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.
Begin by reading the course descriptions carefully. If you have questions, email us at exec@westportwriters.org 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 EDITING & COACHING 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 withdrawing more than three weeks before the first workshop will receive a refund or full credit toward a future workshop. No refund will be given for students withdrawing less than three weeks prior to the start of the workshop regardless of whether the student attended the workshop.
