creative writing classes in washington dc

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Creative Writing Program

The University of Washington English Department's Creative Writing Program offers a BA in English with a concentration in Creative Writing and a two-year Master of Fine Arts  degrees in Poetry and Prose. 

Founded in 1947 by Theodore Roethke, the Creative Writing Program's tradition of transformative workshops continues with our current faculty:  David Bosworth , Nikki David Crouse ,  Rae Paris ,  David Shields,  and  Maya Sonenberg  (Prose), and  Linda Bierds (part-time) ,  Andrew Feld ,  Richard Kenney,  and  Pimone Triplett  (Poetry).  They include among their many honors fellowships from the MacArthur Foundation, the Guggenheim Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as prizes such as the Flannery O’Connor Award in Short Fiction and the McCarthy Prize. The list of our alumni publications represents a significant chapter in the history of American literature. To see recent examples of our MFA Program alumni publications, see the article MFA Program Graduates Publish at Impressive Rates in our Spring 2022 English Matters newsletter .

The MFA Program remains purposely small, admitting only ten students per year. The relatively small size of our program (20 students at most at any given time) allows for close associations to develop among students and faculty. The first year is devoted to participation in workshops and literary seminars, and the second year allows for concentrated work on a creative manuscript and critical essay under the supervision of two creative writing faculty members. 

The BA in English with a Creative Writing Concentration prepares students not only to be more effective communicators and artists, but also creative problem solvers and more nuanced critical thinkers. By situating small, student-oriented writing workshops alongside literary models, Creative Writing classes enhance the broader study of literature and critical theory, helping students gain a greater understanding of the social and cultural forces informing their work. A student completing the program is more able to situate themselves in a larger aesthetic and social context and make more meaningful, informed decisions about their own artistic practice. In addition, through the intense practice of creative writing, students are able to see the world more clearly, in a more nuanced and meaningful manner, and apply these skills to a wide variety of work and life situations.

Director:  Nikki David Crouse

Program Coordinator: Shannon Mitchell 

Graduate Program Advisor: Tim Cosgrove

Undergraduate Program Advising: Humanities Academic Services

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Writopia Lab runs creative writing workshops and camps , college essay workshops (and private sessions ), and so much more in the DC Metro area.

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Washington, D.C., Resources for Writers

Here you’ll find a collection of resources for writers in Washington, D.C., from conferences to local critique groups to literary magazines. If you’re looking for writing groups near you, writing workshops near you, creative writing classes near you, or simply a place to hang out with writers or submit your work, these are some Washington, D.C., writing organizations you might want to check out:

WriteByNight

For more than a decade, WriteByNight has helped writers in D.C. and beyond achieve their literary goals. And we want you to be next! Claim your free consultation  to learn about WBN’s customizable  one-on-one writers’ services , including:

Book Coaching :  If you’re writing a book and want some help along the way.

Manuscript Critique : If you’ve written a book and want a beta read, critique, or writing workshop.

Editing/Proofreading : If you’ve written a book and want someone to polish it for you.

Publication Assistance : If you’ve written a book and want help finding an agent or publisher.

A literary arts organization offering writing workshops, an author series, and eventually a writer’s residency in Winchester, VA.

D.C.’s branch of the nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting students ages 6-18 with their creative and expository writing skills, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write.

Capitol Hill Arts Workshop

Offers classes and writing workshops in a wide variety of genres.

Conversations and Connections

Annual conference run by  Barrel House that features editors from a mix of established and cutting-edge literary magazines and small presses, all of whom will help you take the next step in publishing your work.

Hurston/Wright Workshop

A 2-day writing workshop for writers published or unpublished; offers peer review, instructor feedback, and a community of African American writers with which to share ideas and solutions.

The Inner Loop

A literary reading series and network in the D.C. metro area that also offers writing contests, residencies, retreats, and more.

An organization offering writing workshops, readings, retreats, write-ins, and more for writers in D.C., Virginia, and Maryland.

National Book Festival

The Library of Congress’ annual 2-day festival featuring author readings, signings, panel discussions and much more.

Politics and Prose Classes and Trips

Writing workshops and literary excursions from one of D.C.’s most popular bookstores.

Shout Mouse Press

A nonprofit press offering writing workshops and professional publication, allowing young people (12+) from marginalized backgrounds to sharpen their writing and storytelling skills and gain experience publishing their work.

Split This Rock

Dedicated to revitalizing poetry as a living, breathing art form with profound relevance in our daily lives and struggles. Its programs integrate poetry of provocation and witness into movements for social justice and support the poets of all ages who write and perform this vital work.

Stand-Up Studios

Comedy and storytelling classes for all levels.

Story District

Gives voice to people’s life experiences, supports artistic expression, builds community, and contributes to D.C.’s cultural capital and creative economy by promoting and teaching the art of autobiographical storytelling.

The Writer’s Center

Cultivates the creation, publication, presentation and dissemination of literary work through writing workshops, author readings and panels, and more.

Help us add to this list, Washington, D.C.-ans! Do you know of writing groups near you, writing workshops near you, creative writing classes near you, or a Washington, D.C., literary journal we should be aware of? Let us know here

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Supporting writers through writing workshops, free events, and so much more.

Supporting Writers and Everyone Who Wants to Write

The Writer’s Center offers hundreds of writing workshops, hosts dozens of free events, and fosters a community of writers, virtually and in-person.

