SOURCE-URL:https://writer.org/event/beth-konkoski END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Writing the Feature-Length Screenplay DTSTART:20260914T230000Z DTEND:20260915T013000Z DTSTAMP:20260826T122645Z UID:10005357-1789412400-1794864600@writer.org CATEGORIES:literary DESCRIPTION:In this 10-week intermediate to advanced workshop\, writers wi ll complete a feature-length screenplay from outline to first draft. Parti cipants are expected to arrive with a developed idea they are ready to wri te. The course begins with a brief review of key screenwriting principles —premise questions\, structure\, and character—before quickly moving i nto reviewing written pages the second week. Writers will be expected to g enerate approximately 10 pages per week\, building toward a complete 90-pa ge screenplay by the end of the course. Class sessions will focus on readi ng and discussing student work\, with guided feedback designed to strength en narrative momentum\, deepen character arcs\, and support each writer th rough the challenges of finishing a full draft. By the end of the workshop \, participants will have a completed feature-length screenplay and a clea rer understanding of how to sustain and execute a cohesive cinematic story . LAST-MODIFIED:20260826T122645Z LOCATION:Zoom URL:https://writer.org/event/writing-the-feature-length-screenplay-2/ X-SOURCE-NAME:The Writer's Center X-SOURCE-URL:https://writer.org/event/beth-konkoski END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:One Year to Your YA Novel w/ Betsy Cornwell DTSTART:20260915T150000Z DTEND:20260915T170000Z DTSTAMP:20260827T122750Z UID:10005314-1789470000-1813669200@writer.org CATEGORIES:education DESCRIPTION:Write your YA novel over the course of a school year with best selling author Betsy Cornwell!\nIn 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. \n\nWatch the Virtual Info Ses sion\nMeet Betsy Cornwell\, instructor for our yearlong YA novel workshop\ , and have all your questions about the program answered! \n \n  \n\nWhat to expect:\nLive classes every two weeks will focus on craft talks\, clos e reading\, and the development of a practical “tool box” of writing a nd storytelling skills\, as well as group workshop time. You’ll also hav e access to one-on-one mentorship sessions with Betsy\, as well as the opt ion to be matched with a classmate for critique partnership and accountabi lity. \nThe best books for young people are both timely and timeless\, and require at least as much creative scope and rigor as writing for adults. Newbery-winning young adult author Madeleine L’Engle wrote that “You h ave to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be to o difficult for grown-ups\, then you write it for children.”   \nIn th is course\, we’ll consider examples of brilliant books for young readers \, and read through these texts together from a craft perspective with the goal of writing young adult books that are vivid\, honest\, and complex —never condescending or “less than” adult novels. If you have an ide a for a YA novel that you’re ready to take seriously\, this is the cours e for you! \n\nStructure\nThis course is designed to mirror the school yea r\, from September to June\, and is offered during lunch hours Eastern tim e to give parents of school-age children the best chance to participate. T hat said\, you absolutely don’t have to be a parent to join us! \nClasse s will begin with a short warm-up writing exercise\, followed by individua l check-ins and discussion of the current assigned book (see below). For t he first part of the course\, from September through December\, the rest o f the class will focus on specific\, actionable tools for planning and com pleting your first draft. In the second part of the course\, from December through April\, the focus will shift to group workshopping and feedback. The final two months of the course\, in May and June\, will look at the pu blication process and assist students in developing query packages for the ir books. \nA YA novel will also be assigned for reading and discussion ev ery two months\, for a total of five books. Participants are encouraged to nominate their own favorite YA novels for inclusion. \n\nSchedule\nThis c lass will meet virtually twice a month on Tuesdays\, for 20 total sessions . Workshop dates run from September 15\, 2026 – June 22\, 2027\,  11am –1pm ET. \nSept. 15\nSept. 