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LRNow and The Muse: Nature Journaling Workshop
This free virtual workshop, via Zoom with Lynnhaven River NOW, will help you step up from note-taking to incorporating a little creative writing in your nature journal to go along with your sketches. The Muse instructor, Kindra McDonald will introduce you to the work of poets who write primarily about the natural world. Registration required.
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The Bookends of Poetry: The Inspiration for the Beginning and the Musical End
Learn about poetry from award winning poet and educator Jose B. Gonzalez. The class/event is free for all active duty, veterans, family, and caregivers of the U.S. Armed Forces. This workshop and others made possible in part through the National Endowment for the Arts. Register in advance. Space is limited.
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20/30 Writers Club
The 20/30 Writers Group is a monthly writing group for young adults. Each monthly meeting has a Question and Answer session with a guest writer. Join us as we improve our writing skills while building connections with each other. Free registration required. Hosted by Derek Spohn and Susan Deutsch.
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Military Poets: Words of Honor and Service
The Muse and The Armed Services Arts Partnership welcomes veterans and accomplished poets: José B. González, Steven Blythe, Bill Glose, Libby Kurz, and Tony Mena for an evening of readings and discussion. This is a free event for all. Question will be taken during the program. Pre Register for the webinar to reserve a spot and receive a link and reminder email on the day of the event.
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Stories We Bear: A Multigenre AAPI Author Panel & Reading
In honor of May 2021 Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, The Muse is proud to present Two Linked Multi-Genre Events: a Panel from 3-4 p.m. and a Reading from 5-6 p.m. Featuring 4 AAPI Writers: Trinidad Escobar, Preslaysa Williams, Ira Sukrungruang, & Leslieann Hobayan in conversation with Luisa A. Igloria, Poet Laureate of Virginia, and Michael Khandelwal, Executive Director of The Muse. This free event will be held live over Zoom and available to watch on the Muse's Facebook page. Register to attend the live Zoom webinar (the registration is the same for both the panel and the reading, though you may choose to attend only one or the other; if you plan to attend both events, you only need to register once).
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Spring Student Reading #1
Join The Muse for the first of three readings celebrating the work of our Winter/Spring 2021 students as they share their writing from the past session. This event will be held via Zoom webinar. Please register to watch the event live.
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Author Advice Club
Join Slover Library and The Muse Writers Center the third Tuesday of each month for a Q&A with a published author! This group is geared toward writers with some experience who are looking to gain insight into the world of professional writing; however, all are welcome to join. Registration required
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Writers Happy Hour (Online)
Writers Happy Hour is Back and Online! Join us virtually for an informal get-together where area writers and Muse teachers, students, and friends enjoy conversation, camaraderie, and drinks. Free registration required.
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The Word Open Mic Online
The Word is an open mic in collaboration with Zeiders American Dream Theater, The Muse Writers Center, Hampton Roads Writers, and Tidewater Writers. Writers of all voices, genres, ages, and backgrounds are welcome to sign up to read. You are also welcome to just watch the free livestream.
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Spring Student Reading #2
Join The Muse for the second of three readings celebrating the work of our Winter/Spring 2021 students as they share their writing from the past session. This event will be held via Zoom webinar. Please register to watch the event live.
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Spring Student Reading #3
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Join The Muse for the second of three readings celebrating the work of our Winter/Spring 2021 students as they share their writing from the past session. This event will be held via Zoom webinar. Please register to watch the event live.
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Muse Student Discount for CNU Writers Conference
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Join Christopher Newport University for their very first virtual Writers Conference, sponsored in part by The Muse. This one-day event includes various workshops and a panel discussion and offers an opportunity for writers to learn from agents, editors, publishers, the best of authors, poets, professional teachers, and each other. Muse students receive a discounted registration fee of only $50! This conference will be presented online via Zoom.
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Summer Online Class Schedule Announced!
Summer Seminar Sale--All 1-Meeting Seminars Only $35
You'll find our introductory classes, workshops, and studios in Poetry, Fiction, Memoir & Creative Nonfiction, Screenwriting, Comics/Graphic Novels, Storytelling, Songwriting, as well as many great classes for Kids and Teens. Plus we have a great series of all-new craft, creativity, research, and professional development seminars... and this summer, all 1-meeting seminars are only $35!