Workshops & Free Events Calendar

Events search and views navigation, event views navigation, calendar of events, 5 events, 1, novel year with diane zinna.

Complete your novel and prepare for publication! Novel Year is an intensive, advanced workshop geared toward writers with either a draft of a novel ready for revision or a novel […]

Fiction II: Revise, Perfect and Submit!

This course aims to help you experience your work objectively, help you polish your work, and give you tools to submit to either literary journals, competitions, or agents. We will workshop, give and receive constructive, concrete feedback, discuss peer submissions, do writing exercises, critique query letters and talk about all things publishing.

Short Fiction Intensive with R. O. Kwon

Work with acclaimed author R. O. Kwon to revise your stories, generate new work, and prepare for publication. In this 10-month intensive class, we’ll workshop our short fiction, whether they’re […]

Short Story I

Participants will bring in work which to be workshopped by the entire class. This workshop will teach participnats how to edit other’s work, read like a writer, scrutinize sentences, and how to submit to magazines.

Exercises to Improve Your Writing

Not only will you learn from expert feedback in this workshop, you can continue to learn from this workshop even after it’s over. Exercises offered in this workshop are designed for repeated use in your practice at home—including some tailored to jump-start your inspiration.

5 events, 2

5 events, 3, 5 events, 4, 6 events, 5, lgbtq+ writers mixer.

Are you a writer who identifies as LGBTQ+? Let’s hang out and talk writing! Come join us for an informal gathering at The Writer’s Center. Please bring a drink or […]

7 events, 6

Creating novel characters.

When writing a novel, we must know our primary characters inside and out. We need to understand their desires, motivations, and frustrations, their histories and their futures. This workshop will focus on the development of authentic characters. Participants will examine character as both autonomous and residing within the context of the other novelistic elements, and we will examine the challenge of creating and integrating these various elements into a cohesive and credible whole. Participants will explore the main character(s) in their novels-in-progress.

Intro to the Novel

This workshop will help you understand the process of writing a novel so you can get started putting pen to paper. The workshop will focus on everything from generating ideas to developing characters to establishing point of view. Participants will discuss many elements of fiction (dialogue, scene, etc.) but the emphasis will be on discovering the writing process that works best for each writer.

9 events, 7

Crafting your life into story.

Following a tried-and-true formula (“Once upon a time . . . . Then, one day . . .”), you will learn how to identify, begin, and structure an autobiographical story, whether fiction or non-fiction. Participants will finish the workshop with the plots of at least three new autobiographical works, a two-page beginning of a new essay, story, novel, or memoir, or a revised beginning of their work-in-progress. Participants should bring either paper and pen or a writing device.Part 1: Learn how to begin and structure your new work. Part 2 (two weeks later): Workshop the drafts (5 pages max.) of your new work.

$40 Pop Up! Getting Ready for Submission Season!

Many literary journals are about to open back up for submissions after their summer breaks, so now is the perfect time for a submission tune-up! For writers who are new […]

8 events, 8

8 events, 9, 9 events, 10, virtual craft chat with novelist & memoirist sofia samatar.

The Writer’s Center presents a FREE virtual chat about the craft of writing! We’re joined by Sofia Samatar to discuss her new book, Opacities: On Writing and the Writing Life. […]

9 events, 11

Canceled – open mic @ the writer’s center.

CANCELED: tonight's Open Mic @ The Writer's Center has been canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. We'll be back for the next regularly scheduled Open Mic on September 25. We're sorry […]

9 events, 12

Faces of the forest opening reception.

Rock Creek Conservancy presents the opening reception of "Faces of the Forest" by DC-based artist Sophia McCrocklin, on display in The Writer's Center's Joram Piatigorsky Gallery, September 12 – December […]

8 events, 13

10 events, 14, how to plot like a pro.

You have a great idea for a story. Do you dive in and just begin writing, or start by drafting an outline? Are you a born planner or a writer who loves to discover stories organically (i.e., a pantser)? Understanding how to structure a well-conceived story around a main character and central conflict, while paying attention to pacing, can make the difference between a finished, publishable manuscript and an abandoned work-in-progress. Plotting provides a safety net that never robs the author of the joy of writing, and always reduces revision time. Think you can’t plot? Join us for this course, and we’ll show you how!

Search Party: Find Your Writing Group

Looking for a writing group? We want to help you meet other interested writers! The Writer's Center and The Inner Loop invite you to Search Party, a social event connecting […]

7 events, 15

8 events, 16, building suspense in short fiction.

Creating suspense involves more than leaving questions unanswered; a lot of it has to do with dramatic irony. But hanging questions are a great entryway into building tension, as are using irony, temporality or the movement of time, and narrative delay. In this workshop, students will learn how to build and sustain tension, writing beyond a surprises similar to literary clickbait. Also, we'll explore how the audience is as much a part of creating suspense as the writer.

9 events, 17

Reading your work out loud.

Spend some time practicing and learning about the art of public speaking. This in-person coaching session will give you the opportunity to bring your voice– and self– to the words you’ve written. You’ll learn how to become a more genuine and effective communicator of your work, which will in turn fuel a more authentic writing process and outcome. You’ll leave the workshop with an experience of camaraderie, community, and a more deeply rooted sense of your creative and expressive self. Please have on hand a number of pieces you’d be comfortable sharing during the meeting. There will be a break; please also bring a snack and water.

12 events, 18

The extreme novelist.

