WriterHouse upcoming events

New Section–All in One: A creative writing class for moms* (Helen Chandler) (April 02, 2026)

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Description:

This class will meet online for eight sessions on Thursdays, from 12 PM to 1:30 PM, starting April 2nd.

This class is aimed at writers across all genres and in all stages of motherhood. Whether you are in the thick of raising small children or yours have flown the nest, you have probably felt, at some point, a tension between your two identities: writer and mother. Maybe you’re feeling depleted by the demands of caregiving and can’t make time for creativity. Or perhaps you’re feeling inspired by the highs and lows of motherhood and would like to explore that through writing.

Each week for eight weeks, we will meet for 90 minutes – we’ll discuss a short piece of writing, sometimes touching on themes of motherhood and caregiving, and sometimes not, after which I'll offer generative writing prompts. In the second half of the course, writers will have an opportunity to workshop a story, essay, or other piece of their choice with the group. By the end of the course, you will have generated many new ideas and be on your way toward a finished draft of a longer piece. With luck, you'll also find that you feel part of a supportive and warm community of other mother artists.

In order to make this class as accessible to parents as possible, it will take place online over Zoom.

*All who identify as mothers are welcome.

About the Instructor:

Helen Chandler is a writer from Ireland living in Charlottesville. She holds an MFA from the University of Virginia, where she taught fiction for two years and edited Meridian magazine. She is the author of the monthly newsletter Old Diaries, and her stories, essays, reviews and interviews have appeared in The Dublin Review, The Stinging Fly, LitHub, Tammy, Passages North, and Meridian. She is at work on a nonfiction book about aunts.

Personal Essays (Sharon Harrigan) (May 07, 2026)

Thu, 07 May 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Description:

This class will meet in person at WriterHouse for 8 sessions on Thursdays, 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM, from March 26 to May 14.

In this class, you will learn about the wide variety of personal essays published in literary journals, arts and culture magazines, consumer magazines, and newspapers. We will look at examples of personal essays that read like mini memoirs, those that include a more journalistic or research-based approach, and those that feature a little of each. Every class will be divided into three parts: For the first hour, we will discuss a published essay; the second hour will be devoted to in-class writing; and the third hour will be reserved for workshopping. You don’t need to have written a personal essay before the first class. Those who would like feedback on longer essays can make special arrangements with the instructor.

About the Instructor:

Sharon Harrigan is the author of the debut novel Half, which was published in summer 2020, and the memoir Playing with Dynamite, published in 2017. She has an MFA in Creative Writing from Pacific University and has published more than 50 personal essays, short stories, and reviews in such venues as Virginia Quarterly Review, New York Times (Modern Love), and Narrative. A starred Booklist review called Half “suspenseful, lyrical, and consuming,” and Publishers’ Weekly called the novel “riveting and inventive.”

Sharon’s current and former students have published their work in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Huffington Post, The Rumpus, NPR, Gravel, The Guardian, Gettysburg Review, Bay Journal, The Sow’s Ear Poetry Review, Living Lutheran Magazine, Mothers Always Write, Fluvanna Review, Charlottesville Family, The Ethos Collection, and , among others.

Writing the Unseen: Metaphor, States of Mind, and Emotion (Andi Cumbo) (May 09, 2026)

Sat, 09 May 2026 13:30:00 GMT

This seminar will meet in person at WriterHouse for one session on Saturday, May 9 from 9:30 AM-12:30 PM.

Description:

How do you show anxiety without saying "she was anxious"? Move beyond the cliché of the racing heart. This seminar explores how to translate abstract internal states—like shame, fear, or joy—into tangible imagery. Learn to use metaphor and sensory detail to make the unseen unforgettably visible.

About the Instructor:

Andi Cumbo is a former creative writing professor, a professional editor, and a publisher who is the author of over 30 books that each incorporate real-life places, people, and events in their pages. She writes cozy mysteries, romantic comedies, YA fantasy, and creative nonfiction and holds and MFA in Creative Nonfiction from Antioch University. She has taught at Santa Clara University, Stevenson University, and George Mason University. When she’s not writing, she and her young son name his toys odd things like “Blech-agh-bah” and try to figure out Lego Fortnite together. She lives in Charlottesville.

"To Get the News From Poems": Poetry in Response to Current Events (Margaret Mackinnon) (May 09, 2026)

Sat, 09 May 2026 17:00:00 GMT

This seminar will meet in person at WriterHouse for one session on Saturday, May 9 from 1:00 to 5:00 PM.

