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.

Summer Classes Starting Now...

Screenwriting

  • The Advanced Screenwriting Workshop: 6-meeting hybrid class that begins Tuesday, June 6, 7-9:30 p.m. (mostly bi-weekly). Instructor: Diane Fine. More information
  • Screenwriting 1: The Fundamentals of Script & Story: 6-meeting hybrid class that begins Tuesday, June 13, 7-9:30 p.m. (bi-weekly). Instructor: Matt Friedman. More information

Nonfiction & Memoir

  • The Shadow Self: Exploring Your Character's Dark Side Through Writing and Art: 4-meeting online class that begins Thursday, June 8, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (bi-weekly). Instructor: Lisa Cooper. More information
  • Nonfiction in a Flash: 6-meeting hybrid class that begins Monday, June 12, 7-9:30 p.m. (bi-weekly). Instructor: Cristina Foss. More information
  • The Memoir Studio: 6-meeting hybrid class that begins Monday, June 12, 7-9:30 p.m. (bi-weekly). Instructor: Libby Kurz. More information
  • Nonfiction 1: The Art of Writing True Stories: 6-meeting hybrid class that begins Wednesday, June 14, 7-9:30 p.m. (bi-weekly). Instructor: Bridget Dolan. More information

Youth & Teens

  • Advanced Workshop for High School Seniors: 4-meeting hybrid class that begins Thursday, June 8, 6-8:30 p.m. (bi-weekly). Instructor: Jessica Kelley. More information

Fiction

  • Fiction 2: Deeper into Character & Story (Tuesday Mornings): 6-meeting hybrid class that begins Tuesday, June 13, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (bi-weekly). Instructor: Jacob Gregory. More information
  • Fiction 2: Deeper into Character & Story (Wednesday Evenings): 6-meeting hybrid class that begins Wednesday, June 14, 7-9:30 p.m. (bi-weekly). Instructor: Jacob Gregory. More information
  • The Fiction Studio (Wednesday Mornings): 6-meeting hybrid class that begins Wednesday, June 14, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (bi-weekly). Instructor: Michael Krentz. More information

Poetry

  • The Advanced Poetry Workshop: 6-meeting hybrid class that begins Thursday, June 15, 7-9:30 p.m. (bi-weekly). Instructor: Noah Renn. More information

Comics/Graphic Novels

  • The Comic Book & Graphic Novel Workshop: 6-meeting hybrid class that begins Thursday, June 15, 7-9:30 p.m. (bi-weekly). Instructor: Rebecca Tigner. More information

Writers Craft

  • Twenty Ways to Immediately Improve Your Writing: A hybrid class that meets Saturday, June 17, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Instructor: Rick Eley. More information

Writers Life & Creativity

  • Spark Your Creativity: An in-person class that meets Saturday, June 17, 1-3:30 p.m. Instructor: Susie Pedigo. More information

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

  • 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

Writers Zoom Meet-Up

Tuesday, June 6, 5-6 p.m., Online, More information
Join The Muse on the first Tuesday of each month for our monthly Writers Zoom Meet-Up, an informal get-together where writers from anywhere in the world enjoy conversation, camaraderie, and discussion about what we're working on.

The Muse Neighborhood Jam

Friday, June 9, 7-10 p.m., In-Person at The Muse, More information
Join us on the 2nd Friday of each month for an evening where everyone is welcome to make music, sing, read, laugh, or just hang out and listen. This is not an open mic with a sign-up list. We'll alternate between individual-led and collaborative performance and pure unplugged jams. Anyone is welcome... from beginners to professionals, whether you like to play an instrument or just listen, sing or be sung to, read your work or hear great stories and poems. Hosted by Dan Duke.

Projects, Passions, and Possibilities Writing Group

Saturday, June 10, 1-3 p.m., Online, More information
A roundtable discussion open to all writers and generated by the interests of the participants to exchange and spread information. Free registration required. Hosted by author, Fran Ward

Gathering Magic: A Fantasy Writers Group

Saturday, June 10, 1-3 p.m., In-Person at The Muse, More information
Come join us for our monthly fantasy writers gathering. Some writing, come critique, some craft talk, some camaraderie with other fantasy writers--those of us who revel in wardrobe doors and rabbit holes, who would rather work on inventing a language than learning French, who long for something this world doesn't offer. Hosted by Leigh Kenyon.

757 Comic and Cartoon Creators

Saturday, June 10, 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.

Teen Writers Club

Monday, June 12, 6-8 p.m., In-Person at The Muse and Hybrid, More information
Are you a teen? Do you like writing? Then join us at The Muse for the Teen Writers Club! This casual meet-up is part social hangout and part writing. 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.

Write Now! with The Muse & Slover Library for Kids & Teens

Tuesday, June 13, 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.

Shut Up & Write Drop-in Session

Wednesday, June 14, 5:30-7 p.m., In-Person at The Muse and Hybrid, More information
Need a little mid-week motivation to pick up your pen? Join us online or in-person at The Muse for this hybrid, drop-in writing session. If you decide to join via Zoom, you must register in advance to receive the Zoom link. Hosted by Art Klepchukov.

The Norfolk Word Art Show: An Open Mic

Friday, June 16, 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: Synnika Lofton. Sign up in person starting at 6:45.

Charity Book Sale at the Book Exchange Norfolk

Saturday, June 17 & Sunday, June 18, In-Person at The Book Exchange Norfolk, More information
Come out to the Book Exchange (Norfolk location) and buy a bag of cheap books! All proceeds from the book sale for the weekend supports The Muse Writers Center and our tuition assistance fund.

Little City Poets Meeting

Saturday, June 17, 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.

A Page in the Life Memoir Group

Sunday, June 18, 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, June 18, 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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