Can't find the time/energy/inspiration to get your novel written? This popular course, developed by the author of the book by the same name, will help you complete a rough draft in just 8 weeks. Students receive the encouraging guidance of professional writing coach Kathryn Johnson. Each author will commit to an aggressive writing schedule and learn the tricks pros use to create a productive working environment and meet their deadlines, despite life’s distractions. Classes will include accountability and progress reports from each student, troubleshooting discussions, a brief lecture on some aspect of the fiction craft, and the opportunity to submit portions of the work-in-progress to the instructor for individual feedback and guidance. (Note: This is not a work-shopping course. Further information will be sent to registered students, in advance of the first class.)

Writing Song Lyrics

This course starts the participant on the practice of putting words together with music. Writing a song lyric requires matching syllables in words with melody notes to be sung in time over a rhythm. We all practice the results of the lyricist's trade whenever we sing a song we know, but in this course we'll look into how those choices are made, and get some practice at generating our own lyrics. There will be 30-45 minutes homework exercises between course meetings, and we will go over everyone's results before moving on in the text (which is provided). By the end participants will have generated a lyric for a familiar existing song, and at least one lyric which can be set by a composer to produce a complete work.

Doing the Work: Panel Discussion w/ Nick Rees Gardner, Ian S. Maloney, Tobias Carroll & Andrew Bertaina on Jobs in Fiction

In his essay, "Get a Job," Benjamin Percy states that "Your way of seeing the world bends around your work." Percy goes on to give an example of a farmer […]

Researching and Writing your Family History

Historian/biographer Ken Ackerman shows the nuts and bolts of investigating our family trees, going back generations. He will describe how to use archives, interviews, internet sources, family records, and memories and piece together a multigenerational story. The class is perfect for memoirists, biographers, or people interested to learn where they came from, or how to organize their family knowledge for children or grandchildren.

12 events, 19

Virtual craft chat with poet brent ameneyro.

Poet Lore and The Writer’s Center present a FREE virtual chat about the craft of poetry! We’re joined by Brent Ameneyro to discuss his debut collection, A Face Out of […]

Is Traditional Publishing Right for You?

Explore all the traditional publishing options available to you to determine if this publishing path is right for you. We begin by discussing our goals for publishing a book, then evaluate our assets. We then look at the traditional publishing paths (Big 5, medium, small press, academic) and discuss what you need to succeed on this path. We also look at resources for finding agents and publishers, which will be essential to landing a traditional book deal. By the end of the class, attendees will know what to expect if they pursue a traditional book publisher.

11 events, 20

Book launch & discussion with sharon darrow & marianne murphy.

The Writer's Center welcomes author Sharon Darrow and illustrator Marianne Murphy for a book launch celebration of their new book, Rainbow a Poem. Sharon Darrow (sharondarrow.com) was a member of […]

13 events, 21

The survival power of the lyric poem.

Throughout the centuries, the lyric has had revelatory power evoked through both beauty and pain. When you’re in the middle of writing a poem that is fully inspired, it isn’t a poem at all, but a light in blindness, a splintered house in a whirlwind, with a gaping door, but you find your way through it. It is only afterwards that it becomes anything like a poem, when you’re telling it to yourself and to someone else. This workshop is open to all levels of poetry writers, all topics, with only one requirement: write from the heart, and nearly everything works, if only from the head, almost nothing works: it takes both.

How to Write Micro Memoir

Write your life story as you lived it, one moment at a time. This interactive workshop teaches writers to distill a moment of change, conflict, contradiction, or mystery to its essence, so that the impact on the writer resonates profoundly with the reader. We will examine inspiring published examples to learn exactly how the writer moved and entertained us. Using the same tools with which we craft fiction, this workshop is an excellent learning environment for both genres. We'll conclude with a review of where to publish.

Mapping Strategies for Story Structure

There is no one-size-fits-all strategy for story structure. Let’s discuss a plan that is right for you. We’ll brainstorm the strengths and weaknesses of your specific story’s destination and the journey along the way. Is there a rich narrative and character arc, a strong point of entry, appropriate placement of flashbacks, a transformative and resonant ending, and will a reader care? We will play with maps, sketches, diagrams, and understand the importance of revising your initial plan as your story takes on a life of its own. Bring your specific idea for a short story, memoir, or novel.

10 events, 22

12 events, 23, writing creative nonfiction.

Over the course, we will be reading and writing in several sub-genres of creative nonfiction, including memoir, essay, literary journalism, and the epistolary form. The class focuses on generating new material, offering feedback to peers, revising pieces, and finally researching markets for the placement of work.

Crafting Fiction: Element by Element

By working through basic craft elements of fiction, participants will build a strong foundation for their writing--be it short stories or novels. This 7-week workshop will explore the elements of fiction one at a time and ask participants to practice these elements through in-class writing exercises. We will also read published fiction--a story per week--to see how experienced writers regularly employ these elements. You'll leave the workshop prepared to write a wonderful work of fiction.

13 events, 24

A reading & conversation with novelists david ebenbach & clifford garstang.

The Writer's Center welcomes authors David Ebenbach and Clifford Garstang for a reading and discussion of their new novels. Book signing to follow. FREE and open to the public. RSVP […]

13 events, 25

Open mic @ the writer’s center.

Prose, poetry, and spoken word Open Mic @ The Writer’s Center! All writers are welcome to come and share 4-5 minutes of their latest work. Sign-up starts at 6:45pm, and […]

14 events, 26

Publishing your op-ed.

