The Library is the perfect place to explore your literary aspirations. Take a workshop, perform your writing in front of an audience, work on that first novel, and more. A sampling of free writing-related resources at Cleveland Public Library is available below:
LITERARY CLEVELAND WORKSHOPS
Hands-on workshops for writers and aspiring writers of all skill levels. Sharpen your craft, read and comment on others’ work and receive suggestions for your own. Register at litcleveland.org.
Writing and Performing Poetry
Write poetry, practice the art of performance, and compete in an informal poetry slam. No experience required. Open to adults and teens ages 14 & up.
Saturdays, Sept. 15 & 22 from 10:30 a.m. –12:30p.m.
Rice Branch
Who’s on Stage? Workshop for Beginning Playwrights
This interactive three-part series introduces Dr. Mary Weems’ character-driven method of creating a world for the stage, with an emphasis on the monologue and short play (10-15 minutes).
Saturdays, Oct. 13, 20 & 27 from 11:00 a.m. –1:00 p.m.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Branch
CLEVELAND PUBLIC POETRY EVENTS
Enjoy listening to poetry and sharpen your own writing and performing skills with these special events.
Cleveland Public Poetry with Maxwell Shell
Reading and audience Q&A with guest poet Maxwell Shell followed by an open mic session. Read your original work or favorites by other poets. Sponsored by the Ohio Center for the Book.
Saturday, Sept.15 at 12:00 p.m.
Main Library, Literature Department, 2ndFloor
325 Superior Avenue
Gothic Poetry
Open mic poetry reading of original, favorite, or classic frightful works of poetry. Sponsored by the Ohio Center for the Book.
Monday, Oct. 15at 12:00 p.m.
Main Library, Literature Department, 2ndFloor
325 Superior Avenue
Writers’ Open Mic
Open mic session for writers working in all genres. Read original or favorite works. Sponsored by the Ohio Center for the Book.
Monday, Nov. 12 at 12:00 p.m.
Main Library, Literature Department, 2ndFloor
325 Superior Avenue
NaNoWriMo EVENTS
November is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)! Let these library programs help you reach your word count goal.
Rut-Busting Workshop for Writers
Nancy Christie, author of The Rut-Busting Book for Writers, shares powerful strategies to help writers out of their writing rut…just in time to prepare for the upcoming NaNoWriMo challenge. Sponsored by the Ohio Center for the Book.
Saturday Oct. 6 at 4:00 p.m.
Main Library, Literature Department, 2ndFloor
325 Superior Avenue
NaNoWriMo for Teens
It’s National Novel Writing Month. Come in and write all month long! Set a goal for word counts and write your novel. We’ve got prompts, discussions, and encouragement to get you started and help you succeed!
Tuesday, Nov. 6 at 4:00 p.m.
Harvard-Lee Branch
Come Write-In!
Visit us for dedicated writing and meeting space along with resources to help with your NaNoWriMo project. Sponsored by the Ohio Center for the Book.
Saturdays in Novemberat 3:30pm
Martin Luther King, Jr. Branch