Lit News

2027 Fiction Intensives "Be Careful on the Stairs": Writing Dialogue in Fiction If you are writing fiction--short story, novella, novel--and your stories include dialogue, this class is for you. This year's intensives workshops will focus on conversations. The most productive dialogue is engaging and revealing while furthering character and plot development. Together, participants will look at some great fictional exchanges, learn from regional writers, and offer suggesti

This writing workshop is designed for adults experiencing grief. It will include group poetry readings, peer-led discussion, thought-provoking prompts, and the opportunity to share work. All poems selected for the group reading are related to grief and all opportunities to share are optional. No writing experience is necessary. The group will meet in-person Monday September 28, 2026 from 1:00-2:30pm at Thrive 10:10 (22 N. Market St. Girard, OH 44420). This workshop is free a

Writing can help us process what words often struggle to express. If you’re navigating grief, join us for Writing Through Grief, a free, supportive workshop series for adults that explores loss through poetry, reflection, and community. Each session will include group poetry readings centered on grief, peer led discussion, thought-provoking writing prompts and optional opportunities to share your work. New and experienced writers are welcome and all supplies are provided. The

Back by popular demand! Session leader Alex Abruzzi welcomes past Lit Youngstown workshop participants and new faces alike to this informal writing workshop. The group will discuss the work of other writers, share their own work and receive gentle feedback. The group will meet the first Thursday of every month from 6-7pm at the Girard Free Library (105 E Prospect St, Girard) through December of 2026. Meeting dates are: September 3, October 1, November 5, December 3. This work

Grief can be difficult to put into words, but writing can offer a gentle space to process loss, remember, reflect, and express what may be hard to say aloud. In this supportive workshop, participants will explore poetry and writing prompts designed to help them navigate grief. No previous writing experience is necessary, and there is no expectation to share anything you write. Come as you are, write at your own pace, and discover how putting words on the page can create space

This writing workshop is a safe space for individuals experiencing chronic illness to build community and express themselves through writing. No prior experience is required. This six week workshop will meet in-person Tuesday evenings at 6pm (Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27 and Nov. 3, and 10) at LOOP Arts & Culture Center (805 Mahoning Avenue). This venue is ADA accessible. This workshop is open to the public but registration ($45) is required. Details on how to complete payment will be

This workshop is designed for adults navigating recovery as well as family members impacted by a loved one's recovery journey. This six week workshop will meet in-person Tuesday evenings at 6pm (Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27 and Nov. 3, and 10) at LOOP Arts & Culture Center (805 Mahoning Avenue). This workshop is free and open to the public but registration is required. The registration form can be found here. No walk-ins please. Session leader, Russ Brickey, holds a Bachelor's in Engli

Gather in a safe space with other writers. All genres, experience levels, and ages are welcome. Any children under 13 should be accompanied by an adult. Socialize, share tips, experience, and events. Become part of a community that understands both the joys and the struggles of the writing life. We will meet from 10:00a.m. to 2:00pm. at POP! Art Books Culture (6949 Market St.). Critique hour will take place from 12-1pm. If you would like feedback on a short work or excerpt f

This workshop welcomes writers new to the Mahoning Valley who have built lives across cultures and languages to document and share their experience through writing. Whether participants are documenting family histories, reflecting on journeys and transitions, celebrating cultural traditions, or simply exploring creativity, the workshop provides a supportive community where every voice is respected and every story has value. The workshop will meet on Tuesday evenings at 6pm (A

This workshop will provide a supportive and creative space for individuals to explore self-expression through writing. Whether participants are seeking a new creative outlet, looking to build a regular writing practice, or simply interested in exploring their voice, this workshop offers an opportunity to build community. The group will meet in-person Thursday evenings (August 6, 13, 20, 27, Sept. 3, 10) from 6-7pm at LOOP Arts & Culture Center (805 Mahoning Avenue). This work

In this nonfiction session, we’ll talk about polishing your flash creative nonfiction until it shines like a metaphor, then sending it out into the constellations. This workshop will meet Tuesday June 2 at 3pmET via Zoom. The link will be sent to you the day of the workshop. Please register here by June 1. The workshop fee is $25. Sarah Freligh is the author of eight books, including Sad Math, winner of the 2014 Moon City Press Poetry Prize, and Hereafter, winner of the 2024

This writing workshop is designed for adults experiencing grief. Sessions will include group poetry readings, peer-led discussion, thought-provoking prompts, and the opportunity to share work. All poems selected for group readings are indirectly related to grief. The group will meet in-person on Tuesday evenings at 6pm April 28, May 5, 12, 19, 26, and June 2 at the Youngstown Main Library (305 Wick Ave). This workshop is free and open to the public. Seating is limited and reg

Beautiful Things : Tiny Windows to Difficult Things In this nonfiction session, we’ll look at a handful of published examples from Beautiful Things ( River Teeth ’ s weekly online magazine of micro essays) and think about specific strategies we can recruit to identify the images, locate the voice, build the structures, and sculpt the language that will help us to craft our difficult material into miniature essays that “[magnify] some small aspect of what it means to be huma

Registration is now closed Let's write small true stories with a big big bite. Registration closes December 15 for the next round of writing intensives: a sustained, in-depth workshop for writers of all experience levels. Each month from January to May, participants will bring one 250 word story to our in-person workshop. The registration fee of $200 is due January 10 and will include a copy of the Rose Metal Press Guide to Flash Nonfiction. The monthly assignment will in

This year's fall lit fest begins with a Walking Poetry Workshop with Diane Callahan at Fellows Riverside Gardens from 3:00-5:00pm....

Gather in a safe space with other writers. All genres, experience levels, and ages are welcome. Any children under 13 should be...

Gather in a safe space with other writers. All genres, experience levels, and ages are welcome. Any children under 13 should be...

The 2025 Writing Intensives will focus on the poetry chapbook manuscript, with manuscript reviews led by seasoned regional poets. We...

Gather in a safe space with other writers. All genres, experience levels, and ages are welcome. Any children under 13 should be...

Gather in a safe space with other writers. All genres, experience levels, and ages are welcome. Any children under 13 should be...