Memoir, Playwriting, Flash Fiction—Westport Writers Workshop’s Fall Programs are Open for Registration

Area writers and are invited to register for Westport Writers Workshop Fall session.

WESTPORT, CT—Westport Writers Workshop is excited to introduce their fall second session of classes with registration now open for in-person and online courses. In his book on writing, “From Where You Dream,” Robert Olin Butler advises forcing yourself to become a morning person. “If you arrange your life so that you can spend two hours writing—or an hour, given the exigencies of some working lives, but ideally two hours—you make that time sacrosanct at the beginning of the day.” In the “Early Morning Accountability” class taught by Amanda Parrish Morgan, the instructor leads participants to be accountable and consistent with their work in a community-focused environment.

Jessie McEntee wants students to know that “no one writes alone!”

“In my class, I seek to create a nurturing, collaborative atmosphere,” Mentee said. “Each week, you’ll share a brief excerpt of up to five double-spaced pages from an ongoing project — a novel or short story — and I’ll lead a constructive discussion of the manuscript, highlighting its positive aspects and suggesting ways to improve it.”

McEntee cut her teeth as an editor at John Wiley & Sons and has provided ghostwriting and independent editorial services for clients in New York and Connecticut. A magna cum laude graduate of Amherst College, she’s the author of four novels. Her debut poetry chapbook was published by Finishing Line Press in 2019, and she was appointed Westport’s Poet Laureate in 2022.

In her memoir writing class, Julie Sarkissian said they only offer positive feedback. No constructive criticism, no ideas of how to “improve.” Feel the Force feedback focuses on what is working, positive and resonates in the piece. In this class, they support, protect and promote positive validation above any other means of improvement.

Other fall session class offerings are listed below.

FALL II SESSION WRITING WORKSHOPS: Registration now open!

6-week workshops begin the week of Oct. 31st

—Early Morning Accountability

—Introduction/Intermediate Fiction

—Introduction/Advanced Fiction – in person

—Advanced Fiction
—Science Fiction & Fantasy
—Introduction to Novel Writing
—Crafting A Character
—Start Your Historical Novel
—Writing Commercial and Upmarket Fiction
—Building Your Story Through Prompts
—Workshop for Moms of Children with Special Needs – FREE!

—Playwriting for Everyone
—Writing Books for Kids
—Flash Fiction
—How to Create Compelling Scenes
—Tap Into Your Creative Mind
—Copyediting
—Introduction to Oral History for Writers – in person

—Poetry Writing
—Writing From Your Life, Writing with Intention

—Writing About Your Life: Memoir – Beg/Int
—Feel the Force: Memoir for Women – in person

For more information and to register for classes, visit Westporwriters.org. 

About Westport Writers Workshop: Since 2003, the Westport Writers’ Workshop has been offering workshops for every level of writer, from novice to published! Our instructors offer friendly, supportive writing workshops designed to encourage, inspire, and spark your imagination. With over 100 workshops a year to choose from, we welcome writers of all skill levels and genres. Our workshops are designed to suit your schedule, with options in the morning, afternoons, and evenings. We also host several Saturday-only workshops and one-week writing-intensive programs throughout the year. You can learn more about our workshops by visiting our WORKSHOP page. 

Let Westport Writers’ Workshop help you discover and develop your own unique writing talent and voice. 

Our Philosophy: You can expect a supportive group led by an experienced instructor. You’ll write, read, and learn from each other. Focus is always on the quality of the writing – not on the subject matter. Writing begets writing. The more you commit to your writing, to showing up for your writing group, the more you will write. By joining a community of writers, you will become a stronger writer and influence others to refine their craft. Our philosophy and practices are inspired by Amherst Writers & Artists and Pat Schneider’s book, Writing Alone and With Others. 

Our Mission: The Westport Writers’ Workshop is an independent literary arts center offering enriching, supportive creative writing classes, as well as literary readings to the local public. Our organization also provides free writing workshops to underserved populations in their own communities. 

Our History: In 2003, Jessica Bram founded Westport Writers’ Workshop. In 2010, Jessica moved the workshops into the second floor of the historic building on 3 Sylvan Rd. South in Westport. In 2013, Valerie Leff bought WWW and became the Director. In 2014, Valerie created a Board of Directors and transformed the business into a nonprofit with a mission to offer enriching, supportive creative writing classes, as well as literary readings to the local public, and free writing workshops to underserved populations in their own communities. 

​In 2018, Michelle Bradley came on board as the Executive Director, and in summer 2019 when Michelle’s family was transferred to Chicago, Liz Matthews took over as the Director. In March of 2020 with the onset of COVID-19, the workshops transitioned to the Zoom platform and were offered remotely. The organization grew to include writers and instructors outside of our immediate community. 

In 2022, Westport Writers Workshop appointed a new Executive Director, Patricia Dunn, an award-winning writer.  westportwriters.org 

Westport Writers’ Workshop 25 Sylvan Road South, Suite J, Westport CT.