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Our summer schedule features many super-star teachers from around the country including:
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- YA/Fantasy novelist Erin Beaty, teaching Making Sci-Fi and Fantasy Digestible
- YA/Fantasy novelist Deborah J. Cohen, teaching Writing About Family Secrets
- Novelist/journalist John DeDakis, teaching Becoming a Master Writer, Characterization Through Dialogue, and Writing to Heal
- Fiction Writer/Historian Chris De Matteo, teaching Building Better Worlds
- Poet/Fiction Writer Meg Eden, teaching Revising with Focus: The Thesis of the Novel and A New Angle: Playing with Point of View
- Virginia Poet Laureate Luisa Igloria, teaching Our Poems, Holding Hands and Reaching Deep Beneath the Soil
- Fantasy Novelist Howard Andrew Jones, teaching The Craft of Heroic Fantasy Fiction
- Novelist Jayne Ann Krentz, teaching Finding Your Author Voice
- Novelist Susan Isaak Lolis, teaching Food and Fiction: For the Hungry Writer and First Five Paragraphs: Developing the Character’s Voice
- Journalist Patti McCracken, teaching How to Get Past Writer’s Block
- Poet Suzanne Rhodes, teaching The Poetry Workshop and Innovation from Imitation: Retrofitting Your Poems
- NY Agent Steven Salpeter, teaching Create an Impression: Get Hands-On with an Agent and Pitch Perfect: Strategies to Successfully Query, Pitch, and Talk about Your Writing to Agents
- Former Virginia Poet Laureate Tim Seibles, teaching Personas are Us: Who do you think you’re talking to?
- Science Fiction Novelist David Weber, teaching Keeping Military Science Fiction Fresh and Plotting in a Science Fiction Series
- Poet Wendi White, teaching Giving Voice: A Creative Writing Workshop for Women
- Novelist Michele Young-Stone, teaching The Fiction Studio: Tuesday Evening
- Novelist Diane Zinna, teaching Memoir 1: Tuesday Evenings
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All classes will be held online, using Zoom. We all hope to be back in person sometime in late 2021, but for now, to ensure everyone's health and safety, we are staying online this summer. To participate, students must have a stable internet connection with a computer or device with a webcam and microphone.
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Thank You So Much for a Spectacular Give Local 757!
Thank you to everyone who donated, shared, liked, and/or sent great energy our way during Give Local 757, on Tuesday, May 11, 2021!
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Donations after May 11 are still trickling in, but as of 10 a.m., Friday, May 14, we raised $34,463.93 from 602 generous donors and counting. This includes two $757 grant prizes from the Foundation.
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The anonymous donor who had made the $35,000/$15,000 challenge was very impressed by the community's support of The Muse and the 24-hour livestream/webinar the staff put together. Plus they understand that donations are still coming in, and they figure we'll easily pass our $35,000 goal, so they have agreed to donate the $15,000 challenge amount!
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All of this is all because of your support, and we are grateful beyond belief... The generosity of our community is so very much appreciated.