29 \nOct. 6\nOct. 20 \nNov. 3\nNov. 17 \nDec. 1\nDec. 15 \nJan. 5\nJan. 19 \nFeb. 2\nFeb. 16 \nMarch 2\nMarch 16 \nApri l 6\nApril 20 \nMay 4\nMay 18 \nJune 8\nJune 22 \n\n1:1 Mentoring\nAll wor kshops will be held over Zoom\, with additional opportunities to meet 1:1 with Betsy upon request. All enrolled students will have the option to sch edule an individual follow-up meeting (1 hour) with Betsy approximately 6 months after the conclusion of the workshop.\n \n\nTo Apply\nApplication D eadline: Friday\, September 4\, 2026 \nTo apply for the course\, please su bmit the following via email to emily.holland@writer.org: \n\nA ten- to tw enty-page sample of your creative writing\, in any genre\nA brief cover le tter including your reasons for wanting to join the class\, a summary of y our book idea and where you are in the writing process\, and a YA book you ’d like to nominate for the group to read.\n\nWe are thrilled to offer o ne scholarship to a single parent. In your cover letter\, please indicate if you would like to be considered for this scholarship. We kindly ask tha t those who are able to register for the workshop without scholarship assi stance refrain from applying for the scholarship. The scholarship will be available once we have met the required threshold for students in the clas s. \nAcceptance into the workshop is required before registering. \n\nAbou t Book Farm @ The Writer’s Center\nThe Writer’s Center hosts a series of workshops for serious writers to complete book-length projects\, genera te new work for publication\, or master the elements of craft within a spe cific genre. You’ll work with an acclaimed author\, guiding you through 4-12 months of lessons\, workshops\, and revisions. Our instructors are al l accomplished educators with a track record of student success. Limited e nrollment with rolling admission up to the application deadline\, so apply right away to secure your spot! \nAll Book Farm participants receive an e xclusive tote bag\, a craft book recommended by the instructor\, and a $10 0 gift certificate good toward future TWC workshops. Participants also rec eive exclusive access to The Writer’s Center staff\, all of whom are acc omplished writers with extensive experience in editing and publishing. LAST-MODIFIED:20260827T122750Z LOCATION:Zoom URL:https://writer.org/event/one-year-to-your-ya-novel-w-betsy-cornwell/ X-SOURCE-NAME:The Writer's Center X-SOURCE-URL:https://writer.org/event/beth-konkoski END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Writing Song Lyrics DTSTART:20260916T000000Z DTEND:20260916T020000Z DTSTAMP:20260829T122751Z UID:10005351-1789502400-1793743200@writer.org CATEGORIES:literary DESCRIPTION:We all practice the results of the lyricist’s trade whenever we sing a song we know\, but in this course we’ll look into how those c hoices are made\, and get some practice at generating our own lyrics.This course starts the participant on the practice of putting words together wi th music. Writing a song lyric requires matching syllables in words with m elody notes to be sung in time over a rhythm. We start with short phrases and build up to complete lyrics. By the end participants will have generat ed a lyric for a familiar existing song\, and at least one lyric which can be set by a composer to produce a complete work. LAST-MODIFIED:20260829T122751Z LOCATION:Zoom URL:https://writer.org/event/writing-song-lyrics-2/ X-SOURCE-NAME:The Writer's Center X-SOURCE-URL:https://writer.org/event/beth-konkoski END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Virtual Info Session for The Art of the Short Story w/ Rita Bullwi nkel DTSTART:20260916T230000Z DTEND:20260917T000000Z DTSTAMP:20260829T122751Z UID:10005318-1789585200-1789588800@writer.org CATEGORIES:education DESCRIPTION:Meet Rita Bullwinkel\, instructor for our yearlong short story workshop\, and have all your questions about the program answered! The W riter’s Center staff will be on hand\, too\, to address any logistical q uestions. \nRegister below! \n\nAbout the Program\nApplication Deadline: O ctober 5\, 2026\nWorkshop Dates: Begins October 21\, meeting twice a month for ~10 months\nCost: $5\,400 | Members $5\,300 \nWrite new short stories with award-winning author and editor Rita Bullwinkel! \nIn this year-long short story intensive\, students will read and discuss the work of their peers\, and have the opportunity to submit four of their own short stories for group discussion. Students will also read the work of contemporary sh ort story writers alongside the work of their peers in order