Description:

In “Asphodel, That Greeny Flower,” William Carlos Williams wrote, “It is difficult/ to get the news from poems/ yet men die miserably every/ day/ for lack/ of what is found there.” Though poetry might not be where one looks for the news, many contemporary poets use what is happening around us as inspiration and impetus for their writing. In this one-day seminar, we will look at how poems can address the issues and events of our time. Though the focus of the class will be on work shared by seminar members, we will also discuss poems by other writers. We’ll use the term “current events” rather broadly, including poems that address national and international events from recent decades.

About the Instructor:

Margaret Mackinnon is the author of two collections of poetry, The Invented Child (Silverfish Review Press 2013), winner of the 2014 Literary Award in Poetry from the Library of Virginia, and Afternoon in Cartago (Ashland Poetry Press 2022), winner of the Richard Snyder Memorial Publication Prize. Her work has appeared in The Hampden-Sydney Poetry Review, Image, Poetry, Blackbird, and other journals. She attended Vassar College and the University of North Carolina, and she received her MFA in poetry from the University of Florida. She lives with her family in Richmond.

Start Writing Now: A Fiction Workshop (Tina Tocco) (May 11, 2026)

Mon, 11 May 2026 17:00:00 GMT

This class will meet online via Zoom for 8 sessions on Mondays from 1:00-3:30 PM, March 23 through May 11.

Description:

Have you always wanted to try your hand at fiction writing, but never took the leap? Maybe you’ve put down your pen for a while and need a jumpstart. Come experiment in this low-stress, generative class! If you’re thinking, “But I don’t have any ideas,” don’t worry! We’ll use fun prompts — music, sounds, images, objects, etc. — to kindle your imagination. Expect to write to at least one prompt in every class and to comment on your classmates’ pieces. Since this workshop is generative, we’ll stick to positive feedback and optional sharing to keep everyone’s experience relaxed and fun. You’ll walk away each week with at least one new piece of writing and the tools to continue on this path. In addition, you’ll receive (completely optional) take-home exercises to keep you writing during the week, PDFs of all in-class prompts, and other resources to help you with your writing. Who knows? You might even start some pieces you’d like to turn into something more!

NOTE: Returning students are welcome, as there will be new material used in this class.

About the Instructor:

Tina Tocco is a Pushcart Prize nominee. Her work has appeared in New Ohio Review, River Styx, Crab Creek Review, Roanoke Review, Hobart, Passages North, Potomac Review, Portland Review, Harpur Palate, and Italian Americana, among others. Tina’s writing has also been featured in various anthologies, including The Best Small Fictions 2019 (Sonder Press, 2019), Best Nonfiction Food (Woodhall Press, 2020), and The Haunted States of America (SCBWI-Henry Holt, 2024). A recipient of multiple awards, Tina was a finalist in CALYX’s Flash Fiction Contest and longlisted in The SmokeLong Quarterly Grand Micro Competition. She earned her MFA in creative writing from Manhattanville University, where she was editor-in-chief of Inkwell, the university’s national literary journal.

Writing the Hardest Part: How Writers Bring Difficult Experience to the Page* (Erin James) (May 12, 2026)

Tue, 12 May 2026 13:30:00 GMT

This class will meet in person at WriterHouse for 8 sessions on Tuesdays from 9:30-11:30 AM, March 24 through May 12.

Description:

“Let’s face it. We’re undone by each other. And if we’re not, we’re missing something.” Judith Butler, Precarious Life

Much has been written about the self-care that writers must practice if engaged in the art of transforming our most painful and difficult moments into story. This class will leave that up to our therapists, and focus instead on the justifications for doing so, and how to care for those on the receiving end of our stories.

Rooted in Maggie Nelson’s theory of art as “a place where all elements—even extremities—of what it feels like to be human can be heard and find place,” we will explore the techniques used by various nonfiction writers to handle difficult content, and build a craft archive of trauma.

We will explore the creative struggles of other writers and draw inspiration from what helped them put words to their experience. We will hold space for our own anxieties about writing the hardest part and engage in craft exercises meant to help us do so with care for and awareness of the self and the other. Writing will be generative, sharing will be optional, and a variety of prompts will be offered each week. Participants will leave with a framework for bringing their difficult experiences to the page.

*Those who have taken this course before are welcome, as some readings and materials will be different.

About the Instructor:

Erin has taught English and Creative Writing for over a decade and received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University in 2024.

In addition to working with students at WriterHouse for the past ten years, she has been a judge for the Writer‘s Eye Creative Writing Contest hosted by the University of Virginia’s Fralin Museum of Art. She has also been a student and teacher-counselor at UVA’s Young Writers Workshop. She has attended two week-long workshops for Teachers as Writers at Bard College’s Institute for Writing and Thinking in 2014 and 2016 and received an author fellowship to attend the Martha’s Vineyard Institute for Creative Writing in 2021. Before she began teaching, she studied Journalism and English at New York University and received her undergraduate degree in English from the University of Virginia. In addition to writing, Erin loves reading, hiking, practicing and teaching yoga, cooking, being outside, traveling, and spending time with her sons Noah and Jacob, and friends.

