The “Writers Accountability Group (WAG)” is a free monthly opportunity for writers of all ages, genders, and genres to come together in person to offer mutual support, motivate accountability and goal-setting, participate in writing exercises, share work, and offer helpful responses to the work shared. These 90-minute sessions will be based on the philosophy set forth by Amherst Writers & Artists (AWA) founder, Pat Schneider: “every person is a writer, and every writer deserves a safe environment in which to experiment, learn, and develop craft”* Structure of the sessions may vary based on the number of participants and their interests.
HOW IT WORKS: Bring your writing notebook and be prepared to share a writing goal for which you’d like to be held accountable. Group facilitators will provide a prompt for a writing exercise during the session (or use the writing time for a work in progress). The process for sharing work for feedback will be discussed during the first session (Sept. 14, 2023). Facilitated by Women Writers Accountability Group (WWAG) alumnae Joan E. McCarthy and Kit Boyer.
Registration not required, simply join us in person!
*Arts at The Palace is also offering an in-person Saturday workshop Expressive Writing with Suzanne S. Rancourt to give local writers an opportunity to experience the AWA methodology directly and gain skills in reading work aloud. October 21 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, $50 fee, limited number of scholarships available based on need. Learn More
ABOUT THE FACILITATORS:
Joan E. McCarthy is a poet and copywriter with a degree in American Studies from Smith College. She has participated in many workshops and readings and her poetry has appeared in several literary journals. She received a Vermont Studio Center Fellowship and admission into the Iowa Writers Workshop summer poetry program where she also studied letterpress printing and published a chapbook of her work.
Kit Boyer is a poet and Marine Corps veteran with a degree in English from Arizona State University. Since 2014, she has been involved in the writing community. She's worked as an editor and submissions manager at Four Chambers Press and as a writing workshop moderator. Kit runs an online poetry critique group every other Monday. She also hosts the Writer at Work Podcast with her childhood friend.
DATE/TIME: First session Thursday, Sept. 14, 6:30 to 8:00 pm; subsequent sessions first Wednesday of each month (10/4, 11/1, 12/6, etc.), 6:30 to 8:00 pm
COST: This is a free monthly workshop
LOCATION: 19 Utica St. Hamilton, NY 13346 - Palace Theater Mezzanine