The Muse Writers Center

Summer Camps for Youth & Adults Announced!

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

Spring Classes are Happening Now, Register Today!

We have an amazing Winter/Spring 2023 In-Person, Online, & Hybrid class, workshop, and seminar schedule that starts in late January and runs through April. 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, 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.

Spring Classes Starting Now...

Writers Professional Development

  • Advice from an Agent on Your Path to Publication: An online class that meets Saturday, April 15, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Instructor: Jessica Errera. More information

Writers Knowledge

  • Sleuthing and Detective Work: A hybrid class that meets Saturday, April 15, 1-3:30 p.m. Instructor: Lt. Mike Lovely. More information

Art for Writers

  • Explore Calligraphy: The Art of Elegant Handwriting: An in-person class that meets Saturday, April 15, 1-3:30 p.m. Instructor: Cathy Malley. More information
  • Zentangled Mandalas Class: An in-person class that meets Saturday, April 22, 1-3:30 p.m. Instructor: Donna Wynn. More information

Poetry

  • Poetry of Rap: A hybrid class that meets Sunday, April 16, 1-3:30 p.m. Instructor: Jorge Mendez. More information

Writers Craft

  • Me, Myself, and I: Writing First Person POV: A hybrid class that meets Saturday, April 22, 1-3:30 p.m. Instructor: Jean Klein. More information

Free In-Person, Online, & Hybrid Events

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

Tuesday, April 11, 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, April 12, 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 Muse Neighborhood Jam

Friday, April 14, 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.

Little City Poets Meeting

Saturday, April 15, 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, April 16, 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.

Courtney LeBlanc Book Launch and Q&A

Sunday, April 16, 6-7 p.m., In-Person at The Muse, More information
Join The Muse for a reading by Courtney LeBlanc from her latest poetry collection, Her Whole Bright Life. After the reading, there will be a Q&A and book signing. Copies of the book will be available for purchase.

Rainbow Write-in

Tuesday, April 18, 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, April 19, 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.

Alchemical Ink's "Edit with Me"

Wednesday, April 19, 5:30-6:30 p.m., In-Person at The Muse, More information
This editing roundtable will be hosted by Alchemy Ink's Denise Wofford. Just pop in to learn basics of the editing process or bring your own questions to discuss. All writers are welcome!

Writers Happy Hour

Thursday, April 20, 5-6:30 p.m., In-Person at 80/20 Burger Bar, 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 Tim Seibles. All welcome. We look forward to seeing your faces!

The Norfolk Word Art Show: An Open Mic

Friday, April 21, 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.

Traditional Folk Music Jam at The Muse

Sunday, April 23, 4-6 p.m., In-Person at The Muse, More information
Gather together to play traditional folk music: Appalachian, Celtic, Old Time, and World. The first hour will be beginner/slow jam where we focus on learning new tunes at a slower pace. The second hour will be a veteran/fast jam where we roll through at tempo and tackle more difficult material. After that, we may stick around for an open mic / round robin hour. Instruments, singers, and audience members are welcome! Hosted by Lydia Netzer.

Teen Writers Club

Monday, April 24, 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 every 2nd and 4th Monday 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 Adults

Tuesday, April 25, 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.

Virginia is for Writers: Come to the CNU Writers Conference

Join The Muse at Christopher Newport University's 41st Annual Writers Conference, Saturday, May 6 at CNU's Freeman Center.

Enjoy a keynote address, 11 breakout sessions, a writing contest, pitch sessions, an open mic, and an opportunity to network with fellow writers, publishers, and agents. Featured speakers include Pulitzer Nominee, Bill Glose and a dozen professional writers, poets, publishers, and agents. Discounts available for Muse Students, members of military, seniors, and full time students. Register now for early-bird pricing and the Muse student discount!

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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