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Thank you to our Amazing Donors:
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80 Anonymous Donors, Anonymous Donor (Here’s to Mike!), Anonymous Donor (in honor of Diane Marcus Fine), Anonymous Donor (in honor of Jane White), Anonymous Donor (in honor of Jim Ragan), Anonymous Donor (in honor of Lloyd Zuck), Anonymous Donor (in honor ofJanice Johnson), Anonymous Donor (in memory of Len Wines--friend of Michael Khandelwal), Anonymous Donor (in memory of Rock God Leslie West), Anonymous Donor (No matter where you go there you are. --Buckaroo Banzai), Anonymous Donor (Thank you for all the dreams you make a reality!), Anonymous Donor (Thanks for all the wonderful classes you have made possible!), Anonymous Donor (This one is for Bacon), Anonymous Donor (Writers supporting writers.), Anonymous Donor (You guys are great. Thank you.), Abby Beckwith, Abigail Gillen, Adam Greene, Akie Bermiss, Al Markowitz (in honor of Partisan Press), Alana Hollings, Alba Woolard, Alexandra Weller, Alfred Crane, Alice Lee, Alice Steele (in honor of Govind K.), Alicia and Jim Dekker, Alison Schoew, Allan Murphy, Allan Murphy, Allie Marie, Amanda Byrne, Amy Sokol, Amy Stoddard, Andrew Cohen, Andria McClellan, Angel Adell, Angela Wierzbicki, Angela Winters (in memory ofKonrad Winters), Ann Bane, Ann Chinnis MD, Anna and Bobby Sosa (Thanks for being such an awesome part of this community!), Anna Fitzgerald (in memory of Charles Fitzgerald), Anna Walker, Annabelle Strait, April Smith, Arlene Arthur (in memory of Mildred P. Whitehurst), Ashley Miller, Bacon and Brandy Girvan, Barbara Carlson, Barbara Rogers, Belinda Elliott (Love The Muse!), Bess Decker, Beth Schatz Kaylor, Beth Williams, Bill Ayres, Bill Glose (The Muse has supported the local literary community for so long. I'm glad to be able to give a little bit back to help support it.), Bob Boester, Brad McMurran, Brad Parks (Thanks for all you do to support the literary arts on the Hampton Roads peninsula and beyond!), Bradley Wanzor, Brenda Barnes, Brian Weir, Brooks Johnson and Germaine Clair, Bryan Fields, Caitlin Hayes, Caitlyn Worner, Carl Cascio, Carlton Hardy, Carmen Renn, Carol Bronson, Carol Howard, Carol Parris Krauss, Carol Whitney, Carrie Longworth, Cassandra Murdough, Caswell Richardson, Catherine Borden, Catherine Fletcher, Cathy Craft, Charles Hecht-Leavitt, Charles Hood, Charles Rhodes, Charles Stanton, Charles Sukenik, Charles Wilson (Long live the Muse), Chase Folmar (Thanks from the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Hampton Roads), Chelsea & Russ McIntosh, Cheryl and Barthold Hornung (This donation is in support of my talented daughter Alicia Dekker!), Christie Davenport, Christine Koubek (in honor of Ann Roberts), Christine Truman, Christopher DeMatteo, Christopher McCarthy (Muse for one. Muse for all!), Cindy Carlson, Claire Smith (in memory of Rev. Aaron D. Smith and Carolyn D. Smith), Clay Jenkinson, Courtney Richard (in honor of Konrad Winters), Cynthia Lane, Cynthia Vacca Davis, Cynthia Waldron, Cyrus Renn, Dan Noffsinger (May the Muse's light continue to shine bright in a dark universe!), Dana Staves, Danielle Anderson (I'm proud to give to the Muse Writer's Center because they provide spaces for learning; sharing; creating and community!), Dannette Gunning, Darcy Edwards, Darlene Ward, Daun Hester, David Cascio, David Davenport, David Lauthers, David Sadler, Deborah Baxter, Deborah Wallace, Debra Paine (in honor of Adam Paine), Deepak Ray, Derek Spohn, Diana Burson, Diane Fine, Diane Zinna (Thank you Muse! Thank you Michael and Shawn!), Dianne Blythe, Dino McCurdy, Donna Givens (in memory of the Gillen parents), Donnell Catherines, Doris Knight-Bingham, Doug Carlson, Douglas Knack, Drema Deoraich (in honor of the Science Fiction Writers of Hampton Roads), Eben Bracy, Edward Huff, Elaine Luria, Elaine Panneton, Elizabeth Brock, Elizabeth Darling, Elizabeth Esenberg, Elizabeth