This workshop will help you sharpen and develop your viewpoint, learn how to structure an op-ed and and close the deal by making an effective pitch to editors.

More than Saints: Diana Rojas in conversation with Ofelia Montelongo

The Writer’s Center welcomes Diana Rojas for a discussion of debut collection of novellas, Litany of Saints: A Triptych. Diana will be in conversation with Ofelia Montelongo, author and Writer's […]

14 events, 27

An evening of tributes to jesmyn ward.

A Free Fitzgerald Literary Festival Event Co-sponsored with The Writer’s Center The F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference, Inc. and The Writer’s Center present a reading in tribute to two-time National Book […]

15 events, 28

Advanced personal essay.

This workshop is for writers who have a good understanding of what a personal essay is, are open to exploring further the many forms a personal essay can take, and are already working seriously in the genre. The focus will be participants’ writing, supplemented with assigned readings. Participants will workshop two essays (or drafts of the same essay, if they prefer). The class is designed for self-contained essays, not book-length memoirs. To be considered for admission, please submit an essay or excerpt of no more than five double-spaced pages to [email protected] by September 9. Note: No meeting on November 2.

Your First (or Next) Novel

Writing a novel takes commitment, but it doesn’t need to be daunting. Learn how to generate a handful of plots to choose from, methods for effectively planning your story, and simple hacks for fine tuning your basic fiction skills. Students will initiate a flexible writing plan that will keep their writing flowing. This is a great half-day session for the beginning long-form fiction writer, or for the more experienced author in need of a quick strategy brush-up.

Latine Heritage Through a Literary Lens

The Writer’s Center presents an informative and inspiring symposium addressing the subject of Latine heritage in literature and popular culture, offering free creative writing workshops followed by a panel discussion. […]

13 events, 29

Turning memories into transformational stories.

How have your ups and downs, wins and losses shaped your life? Whether you want to write privately or wish to publish, identifying the turning points and themes in your life is an important first step in memoir writing. In this workshop, participants will reflect on the transformational seasons in their lives and associate stories and themes to each one. We will explore the dynamics of character development and narrative arc, and learn techniques to capture universal meaning through personal experiences. You will come away with a timeline technique to uncover life themes and storylines, a bank of memories to serve as writing prompts, and tips for starting a memoir journaling practice.

14 events, 30

Getting started with creative writing.

A introduction to the fundamentals of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction.

Immigrant Writers Mixer

Join us at The Writer’s Center for an informal gathering with other immigrant writers. It's the perfect opportunity to network and share stories. Please bring a drink or an appetizer […]

14 events, 1

From idea to script: a beginner’s guide to screenwriting.

Discover how to translate your passion for screenwriting into actionable skills. Every week students will build on the foundations of story, structure, character arcs, the do's and don'ts, industry standards, and the technical side of writing a script until they have a completed short screenplay that will be workshopped during the last weeks of class. We'll start with one page scripts, build to a three-page script, and finally five to ten page scripts for the final workshop. Please come to class with a few ideas you'd like to use to create a final script.

Recommended, but not required reading: - Crafting Short Screenplays that Connect by Claudia Hunter Johnson - How to Write a Movie in 21 Days by Viki King - Story by Robert McKee - On Writing by Stephen King

In Preparation: Watch your favorite films and take notes, make a list of questions, and notice anything that stands out or doesn't make sense to you. We'll discuss in class.

If the Forest Could Talk, What Would It Say? Symposium

Rock Creek Conservancy presents a symposium, "If The Forest Could Talk, What Would It Say?," in conjunction with DC-based artist Sophia McCrocklin's exhibit in The Writer’s Center’s Joram Piatigorsky Gallery. […]

14 events, 2

The haunting of grief.

In our six weeks together, we will also explore what remains lingering before, during, and after death: How does society view death, how does a community grieve, and how do we, as a collective, approach such a vulnerable topic? Throughout our time together, we will read poems from Victoria Chang, Eduardo C. Corral, Marcelo Hernandez Castillo, Ocean Vuong, Susan Nguyen, jj peña, and Yanyi, among others. We will discuss form, white space, imagery, the speaker’s voice, and ultimately, what is at risk in each poem.

16 events, 3

5 great poets (who happen to be women).

Learn from 5 great American women poets! One outstanding poet will be featured in each class, and as we examine their work we will write 3 to 4 of our own poems, for a total of 15-20 poems during the course. We will share our work as we write it, and in the last class will workshop a few of the most promising pieces by each student. The poets we will learn from are Ada Limon, Linda Pastan, Natasha Trethewey, Denise Levertov, and Elizabeth Bishop—they will guide us with new and old forms, metaphor, voice, image, subject matter, and more.

Writing About Mental Health Topics in Fiction

Infuse mental health themes into your fiction with accuracy and intention! Examples from popular media will be reviewed so you can learn how to avoid cliches and dig deeper into what shapes people's various experiences with mental health. Participants will develop a character outline based on psychological concepts and re-write a passage created by the instructor using psychologically-informed content.

16 events, 4

Plotting your novel.

Whether you are an organized planner or a writer who flies by the seat of their pants, a novel still needs structure. In this workshop, participants will study the architecture of a novel and devise plans for plotting their novels. Using the three-act structure as a map, we will explore the basic components of a novel's plot.

