Whether this is your first writing class or you’re finishing your next book, The Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence College helps writers grow and connect with a community of passionate writers.
Our classes and workshops range from generative experiences to revision focused workshops, including one day craft intensives and seminars on publishing. Join us on campus in Bronxville, NY or online.
All writers welcome!
Questions about which class is best for you? Contact the Writing Institute at writinginstitute@sarahlawrence.edu. We're here to help.
Upcoming Classes
Ask the Author: An Afternoon with Jami Attenberg
Have you ever read a novel or memoir and wished you could chat with the author about it? We’re delighted to welcome bestselling author Jami Attenberg to campus on October 5th for this intimate book club and ask the author session.
October 5th, 2023
3:00pm-5:00pm EST
On Campus
Generative Writing For Halloween
A 2-session workshop with Molly Davidson. Beyond pumpkins and pranks, this season has a deeper tradition of crossing thresholds. How can we harness the changing of the season as inspiration for our writing practice?
October 28th and 29th, 2023
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM EST On Zoom
Writing the YA Novel-in-Verse
A 5-week workshop with Arriel Vinson. In this course, we’ll take a step-by-step approach to writing the Young Adult novel-in-verse.
October 17 to November 14, 2023
Tuesdays, 6:00pm to 8:00pm EST on Zoom
Sharpen Your Funny Bone
Join Janine Annett to learn about ways you can hone your sense of humor in your writing and why that can be beneficial to writers in many genres. You’ll read forms of humorous writing (including satire, essays/creative nonfiction, short stories, and excerpts from novels).
October 31 to December 5, 2023 (No Class November 21st)
Tuesdays, 1:00pm to 3:00pm EST, On Campus
You Were Strangers: Writing from our Jewish Roots
In this class, Join novelist Barbara Josselsohn to use prompts, free writes, and illuminating class discussion to uncover and explore the values, traditions, and events that have helped determine the course of your life.
October 18 to November 15, 2023
Wednesdays, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM EST on Zoom
Poetry & Myths: Generative Workshop
Join poet Zachariah Claypole White to explore how the fantastical manifests in poetry? How can elements of the speculative be applied in the context of verse? From time travel and apocalypse, to ghosts and impossible cities, this class will consider how genre tropes and poetry can, and should, collide.
November 4th, 2023
Saturday, 12:00pm - 2:30pm EST, on Zoom
Fall Session One: September & October
Registration generally closes one week before the first class. Please see class page for tuition information and other details. Questions? Email writinginstitute@sarahlawrence.edu or call 914 323 6170.- 10 Week Intermediate 2.0 Novel & Memoir Workshop with Barbara Josselsohn
September 21 to November 30, 2023 (No Class Nov 23)
Thursdays, 10:00am to 12:00pm EST on Zoom - 10 Week Prose Workshop: Stories That Stick with Rachel Aydt
September 21 to November 30, 2023 (No Class Nov 23)
Thursdays, 6:00pm to 8:00pm EST On Zoom - 10 Week Novel Writing Master Class with Caitlin Alexander
September 27 to November 29, 2023
Online Asynchronous & Wednesdays 8:00pm to 9:00pm EST on Zoom
Fall Session Two: October & November
Registration generally closes one week before the first class. Please see class page for tuition information and other details. Questions? Email writinginstitute@sarahlawrence.edu or call 914 323 6170.