Writing Memoir (Brendan Wolfe) (May 12, 2026)

Tue, 12 May 2026 17:00:00 GMT

This class will meet in person at WriterHouse for 8 sessions on Tuesdays from 1:00 PM-3:30 PM, April 7 through May 26th.

Description:

Are you working on a memoir project? Whether you’re writing a single, book-length narrative or an essay or essays, this class will help make it sing. We’ll read published authors and talk about genre, voice, story construction, research, and truth and accuracy. We’ll discuss what it takes to be a good reader and why that matters. And, of course, we’ll workshop our own writing.

About the Instructor:

Brendan Wolfe is a professional genealogist and the author of three books, including Finding Bix: The Life and Afterlife of a Jazz Legend and Wolfe’s History. His personal essays and reviews have been published in Colorado Review, The Morning News, VQR, and Mud Season Review, among others. For twelve years Wolfe edited Encyclopedia Virginia, and has written numerous historical essays, including “The Train at Wood’s Crossing.” Honored as the best historical narrative of 2019 by Bunk magazine, it is included in Lynching in Virginia: Racial Terror and Its Legacy, edited by Gianluca De Fazio and published by the University of Virginia Press in August. Wolfe lives in Charlottesville with his daughter, Beatrix.

Evening Poetry (John Most) (May 12, 2026)

Tue, 12 May 2026 22:30:00 GMT

Description:

This class will meet in person at WriterHouse for 8 sessions on Tuesdays from 6:30 PM-9:00 PM, March 24 through May 12.

In this class, which is open to all poets, we will spend most of our time writing and workshopping new poems. In addition to writing new poems, we will look at what different poets do in addition to writing the poem, whether it is writing about poetry, taking notes, thinking, researching, or reading.

About the Instructor:

John Most earned his PhD in media philosophy from the European Graduate School. His work has appeared in Jacket, Lungfull!, The Continental Review, Coconut, and Big Bridge. He is the author of Persephone, Atelier, and Field.

All in One: A creative writing class for moms* (Helen Chandler) (May 13, 2026)

Wed, 13 May 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Description:

This class will meet online for eight sessions on Wednesdays, from 12 PM to 1:30 PM, starting March 25.

In order to make this class as accessible to parents as possible, it will take place online over Zoom.

*All who identify as mothers are welcome.

About the Instructor:

Personal Essays (Sharon Harrigan) (May 14, 2026)

Thu, 14 May 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Description:

This class will meet in person at WriterHouse for 8 sessions on Thursdays, 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM, from March 26 to May 14.

About the Instructor:

Writing Memoir (Brendan Wolfe) (May 19, 2026)

Tue, 19 May 2026 17:00:00 GMT

This class will meet in person at WriterHouse for 8 sessions on Tuesdays from 1:00 PM-3:30 PM, April 7 through May 26th.

Description:

About the Instructor:

Writing Memoir (Brendan Wolfe) (May 26, 2026)

Tue, 26 May 2026 17:00:00 GMT

This class will meet in person at WriterHouse for 8 sessions on Tuesdays from 1:00 PM-3:30 PM, April 7 through May 26th.

Description:

About the Instructor:

Start Writing Now: A Fiction Workshop (Tina Tocco) (June 01, 2026)

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 17:00:00 GMT

This class will meet online via Zoom for 6 sessions on Mondays from 1:00-3:30 PM, June 1 through July 6.

Description:

NOTE: Returning students are welcome, as there will be new material used in this class.

About the Instructor:

Get Out of “Show, Don’t Tell” Hell (June 02, 2026)

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 18:00:00 GMT

This class will meet on Tuesdays from 2:00-4:00 p.m. on Zoom for 4 sessions: June 2, June 9, June 23, and June 30. Note: no class June 16.

Description:

We’ve all heard the writing adage “Show, don’t tell,” yet the difference between the two can stump even experienced writers. Also, sometimes it’s more appropriate to tell something instead of showing it, and we can write ourselves into corners adhering to the letter of the adage rather than its spirit. Join this class to gain confidence in knowing when to show and when to tell.

This four-week Zoom class will start with the instructor providing live review of participants’ material, indicating shown and told portions and sharing guidance for revision. The following two sessions will dig deep into which occasions to show or tell as well as methods for doing both effectively. The final session will include a live review of participants’ new or revised material to highlight what they’ve learned and point out additional opportunities to refine their skills. We’ll also have ample time for questions.