18 events, 5

How to create backstory and flashbacks.

Every character has a hidden history from before their story starts. Learn how to masterfully weave in details and experiences that enrich your characters and create believable motivation. Novelists, short story authors, and creative nonfiction writers will all benefit from these twin skills. You’ll see your writing grow in sophistication and depth.

International Poetry Panel Discussion

The Cultural Office of the Embassy of Spain, The Writer’s Center, and Poet Lore present a panel discussion on international poetry and poetry in translation, featuring Spanish poet Javier Adrada […]

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Creative Writing Courses

Lit-700 advanced fiction workshop (3).

Course Level: Graduate

A graduate level writing workshop in which students produce and critique original fiction. Course may include additional assigned reading and craft exercises, depending upon instructor. Usually offered every term. May be taken pass/fail only, and may be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: admission to MFA in Creative Writing program or permission of instructor.

LIT-701 Advanced Poetry Workshop (3)

A seminar run according to the workshop model in which students submit work weekly to be critiqued by professor and their peers. The workshop uses class visits, texts by contemporary poets and the analysis of poetic forms. An intensive approach to the techniques of writing verse, the graduate workshop represents the highest level of mastery of the writing of poetry. Usually offered every term. May be taken pass/fail only and may be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: admission to MFA in Creative Writing program or permission of instructor.

LIT-704 Advanced Creative Nonfiction Workshop (3)

Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Intensive critical workshop in writing memoirs and personal essays, emphasizing the development of the first-person voice. Usually offered every semester. Prerequisite: admission to MFA in Creative Writing program or permission of instructor. May be taken pass/fail only and may be repeated for credit.

LIT-705 Seminar on Translation (3)

This required course introduces students to the international community of writers by providing approaches to and models for the translation of literary works as well as experience in translating. It is expected that students will learn about the use of their own attitudes toward the English language in the process. Fluency in another language is helpful but not required; all students will be required to work with a co-translator who is a native speaker of the language in which they are working. Prerequisite: admission to MFA in Creative Writing program or permission of instructor.

LIT-710 The Art of Literary Journalism (3)

A required workshop in which the craft of literary nonfiction is studied and practiced. Clear expository writing is the aim, tied to established criteria for sound critical approaches in journalism. Students will be offered practical instruction in finding and assessing publishing venues, writing story proposals, and crafting both long and short form articles, with the eventual goal of publication. Usually offered every spring. Prerequisite: Enrollment in the MFA Program in Creative Writing or permission of instructor.  

Lit-730 Teaching Composition (3)

This Seminar offers students an introduction to the field of composition studies as well as the theory and practices of teaching academic writing. Students read research and theory which examine fundamental questions about the personal, social, and cultural dimensions of literacy. We explore the nature of written discourse, the composing process, and learning ; we discuss issues and examine current approaches in teaching for contemporary composition classrooms. Usually offered every fall. Through extensive reading, writing, and discussion, students can expect to

• Better understand the way individuals construct—and are constructed by—writing.
• Study the dynamics of written discourse, of learning, and of teaching.
• Become familiar with major theories of composing and approaches to teaching composition.

(Recommended for Fall of 2nd year)

Internships

Teaching internships (3 hours credit, p/f).

Both options allow students to acquire training and experience in

• responding to and evaluating student writing
• creating writing assignments
• working with student writers

Lit-690 College Writing Classroom (3)

Course Level: Graduate Working closely with a faculty mentor for the semester, observing and participating in one section of a College Writing Seminar taught by a mentor teacher. Interns attend all class meetings of the course and do supervised teaching, grading, and meeting with students. Students develop skills in classroom management, course planning and teaching, evaluation and grading. Usually offered every spring. LIT 730 isprerequisite, and internship is competitive, based on performance in LIT 730 , availability of mentors, and an application process.

Lit-691 Writing Center Internship (3)

Receiving training and experience in one-on-one teaching through work in the Writing Center, working with a wide variety of writing assignments and writers, including international students. Interns also explore an issue in literacy education through research and may tailor their semester to a focus on working with non-native speakers of English or planning and facilitating writing workshops in a classroom setting. Students develop their skills in talking about writing with students, conducting productive writing conferences, and working with a wide variety of student needs and learning styles.

Other Internships (3)

Other internship options allow students to acquire training and experience in writing-oriented professional environments, including:

• The Writer's Center in Bethesda,
• The Folger Shakespeare Library,
• The Library of Congress,
• Writers-in-the-Schools programs,
• The National Endowment for the Arts,
• WAMU 88.5 fm/American University radio
• National Public Radio,
• affiliations with in-house and trade publishers.
• AU Registrar for current class offerings and times

A network of local writing groups in Washington D.C.

Capitol Hill Writers Group is a network of local writing groups in Washington, DC.  By connecting writers who are passionate about the craft, CHWG helps form the crucial support you need to keep writing.

Whether you are new to creative writing, getting back into it, or a seasoned author, Capitol Hill Writers Group provides the right amount of structure when you’re balancing full-time employment and a family.  

The close-knit community of fiction writers is your sounding board for new work.   Deadlines and accountability help you form writing habits that last throughout your professional career.  Constructive feedback from varied viewpoints enrich your writing, just as your unique perspectives on life and writing contribute to the group.

We are aspiring writers and published authors who embrace all fiction genres.   We provide structure and support through regular meetings, deadlines, and constructive critiques .

