Calling All Writers! A City-Wide Writing Project Documents Neighborhood Pride in Cleveland

A woman braiding another woman's hair while sitting on a shaded porch in the Collinwood Neighborhood.
Photograph by: Bridget Caswell

What does Cleveland mean to you? Is it the vibrant culture, beautiful architecture, or the true passion of its people? A new city-wide writing project, Neighborhood Voices, allows writers to explore their love for Cleveland.

“Neighborhood Voices lets residents connect with each other through words and shared experiences,” said Aaron Mason, Director of Community Engagement at Cleveland Public Library. “Cleveland Public Library encourages writers of all levels and genres to participate in this unique summer program.”

Registration is now open for Neighborhood Voices. Cleveland Public Library and Literary Cleveland will host the free virtual writing workshops throughout the city in June and July. Participants will be able to choose a session based on where they live. Authors, educators, and literary artists will coach writers on their stories, essays, and poems focused on the hopes, challenges, and unique aspects of their communities.

Participants can sign up for workshops in one of six regions:

RegionNeighborhoods
WEST Westpark, Jefferson, Kamm’s Corners, Bellaire-Puritas 
NORTHEAST North Collinwood, South Collinwood, Manhattan Beach, Waterloo, Euclid-Green, Forest Hills 
SOUTHEAST Union-Mills Park, Corlett, Lee-Miles 
EAST Mt. Pleasant, Woodland Hills, Buckeye-Shaker, Kinsman, Woodhill Homes, Fairfax, Central 
NEAR EAST Glenville, Hough, Goodrich-Kirtland Park, Asiatown, St. Clair-Superior, University Circle 
NEAR WEST Downtown, Ohio City, Tremont, Clark-Fulton, Detroit Shoreway, Edgewater, Cudell, Stockyards 

At the conclusion of the program, the final drafts will be collected into an anthology showcasing the lives and voices of Cleveland neighborhoods. The anthology will be released in the fall.

“Literary Cleveland is committed to helping people find and share their stories, through many kinds of writing. We are incredibly excited about the potential of the Neighborhood Voices writing program,” said Christine Howey, Executive Director at Literary Cleveland. “It’s a great opportunity to have Cleveland citizens connect with their neighbors and the community at large.”

The writing workshops will be held via the phone and online through video conferencing software, Zoom. Attendees will have a choice of two 90-minute weeknight or weekend sessions.