Girvan, Ellen Bryson (The Muse rocks.), Emily Davidson (in honor of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Hampton Roads), Emily Pease, Eric Williams , Erika Guess, Erin Beaty, Erin Lindstrom, Evan Hartley, Fran Walsh Ward, Fran Ward, Frances Scott, Frank Carey, Fred Levy (The Muse and its gifted teachers (and students) have transformed my poetry. There is no place anywhere like The Muse.), Gabriel Robinson, Gail Kent, Gail Perry (in memory of Barbara Taylor), Gale Svenson-Campbel, Gavin Pate, Gayle Blackstone (in honor of Susan T. Paxton), Gaylia Taylor, George Schaefer, Georgie Marquez-Andre, Germana Berni, Gillian Durham, Ginny Werner, Gorang Khandelwal, Grant & Paige Simmons (COYS - Spurs family), Gretchen Gillen, Hank Thompson, Hayley Daniels, Hayley Mullin (Happy to donate to this cause!), Helen Dekker, Helen Wright, Hercules P. White, Hollie Sessoms, Holly Chacon (in memory of Dakota Chacon & in honor of Joaquin; Jack and Kelsey), Hope Moore, Ian Overholt, J George Carter (in honor of my friend Michael Khandelwal), Jack Wilson, James Hill (For all the good work you do.), James Hinshaw, James Ragan, James Sexton, Jamie Sturges, Jamilah LeCruise, Jane Alvarez-Wertz (In support of the Muse Writers Center and my wonderful friend Michael), Jane White (in memory of my friend Mary Kelliher Wilt and thank you to Michael K; Shawn G; and all the amazing Muse staff; volunteers and the Board for helping to keep this jewel growing!!! Write Where You Are!), Janella Hecker (In support of Alicia--my sister and friend...now...now that we live nowhere near each other!), Janet Bing, Janette Brown, Janice Carlson, Janine Latus (Where would we all be without The Muse? In memory of Mary Kelliher Wilt), Jason and Cheryl Gunning, Jason Dietz, Jatin Khandelwal (In support for Muse), Jayne Ann Krentz, Jean Picou, Jeanne Marie Liggio, Jeff Becker , Jeff Parrott, Jeffery Brisendine, Jeffrey Fine, Jeffrey Hecker (peace love and soul), Jen Adams, Jennifer Edwards, Jennifer Girvan, Jenny Loveland, Jeremy Johnson, Jerri Dickseski, Jessica Carter, Jessica Grace Kelley, Jessica Klemencic, Jessica Tyree, Jim Dekker, Jim Hodges, Jimi Barot, Jo Higgins (To my friends at The Muse and in memory of my friend Adam Paine- thank you for your continued spark in creativity and allowing sitters to Explore their art.), Joan Rhodes-Copeland, Joann & Rick Papesca, Joanne Davies, Jo-Anne Murphy, Joanne Robbins (in honor of Kay and Al Russillo), Joe Barkley, John Chappell (in honor of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Hampton Roads), John DeDakis, John Koehler (in honor of Koehler Books), John Weech, John Wharton (Writers gotta write), Joni Baker, Jordan Fernandez, Jose Gonzalez, Joseph Cascio, Joseph Lang, Joseph Schulz, Joy Dean, Joyce Swindell, Judy Kaplowitz, Julie Walls, K. Frances Renault, Kaitrin Mahar, Kara Latorella (Good luck!), Kara Norman, Karen Ann Kendall, Karen Corrigan, Karen Jolly Davis, Karl and Nancy Blumenberg, Karla & Andrew Martin (We are proud to give to The Muse Writers Center. It is an outstanding organization and a much needed resource in our community.), Karrie Loomis, Kasee Renshaw, Kasey Kennedy, Kat De Shields (I was a student way back when- and the classes I took led to me pursuing my MFA in writing. Thank you Michael for all you do for those who don’t yet know they are a writer.), kate Baldwin (in honor of Michael Khandelwal), Kate Pringle, Katherine Frei, Katherine Chapman, Katherine Schulz, Kathleen Campbell (Donating in remembrance of my grandmother.), Kathleen Renault (in honor of Jane White), Kathryn Brownlow, Kathryn Copeland, Kathy Hessmer, Kathy Sarosdy, Kathy Brobst (In honor of my parents-- all lost in the last few years.), Katie Begley, Katie Fletcher, Katie Hitchcock, Kaven Broberson (For Mickley Pickley), Kelley McGee-Sousa, Kelly Sokol, Kenneth Tomasits, Kent & Alise Wascom, Kerri Land (in memory of our beloved Dr. K.), Kim Bielmann (Thank you for all that