OUR PHILOSOPHY

Your Third Place.   A “third place” is that special community outside of home and office that helps a person thrive and feel fulfilled in life.   Creative writers need solitude to produce content but also need a place to help them hone their craft and grow as an artist.   Active participation in a writing group offers that face-to-face contact with other writers that can have an immediate and long-lasting impact on one’s development as a writer. 

Balance.   We understand how tricky it is to juggle family, work, and the passion for writing.   Most of our members work full-time and have family obligations.   We share strategies for carving out time for writing while maintaining   balance in life.   We are realistic about deadlines but encourage each other to meet personal writing goals. 

Lifelong Learning.   Creative writing involves a continual process of learning.   Members regularly share resources on improving one’s writing, developing professionally as a writer, and navigating the changing landscape of publishing. It doesn’t hurt that we live within walking distance of the world’s largest library.

Structure.   We believe in regular meetings.   While each group decides the day and time for their regular meetings, most groups find that a bi-weekly meeting schedule works quite well for developing a writing routine.

Accountability.   We adhere to deadlines.   The single-most important habit that a writer can develop is meeting deadlines.   Each group creates its own submission calendar that works with members’ other demands in life.

Feedback.   We follow the Clarion Method of critique.   The CHWG founder  attends the first meeting of newly-formed writing groups to give the members an orientation to the Clarion Method as well as tips for ensuring smooth and fruitful meetings.

Productivity. We help your story see the light of day. You know that novel you’ve been thinking about writing for the last few years?   We encourage you to get the story out of your head and onto paper.

ABOUT THE FOUNDER

Secret power.

Donna Sokol founded Capitol Hill Writers Group in January 2011 after the birth of her second child. The close-to-home group allowed her to pursue her passion for creative writing and find balance in her life.   CHWG participated in the inaugural Literary Hill BookFest in 2011 and has participated in the BookFest annually.   Each year, Donna launches new writing groups, bringing together writers who might not otherwise have met.

Donna began writing creatively as a child; then she went to college, where creative writing was all but beaten out of her.   She picked up the pen again after she swore off pursuits of higher education and has been extremely happy ever since.

Donna served as president of the Board for the Literary Hill BookFest (2016-2018) and led the first monthly fiction book club at East City Bookshop  (2016-2018).

Our application process is straightforward, and there are no application or membership fees.   To learn how to apply, please click Read More...

RECRUITMENT SEASONS

Starting January 2021, I will be launching writing groups under the PowerWriters brand via my website, donnasokol.com .

I have three recruitment seasons –Spring, Summer, and Fall–during which I form new writing groups based on the number of interested applicants. After a group forms, consenting members can add new members as needed or desired throughout the year. If you submit an application after the close of a recruitment period, I will hold your application for consideration until the next recruitment period.

To handle the growing membership, I will be orienting new members online. Instead of attending an in-person orientation, writers will receive an invitation to the online orientation , which is a live event you attend via Zoom. You’ll meet your new writing group members at the end of orientation! Soon after, you’ll receive an email from me with all your members’ names and email addresses. You’ll start meeting with your new group about 2 weeks after orientation.

Upcoming Application Deadlines

Please visit the PowerWriters page on donnasokol.com for the latest application deadlines.

No writing sample is necessary to apply.   Applications are due at 11:59 PM on the last day of open recruitment. 

If you are accepted, you will receive a confirmation email with a notice to save the date for the season’s orientation.

CHWG members are between the ages of 27 and 70 and represent an ethnic and racial cross-section of   Washington DC.   And, yes, we allow residents of Maryland and Virginia to become members!

Below are the writing groups that are currently part of the CHWG network. Click the plus sign to read more about each group.

If you see an existing group that is currently recruiting new members, you may request to join that group in your application. Acceptance depends on the applicant’s fit with the other group members and on available spots. New groups form four times a year. Check the Apply page for more information on application deadlines.

The Core Group

Write on the hill, the mightier swords, h street fiction, capitol quills, the morning group.

We also like image of the morning – that of a bright, fresh start, the beginning of something new, never before explored – all that writing means to us and we hope our final products will become.

We are working on fiction and non-fiction. We are starting new pieces and revising earlier works.

Night Writers

Writers write, the go group, the role breakers, solid scribes, the red line district, saturday speculative fiction group, red line emissaries, still writing.

Our Mission: To Inspire and Empower Young Writers

District Writers’ Academy’s mission is to create a safe, inspiring and fun place for pre-teens and teens to learn how to write—and to learn to love writing. Whether you want to increase your child’s confidence and academic performance as a writer or encourage your child to explore their creativity, our private writing tutoring and small group writing classes for kids will support them and help them find their voice.

Every Child Can Be a Good Writer

At District Writers’ Academy, we know that every child can be a good writer if they are taught the skills in a creative, patient, nonjudgmental environment. Our small-group writing classes and private tutoring sessions are hands-on, visual, interactive, and designed to build confidence and joy in the writing process.  We love seeing miracle transformations in students when they discover the power of their voice!

Teaching that Builds Trust

Kids quickly see that our writing classes and tutoring are different. As writers, we don't just tell them what their writing should look like, or where the commas go--we actually teach them HOW to get the results they want. We teach them the skills and strategies that we, as writers, have learned to make their own writing come to life. We understand the writing process realistically and teach students how to navigate it efficiently and effectively. This is the kind of teaching that inspires trust, that makes them writers for life.