This class is a good fit for fiction and creative nonfiction writers. Some techniques will lend themselves more easily to writing fiction due to the greater creative license available to those writing purely fictional people/events.

About the Instructor:

Kristie Smeltzer's fiction has been published by Scribes*MICRO*Fiction, MonkeyBicycle, Atticus Review, and others. She is currently working on several novels. She earned her MFA in creative writing at the University of Central Florida. Kristie has taught at WriterHouse since 2016, and her students have gone on to publish their work in literary magazines, with small presses, and through large publishing houses. She also helps others tell their stories as a developmental editor and writing coach. Learn more at www.kristiesmeltzer.com.

12 Techniques to Improve Your Dialogue (Kristie Smeltzer) (June 02, 2026)

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT

This class will meet from 6:00-8:00 PM Eastern Time on Zoom for 4 weeks: Tuesdays, June 2, June 9, June 23, and June 30. Note: No class June 16.

Description:

Dialogue is an exceptionally useful tool to develop characters. People’s words show us what’s in their heads and hearts and articulate their perspectives on the world. A unique perspective is often what draws us to a character, whether we like them or not. We often hear that we need to cultivate our ear for dialogue but sometimes what we really need are practical methods for how to improve our skills. If that resonates, join us to learn twelve specific dialogue techniques to develop characters that you can use in your writing practice right away.

This four-week Zoom class will cover three character developing dialogue techniques per class session, and participants will apply them to their work in real time. Each session will have a theme, such as “How Emotion Influences Speech.” We’ll discuss specific techniques that convey character emotion information in authentic and engaging ways—that sidestep the dreaded monologue. Then participants will revise previously drafted work or write new conversations to practice implementing the skills.

About the Instructor:

Cause and Effect: How Causality Drives Fiction (June 06, 2026)

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

This seminar will meet in person at WriterHouse on Saturday, June 6 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM with an hour break for participants to eat lunch and complete activities.

Description:

The difference between a series of events and a plot is causality. “The queen died, and the king died” is a series of events. “The queen died, then the king died of grief” is a plot. Both plot-driven and character-driven fiction grab readers with compelling plots, and causality is the key to achieving one.

In this seminar, we’ll analyze how causality drives the plot in two published stories. Next, we’ll discuss tips and tricks for conceptualizing and including stronger causality in our own stories. The seminar includes an hour-long break during which participants may eat lunch and complete activities to apply learnings. After the break, we’ll review the activities and address questions. Finally, participants will chart out plans for revision of a story of their own to ensure causality is in the driver’s seat.

About the Instructor:

Kristie Smeltzer's fiction has been published by Scribes*MICRO*Fiction, MonkeyBicycle, Atticus Review, and others. She is currently working on several novels. She earned her MFA in creative writing at the University of Central Florida. Kristie has taught at WriterHouse since 2016, and her students have gone on to publish their work in literary magazines, with small presses, and through large publishing houses. She also helps others tell their stories as a developmental editor and writing coach. Learn more at www.kristiesmeltzer.com.

Advanced Fiction (Jay Kauffmann) (June 16, 2026)

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT

This class will meet in person at WriterHouse for 6 sessions on Tuesdays from 6:00 PM-8:30 PM, June 16 through July 21.

Sample pages for instructor review required by June 9, 2026.

Description:

This advanced workshop will explore the essential elements of fiction writing, such as sensory imagery, metaphoric language, distinctive voice, sophisticated prose, and dramatic arc. Participants will discuss stories and novel excerpts submitted to the group. In addition, there will be readings and in-class exercises that address pertinent craft issues. But perhaps the most crucial element of the workshop will be the emphasis on confronting some poignant, central theme in your life as an artist and how that impacts your writing. The point of this course is not simply to be proficient but to produce something genuine and important. Students interested in this class are asked to submit 2-3 pages of their work to the instructor for review prior to admission. Submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis and are due no later than June 9, 2026. Email submissions to programs@writerhouse.org.

About the Instructor:

Jay Kauffmann is a former international model, travel writer, and award-winning poet. He attended Brandeis, U.C./Berkeley, and Oxford, and holds an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts. He has taught at Randolph College and the University of Virginia, and is currently English Chair at the Miller School of Albemarle. Author of The Mexican Messiah: A Novella and Stories (Cornerstone Press), he was runner-up for the Leapfrog Global Fiction Prize and nominated for The Story Prize, a Pushcart Prize, and named among the Best New American Voices. His work has appeared in CutBank, Hunger Mountain Review, Prime Number, The Writer’s Chronicle, upstreet, Mid-American Review, and other journals and anthologies.

The First Twenty-Five: Getting the Start of Your Novel Ready (June 20, 2026)

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

This seminar will meet via Zoom on Saturday, June 20 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Pages are due to instructor by June 6.

