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Register Now for Fall Classes, Workshops, & 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.
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Fall Classes Starting Now...
Nonfiction & Memoir
- Nonfiction 2: Diving into Style and Forms: 6-meeting hybrid class that begins Wednesday, October 4, 7-9:30 p.m. (bi-weekly). Instructor: Bridget Nolan. More information
- Nonfiction 3: Deeper into Revision and Exploring Publication: 6-meeting hybrid class that begins Tuesday, September 26, 7-9:30 p.m. (bi-weekly). Instructor: Shawn Girvan. More information
- Writing Through Death and Dying: 6-meeting in-person class that begins Wednesday, October 4, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (bi-weekly). Instructor: Lisa Cooper. More information
Screenwriting
- Screenwriting 2: Getting Your Script on Its Feet: 6-meeting hybrid class that begins Tuesday, October 3, 7-9:30 p.m. (bi-weekly). Instructor: Diane Fine. More information
- The Advanced Screenwriting Workshop: 6-meeting hybrid class that begins Tuesday, September 26, 7-9:30 p.m. (mostly bi-weekly). Instructor: Diane Fine. More information
Fiction
- Fiction 2: Deeper into Character & Story (Wednesday Evenings): 6-meeting hybrid class that begins Wednesday, October 4, 7-9:30 p.m. (bi-weekly). Instructor: Timothy Norton. More information
- Fiction 3: Deeper into Voice & Revision: 6-meeting hybrid class that begins Wednesday, September 27, 7-9:30 p.m. (bi-weekly). Instructor: Billy Hallal. More information
- The Fiction Workshop (Thursday Mornings): 6-meeting online class that begins Thursday, October 5, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (bi-weekly). Instructor: Erin Beaty. More information
- The Fiction Workshop (Thursday Evenings): 6-meeting hybrid class that begins Thursday, October 5, 7-9:30 p.m. (bi-weekly). Instructor: Timothy Norton. More information
- The Advanced Fiction Workshop (Sunday Afternoons): 6-meeting online class that begins Sunday, October 8, 1-3:30 p.m. (bi-weekly). Instructor: Jacob Gregory. More information
Poetry
- Poetry 1: Learning to Write Poetry: 6-meeting hybrid class that begins Monday, October 9, 7-9:30 p.m. (bi-weekly). Instructor: Tracy Rice Weber. More information
- The Poetry Workshop: 6-meeting online class that begins Monday, October 2, 7-9:30 p.m. (bi-weekly). Instructor: Suzanne Rhodes. More information
- The Advanced Poetry Workshop: 6-meeting hybrid class that begins Thursday, October 5, 7-9:30 p.m. (bi-weekly). Instructor: Noah Renn. More information
- Heaven Assure, Shoulders High in the Room: 4-meeting hybrid class that begins Saturday, October 7, 1-3:30 p.m. Instructor: Tom Yuill. More information
Youth & Teens
- Young Writers Class: 4-meeting in-person class that begins Saturday, October 7, 1-3 p.m. . Instructors: Jessica Grace Kelley, Wilhelmine Bellevue, Samantha Bankston, Kelsey Holden-Northerner. More information
- Creative Writing for High School Teens: 4-meeting hybrid class that begins Saturday, October 7, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. . Instructors: Jessica Grace Kelley, Jeffrey Hecker. More information
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Free In-Person, Online, & Hybrid Events
Write Now! with The Muse & Slover Library for Adults
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.
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Wednesday Wordsmiths!
Join us every Wednesday for an inspiring and collaborative writing experience. Whether you're a seasoned wordsmith or just starting your literary journey, this group welcomes all. Bring your latest writing to share with fellow enthusiasts, or dive into our engaging exercises and prompts designed to spark your imagination. On Wednesdays that "Shut Up & Write" events are held, the Wednesday Wordsmiths will simply attend the Shut Up & Write session. Hosted by Jeffrey Morse.
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Open Mic Night at The Muse
Come share your stories, poetry, songs, and more at The Muse's monthly open mic! Hosted by Dusti Connelley and Tina Carey. 5 minute time slots; sign ups at the door. All welcome to share or just listen! This is a rescheduled Open Mic from the previous week, which was postponed due to the tropical storm.
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757 Comic and Cartoon Creators
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.
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ODU LitFest Opening Reception
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Sunday, October 1, 4-6 p.m., In-Person at The Green Onion in Ghent, More information
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Join The Muse Writers Center and Old Dominion University to celebrate the opening of the 46th Annual ODU Literary Festival. Presenters, participants, and attendees of the festival along with students, teachers, and friends of The Muse and the ODU MFA in Creative Writing program are welcome to enjoy hors d'oeuveres and conversation (with a cash bar). The event is free and open to the public.
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Writers Zoom Meet-Up
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.