- One Day Seminar: Writing & Meditation with Kristine Marx
Saturday, October 14, 2023
10:00am to 2:00pm EST On Campus - Writing the YA Novel-in-Verse with Arriel Vinson
October 17 to November 14, 2023
Tuesdays, 6:00pm to 8:00pm EST On Zoom - You Were Strangers: Writing from our Jewish Roots with Barbara Josselsohn
October 18 to November 15, 2023
Wednesdays, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM EST On Zoom - Gimmie A Beat: Music As Generative Writing Tool with Colleen Flaherty
Saturday, October 21, 2023
12:00pm to 2:30pm EST On Zoom - Generative Writing for Halloween with Molly Davidson
Saturday, October 28, 2023
10:00am to 1:00pm EST On Zoom - Five Week Poetry Workshop: Reading With A Pen, Writing From Observation with Elaine Sexton
October 30 to December 4, 2023 (No Class Nov. 20th)
Mondays, 5:00pm to 7:00pm EST On Zoom - Five Week Prose Workshop: Sharpen Your Funny Bone with Janine Annett
October 31 to December 5, 2023 (No Class Nov. 21st)
Tuesdays, 1:00pm to 3:00pm EST On Campus - Five Week Prose Workshop: Writing Through Illness with Jenessa Abrams
November 1 to December 6, 2023 (No Class Nov. 22nd)
Wednesdays, 6:00pm to 8:00pm EST On Zoom - Life Stories: A Writing Workshop for Ages 50+ with Cindy Beer Fouhy (5 Weeks)
November 2 to December 7, 2023 (No Class Nov. 23rd)
Thursdays, 6:00pm to 9:00pm EST On Zoom - One Day Seminar: Travel Writing: The Places We Go with Ines Rodrigues
Saturday, November 4, 2023
10:00am to 12:30pm EST On Campus - One Day Seminar: Poetry & Myths: A Generative Workshop with Zachariah Claypole White
Saturday, November 4, 2023
12:00pm to 2:30pm EST On Zoom - One Day Seminar: Learn to Link Your Short Stories or Memoirs into a Collection with Tessa Smith McGovern
Friday, November 3, 2023
10:00am to 2:00pm EST On Campus - Six Week Workshop: Writing The Hybrid Memoir with Margo Steines
November 6 to December 11, 2023
Wednesday, 6:00pm to 8:30pm EST On Zoom - One Day Seminar: Applying to Writing Residencies with Samantha Steiner
Saturday, November 11, 2023
10:00am to 12:30pm EST On Zoom
Upcoming Readings & Events
- September 28th at 5:00pm EST - Join us for our September Community Reading on Zoom! Sign up to read or come cheer on your fellow writers. RSVP here!
- October 5th, 2023 at 6:00pm EST - It's our birthday! Join us for Celebrating 40 Years of the Writing Institute with special guest Jami Attenberg. This craft talk and discussion moderated by Denne Michele Norris MFA '12 will be followed by a reception and book signing. Help us raise a glass to forty years of writing community! This event takes place on campus and will be live streamed on Zoom. RSVP here!
To keep up to date on what's happening at The Writing Institute, sign up for our newsletter and watch this space for more information.
What Are Asynchronous Classes?
Does The Writing Institute Offer One-on-One Instruction?
We do not currently offer one-on-one instruction through The Writing Institute. However, our classes are small and offer individualized attention. Please reach out to us for course recommendations based on your specific needs at writinginstitute@sarahlawrence.edu.
What is Your Cancellation Policy?
Please read carefully to review our refund and course voucher policies.
Canceling a registration before a course starts:
Students who withdraw from a course 14 days prior to the start of class will receive a full course voucher; if a credit card refund is preferred please email writinginstitute@sarahlawrence.edu. There is a $50 administrative fee for refunds. Please note that there are no refunds or vouchers for one day intensives, yearlong classes or Advanced classes where space is limited.
Students who drop out of a course 72 hours or more prior to the first class will receive a course voucher minus the $50 administrative fee. towards a future course of the same tuition. No refunds are available 72 hours or less before a class begins.
Canceling a course registration after attending the first session:
Students who drop out of a course after the first class will be refunded 50% of their tuition. Requests for partial refunds must be received in writing at writinginstitute@sarahlawrence.edu.
Canceling a course registration after attending two or more sessions:
There will be no refunds after the second class. There will be some inevitable exceptions to this rule based on extenuating circumstances, at the discretion of the director of The Writing Institute.
Keep in Touch!
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