Description:

For the purposes of landing agents, enticing publishers, and hooking readers, the first twenty-five pages of your novel are the most vital. They are the first impression a reader will have of what story they are in for and whether or not they are in good hands with the storyteller. In this workshop, authors will submit roughly the first twenty-five pages of their manuscript (up to 7000 words) to be read by the class and workshopped two weeks later. Each class will be limited to five students and the instructor, and each piece will get workshopped during the class, discussing the positives of each piece (what makes the class want to keep reading) and the places where the pieces still need work. Authors will ideally gain new perspectives on the many different ways one can start a novel, how to create a compelling perspective, start building a world, and draw in readers.

About the Instructor:

Randall Klein worked in publishing for a decade, starting at the literary agency Trident Media Group, then as an editor, first within the Random House Publishing Group, then for Diversion Books, where he acquired and edited over one hundred books across all genres. He is also the author of the novel Little Disasters, published in May of 2018 by Viking Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House. He has been teaching at Writer House for over six years.

Romance 101 (June 27, 2026)

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 17:00:00 GMT

This seminar will meet online on June 27 from 1:00-4:00 PM

Description:

Love is in the air, and in a LOT of fiction. Romance novels draw droves of passionate fans to the genre, and these readers have some specific tropes and norms they care about. Romantic subplots are the most common type of subplot across genres such as fantasy, thriller, literary fiction–you name it.

Join this seminar to get the basics of how to write romance effectively. We’ll cover common tropes, reader expectations, spice levels, handling consent, and developing romantic tension.

About the Instructor:

Write On! Summer Camp for Middle Grade Writers 2026 (June 29, 2026)

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Who: Rising 6th to Rising 8th Grade Students
When: June 29 — July 3, 2026
Time: 11 AM to 3 PM
Where: WriterHouse classroom and community field trips

Early Registration ends March 31!

Unleash your creativity in this week-long writing workshop! You will have the freedom to write what you want (fiction, non-fiction, poetry, songs!) while also learning specific tools and techniques that are crucial to all types of writing. We will explore and discuss a variety of writing across genres, and use prompts and exercises to help you dive into your writing. We will also engage in activities around town to spark inspiration and creativity. Throughout the week you will have the opportunity to share ideas, work on something new or a work-in-progress, get feedback, and refine your work. Join us on this writing adventure! Note: returning campers are welcome!

Register online or send a check to WriterHouse, PO Box 222, Charlottesville, VA. Please complete and return the permission slip as campers will not be able to participate without it.

About the Instructor:

Erin has taught English and Creative Writing for over a decade and received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University in 2024.

Write On! Summer Camp for Middle Grade Writers 2026 (June 30, 2026)

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Who: Rising 6th to Rising 8th Grade Students
When: June 29 — July 3, 2026
Time: 11 AM to 3 PM
Where: WriterHouse classroom and community field trips

Early Registration ends March 31!

Register online or send a check to WriterHouse, PO Box 222, Charlottesville, VA. Please complete and return the permission slip as campers will not be able to participate without it.

About the Instructor:

Erin has taught English and Creative Writing for over a decade and received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University in 2024.

Write On! Summer Camp for Middle Grade Writers 2026 (July 01, 2026)

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Who: Rising 6th to Rising 8th Grade Students
When: June 29 — July 3, 2026
Time: 11 AM to 3 PM
Where: WriterHouse classroom and community field trips

Early Registration ends March 31!

Register online or send a check to WriterHouse, PO Box 222, Charlottesville, VA. Please complete and return the permission slip as campers will not be able to participate without it.

About the Instructor:

Erin has taught English and Creative Writing for over a decade and received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University in 2024.

Write On! Summer Camp for Middle Grade Writers 2026 (July 02, 2026)

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Who: Rising 6th to Rising 8th Grade Students
When: June 29 — July 3, 2026
Time: 11 AM to 3 PM
Where: WriterHouse classroom and community field trips

Early Registration ends March 31!

Register online or send a check to WriterHouse, PO Box 222, Charlottesville, VA. Please complete and return the permission slip as campers will not be able to participate without it.

About the Instructor:

Erin has taught English and Creative Writing for over a decade and received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University in 2024.

Write On! Summer Camp for Middle Grade Writers 2026 (July 03, 2026)

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Who: Rising 6th to Rising 8th Grade Students
When: June 29 — July 3, 2026
Time: 11 AM to 3 PM
Where: WriterHouse classroom and community field trips

Early Registration ends March 31!

Register online or send a check to WriterHouse, PO Box 222, Charlottesville, VA. Please complete and return the permission slip as campers will not be able to participate without it.

