wVw offers a variety of opportunities for writers, or individuals who wish to develop a writing practice, to write in community with others. 

Weekly Workshop Meetings (New Paltz Only)

Write Saturdays

Host a Write Saturday

Individual Conferences

Retreats

Weekly workshop meetings are eight to ten week series. We follow the practice described in The Workshop.

We write in workshop and writers are encouraged to submit manuscripts to workshop.

One weekly series occurs Sunday afternoons, 4 - 7 PM, and the other takes place Thursday evenings, 7 - 10 PM. Six weekly workshop meeting series are offered in a calendar year: Fall, Winter and Spring.

Maximum number of writers is 8 for each workshop meeting series.

Writers gain the most benefit from workshops when they attend regularly. Writing improves by writing frequently. Many writers value participating in a workshop as a part of their writing practice.

If you can only attend sporadically, you are advised to delay enrollment until such time as you can attend regularly.

Cost: $75 deposit by registration deadline to reserve your seat. $150 single payment at first workshop meeting, or $20/workshop meeting. Writers are responsible for the cost all 8 or 10 workshop meetings.

Write Saturday is a full day of inspired writing.

We follow the writing practice described in The Workshop.

The full day gives writers extended writing and response times. A Write Saturday is a great way to experience for the first time a wVw workshop. If your hectic and busy schedule prevents you from committing to weekly workshop meetings, the Write Saturday is a great alternate way to commit to your writing practice.

Write Saturdays are hosted by individuals or groups. I will travel to the location and lead the community of writers.

Write Saturdays may be designed to meet specific writing needs, such as: a particular genre, eg. poetry, memoir, fiction; or a theme, eg. women's issues, religious or spiritual practice.

Cost: $30 deposit to reserve seat and $45 balance due on or before date of Write Satuday. For wVw writers currently enrolled in a workshop, $30 deposit and $30 balance due on or before date of Write Saturday.

Individuals or groups are welcome to host a Write Saturday.

Host a Write Saturday:

1. pay no registration fee if a single host or one member of a group (wVw will also negotiate group rates)
2. provide a suitable location for 6 - 8 writers to meet and write comfortably
3. provide a continental breakfast and afternoon snack
4. provide facilities for writers to eat individual lunches or share in a communal "pot luck" lunch
5. invite friends and fellow writers to register for Write Saturday
6. receive 10% of registration fees

I have identified summer dates when I am available to lead Write Saturdays: June 30, July 28, August 25, and September 29 (booked - Dutcchess County area).

I am open to negotiating other dates, as well as locations outside the Hudson Valley region.

For writers who seek time away from life’s intrusions to pursue their passion and art, wVw offers a weekend devoted to new writing. Writers are given sufficient time to remember and imagine stories fully. We write together as a community of writers who encourage one another while providing honest critical response.

The extended writing time of a retreat allows writers to explore subject matter and content deeply, to move beyond first thoughts. We strive to find within ourselves the dreaming place described by Pat Schneider, Writing Alone and with Others, where the unconsious is engaged and writing is without effort.

A writing retreat also gives us time for discussion of writing practice and craft, and private consultations or manuscript reviews, if desired.

Writing sessions are combined with time for relaxation and reflection, and good food and conversation with fellow-writers.

Submit a Manuscript

Revision is a matter of choice. So don’t resist it or resent it, and don’t misunderstand its importance. All writing is re-writing. As a writer, you have the opportunity and the duty to rework your story to find the best word you can, the precise phrase . . . .
                    John Dufresne

Writers are encouraged to submit manuscripts once during each 8 – 10 weekly workshop meeting series. This is not a requirement of workshop, but many writers appreciate the opportunity.

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