More about our staff.

Private Writing Tutoring

One-on-one sessions to enhance performance

Academic Support Classes

For Academic Enrichment and College Prep.

Creative Writing Classes

Fiction, Poetry, Creative Expression

Summer Writing Camps

Academic, creative, and college-prep options!

Suzanne is an incredibly gifted writing teacher. When I was younger, I struggled a lot with synthesizing my thoughts into a coherent form of writing. Suzanne exhibited tremendous patience. She worked with me for hours and tutored me consistently throughout high school as I transformed as a writer. Suzanne helped me discover my creativity and confidence, and most importantly, she taught me how to love writing. My teachers even noticed a change in my writing and confidence, and I went on to major in a writing-intensive area of studies in my undergrad. Thank you so much, Suzanne

“It was fun! There were many writing exercises that I had never explored before. My instructor was very helpful and encouraging. We all took turns sharing our work, and everyone was kind. It made me feel very secure.”

"Suzanne convinced my kid that her creativity is worth sharing. I feel great knowing those foundational skills and confidence will benefit my daughter well into college and beyond.”  

“Camp was very fun because I felt like, as much as the teacher was teaching us, we were all working together and sharing thoughts and feedback as a group.” 

“Suzanne heavily influenced both of our children to open up and write like nobody had ever done before!  She has a gift!!”

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11 Best Creative Writing Classes in Washington

Showing 11 courses that match your search.

Crafting Your Life into Story

The Writer's Center

This workshop focuses on identifying pivotal life events and crafting them into stories, whether fiction or non-fiction. It follows a structured approach to storytelling, helping participants develop plots and beginnings of autobiographical works.

Website: https://writer.org/event/

Categories: Book, Fiction, Short Story, and Memoir

Start date:

September, 2024

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Short Story I

The workshop covers dialogue, character development, point of view, and submission to magazines. Participants will work on their stories and critique peers' work, enhancing their editing skills.

Categories: Book, Fiction, and Short Story

August, 2024

Beginning Improv

DC Improv Comedy School

This is an introductory improv course focusing on fun and creativity. It emphasizes building confidence, communication skills, and teamwork through improv games. Classes are designed for both beginners and experienced students looking to enhance their playfulness.

Website: https://www.dcimprov.com/comedy-school/

Categories: Comedy

Prerequisites: COVID-19 vaccination required.

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Storytelling 101

Story District

This course focuses on turning personal experiences into compelling narratives. It includes 10 hours of in-class time and 30 minutes of one-on-one coaching, emphasizing confidence, authenticity, humor, and depth in storytelling.

Website: https://www.storydistrict.org/enroll-today

Categories: Memoir

Open all year round

How to Write A Grant Proposal

The course teaches proposal writing for non-profits, focusing on prospect research, proposal elements, and budgeting. Participants will draft a proposal by the end of the class.

Website: https://writer.org/

Categories: Nonfiction and Technical

Exercises to Improve Your Writing

Participants will learn various writing exercises and prompts that can be used repeatedly. The course focuses on practical applications to help improve writing skills through expert feedback.

Website: https://writer.org/workshops/

The course teaches participants to identify pivotal life events and structure them into fictional or non-fictional narratives. It includes two sessions: an initial structure lesson followed by a draft workshop.

Categories: Essay, Memoir, Nonfiction, Book, Fiction, and Short Story

Three-Day Critique Workshop

Cascade Writers

This workshop includes critique groups led by professionals, opportunities to submit writing for review, workshops on writing craft, agent pitching sessions, and networking events with authors and editors.

Website: https://cascadewriters.com/2024-three-day-critique-workshop/

Categories: Fiction

Prerequisites: Up to 4000 words of your novel, short story, or whatever project you are working on.

Participants will engage in various writing exercises and prompts, focusing on story structure, plot, and mechanics. The course emphasizes expert feedback and practical exercises for ongoing use.

Creative Writing Academy

Georgetown University

This program features dynamic lectures, workshops with graduate instructors, peer feedback, and excursions in Washington, D.C. Focuses on poetry, fiction, and personal prose, along with publishing and professionalization aspects.

Website: https://summer.georgetown.edu/

Categories: Poetry, Short Story, and Essay

Poetic Memoir

The course focuses on writing personal memoirs in poetic form, emphasizing short, manageable high points instead of lengthy narratives. Participants will draft and revise poems that capture significant life moments.

Categories: Memoir, Nonfiction, and Poetry

So you’re looking for creative writing classes in Washington

The nation’s capital isn’t just for the business suits—it’s also the halls of some towering literary history. From Walt Whitman to Langston Hughes, many of literature’s greatest stars have sat down on the Mall and emerged with their most enduring hits. So if you, too, are looking to work at this craft, you may want to consider taking a creative writing class in Washington.  

This directory of the best writing courses in Washington is meant to help you locate the right one for yourself.  We’ve included filters for price and genre so that you can quickly sort through the writing classes. And before you commit to any one writing class, consider the following questions:

• Who is the instructor?
• What is the price of the writing course?
• How far away is the writing course in Washington? Is there a remote alternative?
• How long could the course last?

Got any questions about finding the right writing class in Washington for you? Feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] . Good luck!