About the Instructor:

Erin has taught English and Creative Writing for over a decade and received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University in 2024.

Write On! Summer Camp for High School Writers 2026 (July 13, 2026)

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Who: Rising 9th to Rising 12th Grade Students
When: July 13 — July 17, 2026
Time: 11 AM to 3 PM
Where: WriterHouse classroom and community field trips

Early registration closes March 31!

Register online or send a check to WriterHouse, PO Box 222, Charlottesville, VA. Please complete and return the permission slip as campers will not be able to participate without it.

About the Instructor:

Erin has taught English and Creative Writing for over a decade and received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University in 2024.

Write On! Summer Camp for High School Writers 2026 (July 14, 2026)

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Who: Rising 9th to Rising 12th Grade Students
When: July 13 — July 17, 2026
Time: 11 AM to 3 PM
Where: WriterHouse classroom and community field trips

Early registration closes March 31!

Register online or send a check to WriterHouse, PO Box 222, Charlottesville, VA. Please complete and return the permission slip as campers will not be able to participate without it.

About the Instructor:

Erin has taught English and Creative Writing for over a decade and received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University in 2024.

Write On! Summer Camp for High School Writers 2026 (July 15, 2026)

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Who: Rising 9th to Rising 12th Grade Students
When: July 13 — July 17, 2026
Time: 11 AM to 3 PM
Where: WriterHouse classroom and community field trips

Early registration closes March 31!

Register online or send a check to WriterHouse, PO Box 222, Charlottesville, VA. Please complete and return the permission slip as campers will not be able to participate without it.

About the Instructor:

Erin has taught English and Creative Writing for over a decade and received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University in 2024.

Write On! Summer Camp for High School Writers 2026 (July 16, 2026)

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Who: Rising 9th to Rising 12th Grade Students
When: July 13 — July 17, 2026
Time: 11 AM to 3 PM
Where: WriterHouse classroom and community field trips

Early registration closes March 31!

Register online or send a check to WriterHouse, PO Box 222, Charlottesville, VA. Please complete and return the permission slip as campers will not be able to participate without it.

About the Instructor:

Erin has taught English and Creative Writing for over a decade and received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University in 2024.

Write On! Summer Camp for High School Writers 2026 (July 17, 2026)

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Who: Rising 9th to Rising 12th Grade Students
When: July 13 — July 17, 2026
Time: 11 AM to 3 PM
Where: WriterHouse classroom and community field trips

Early registration closes March 31!

Register online or send a check to WriterHouse, PO Box 222, Charlottesville, VA. Please complete and return the permission slip as campers will not be able to participate without it.

About the Instructor:

Erin has taught English and Creative Writing for over a decade and received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University in 2024.

Drafts and Revisions: How Poems Are Made (Margaret Mackinnon) (July 25, 2026)

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 17:00:00 GMT

This seminar will meet in person at WriterHouse for one session on Saturday, July 25 from 1:00 to 5:00 PM.

Description:

Anyone who writes seriously soon learns that revision is a central part of the process. A poem can be revised by making only small changes, but some revisions are more dramatic. Marianne Moore, who continued to revise her poems even after they had been published, famously cut “Poetry” from thirty lines to three. Ezra Pound took Eliot’s original draft of “The Waste Land” and helped create a Modernist collage. Sonia Sanchez urges poets to “revise purposefully and constantly and playfully.” In this one-day seminar, we will look at a range of specific approaches and strategies other writers have used in revising their work. Seminar members will also be invited to share their own “before” and “after” poems to highlight their experiences with revision. Finally, we will focus on poems by members of the group that are still in the process of being revised.

About the Instructor:

Ink & Income: Mastering the Lifecycle of a Book, Module 3 - Launch & Promotion (Andi Cumbo) (September 09, 2026)

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT

This class will meet in person at WriterHouse for 6 sessions (Sept. 9, Sept. 16, Sept. 23, Sept. 30, Oct. 7, Oct. 14) on Wednesdays, from 10:00 AM-12:30 PM.

This course is designed as a series of four distinct modules following the chronological lifecycle of a book. Students may register for the full 20-week intensive or select/combine individual modules on Foundations, Production, Launch Strategy, or Sustainability.

Description:

You have typed "The End," but for the professional writer, the work is just beginning. Ink & Income is a comprehensive roadmap designed to bridge the gap between literary craft and sustainable business. Guided by hybrid author and editor Andi Cumbo, this course walks students through the complete lifecycle of a book—from the initial decision between traditional and independent publishing to the complex machinery of book launches, marketing, and financial management. Whether you are a debut writer holding your first manuscript or an established author looking to professionalize your career, this course offers the practical tools to turn your art into a business.

Module 3: Launch & Promotion (6 Weeks)
Focus: Getting the book into readers' hands.

Weeks 1–2: The Launch Strategy

- Planning the launch window, organizing launch teams (street teams), ARC distribution, and working with retailers.
- Guest Spotlight: Flannery Buchanan (Working with Bookstores) & Dave Hirschman (Live Events).

Weeks 3–6: Ongoing Marketing

- Moving beyond the launch. Strategies for social media engagement, an introduction to advertising, and public appearances.
- Guest Spotlight: Marijean Oldham (Marketing) & Jeffrey Lofton (Public Speaking).

About the Instructor:

Ink & Income: Mastering the Lifecycle of a Book, Module 3 - Launch & Promotion (Andi Cumbo) (September 16, 2026)

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT

This class will meet in person at WriterHouse for 6 sessions (Sept. 9, Sept. 16, Sept. 23, Sept. 30, Oct. 7, Oct. 14) on Wednesdays, from 10:00 AM-12:30 PM.

Description:

Module 3: Launch & Promotion (6 Weeks)
Focus: Getting the book into readers' hands.

Weeks 1–2: The Launch Strategy

- Planning the launch window, organizing launch teams (street teams), ARC distribution, and working with retailers.
- Guest Spotlight: Flannery Buchanan (Working with Bookstores) & Dave Hirschman (Live Events).

Weeks 3–6: Ongoing Marketing

- Moving beyond the launch. Strategies for social media engagement, an introduction to advertising, and public appearances.
- Guest Spotlight: Marijean Oldham (Marketing) & Jeffrey Lofton (Public Speaking).

About the Instructor:

Ink & Income: Mastering the Lifecycle of a Book, Module 3 - Launch & Promotion (Andi Cumbo) (September 23, 2026)

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT

This class will meet in person at WriterHouse for 6 sessions (Sept. 9, Sept. 16, Sept. 23, Sept. 30, Oct. 7, Oct. 14) on Wednesdays, from 10:00 AM-12:30 PM.

Description:

Module 3: Launch & Promotion (6 Weeks)
Focus: Getting the book into readers' hands.

Weeks 1–2: The Launch Strategy

- Planning the launch window, organizing launch teams (street teams), ARC distribution, and working with retailers.
- Guest Spotlight: Flannery Buchanan (Working with Bookstores) & Dave Hirschman (Live Events).

Weeks 3–6: Ongoing Marketing

- Moving beyond the launch. Strategies for social media engagement, an introduction to advertising, and public appearances.
- Guest Spotlight: Marijean Oldham (Marketing) & Jeffrey Lofton (Public Speaking).

About the Instructor:

Ink & Income: Mastering the Lifecycle of a Book, Module 3 - Launch & Promotion (Andi Cumbo) (September 30, 2026)

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT

This class will meet in person at WriterHouse for 6 sessions (Sept. 9, Sept. 16, Sept. 23, Sept. 30, Oct. 7, Oct. 14) on Wednesdays, from 10:00 AM-12:30 PM.

Description:

Module 3: Launch & Promotion (6 Weeks)
Focus: Getting the book into readers' hands.

Weeks 1–2: The Launch Strategy

- Planning the launch window, organizing launch teams (street teams), ARC distribution, and working with retailers.
- Guest Spotlight: Flannery Buchanan (Working with Bookstores) & Dave Hirschman (Live Events).

Weeks 3–6: Ongoing Marketing

- Moving beyond the launch. Strategies for social media engagement, an introduction to advertising, and public appearances.
- Guest Spotlight: Marijean Oldham (Marketing) & Jeffrey Lofton (Public Speaking).

About the Instructor:

Ink & Income: Mastering the Lifecycle of a Book, Module 3 - Launch & Promotion (Andi Cumbo) (October 07, 2026)

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 14:00:00 GMT

This class will meet in person at WriterHouse for 6 sessions (Sept. 9, Sept. 16, Sept. 23, Sept. 30, Oct. 7, Oct. 14) on Wednesdays, from 10:00 AM-12:30 PM.

Description:

Module 3: Launch & Promotion (6 Weeks)
Focus: Getting the book into readers' hands.

Weeks 1–2: The Launch Strategy

- Planning the launch window, organizing launch teams (street teams), ARC distribution, and working with retailers.
- Guest Spotlight: Flannery Buchanan (Working with Bookstores) & Dave Hirschman (Live Events).

Weeks 3–6: Ongoing Marketing

- Moving beyond the launch. Strategies for social media engagement, an introduction to advertising, and public appearances.
- Guest Spotlight: Marijean Oldham (Marketing) & Jeffrey Lofton (Public Speaking).

