The Spring 2022 Black Writers Program includes 10 weeks of workshops, running from Monday, April 25 – Saturday, July 2, 2021. All BWP programming, including workshops, is free to attend.
Sign-ups for 2022 Spring Black Writers Program workshops are now closed. Placements will be emailed by April 15.
Spots will be selected by lottery: After submitting your workshop sessions, we will select placements by lottery shortly after. Black Writers Program participants may attend an unlimited number of drop-in workshops—but are only allowed to sign up for one specialty workshop. You can rank your choices when you register.
Want to learn more about the workshop leaders in our Spring 2022 Cycle? Visit the Workshop Leader Bio Page HERE.
CHECK OUT OUR SPRING 2022 PANELS AND EVENTS FROM JUNE 22 – JULY 1 HERE.
Questions? Email bwp@nywriterscoalition.org.
BWP CREATING COMMUNITY WORKSHOP led by Joy Notoma
Black Writers Program Creating Community Workshops are generative writing opportunities that allow participants to cultivate relationships with a leader and a consistent group of attendees. Here, you can write, discuss, and be part of a space tailored for Black writers from all genres, of all ages, genders, and levels of experience.
As in our standard NYWC workshops, the teaching artist will provide a prompt, give participants a set amount of time to write, and then leave time to share. (This workshop will be capped at 12 participants.).
Mondays, April 25 – June 13 | 7 – 9 AM ET.
Please note: Workshop will NOT meet Monday, May 30.
BWP DROP-IN WORKSHOPS led by Michele Gilliam and Alisha Acquaye
Sign up directly through Eventbrite.
NYWC’s Drop-In Workshops are generative writing opportunities for participants who may not be able to commit to a longer-term experience. Sign-ups open on a week-by-week basis—and do not require attendance every week.
During each workshop, the facilitator/teaching artist will provide a prompt, give participants a set amount of time to write, and then leave time to share. (These workshops will be capped at 12 participants.).
Mondays, April 25 – June 27 | 6-8 PM ET
Wednesdays, May 4 – June 29 | 3-5 PM ET
“Phenomenal Women": A BWP Poetry Series led by Siaara Freeman & Ebony Stewart
In her revered poem “Phenomenal Woman,” Maya Angelou praised “the fire in my eyes, / And the flash of my teeth, / The swing in my waist, / And the joy in my feet.” In this generative poetry workshop series taught by two acclaimed Black women performance poets across four weeks, you’ll also unearth what makes you a phenomenal womxn, poet, and artist.
The first two weeks will be led by award-winning coach and writer Siaara Freeman. (See descriptions below.) The last two weeks will be headed up by Woman of the World Poetry Slam (WOWPS) champion Ebony Stewart. Each poet will guide you through writing exercises that bring out the most compelling aspects of your art. Come ready to create, experiment, and hone your craft. (This workshop series will be capped at 12 participants.)
Tuesdays, April 26, May 3, May 24, May 31
PLEASE NOTE: The first half of this workshop series will take place on April 26 and May 3 from 7-9 PM ET. After a two-week break, the second half of the series will meet on May 24 and May 31 from 7-9 PM ET. You must be available for all four dates.
Workshop 1 – 4/26: Toni Morrison said, “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” In this discussion-based workshop, participants will explore world-building through imagery exercises, personal narrative, and critical dialogue around selected texts to create a poem in which they can exist in a world of their own making. Writers will be encouraged to share their work and given an opportunity to engage in peer edits, as well as receive feedback from the workshop leader.
Workshop 2 – 5/3: This outline/list-centered workshop takes inspiration from Lucille Clifton’s powerhouse poem “won’t you celebrate with me”. Participants will write poems centered on the idea of celebration, and aimed at joy and reclaiming. Writers will use form, sensory imagery, and personal narrative to create a holiday for whatever or whomever they feel deserves one. Sharing throughout the workshop is encouraged and there will be an opportunity to engage in peer edits and feedback from the workshop leader.
CRAFTING THE STORY: A Fiction Manuscript Critique Workshop led by Shanté Cozier
This workshop is designed for beginner to intermediate writers looking to generate new work and develop fiction projects (novels and short stories) that are already in progress. The first two weeks will be in the format of a traditional NYWC workshop: Facilitator Shante’ Cozier will present prompts, give a specific amount of time to write, and then the group will have the option to share their fresh writing. The subsequent four sessions will also begin with a brief prompt—but the majority of workshop time will be spent reviewing two participants’ drafts/manuscripts-in-progress (10 pages max).
Participants can look forward to leaving “Crafting the Story” having developed their skills at writing dialogue, creating dramatic scenes, expanding plot, and strengthening character development. (This workshop will be capped at 8 participants.)
Wednesdays, April 27 – June 15 | 5 – 7 PM ET
LEARNING TO TELL YOUR STORY led by Takiyah Jackson
During each workshop, the facilitator/teaching artist will provide a prompt, give participants a set amount of time to write, and then leave time to share. We are all holding on to a story—and if we don’t tell it, who will? In this 8-week workshop, participants will read excerpts of memoirs by Black writers, discuss the craft elements of those works, and respond to prompts inspired by those texts. The group will also generate new drafts of essays and prose that can be incorporated into ongoing memoir projects. (This workshop will be capped at 12 participants.)
Saturdays, April 30 – June 18 | 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM ET
BWP CREATING COMMUNITY WORKSHOP – MUSIC EDITION led by Z Bell
Thursdays, April 28 – June 16 | 7 – 9 PM ET
CRITIQUE LAB: Giving and Receiving Feedback for the Stage and Screen led by Calley Anderson
When writing a play, TV pilot, or screenplay, hearing your words read aloud by others can be a crucial part of the revision process. So is critique: Both giving and receiving critique can help elevate your work and make you a stronger writer. In this critique lab, participants will read each other’s work aloud, learn about different methods of critique, discuss how to best engage with dramatic work, and hear guest artists speak about their experiences with critique/feedback processes.
Participants are asked to come in with 10 pages of material and can expect to leave with revisions and a positive relationship with critique. (This workshop will be capped at 8 participants.)
Thursdays, May 5 – June 9 | 6 – 8 PM ET
LEGACIES OF BLACK SYMPHONY: A Nonfiction Manuscript Critique Workshop led by Amber Butts
In the spirit of Black narrative traditions, Legacies of Black Symphony will be devoted to thinking about the principles of creative nonfiction and memoir by examining Black narrative forms. Foregrounded in the ways Black storytelling and imagination operate (as archive, roadmap, and self-discovery), participants will be invited into alternative approaches to their writing. They will be particularly encouraged to delve into more playful, rigorous, and expansive configurations of their works.
This course will be a space for writers to give and receive constructive, generative feedback. Each writer will present a maximum of 15 pages from whichever part of their manuscript they choose. (This workshop will be capped at 6 participants.)
Wednesdays, May 11 – June 15 | 6 – 8 PM ET
WRITING SPECULATIVE FICTION led by Aaron Talley
Speculative fiction, a genre that broadly consists of fantasy, science fiction, and horror, has become a space in which writers of color and other people with marginalized identities can imagine affirming, alternative realities and futures. This six-week workshop will create a space for writers to develop their craft by exploring conventions of the genre with fellow nerds. Writers of Young Adult Fantasy, Science Fiction, and Horror are also particularly encouraged to join!
Participants must be willing to commit to pre-readings for discussion, as well as read and help develop the work of their fellow writers. (This workshop will be capped at 10 participants.)
Sundays, May 15 – June 19 | 10 AM – 12 PM ET