The Muse Writers Center

Register Now for a Summer Class!

We have an amazing Summer 2023 In-Person, Online, & Hybrid class, workshop, camp, and seminar schedule that starts in June and runs through August. You can find the right class for you by genre or in a searchable calendar and register now. Tuition assistance and flexibility is always available if you need it. Just check that box on the payment form.

You'll find our introductory classes and workshops in Poetry, Fiction, Memoir & Creative Nonfiction, Screenwriting, Comics/Graphic Novels, Songwriting, Storytelling, as well as many great classes for Young Writers and Teens . Plus we have a great series of all-new craft, creativity, knowledge, and professional development seminars

In-Person, Online, & Hybrid Classes

  • In In-person classes, everyone will meet at our physical center.
  • Hybrid classes are where it's your choice whether to attend In-Person or through Zoom each class meeting. We have installed an excellent hybrid system to ensure both In-Person and Zoom students have the same great experience. The instructor will host the class in a physical Muse classroom.
  • Online classes meet over Zoom; you can take them from anywhere.

What Should You Take Next?

In most of our genre areas, we have created a "#3" and "#2" class that comes in between the "#1" class-level and the workshop-level. If you don't see a higher-level class in your genre, then it's fine to move to the workshop-level. If you are already in the workshop-level, it's fine to stay with your teacher or explore other teachers or genres.

In Addition to Our Regular Classes, Teachers from Around the Country Are Offering:

Register Now for Youth & Adult Summer Camps

We are excited to announce the return of a full schedule of summer camps for Elementary, Middle, and High School writers as well as 3 completely different in-person 1-Day Creative Writing "Camps" (or Mini-Conference Days) for Adults this summer.

Learn more and register today. Hope to see you there!

For Youth

For Adults

  • Saturday, June 3: 1-Day Creative Writing "Camp" for Adults: with teachers/speakers: Luisa A. Igloria, Cassandra Clarke, Desiree Cooper, Wilhelmine Bellevue, John Aguiar, Shawn Girvan, Donna Wynn, Synnika Lofton, Diane Fine, Rebecca Tigner, & Alison Schoew
  • Monday, July 24: 1-Day Creative Writing "Camp" for Adults: with teachers/speakers: Tim Seibles, John DeDakis, Michael Krentz, Rebecca Tigner, Chris De Matteo, Donna Wynn, Bridget Dolan, Chay Jones, Lisa Kendrick, & Skye Zentz
  • Friday, August 18: 1-Day Creative Writing "Camp" for Adults: with teachers/speakers: Kelly Sokol, Bridget Dolan, Lisa Cooper, Eddie Dowe, Kindra McDonald, Chay Jones, Patrick Dacey, John Aguiar, Sylvia Liu, & Alison Schoew

Free In-Person, Online, & Hybrid Events

Rainbow Write-in

Tuesday, May 16, 5-7 p.m., In-Person at The Muse (and Hybrid), More information
What's a rainbow write-in, you ask? Well, it's just like a regular write-in, but more colorful! Join us every 3rd Tuesday in person at the Muse or online to spark your creativity and get some words on the page. Stay for the entire two hours or just stop in for 10 minutes; open to all--just come prepared to write. Please register in advance if you plan to attend via Zoom. Co-hosted by The Muse and Eleanor's Norfolk.

Thought Radio at Slover Library

Wednesday, May 17, 5-7 p.m., Online, More information
Join Muse teacher and local musician Skye Zentz for this free online program at Slover Library! In Thought Radio, we'll explore our emotional selves while taking the time to play with different perspectives outside of our own. Free registration required.

Writers Happy Hour

Thursday, May 18, 5-6:30 p.m., In-Person at The Green Onion, More information
Join us as we come back together and meet in-person for our new Third Thursday Writers Happy Hour, an informal get-together where area writers and Muse teachers, students, and friends enjoy conversation, camaraderie, and drinks. This month's Happy Hour will be hosted by Michael Khandelwal and Diane Fine. All welcome. We look forward to seeing your faces!

The Norfolk Word Art Show: An Open Mic

Friday, May 19, 7:30-9:30 p.m., In-Person at The Muse, More information
Join us for an open mic for presenting any original written words--material from Poets, Songwriters, Comedians, Playwrights. If you can write it we’d like to hear it. Hosted by Teech. Featured Performer: Daniel Garwood. Sign up in person starting at 6:45.