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Wednesday Wordsmiths!
Join us every Wednesday for an inspiring and collaborative writing experience. Whether you're a seasoned wordsmith or just starting your literary journey, this group welcomes all. Bring your latest writing to share with fellow enthusiasts, or dive into our engaging exercises and prompts designed to spark your imagination. On Wednesdays that "Shut Up & Write" events are held, the Wednesday Wordsmiths will simply attend the Shut Up & Write session. Hosted by Jeffrey Morse.
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Writers Coffee Break
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Friday, October 6, 10 a.m.-Noon, In-Person at Cafe Stella Ghent, More information
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Join us for our monthly 1st Friday Writers Coffee Breaks at Cafe Stella in Ghent. At these informal get-togethers, area writers and Muse teachers, students, and friends enjoy conversation and camaraderie over a (perhaps much needed) coffee break. This month's hosts: Michael Khandelwal and Diane Fine. We look forward to seeing your faces!
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PechaKucha Night at 757 Makerspace
Join The Muse and 757 Makerspace for our monthly PechaKucha Night. The PechaKucha 20x20 presentation format is a slide show of 20 images, each auto-advancing after 20 seconds. It's non-stop and you've got 400 seconds to tell your story, with visuals guiding the way. Register to present, but all are welcome to attend.
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Queer Writers Meet-up at Eleanor's NFK
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Saturday, October 7, 10-11 a.m., In-Person at Eleanor's Books Norfolk, More information
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Calling all queer writers! Join us every first Saturday in person at Eleanor's Norfolk from 10-11 a.m. This is a space to meet up with other local creatives, meet new friends, and talk all things writing.
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24 Hour Comic Day
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10 a.m., Saturday, October 7-10 a.m. Sunday, October 8, In-Person at The Muse and Hybrid, More information
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24 Hour Comic Day is a challenge in which artists attempt to create a 24-page comic book written, drawn, and completed in 24 hours. This year, come join other artists at The Muse Writers Center... Can't make it physically? Join us virtually for this Hybrid event!
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Tobias Youngblood Book Launch and Q&A
Join The Muse for a reading by Tobias Youngblood from his new book, Grave Covenant. After the reading, there will be a Q&A and book signing. This event will be held in person at The Muse and copies of the book will be available for purchase.
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Dominic Pistritto Book Launch and Q&A
Join The Muse for a reading by Dominic Pistritto from his new book, Project: Apex One. After the reading, there will be a Q&A and book signing. This event will be held in person at The Muse and copies of the book will be available for purchase.
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Teen Writers Club
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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.
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Register Now for the Hampton Roads Writers Conference: Nov. 9-11, 2023
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Voted Best Writers Conference in the State!
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Scholarships Available from HRW
The Hampton Roads Writers Conference is live and in-person this year, November 9-11 in Virginia Beach. Now in its 15th year, the conference features 1 evening plus 2 full days of workshops, 2 best-selling keynoters (Dani Pettrey & Amy Collins), 2 first-ten-lines critique sessions, 50+ workshops during 10 breakout sessions, ten-minute agent pitches, cash prize contests for short fiction, short nonfiction, and poetry, complimentary 90-minute cocktail social, 2-hour open mic. Registration includes 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, refreshments throughout the day, a meet and greet with complimentary hors d'oeuvres, a cocktail social (cash bar) with complimentary heavy hors d'oeuvres, the opportunity to enter all the writing contests, the opportunity to present at an open mic, entrance to all the sessions, and the opportunity to pitch to 2 literary agents.
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The Muse is a proud sponsor of the conference, and we will be there! Please register today... If you are a Muse student, you are eligible for the HRW Member rate (just write "Muse student" in the comments box on the registration page and they will refund you the difference, or just become an HRW member and support another great local literary organization). They also have scholarships if you need a little help affording the conference. Learn More.
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Congratulations Scholarship Winners
The Muse Writers Center is excited to announce the winners of the Joan Rorke-McClure Futures Scholarships, made possible through generous donations from William McClure and others. Joan Rorke-McClure was a leading physician, lover of education, and friend to The Muse who always encouraged and helped foster a passion for learning. We awarded three scholarships for the coming academic year, each with a value of $1,000. The winners are Yunseo Chung, Jerome Newsome, and Freddie Tavakoli. Learn more about the awardees.
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You Can Make an Impact, Too
Join William and other donors and support The Muse today. In the past 2-3 years, our outreach to underserved communities has tripled in reach... and we are using the power of creative writing and the literary arts as an expressive arts therapy to aid in the healing of thousands: wounded veterans, teens in juvenile detention, seniors in Alzheimer's care, and persons dealing with cancer, terminal illness, and loss. In addition, our tuition help program for our classes has also grown and seen more requests for help. Now 40% of our students receive some financial aid.
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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..
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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.
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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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