you do for healing and creativity and community!), Kimberly Ammons, Kimberly Urdaneta (in memory of Marite Clifford), Kindra McDonald, Kris Roley, Kristin Mehaffey, Kyle Graham, L. Penelope, LaKeah Wilkins, Lane Ritter, Laney Pickel, Larry Chapman, Laura Brodian Freas Beraha, Lauran Strait, Lauren McDonald (with thanks for what I learned from their classes. In honor of Jen Adams & Shawn Girvan), Laurine Daniel, Lee Bachas, Lee Entsminger, Leslie Entsminger, Leslie Renn, Lewis Crenshaw, Libby Kurz, Lidia Sprinceana, Linda Cobb, Linda Marshall, Lisa Booth, Lisa Cooper, Lisa Drago, Lisa Richardson, Lisa Speckheuer, Lisa Vincent, Lisa Weinert (Thank you for all that you are doing for this cause Kelly!), Logan Hall, Lucas LaClaire, Lucy Hall, Luisa Igloria, Lynn Denison (Donating to The Muse is my absolute pleasure. You have fostered writing in the person that I care for the most--and for those who have the passion to express themselves creatively. In honor of Lee Denison; my Mother; for her Poetry passion.), Mandy Martin, Mandy Pennington, Marc and Kate Powell (in honor of Kinda McDonald), Marc Pessar (In honor of Professors Luisa Igloria and Tim Seibles.), Marcia Gray, Margaret DeTar-Lavallee (You are the best!), Margarita Cruz Vargas, Marilyn Barton, Marilyn Mendelson, Marion McCurdy, Marion Wrenn, Marlo Cutler, Mary Baker (Hoping you reach your goal! You deserve it!), Mary Batten, Mary Beauchamp (in honor of Shawn Girvan--Thanks to an encouraging teacher), Mary Robinette, Matt and Tracy Jackson, Matt Cole (in honor of Adam Paine), Matt Reilly (in honor of Emma Reilly), Meaghan Mozingo, Megan Mann, Megan O'Connor, Melissa Page Deutsch (Thank you to The Muse for all that you do to connect us to our creativity. What a gift.), Mella Leibrand, Merrie Milner, Mia Pleasant, Mia Robinson, Michael Berlucchi (in honor of Jane White), Michael Gulland, Michael Jemal, Michael Khandelwal (In honor of the great staff at The Muse: Shawn; Susan; Remy; Jason; Sierra; & Charles), Michael Klineman (in honor of Michael Khandelwal), Michael McLane (Sing heavenly Muse...), Michael Owens, Michael Rigg, Michael-Ray Mathews, Michelle Park, Mike and Pam Ives, Mike Krentz, Mikey Mason, Millicent Accardi (The Muse provides a welcome home to both serious writers and those who dabble or are curious in all things literary!), Milton A. Saunders Jr., Molly Amador (Hope you land the grant!), Nalin Ratnayake, Nancy Aaron (in honor of Gretchen Gillen), Nancy Dickerson, Nancy Helman, Natascha Robinson, Nathaniel Glanzman, Nick Jones, Nicki Toy, Nicole Benson, Noa Greenspan, Norin Radd, Orlander Clements, Pamela Crenshaw, Pamela Denyes, Pamela Good, Patricia Corbus, Paula Radniecki, Penny Lewis, Pieter Dahmen, Prudence Salasky, Ramin Fatehi, Randall Gilliland (The Muse offers great classes--beginner to expert. I'm a beginner and signed up for my 4th class.), Raquel Hernandez, Ray Smith, Rebecca Scherer, Rebecca Lane Coulson, Reginald Burgess, Rekaya Gibson, Remica Bingham-Risher, Renee Olander (A gift to The Muse Writers Center on behalf of Dr. Virginia Armstrong- an extraordinary advocate for justice.), Ricardo Alonso, Richard G. Levin, Richard Goll, Richard Press, Rick Eley, Rick Hite, Rick Schoew, Robert Baxter Jr, Robert Bingham (in honor of Remica Bingham-Risher), Robert Copeland, Robert Edwards, Robert Roman, Robert Sawyer, Robert Strait, Robin Bernath, Robyn Thomas, Rochelle Graves McKoy, Roderick McLeod, Roderick McLeod (in honor of Makayla Mozingo), Rodney Williamson (In memory of Olivetti Ivriah), Ronald and Mary Jean Kledzik, Rooney and Finn, Rosalene Weech (in honor of Kelly Sokol), Rosanne Walters, Rufus T. Firefly (in honor of Hugh Jazz), Sally Noons, Sara Pelosi, Sarah Pishko (in honor of Prince Books), Scott Fales, Scott Hennessy, Scott Manzler, Selina Foreman, Seth Pomeroy, Shannon Griffin, Sharon Grotevant, Sharon Corbus (in memory of Colette Montgomery Sears), Sharon Leeman (in honor of Michael Khandelwal), Sharon