The Warriors at The Naro Expanded Cinema

Friday, May 19, 9 p.m., In-Person at Naro Cinema, More information
We'll have the usual refreshments available, with sales benefiting The Muse Writers Center. Friendly reminder alcohol sales are CASH only. Doors at 8:30 p.m.

Little City Poets Meeting

Saturday, May 20, 1-3 p.m., In-Person at The Muse, More information
This monthly meet-up will be a lively and productive session where we'll workshop new pieces, revise existing work, and move closer to publication. This is a great opportunity for anyone who loves poetry and wants to share their work with others. This in-person club meets the third Saturday of each month and is hosted by Tina Carey.

"Views of Virginia" Gallery Reception & Poetry Reading

Saturday, May 20, 1-5 p.m., In-Person at The Muse, More information
TViews of Virginia, a reverse-ekphrastic art and poetry exhibit curated by the Poetry Society of Virginia, is currently on display at The Muse through July 31. Join us for a free reading and gallery reception with the poets and artists featured in the exhibit! Light refreshments will be provided.

A Page in the Life Memoir Group

Sunday, May 21, 2-4 p.m., In-Person at The Muse, More information
Memoirists unite once a month at The Muse to spend an hour working on their memoirs. Come to share your life stories or just sit and listen. All are welcome. This is an in-person club that meets on the third Sunday of each month and is hosted by Karen Kendall.

757 Comic and Cartoon Creators

Sunday, May 21, 4-7 p.m., In-Person at The Muse and Hybrid, More information
757 Comic and Cartoon Creators is a community group for local artists, specifically those interested in creating comics and animation. Writers are welcome as well. Come in-person or join us via Zoom.

Melissa Page Book Launch and Q&A

Sunday, May 21, 4-5:30 p.m., In-Person at The Muse & Hybrid, More information
Join The Muse for a reading by longtime Muse member and friend Melissa Page Deutsch from her latest book, This SLP Life, published by ASHA Press. Following the reading there will be a Q&A; attendees will also be invited to participate in a sample coaching exercise from the book. Copies of the book will be available for purchase. If you are not able to attend in person, you can register here to attend via Zoom.

Student Reading at Waters Edge Winery

Monday, May 22, 7-9 p.m., In-Person at Waters Edge Winery, More information
Join The Muse as we celebrate the work of our Spring 2023 students as they share their writing from the past session. All are welcome. Readers must register in advance. Come and enjoy some food and drinks and a great reading!

Write Now! with The Muse & Slover Library for Adults

Tuesday, May 23, 5-7 p.m., Online, More information
Are you looking for a little inspiration? Come on down (virtually), join us and Write Now! A talented and qualified Muse teacher will lead you through an easy, fun, and creative workshop full of writing prompts and creative sharing. Free registration required.

Virtual Student Reading

Thursday, May 25, 7-8 p.m., Online, More information
Join The Muse as we celebrate the work of our Spring 2023 students as they share their writing from the past session. This event will be held via Zoom webinar. All are welcome. Register to receive the Zoom link and watch the reading live.

VOICES: An Open Mic Dedicated to Mental Health Awareness

Friday, May 26, 7-9 p.m., In-Person at The Muse, More information
May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Join us at The Muse for an open mic centered on all things mental health; share your poetry, your personal essays, your short stories, your original music--anything that touches on the subject. This will be a moving, vulnerable, caring evening of sharing words and space. All welcome.

757 Comic and Cartoon Creators

Saturday, May 27, 4-7 p.m., In-Person at The Muse and Hybrid, More information
757 Comic and Cartoon Creators is a community group for local artists, specifically those interested in creating comics and animation. Writers are welcome as well. Come in-person or join us via Zoom.

Come to The Muse and Write

The Muse Writers Center's physical space is open for people to write, meet others, and learn more about The Muse four days a week: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. See our Locations, Hours, & Directions page for more information..

The Muse has installed is installing an iWave-R air purification system that uses needlepoint bipolar ionization (NPBI) cold plasma technology to sanitize the air, killing viruses, bacteria, and mold.

Stay Connected! Join The Writers Reservoir on Facebook

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, the Business Consortium for Arts Support, the Virginia Commission for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the WeTransfer Creative Hubs Grant. 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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