Westport Writers' Workshop

Summer 2018 Workshops start June 11

Our terrific 2017 Board (L-r: Linda Waterbury, Tom Fiffer, Exec. Director Valerie Ann Leff, Michelle Bradley, Blake Schnirring, Arthur Zinn)
We have lots of laughs here at Westport Writers' Workshop.
Our talented readers from the May 12 Reading & Celebration at 323. (Left to right: Jacque Masumian, Kristen Ball, Phoenix Glass-Destruge, James Chesbro, Liz Matthews.)
The standing-room-only crowd at our May 2017 reading.
WWW student extraordinaire Mike Belanger read from his debut novel, The History of Jane Doe, set to be published by Dial Press in 2018!
Fiction instructor/award-winning author Julie Sarkissian (far left, shown with WWW friends) read a short story during our April 2017 night out at 323.
Sonya Huber, award-winning activist, Fairfield U professor and WWW friend (right), chatted with our lovely student/outreach workshop leader Jen Sage-Robinson. Sonya read from her book of essays, Pain Woman Takes Your Keys.
Friends, faculty members, and students mingled at 323 restaurant and bar in April 2017 for a reading/celebratory night out.
New summer faculty member Liz Matthews (left) raises a toast with our big, break-out star Kristen Ball, who signed a book deal with Red Chair Press for her middle grade novel! Both Liz and Kristen studied with Allison Dickens.
Our Mini-Conference on Creative Writing and Social Justice, held in partnership with the Westport Library. Pictured (l-r): students Kathleen Sullivan and Mary Beth Hritz, Board Member/outreach leader Linda Waterbury, faculty member Julie Sarkissian and Executive Director Valerie Ann Leff. Student Adelma Gillespie in back.
Panelists Jen Sage-Robison, Kathy Satterfield and Susan Ross contributed to the thought-provoking dialog at our April Mini-conference.
Mini-conference panelists included outreach leaders and participants. WWW trains students and faculty members to lead free workshops of their own.
Our Mini-conference included a sample prompt to model the workshop approach.
Fiction instructor Liz Matthews, panelist Doug Moser (both on the right), joined by screenwriting student Dr. Tammy Nelson and Doug's husband, Andrew Rubenoff at our Mini-conference.
Instructor Christine Pakkala reads from the fourth book of her Lola series at Barnes and Noble
WWW Executive Director, Valerie Ann Leff, thanking the crowd of over 80 supporters at our 2016 Inaugural Benefit Bash
WWW Board Chairman Arthur and Martha Zinn, Chris Belden and Melissa De Meo at the Inaugural Benefit Bash 2016
Board Member Blake Schnirring, Board Member Michelle Bradley, Michelle Ames and Maria Rivera at the Inaugural Benefit Bash 2016
Linda Waterbury, our Hostess (in pink), Maureen Judge and Christine Pakkala at the Inaugural Benefit Bash 2016
WWW faculty member and workshop participant Susan Ross at her Author's Visit to the awesome Sixth Grade at Park City Magnet School in Bridgeport.
Our November 2016 night out at Sugar + Olives in Norwalk. We celebrated our team of outreach volunteers and heard many fantastic readings.
Attendees of our November Sugar + Olives event, listening to a poignant reading.
Jen Sage-Robison, Sam Pattinson and Jessie Noyes McEntee reading their poetry at the Westport Art's Center

2018 Workshop Sessions
Winter: January 8 to March 9
Summer: June 11 to July 27

The Westport Writers’ Workshop is a non profit, independent literary arts center that offers high quality creative writing classes, community events and outreach to underserved and special populations.

“Whether your purpose for writing is artistic expression, communication with friends and family, the healing of the inner life, or achieving public recognition for your art — the foundation is the same: the claiming of yourself as an artist/writer and the strengthening of your writing voice through practice, study, and helpful response from other writers.” ~ Pat Schneider, author of Writing Alone and With Others

Welcome Writers!

At Westport Writers’ Workshop we feel every person is a writer. Here, you will find a safe environment in which to experiment and develop craft. Each limited enrollment workshop focuses on a particular genre or approach allowing participants to learn from our highly talented and accomplished instructors and from each other in a supportive, friendly atmosphere.

Founded in 2003, Westport Writers’ Workshop has grown into a thriving non-profit independent literary center. We offer generative workshops, manuscript workshops, one day seminars and individual coaching and editing. We also provide scholarships to writers, facilitate community outreach programs, and host public readings and events in Fairfield County.

Westport Writers’ Workshop offers over 75 workshops and seminars a year for all genres and skill levels. Whether you are a novice, published or simply curious, you will find a workshop and a community of writers to help you claim yourself as a writer and strengthen your writing voice.