Writing Education
In addition to the creative writing programs and classes offered at our area universities and colleges, our area has several renowned writing conferences.
Antioch Writers’ Workshop (www.antiochwritersworkshop.com) will present a one-day conference on March 22 on “Paths to Publishing” focusing on the business side of creative writing: how to self-publish or independently publish print or ebooks, how to pursue a traditional path, tips and advice for organizing your writing life, knowing the legalities of copyrights and more. The event will be held at Antioch University Midwest in Yellow Springs. Antioch Writers’ Workshop also holds monthly free events, a week-long summer program, and a fall retreat; check for details at antiochwritersworkshop.com
University of Dayton will host its biannual Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop on April 10-12, 2014. It’s so well-known, unique and popular that the event has already sold out. However, go to humorwriters.org/2014workshop/registration/ to add your name to the wait list.
Word’s Worth Writing Center (www.wordsworthdayton.com) offers year round short courses, tutoring and consulting in creative writing.
The Ohio Playwrights Circle offers courses in playwrighting through The Human Race Theatre Company (http://humanracetheatre.org/adultclasses.php). Aspiring novelists can meet like-minded writers and get inspiration through the area’s NaNoWriMo group (
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Sinclair Community College (www.sinclair.edu) offers an annual workshop held in the fall; date to be determined. This year will mark its 41st annual workshop.
Bookstores, libraries and coffee shops
Perhaps it seems obvious … but don’t forget to check out area bookstores and libraries … not just for books … but also for readings and events as well as writers groups and book clubs. Libraries: Dayton Metro Library (daytonmetrolibrary.org), Washington Centerville Public Library (wclibrary.info), Wright Memorial Public Library (wrightlibrary.org) and Greene County Public Library (greenelibrary.info). Book stores focusing on new titles: Books & Co (booksandco.com), Barnes & Noble area locations (barnesandnoble.com), Book Bums in West Chester (bookbums.com) and Jay and Mary’s Book Center in Troy (jayandmarysbooks.com).
Gem City Poetry Stage showcases readings by established and emerging poets on the 4th Sunday of each month at Ghostlight Coffee (1201 Wayne Avenue, Dayton); the next reading will be Jan. 26 at 8 p.m. featuring Grace Curtis, followed by an open mic.
Magazines
And finally, don’t forget to make a resolution to check out these locally published literary magazines.
Mock Turtle Zine (mockturtlezine.com) features many local writers.
Antioch Review (antiochcollege.org/antioch_review) is world-renowned for publishing some of the best stories, poems and essays being written today.
Flights (flightsscc.wordpress.com) is an annual literary magazine published by Sinclair Community College, featuring work by local writers as well as writers from around the country.
Heavy Feather Review (www.heavyfeatherreview.com) is a quarterly literary magazine co-founded by local writer and Antioch University Midwest creative writing graduate student Nathan Floom; its print version is printed by locally owned and operated Greyden Press (www.greydenpress.com)
Upcoming Literary Events
• Today, 4:30-6 p.m., Books & Co. at The Greene: Free Writer’s Mini Workshop in Setting Writing Goals and The Business of Writing, sponsored by the Antioch Writers’ Workshop and led by authors Erin Flanagan and Sharon Short.
• Wednesday, Jan. 15, 7 p.m., Books & Co. at The Greene: Historian and University of Dayton professor Larry Schweikart will introduce A Patriot’s History of the Modern World, Volume 2 that he coauthored with Doug Dougherty.
• Thursday, Jan. 16, 7 p.m., Conference Room at Centerville Library Location (111 W. Spring Valley Road, Centerville) of Washington-Centerville Public Library: A new book discussion book, Book Ends, debuts to meet the growing requests for book groups. The group will continue meeting at that location on the third Thursday of every month. Its first selection is M.L. Stedman’s The Light Between Oceans. No registration is required. For mSore information about this and the library’s other book groups, visit www.wclibrary.info.
• Tuesday, Jan. 21, 7 p.m., University of Dayton, Kennedy Union ballroom: Leymah Gbowee, co-recipient of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize for leading a women’s peace movement that helped end the civil war in Liberia, will deliver the annual Martin Luther King Jr. address as part of the University of Dayton’s Speaker Series. The event is free and open to the public; no tickets required.
• Sunday Jan. 26, 8 p.m. Ghostlight Coffee (1201 Wayne Ave., Dayton): Gem City Poetry Stage will feature a reading by poet Grace Curtis, followed by an open mic.
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