Community Highlights

Joanna Kania publishes poem in “Singing in the Dark”

November 20, 2020

Congratulations to Joanna Kania, whose poem was included in the global anthology Singing in the Dark. Collected and published through Penguin Press, Singing in the Dark seeks light in the midst of lockdown. Joanna credits Barbara Henning, Jonathan McClure, and Anya Achtenberg for her success. 

Congratulations, Joanna! 

Instructor Jack Smith publishes novel “If Winter Comes”

November 10, 2020

Congratulations to instructor Jack Smith, who just published his novel If Winter Comes. Published by Serving House Press, If Winter Comes is Jack’s fifth novel.

David Mills publishes “Villainhelle” in Boog City

October 29, 2020

Congratulations to instructor David Mills, whose experimental poem “Villainhelle” was published in Boog City. David’s poem experiments with the villanelle form, adding an additional through-line and stanza.

John Johnson publishes “Wrestling with Tomatoes”

October 25, 2020

Congratulations to John Johnson, whose poem “Wrestling with Tomatoes” was published in The Daily Drunk. John’s poem draws inspiration from 1980’s pop culture, and was written recently in Susan Vespoli’s Writing Circles. 

Congratulations to both!

Catherine Kelley publishes “Touch” in Every Day Fiction

October 13, 2020

Catherine’s short story “Touch” was published in Every Day Fiction journal. Catherine wrote “Touch” in Barbara Henning’s course Flash Fiction: Writing the Short-Short Story. Congratulations, Catherine!

Tina Barry’s “Something Amber” Selected for the “Best Small Fictions Anthology”

September 25, 2020

Congratulations to Tina Barry, whose short story “Something Amber” was selected for The Best Small Fictions Anthology 2020!

Writing for Social Change: Re-Dream a Just World

September 24, 2020

On October 2nd, instructor Anya Achtenberg will run Writing for Social Change: Re-Dream a Just World. This free, multi-genre writing workshop seeks to inspire social change through writing, encouraging radical transformation through radical language. Let’s write a better world, together!

Tobias Vogelstein Wins Budding Authors Award

September 15, 2020

Tobias Vogelstein recently won first prize for the Budding Authors Award with the Baltimore Jewish Times. Vogelstein’s piece “Community and Connection” explores Jewish theology in the time of coronavirus, as well as the importance of spreading peace and prosperity. Congratulations, Tobias!

Is there a milestone in your writing that you'd like us to highlight? We'd love to hear about it!

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Publication Opportunities

delmarva review

Delmarva Review

Delmarva Review seeks literary fiction, nonfiction, and poetry with fresh, evocative voices. The journal publishes once a year, making this a highly selective publication. All accepted writers receive a free copy of the journal, alongside publication next to many well-acclaimed writers.

chicago writers association

Open for Submissions: Write City Magazine

Write City Magazine, a publication out of the Chicago Writer’s Association, seeks poetry, fiction, and nonfiction for their upcoming issues. All accepted works receive a small stipend, on top of publication. Be sure to read their submissions guidelines before submitting!

A Gelato a Day Keeps the Tantrums Away

A new travel anthology A Gelato a Day Keeps the Tantrums Away is seeking narrative short story submissions on the theme of family travel. Stories should be of a narrative nature and reflect the wonders, surprises, pitfalls and hilarious moments that can occur when traveling with family members of all shapes, sizes, types and styles. Contributors should be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada. There is limited room for stories by international writers, who are encouraged to submit. Submissions are due September 30th.

Rolling Submissions: Tongue Tied Mag

Tongue Tied Mag is regularly seeking poetry and hybrid works. The journal tends to publish new and emerging writers, and prefers works that are literary, innovative, and fresh. Tongue Tied’s editors often work with their poets on feedback and edits, helping new writers put out polished, impressive pieces.

Rolling Submissions: Quarantine Collection

Quarantine Collection was created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The journal documents literary responses to both the coronavirus crisis and other creative works produced during quarantine. Emphasis on submissions that are playful or experimental. Open to all genres.

Newfound’s “Inner Spaces”

Newfound is accepting submissions for their themed journal “Inner Spaces.” The journal is looking for pieces that investigate intrapersonal experiences and identity development. All genres welcome; submissions are due by December 21st.

Quarterly Journal: 3Elements Literary Review

3Elements Literary Review is accepting literature that combines the following 3 elements: “trapeze, pinprick, calico.” The journal is open to submissions from all genres, and enjoys works that are experimental and creative. Submissions are due August 31st.

Recent Student Testimonials

Nina Goss

Jonathan McClure’s professionalism is outstanding. His readings of attendees’ work are extensive and offered as in-line marginal annotations. He reads each piece through the author’s sensibility and register, offers relevant suggestions for rethinking a piece rather than alternative words or phrases, and addresses us as adults who are serious about craft and effect. His prompts in the classes are thoughtful, lucid, and provoke valuable effort. If he has a pet metier or school, I don’t know what it is, and hallelujah for that.

Christina Strasbourg — Writing with Consistency and Courage

Tamara Dean transformed my writing practice. Her approach is both compassionate and practical, providing the tools I needed to stay motivated and overcome self-doubt.

Ginger Moorhouse — The Body and Soul of Your Memoir

My experience was excellent. Caryn is knowledgeable as well as encouraging.

Linda Ennis — Creative Nonfiction

This was one of the most productive courses I have ever participated in and that is true due to the exceptional feedback from Nicole Hardy. She restored my hopes that writing can be a part of my life.

Alexis Damen — Stringing the Beads

This course was a great experience! I write for a living, but not personal essays, so I was challenged and learned a lot in a safe and judgment-free environment. Joanna is great at introducing new concepts and ways of writing in an easy-to-understand way. Her feedback and line edits are concise and helpful. It was also nice to give and receive comments from other writers taking the course. 

Magalie Casimir — Telling the Stories Your Body Holds

Sarah Herrington’s class was an incredible experience. I drafted and published three essays. Taking this course, along with others led by Sarah, has inspired me to overcome my fears and confidently share my work with a broader audience.

Writing Paranormal Flash Fiction — Richard Hamon

I just finished an MFA in Creative Writing, and Julie was just as skillful, helpful, and encouraging as the professors who taught in my program.

Riva Feshbach — Tiny and True

This class was different than any of the other writing classes I have taken. It felt like a risk, but it really paid off. I think that my writing practice is much stronger as a result.

writers.com Courses Starting Soon:

Next-Level Creative Nonfiction: Elevating Essays, Memoir, Travel Writing & Literary Journalism

August 15, 2014

Elevate your memoir, travel writing, literary journalism, & lyric and personal essays.

The Ongoing Fiction Workshop

November 10, 2014

Many students have attended this 10-week online fiction workshop with Shelley Singer multiple times, completed novels, and come back to finish more books.

Claiming Our Stories: Autobiography, Memoir & Autobiographical Fiction

November 12, 2014

Turn your experience into fiction, autobiography, or creative memoir. Bring forward stories with a powerful truth at their core. Instructor Anya Achtenberg.

Creative Nonfiction and the Personal Essay

November 12, 2014

Gretchen Clark pick axes her way into the volcanic marriage of real life and fiction. Weekly writing with incisive feedback.

Poetic Prose: The Prose Poem

November 17, 2014

Explore the border between prose poetry and flash fiction. For writers of fiction, poetry, essay and memoir.