Spohn (in honor of Derek Spohn), Sharon Talasazan (Thank you to the muse center for all you do for your community! In honor of Diane Fine), Shawn Girvan (in honor of Queen and Dan Aykroyd), Shawn Rockhold, Sheiko (in honor of Dakota Chacon), Sheila Arnold, Sheri Beyrau, Sheri Reynolds, Shirley McDonald, Sibel Galindez, Simon Hounslow, Skip Keith, Skye Zentz, SL Wickham, Sophie Copeland, Stephanie Catherines, Stephanie Checchia (in memory of Robert (Bob) Howard), Stephen Burgess (In memory of my friend Robert K. Ander), Steve and Rebecca Jones, Steven Blythe, Steven Jellerson (in honor of Cecile Jellerson), Steven Salpeter, Susan Deutsch, Susan Lolis, Susan Mosier, Susan Shea, Susan Thumm Paxton, Suzanne Rhodes (in honor of Mary Lee Haynes), Sybil Gillen, Sylvia Liu, Tamako Takamatsu, Tara Chapman, Terri-Lynn Hedgepeth, Terry Joseph, Terry Parker (In honor of those who write to cope and bravely share their journey.), The Push Comedy Theater, The Silverberg Family (in honor of Lydia Netzer. Thank you for all you do in nurturing the next generation of writers.), Theresa Scarbrough, Tiffany Wayne, Tiffany Winn (Thanks for what you do in the community.), Tim Seibles, Timothy Dunbar, Tobias Youngblood (in honor of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Hampton Roads), Tom and Martha Ambler, Tom Cannone, Tom Kelly, Tom Reel, Tommy & Meg Leeman (Supporting a great place right here in our own backyard.), Tracy Tucker, Tresa Gardner, Valerie Wilkinson, Vinita Folck, Vivianne Gantous, Warren Rifenburgh, Wendi White (Long live the Muse!), Wendy Auerbach, Wendy Bramble, Whitney Weireter (Love The Muse and the most heartfelt warm wishes to Michael and his crew.), Will Bane (in honor of Cindy Carlson), William Gillen, William Laderberg, Zida Ash
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Come Back from COVID Campaign
Become a Sponsor
During the Coronavirus in-person shutdown, the staff of The Muse Writers Center has been busy preparing for our eventual re-opening. We are re-organizing our library, assembling more comfortable furniture for our classrooms, and more.
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All sponsorships are tax-deductible and all donors will be acknowledged with a thank you plaque on the item(s) or room(s) sponsored. Sponsorships can be made in honor of or in memory of someone special. Credit cards and checks are accepted. You can sponsor more than one item or room, and can split larger sponsorships into payments.
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What's Still Available?
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Stay Connected! Join The Writers Reservoir on Facebook
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Visit facebook.com/groups/WritersReservoir and connect with other writers and share articles, essays and personal experiences about being a writer in the world today as well as information about places to submit, contests, conferences, and more. The Writers Reservoir is more than a writers’ resource, it is a writers’ community! It is a place where writers can share, learn, connect and find that often elusive creative spark. The Writers Reservoir is a Facebook group. All writers are welcome to join and send invitations to join.
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The Muse Writers Center’s projects, classes, and events are made possible in part through sponsorship by the City of Norfolk Commission on the Arts and Humanities, Queen of Virginia Skill & Entertainment, the Business Consortium for Arts Support, the Virginia Commission for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional funding has been provided by Virginia Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act economic stabilization plan of 2020 as well as The Literary Arts Emergency Fund, the Hampton Roads Community Foundation and the Norfolk Department of Economic Development.
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