Frequently Asked Questions

What is WriterHouse?

WriterHouse is a non-profit corporation in Charlottesville, Virginia, dedicated to the support of authors of all levels and genres, offering writing classes, seminars, readings, and events. In other words, a community for writers and enthusiasts of the literary arts.

Where are you located?

We are located on the second floor of 508 Dale Avenue, directly behind Preston Avenue Bodos. Our entrance is on the Harris Street facing side of the building. After entering, we’re upstairs, through the door on the landing, and to the left. A stairlift is available for those needing assistance. If you have accessibility questions, please contact us at programs@writerhouse.org. Street parking is available. 

Will I feel comfortable at WriterHouse?

We very much hope so. Our mission is to create a welcoming space for all writers seeking a group writing community. Our students are diverse in age, experience, and background, and reflect the unique characteristics of the Charlottesville area. Some students have always wanted to be a writer and have been writing since they were younger, while others became inspired later in life. Some students are recently out of college, and some are just retired or long retired, with many in between. We believe all our students have a story to tell and we offer tools to discover, share, and celebrate it. A stairlift is available for those needing assistance. If you have accessibility questions, please contact us at programs@writerhouse.org.

I’ve never really written before. Is WriterHouse just for professional writers?

WriterHouse is a community for all writers, of all ages and experience levels, including those who are just getting started, those who are beginning to be published, and those who are accustomed to seeing their work in print. Some are retired, many have day jobs outside the home, some are stay-at-home parents. The only requirement is the desire to write.

Do I have to be a member to take your writing classes?

You do not need to be a member to take our classes, but members get a discount on classes, so why wouldn’t you join? And there are some very cool member perks—check out the section on membership. 

When are your writing classes?

We offer Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter sessions, along with some one- and two-day seminars. If you are a member, you will get early notification of the classes. Or sign up for our email list, and we’ll send you notification as soon as our classes for each session are posted on the website under the top “Classes” tab. 

What kind of writing classes do you offer and how do I know which class is right for me?

We offer beginning, intermediate, and advanced classes in fiction, poetry, nonfiction, memoir writing, screenwriting, mystery writing, and just about any other kind of writing you can think of. Generally, our class descriptions indicate whether the class is appropriate for writers at all levels or just for certain groups, like more advanced writers. If you’re not sure if a class is a good fit for you, call us at 434.282.6643 or email us for guidance. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, email us at programs@writerhouse.org and make a suggestion. If there’s enough interest and we can find a qualified instructor, we will try to offer it.

If I primarily write in one genre, can I take classes in another genre?

Of course! We think it’s a great idea for a fiction writer to try a poetry class, or a nonfiction writer to try a screenwriting class, or a poet to try fiction. These are just a few ideas, but we believe that with every “stretch” a writer takes to explore different types of writing, new lessons are learned and more flexibility can be acquired in the use of language to convey stories.

Do you offer classes for kids or teens?

We value young writers and offer a summer program for middle- and high-school youth. The typical summer program is a week-long session in the afternoon at WriterHouse. Some sessions include local field trips for inspiration and learning about local literary resources. If you have questions or would like to be on the email list to receive information about the summer youth program, email programs@writerhouse.org.

Do you offer financial assistance?

WriterHouse offers need-based scholarships on a sliding scale. If you wish to apply for financial assistance, please download and fill out the Scholarship Application. This is a fillable PDF. Please save the form, complete it, and email to programs@writerhouse.org. Or you may mail the completed form to WriterHouse, PO Box 222, Charlottesville, VA 22902.

What is your refund policy for classes and seminars?

If you need to cancel your enrollment for any reason, please email us at programs@writerhouse.org. Our refund policy for cancellations is as follows:

• 3 weeks before the class or seminar start date: Eligible for a full refund.
• 1-3 weeks before the class or seminar start date: Eligible for a full credit towards a future class or seminar.
• Less than 1 week before the class or seminar start date: Not eligible for credit or a refund.

In the event that we have to cancel a class or seminar for lack of enrollment or another reason, you are eligible for a full refund or credit towards a future class. If your payment was made via WildApricot, you will be eligible for a full refund.

Can my group use meeting space in WriterHouse?

While we used to offer space for groups, we are unable to in our new location. During the pandemic, WriterHouse, like many nonprofits, endured significant financial challenges. To reduce costs and move toward greater sustainability, we moved and downsized our facility from three classrooms to one classroom. Because our new space is extremely limited compared to our old space, we are seeking partnerships with other like-minded nonprofits that can accommodate some of our writing groups and writers seeking quiet writing space. Please check back with us periodically on the status of our search for additional writing and group meeting space.

Where can I park?

Street parking is available. If you have accessibility needs please email programs@writerhouse.org for more information.

What about inclement weather? 

We try to avoid cancelling classes whenever possible, as it is difficult to coordinate everybody’s schedule to set up a make-up class. If the weather is iffy, your instructor will email you about cancelling class. We do not base our decision on the local schools, as they have to make their decisions early in the morning and often the situation has changed dramatically by the time our classes are ready to start. Please monitor the email you used for registration to make sure you receive emails from your instructor.