About the Instructor:

Ink & Income: Mastering the Lifecycle of a Book, Module 3 - Launch & Promotion (Andi Cumbo) (October 14, 2026)

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 14:00:00 GMT

This class will meet in person at WriterHouse for 6 sessions (Sept. 9, Sept. 16, Sept. 23, Sept. 30, Oct. 7, Oct. 14) on Wednesdays, from 10:00 AM-12:30 PM.

Description:

Module 3: Launch & Promotion (6 Weeks)
Focus: Getting the book into readers' hands.

Weeks 1–2: The Launch Strategy

- Planning the launch window, organizing launch teams (street teams), ARC distribution, and working with retailers.
- Guest Spotlight: Flannery Buchanan (Working with Bookstores) & Dave Hirschman (Live Events).

Weeks 3–6: Ongoing Marketing

- Moving beyond the launch. Strategies for social media engagement, an introduction to advertising, and public appearances.
- Guest Spotlight: Marijean Oldham (Marketing) & Jeffrey Lofton (Public Speaking).

About the Instructor:

Ink & Income: Mastering the Lifecycle of a Book, Module 4 - Sustainability & The Long Game (Andi Cumbo) (October 21, 2026)

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 14:00:00 GMT

This class will meet in person at WriterHouse for 4 sessions (Oct. 21, Oct. 28, Nov. 4, Nov. 11) on Wednesdays, from 10:00 AM-12:30 PM.

Description:

Module 4: Sustainability & The Long Game (4 Weeks)
Focus: Keeping the business—and the author—healthy.

Weeks 1–2: Financial Maintenance

- Understanding royalties, tracking expenses, profit & loss (P&L) statements, and tax basics for authors.
- Guest Spotlight: Jen Poteet (Multiple Lines of Income).

Weeks 3–4: Career Longevity

- Preventing creative burnout, managing time, and planning the "next book" while marketing the current one.
- Guest Spotlight: Anne Carley (Creative Balance).

About the Instructor:

Ink & Income: Mastering the Lifecycle of a Book, Module 4 - Sustainability & The Long Game (Andi Cumbo) (October 28, 2026)

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 14:00:00 GMT

This class will meet in person at WriterHouse for 4 sessions (Oct. 21, Oct. 28, Nov. 4, Nov. 11) on Wednesdays, from 10:00 AM-12:30 PM.

Description:

Module 4: Sustainability & The Long Game (4 Weeks)
Focus: Keeping the business—and the author—healthy.

Weeks 1–2: Financial Maintenance

- Understanding royalties, tracking expenses, profit & loss (P&L) statements, and tax basics for authors.
- Guest Spotlight: Jen Poteet (Multiple Lines of Income).

Weeks 3–4: Career Longevity

- Preventing creative burnout, managing time, and planning the "next book" while marketing the current one.
- Guest Spotlight: Anne Carley (Creative Balance).

About the Instructor:

Ink & Income: Mastering the Lifecycle of a Book, Module 4 - Sustainability & The Long Game (Andi Cumbo) (November 04, 2026)

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 15:00:00 GMT

This class will meet in person at WriterHouse for 4 sessions (Oct. 21, Oct. 28, Nov. 4, Nov. 11) on Wednesdays, from 10:00 AM-12:30 PM.

Description:

Module 4: Sustainability & The Long Game (4 Weeks)
Focus: Keeping the business—and the author—healthy.

Weeks 1–2: Financial Maintenance

- Understanding royalties, tracking expenses, profit & loss (P&L) statements, and tax basics for authors.
- Guest Spotlight: Jen Poteet (Multiple Lines of Income).

Weeks 3–4: Career Longevity

- Preventing creative burnout, managing time, and planning the "next book" while marketing the current one.
- Guest Spotlight: Anne Carley (Creative Balance).

About the Instructor:

Ink & Income: Mastering the Lifecycle of a Book, Module 4 - Sustainability & The Long Game (Andi Cumbo) (November 11, 2026)

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 15:00:00 GMT

This class will meet in person at WriterHouse for 4 sessions (Oct. 21, Oct. 28, Nov. 4, Nov. 11) on Wednesdays, from 10:00 AM-12:30 PM.

Description:

Module 4: Sustainability & The Long Game (4 Weeks)
Focus: Keeping the business—and the author—healthy.

Weeks 1–2: Financial Maintenance

- Understanding royalties, tracking expenses, profit & loss (P&L) statements, and tax basics for authors.
- Guest Spotlight: Jen Poteet (Multiple Lines of Income).

Weeks 3–4: Career Longevity

- Preventing creative burnout, managing time, and planning the "next book" while marketing the current one.
- Guest Spotlight: Anne Carley (Creative Balance).

About the Instructor: