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 

The Muse Writers Center is excited to offer these creative writing classes  during the 2023 Fall session:

Fall Young Writers Workshop (In-Person)

Fall Creative Writing for Middle School Youth  (Saturday Mornings In-Person)

Creative Writing for High School Teens (Saturday Mornings Hybrid)

Advanced Workshop for High School Seniors & Graduated Fellows (Hybrid, must apply)

Teen Zine Musings

The Muse Writers Center offers our teen students the opportunity to submit to our in-house zine, Musings. Currently, submissions are closed for the 2023 Teen Zine, but the 2024 teen Zine will be coming soon. If you've attended a class, club or event affiliated with The Muse,  we welcome you to submit!

Teen Writers Fellowship

This program is open to any sophmore 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 2024 Fellowship. The 2023 Fellowship class is underway and our Fellows are amazing!

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

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

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.