Welcome.

The Muse Youth Program believes that power, healing, and change happen when creative writing meets community and inspiration. By offering young minds creative writing classes, mentorship programs, and community events, we welcome young writers to explore and develop their unique voices, improve their craft, and pursue professional opportunities in the literary world. We hope to foster a nurturing environment where writers of all stripes come together, share ideas, and experience the power that words can hold. 

Creative Writing Classes for Kids & Teens 

2024 Fall Session:

The Young Writers Workshop (Elementary students)

Creative Writing Exploration for Middle School Students

Creative Writing Exploration for High School Students (Hybrid)

Writing for Games (Ages 11-14)

Advanced Workshop for Upper High School & Graduated Fellows

Teen Zine Musings- CLOSED FOR SUBMISSIONS!

The Muse Writers Center offers our teen students the opportunity to submit to our in-house zine, Musings. Currently, submissions are CLOSED for the 2024 Teen Zine: Retrograde! but our Zine Launch party is August 2, 2024 from 5-7 PM, and we would love to see you there!

Donate to the Youth Program, receive a copy of MUSINGS!

Teen Writers Fellowship

This program is open to any sophomore or junior high school student local to the Hampton Roads area. Those selected have access to free creative writing classes and mentorship from professional writers.

Applications will open in the fall for the 2025 Fellowship. The 2024 Fellowship class is underway and our Fellows are amazing!

 

Upcoming Events

Launching soon! The Muse Writers Center is proud to present the third edition of our in-house literary teen zine, Musings. Please join us in celebrating it at our Launch Party & Teen Open Mic Night on August 2nd from 5-7 PM @ The Muse! Pick up a copy of the new zine and enjoy readings from the talented teen contributors. Regardless of your involvement with the zine, if you are a teen, we welcome to you come & read! There will be refreshments and a whole lot of fun.

Muse Opportunities

Internships

We offer a number of opportunities for students to receive hands-on experience with us, one of the nation's largest literary centers.

Teen Writers Club

(Currently on Hiatus)

Join us at The Muse Writers Center, in person or online, every second and fourth Monday for the Teen Writers Club! The club is open to all teens with an interest in any creative writing form, including songwriting, comics, fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and anything else word related. You don’t need to be a Muse student to participate—drop by anytime during club open hours and stay for as long as you like.

Teen Open Mic Nights & Events

We regularly host teen readings and open mic nights, both virtual and in person.  If you have any questions or are interested in co-hosting a youth event or co-sponsorships, please contact our Youth Program Manager Jessica Grace Kelley at jessica@the-muse.org.