to identify h ow their own work\, and the work of their peers\, is situated within the c ontemporary literary landscape. \nFind the full details and apply here » LAST-MODIFIED:20260829T122751Z LOCATION:Zoom URL:https://writer.org/event/virtual-info-session-for-the-art-of-the-short -story-w-rita-bullwinkel/ X-SOURCE-NAME:The Writer's Center X-SOURCE-URL:https://writer.org/event/beth-konkoski END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Reading and Responding to Gertrude Stein’s Tender Buttons DTSTART:20260916T230000Z DTEND:20261001T003000Z DTSTAMP:20260830T002928Z UID:10005354-1789585200-1790800200@writer.org CATEGORIES:education,literary DESCRIPTION:Join the tribe that loves word play to explore Gertrude Stein ’s Tender Buttons.\n  \nWe will write response poems and learn from the strategies of this early Modernist poet who still intrigues well into the Post Modernism of today. Let’s investigate and play with Stein’s word s such as\, “The sudden spoon is the same in no size” or “grass gree diness” or “a white hunter is nearly crazy.” A copy of From the Bell y: Poets Respond to Gertrude Stein’s Tender Buttons will be included in this course offering. LAST-MODIFIED:20260830T002928Z LOCATION:The Writer’s Center\, 4508 Walsh Street\, Bethesda\, MD\, 20815 \, United States URL:https://writer.org/event/reading-and-responding-to-gertrude-steins-ten der-buttons/ X-SOURCE-NAME:The Writer's Center X-SOURCE-URL:https://writer.org/event/beth-konkoski END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The Art of Family Narrative DTSTART:20260916T230000Z DTEND:20261008T010000Z DTSTAMP:20260830T063027Z UID:10005353-1789585200-1791406800@writer.org CATEGORIES:education,literary DESCRIPTION:“The histories of families cannot be separated from the hist ories of nations\,” writes Susan Griffin at the beginning of a book that sets her family’s story into the context of the Second World War. Works hop participants will learn about different nonfiction forms that feature robust\, compelling family narratives. Each session will include writing p rompts and in-class time to respond to the prompts.By the end of the works hop\, participants will be able to identify and use narrative elements tha t render a story vivid\, concerned\, and fulfilled. LAST-MODIFIED:20260830T063027Z LOCATION:Zoom URL:https://writer.org/event/the-art-of-family-narrative/ X-SOURCE-NAME:The Writer's Center X-SOURCE-URL:https://writer.org/event/beth-konkoski END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:From Novice to Novelist DTSTART:20260916T230000Z DTEND:20260917T010000Z DTSTAMP:20260901T183255Z UID:10005352-1789585200-1792616400@writer.org CATEGORIES:literary DESCRIPTION:This workshop deconstructs and demystifies the novel-writing p rocess for struggling and/or aspiring writers. We’ll go all the way from getting the nub of an idea to getting your book into the hands of expecta nt fans. Along the way\, you’ll learn how to stay organized\, write in t he voice of other genders\, the art of rewriting\, and how to overcome you r writing and marketing fears. By the end of our time together\, you’ll be prepared to begin work on a novel and will be equipped with the skills to perfect it. The sessions will include time for writing and for being cr itiqued. LAST-MODIFIED:20260901T183255Z LOCATION:Zoom URL:https://writer.org/event/from-novice-to-novelist-4/ X-SOURCE-NAME:The Writer's Center X-SOURCE-URL:https://writer.org/event/beth-konkoski END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The Visual Language of Poetry DTSTART:20260917T220000Z DTEND:20260918T000000Z DTSTAMP:20260904T003051Z UID:10005338-1789668000-1789675200@writer.org CATEGORIES:literary DESCRIPTION:Delve into a poem’s visual language. Participants will learn techniques that poets use every day to form undeniably poignant work. Gen erative writing exercises and examples will encourage participants to view their writing in a new way. With multiple works written in-workshop\, pla ce your pieces in a small portfolio. This workshop emphasizes the poetic l ine and varying syntax. Participants will leave with more strategies to be gin a poem and vary their syntax. LAST-MODIFIED:20260904T003051Z LOCATION:The Writer’s Center\, 4508 Walsh Street\, Bethesda\, MD\, 20815 \, United States URL:https://writer.org/event/the-visual-language-of-poetry/ X-SOURCE-NAME:The Writer's Center X-SOURCE-URL:https://writer.org/event/beth-konkoski END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR