Westport Writers' Workshop

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Westport, CT
Westport Writers' Workshop

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The Westport Writers’ Workshop offers generative,supportive creative writing workshops.

Whether your goal is to become a published author or simply to record your life for posterity, you will become part of a community of writers who share a passion for writing and a desire to master the craft.

11/02/2026

Four Essays In Four Weeks with Amanda Parrish Morgan
Mondays
11/9 - 12/7
12:45 - 2:45
In Person
Registration: https://westportwriters.org/event/four-essays-in-four-weeks-monday/

10/30/2026

Writing About Your Life with Christine Pakkala
Mondays
11/9 - 12/7
6:30 - 9 PM EST
ONLINE
Registration: Link in bio or https://westportwriters.org/event/writing-about-your-life/

This craft-focused workshop revolves around writing one’s stories from life. Participants will be guided in creating and revising compelling, well-crafted personal essays and full-length memoirs. Beyond craft and technique, we’ll challenge ourselves to dig deep into our personal histories and to commit to the page the powerful emotions that galvanize our stories. In the workshop, we aim to create a community of writers who support one another by practicing deep listening, compassionate responses, and thoughtful feedback. We recognize that writing is a risky endeavor and that sharing what we write in a workshop setting requires courage. As a community, we support one another in that endeavor by offering rigorous support and a gentle critique.
Each participant’s material will be shared each week in a constructive and supportive atmosphere designed to develop one’s own editing skills while elevating the quality of the writing. Memoir and essay publishing strategies will occasionally be discussed as they are appropriate to the group members.

10/29/2026

Join us next Wednesday for a complimentary reading from some of our Fall workshop students!

Wednesday, November 4th
7- 8:30 PM
Online via Zoom
RSVP Required: https://westportwriters.org/event/fall-student-reading/

10/28/2026

Midlife Writers' Workshop with Sam Keller
Thursdays
11/11 - 12/17
3-5 PM
IN PERSON
Registration: https://westportwriters.org/event/midlife-writers-workshop-second-chapters-3/

About Sam: Sam’s debut novel, The Light Remains, received an honorary mention in the Fairfield Book Prize and was published in South Africa and the US in April, 2026. Her short fiction has been a Narrative Story of the Week, a finalist in American Short Fiction’s Halifax Ranch Prize, and shortlisted in the Bridport Prize. She won the Anthony Grooms’ Prize in 2024 and appeared in The Connecticut Literary Anthology 2024. Sam completed her MFA at Fairfield University, taught a fiction workshop at the Darien Arts Center, and works as a freelance Developmental Editor. Her first children’s picture book, Are You An Alien? was published in the UK in 2025.

10/27/2026

Westport Writers’ Workshop and WSHU Public Radio are pleased to announce the winners of our CT Voices: What Haunts You Writing Contest!

1st Place: Henry Liu, “From Connecticut”
2nd Place: Margie Jacobson, “Teeth”
3rd Place: Laura Brennan, “Inside My Head”

Thank you to everyone who shared their stories and helped make this contest so meaningful. With nearly 200 entries, it was an honor to read your deeply personal reflections on the things that linger in our minds and haunt us. We were moved by each submission, as well as by the community response to our writing workshop led by WSHU’s Terry Sheridan and WWW’s Suzanne Farrell Smith.

Tune in to WSHU Public Radio on Thursday morning and afternoon for an interview with our winner, Henry Liu, and a reading of his work.

To read the winning pieces, visit the Westport Writers’ Workshop blog (link in bio) at https://westportwriters.org/blog/ or read the announcement on WSHU’s website: https://www.wshu.org/connecticut-news/2026-10-26/2026-ct-voices-writing-contest-winners

10/23/2026

Congratulations to Westport Writers’ Workshop memoir student Robin Bonnist on her publication in The New York Times Modern Love column!

We are in awe of Robin’s powerful story and beautiful writing, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to celebrate this accomplishment!

Learn more about Robin at https://robinbonnist.org

10/22/2026

From Family to the Page with Barbara Josselsohn
Wednesdays
11/11 - 12/16
10 - 12 EST
ONLINE
Registration: https://westportwriters.org/event/from-family-to-the-page-6/

10/22/2026

COMPLIMENTARY COMMUNITY OUTREACH WORKSHOP
Publishing 101
Tuesday, November 10th
6:30-8:00pm
ONLINE
REGISTRATION REQUIRED: https://westportwriters.org/event/publishing-101-a-panel-for-writers-of-shorts-stories-essays-books-complimentary/

The business side of writing can feel vast and ever-changing. While there is a lot of information online, it can feel overwhelming to navigate. To help us all sort through advice, best practices, strategies, and debunk common myths, we have gathered a wide range of industry professionals. Whether you want to submit your first essay or story to a literary journal or you’re ready to query a literary agent with your completed manuscript, this panel will provide useful and practical tips. Amanda Parrish Morgan will ask the burning questions on all of our minds and some you didn't even know you needed to know. There will be plenty of time for your questions as well. Join us for an inspired and educational evening!

Moderated by Executive Director, Amanda Parrish Morgan
Panelists:
Jaclyn Gilbert - Author & Literary Agent at Drift(less) Literary
Rachel Dillon - Managing Director of Ploughshares
Tommy Dean - Agent, Editor, Teacher, Writer
Maris Dyer - Editor at Knopf

10/21/2026

Please join us in extending congratulations to our 2026 Jessica Speart Fellow Sophie Marino! We are so excited to see how Sophie uses this award to develop her already bountiful creativity and craft.

To learn more about her visit: https://thewordsofsophiemarino.com/

10/21/2026

Advanced Fiction with Chris Belden

Register here https://westportwriters.org/event/advanced-fiction-fridays-ms-6/ or see link in bio -->Late Fall Workshops

Address

25 Sylvan Road South Suite J
Westport, CT
06880

Website

http://www.westportwriters.org/

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