WriterHouse upcoming events

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.

12 Techniques to Improve Your Dialogue: Character Development Edition (Kristie Smeltzer) (June 23, 2026)

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT

This class has been rescheduled. This class will meet from 6:00-8:00 PM Eastern Time on Zoom for 4 weeks: Tuesdays, June 23, June 30, July 7, and July 14.

Note: This class is a new iteration of a previous offering, focusing on character development specifically. Previous participants are welcome to join, and the material will be new.

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.

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.

Ink & Income: Mastering the Lifecycle of a Book, Module 2 - Production and Platform (Andi Cumbo) (June 24, 2026)

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

This class will meet in person at WriterHouse for six sessions (May 20, May 27, June 3, June 10, June 17, & June 24) 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 2: Production & Platform (6 Weeks)
Focus: Turning a draft into a product and building the stage for its arrival.

Weeks 1–3: Project Management

- The mechanics of producing a book. How to hire and vet editors, working with cover designers, understanding ISBNs and metadata, and managing production timelines.

Weeks 4–6: Platform Building

- Establishing your digital footprint before the release. We will cover author websites, setting up newsletter landing pages, and the "tech stack" required to capture readers.

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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.

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 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: