Offering enriching, supportive creative writing classes, as well as free literary readings to the public. Our organization also provides free writing workshops to underserved populations within our community and beyond.
You can expect a small, supportive workshop led by an inspiring, experienced instructor. Our workshops consist of no more than seven writers, and each of our instructors has an MFA and/or published works. You’ll write, read, and learn from each other. Our focus is always on the quality of the writing – not on the subject matter. By joining a community of writers, you will become a stronger writer while supportively influencing others to refine their craft.
Westport, CT, along the scenic Saugatuck River, has long been a creative sanctuary for writers. For over 125 years, Westport has been home to a rich cultural legacy that began in 1910 when F. Scott Fitzgerald discovered the town and found inspiration for The Great Gatsby. Westport’s artistic community has flourished since then, drawing writers, musicians, and artists from around the world. Legendary figures such as Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, who called Westport home, helped support the local arts scene, while musicians like Keith Richards and Nile Rodgers, and writers including Shirley Jackson, Robert Ludlum, and Shonda Rhimes, further enriched the town’s creative landscape.
For the past 20 years, the Westport Writers' Workshop has served as a beacon for the literary arts community.
Our mission is to nurture, support, and connect writers at all stages of their creative journey. We offer a welcoming environment for writers to learn, draft, revise, and ultimately publish their work, continuing Westport's proud tradition as a hub of artistic expression.
Begin by reading the course descriptions carefully. If you have questions, email us at [email protected] or call the office at (203) 227-3250, and we are happy to help place you in the class that best fits your writing goals and needs.
Our beginner/introductory classes are for writers just starting out or who haven’t written in a very long time and crave more instruction. The intermediate classes are for writers who have taken a few workshops either with us or elsewhere and are ideal for writers who’ve already developed a foundation in the craft. Our advanced classes require the permission of the instructor and a short manuscript submission. Please contact the office if you are interested in registering for advanced classes.
We also offer a number of open level classes. Instructors will cater these classes to varying skill levels and students will benefit from working with writers at different stages of the process.
At Westport Writers’ Workshop, we believe creativity is fostered in small classes. To maintain this intimate creative environment, we cap each workshop at seven participants. Our workshops that focus on the business and marketing side of writing and do not involve sharing work may include up to ten participants. Our one-time lectures and Intro. to Craft series may include up to fifty students.
In most workshops, writers read their work aloud, followed by feedback and extensive discussion among workshop participants and the instructor. The exception to this is specific offerings that focus on the business and marketing side of writing or craft lectures.
You can expect to share work every week.
We are pleased to provide a limited number of need-based partial scholarships for our classes. To apply, please visit our SCHOLARSHIPS page and submit the form.
Yes, all of our instructors are available for coaching and editing. Visit our Coaching and Editing page to learn more about our large menu of services, from query letters to full manuscript critiques and everything in between. Instructors are also available for multi-week, one-on-one Mentoring .
Students who withdraw more than two weeks prior to the start date of the workshop are eligible to receive a refund or a credit applicable toward a future workshop. No refunds will be issued for withdrawals made within two weeks of the workshop start date or after the first session has occurred, regardless of attendance. Failure to attend a workshop does not constitute an official withdrawal. In the event that Westport Writers’ Workshop or an instructor cancels a session, a makeup will be scheduled; if a makeup session cannot be arranged, a pro-rated refund will be issued. Credits issued in lieu of a refund will remain valid for one year from the original date of purchase. Westport Writers’ Workshop reserves the right to remove any participant who fails to comply with the organization’s code of conduct; in such cases, no refund or credit will be provided.
Students who withdraw more than two weeks prior to the start date of the workshop are eligible to receive a refund or a credit applicable toward a future workshop. No refunds will be issued for withdrawals made within two weeks of the workshop start date or after the first session has occurred, regardless of attendance. Failure to attend a workshop does not constitute an official withdrawal. In the event that Westport Writers’ Workshop or an instructor cancels a session, a makeup will be scheduled; if a makeup session cannot be arranged, a pro-rated refund will be issued. Credits issued in lieu of a refund will remain valid for one year from the original date of purchase. Westport Writers’ Workshop reserves the right to remove any participant who fails to comply with the organization’s code of conduct; in such cases, no refund or credit will be provided.
Our workshop fosters an environment where writers can achieve their artistic goals without fear of unwanted exposure, uninvited criticism, or plagiarism. Students may not discuss or provide information about another writer's work to anyone outside the workshop without the writer's express permission.
Students are expected to be respectful at all times toward instructors and fellow participants, including, but not limited to, being attentive and courteous. Instructors and Westport Writers’ Workshop reserve the right to remove any student who is disruptive, including instances of belligerence, unwelcome contact either in person or via email/phone, inebriation, or other behavior deemed inappropriate by staff.
There are no refunds if a student cannot attend a regularly scheduled class or make-up class. Out of respect for our students’ privacy, weekly workshops are not recorded and are not available for absent students to review.
Our workshops are a forum for students to share a broad range of life experiences and creative concepts which may include mature topics. All students attending our standard programming must be a minimum of 18 years of age. Younger students may join our specialized teen and youth programming.
Workshop meeting dates are listed on our website under each specific course. Occasionally, dates may change due to extenuating circumstances. In the event of an unforeseen cancellation, a makeup class will be scheduled. If a makeup cannot be offered, the workshop fee will be prorated to reflect the reduced number of sessions. Westport Writers’ Workshop observes holidays and breaks in alignment with the Westport Public School calendar.