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Changing Lives

STUDENT WORKS OF ART

AWARDS FOR THE WORKSHOP

CELEBRATE OUR 20TH ANNIVERSARY

Winners in the 2023 Junior League Youth Poetry Contest

In the Junior League of Washington’s 24rd Annual Youth Poetry Contest, eight of our Hart Middle School students won for eleven poems. Our writers swept the 6th grade prizes: 1st place to Kyrie Johnson, 2nd place Jayla Nelson (two of her poems tied each other), and 3rd place to Kyrie Johnson (his second poem). In […]

Winners in the 2023 Parkmont Poetry Contest

In the 41st Annual Parkmont Poetry Festival, seventeen Workshop students were finalists and five were winners: Michael Chase (8th), Jalen Collins (7th), Crystal Rogers (8th), and Trus’ Stevens (8th) from Hart Middle School, and Armani Thornton (12th) from Ballou Senior High School. Congratulations!

Winners in the 2023 Haiku Contest

Three of our students won awards in the 2023 D.C. Public Library Haiku Contest. Crystal Rogers, Caden Rogers and Shaia Holmes won certificates and prizes in a competition through the Francis A. Gregory Library in Southeast.

Winners in the D.C. Library Haiku Contest

Three Workshop students won awards in the 2022 D.C. Library Haiku Contest. In a competition through the Francis A. Gregory Library in Southeast, Naeshaun Ford won 1st place and Justice Matthews won 2nd place in the teen division, while Shaia Holmes won 3rd place in the children’s division.

Workshop poem wins Washington Post contest

The Washington Post’s KidsPost page held a nationwide contest for the ten best student poems of the year. Sixth grader Gerome Wood won and his poem “Yes!” was published in the newspaper on April 26. Here’s a hyperlink to the online edition.

The D.C. Creative Writing Workshop unites parents, teachers and professional Writers-in-Residence to transform the lives of at-risk youth through the joys of self-expression and the power of the written word.

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Creative Writing Academy

• How to Apply

Summer 2024 Applications are CLOSED. Summer 2025 Applications will open in late Fall.

Transform your dreams, ideas, and stories into organized, compelling, creative written works with dynamic lectures in craft topics, workshop sessions with graduate student instructors, and insightful, productive feedback from your peers. This combination of instructional approaches will help you generate and polish a wealth of new poems, stories, and essays, and allow you to experiment with innovative forms in the field of creative writing. The Academy will also focus on the publishing and professionalization aspects of the industry, exploring what markets are available for your writing, what jobs are available to creative writers, funding opportunities for your work, undergraduate and graduate programs in writing, and how to get published. Topics for discussion will include literary form and targeted craft points, often in relation to social, political, and environmental themes. In addition, this week-long program will feature excursions to sites around Washington, D.C., including an exercise in ekphrastic writing at the National Gallery of Art and the chance to read your work aloud at Busboys and Poets, a famous D.C. literary hub.

Estimated Tuition:

Price includes tuition, housing, and meals. Commuter Student tuition is $2,625.

How You'll Benefit

• Participate in writing workshops
• Awaken your powers of observation, imagination, and description
• Learn concrete elements of the craft of writing in daily workshops
• Attend readings from published authors, who will lead interactive classes and conduct group discussions
• Work with Georgetown's expert creative writing faculty to bring out your most creative ideas
• Read excerpts from award-winning works and use them to develop your own original works
• Visit local monuments, world-renowned theaters, museums, and literary organizations
• Take part in peer critiques and learn how to revise and refine your writing

Program Format & Subject Areas

As a student in the Creative Writing Academy, you'll spend your day immersed in a blend of classroom lectures, field trips, hands-on activities, and group discussions. Throughout the week, you'll have the opportunity to explore the following subject areas:

• Personal prose
• Literary history
• Technique (story structure, character development, theme, description, dialogue)
• Finding good ideas and turning them into polished pieces
• Using great literature and art for inspiration

All in all, I fell in love with the program. I got to meet so many amazing people not only from the D.C. area but all around the country.

Having the chance to experience once in a lifetime opportunities and getting to meet people from around the world made it so I got to really experience what college life was like.

My #SummerHoya experience was enriching, inspiring, and rewarding; if I could turn back the clock, I’d do it all over again.

It was amazing to be surrounded by such high caliber students and staff who were all encouraging and fabulous to work with. I took away many positive things from my week as a Summer Hoya.

As I am filling out my college applications, I am able to think back to my memories from the summer and I am reassured that I am pursuing the right educational path.

The program offers so much–from the off-site visits to the daily lectures and the on campus activities. The lectures were interesting, meeting new people was great and the off-site visits were interactive and intriguing.

Want to learn more?

Request information to find out the latest on the Summer Programs for High School Students.

All fields are required.

• Summer 2025

* indicates required field

Virtual Creative Writing Workshops

Virtual creative writing workshops on thursdays.

Creative writing is a tool for knowing yourself, understanding the world, and connecting with other people. Led by author  Seema Reza  and accomplished guest writers—including poets, memoirists, novelists, and storytellers—these community workshops follow the model developed by Community Building Art Works (CBAW) over the course of a decade of bringing people together in military and hospital settings. Each workshop is designed to help participants put their personal stories on paper in a supportive environment.

Whether you’re just starting out or have been writing for years, you are welcome; no experience is required. Bring a pen, a notebook, and an open mind!

Registration closes at 4pm Eastern Time before each session so we can prepare.   Please make sure you're subscribed to Strathmore emails to receive the Zoom info.

United States

(301) 581-5100

[email protected], free/pay what you can.

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