Writing Workshops
WritersCorps offers free creative writing workshops to youth ages 6 to 22 during the school year. We teach the majority of our workshops in schools during the school day. If you are a youth and would like to attend a workshop, please see our site list to find out if you already attend one of the schools we work in.
We also offer free after-school workshops for teens at public libraries. Below is a list of our library workshops and information on how to sign up for them. All programs at the library are free and are supported by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library.
We generally do not offer workshops during the summer, though we hold occasional summer sessions.
Ingleside Branch Library: Media Writing Workshops
The Ingleside Library and WritersCorps will be co-sponsoring a series of media writing workshops for teens starting January 2010. The monthly writing workshops will run through the end of April 2010.
Teens explore how to write in new, fun ways with different media: YouTube videos, still photos, pop music, and more.
When: Thursdays, 3:45 - 5:45 pm
Who: Open to ages 12 to 22.
Where: Ingleside Branch Library
1298 Ocean Ave (at Plymouth), San Francisco
Cost: All programs at the Library are free!
How to Sign Up: Contact teen librarian Lise Braden at lbraden[at] sppl [dot] org or 415-355-2898.
Excelsior Branch Library: Altered Books
Mix already existing text and your own original artwork in this workshop. Create work using found items, your favorite books, and your own ideas. Bring writing that has inspired you, and we’ll work together to transform your books by placing art and words on the page.
When: Wednesdays, 4:30 - 6:30 pm
April 7 to May 26, 2010
Who: Open to ages 12 to 20
Where: Excelsior Branch Library
4400 Mission Street (at Cotter), San Francisco
Cost: All programs at the Library are free!
How to Sign Up: Contact teen librarian Marla Bergman at mbergman [at] sfpl [dot] org or 415-355-2868.
Main Library: Beyond Journal Writing
In this 8-week class, you will have the opportunity to develop and share your writing (poetry, memoir and more) in a supportive group led by WritersCorps teacher Cindy Je. This class meets downtown at the Main Library.
When: Fridays, 4 - 5:30 pm
Session 2: Every Friday from January 8 to March 26, 2010
Session 3: Every Friday from April 9 to June 11, except April 16
Who: Open to ages 12 to 19
Where: San Francisco Main Public Library
100 Larkin Street (at Grove Street), San Francisco
3rd Floor Conference Room
Cost: Free!
How to Sign Up: Contact teen librarian Betsy Levine at blevine [at] sfpl [dot] org or 415-557-4497.
Main Library: Collage Journaling
Turn your imagination and memory into words and images on a page. Create work that expresses your own unique thoughts and dreams using fancy paper, paint, old maps and found items. Bring poems that have inspired you along with your own work and a willingness to learn and work together to build a fun and supportive environment.
When: Saturdays, 2 - 4 pm
Session 2: January 9, January 23, February 6, February 20, March 6, March 20
Session 3: April 10, April 24, May 8, May 22, June 5
Who: Open to ages 11 to 19
Where: San Francisco Main Public Library
100 Larkin Street (at Grove Street), San Francisco
4th Floor Conference Room
Cost: All programs at the Library are free!
How to Sign Up: Contact teen librarian Betsy Levine at blevine [at] sfpl [dot] org or 415-557-4497
Mission Branch Library: Urban Fiction Workshop
Do you like to read stories about young people dealing with life in the ghettos and barrios of urban America? Have you ever thought about writing your own urban fiction story? In this workshop we will learn from our favorite urban fiction stories and write our own.
When: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, January through May, 6 -7 pm
Workshop Dates: January 12, January 26, February 9, February 23, March 9, March 23, April 13, April 27, May 5
Who: Open to ages 14 to 22
Where: Mission Branch Library
300 Bartlett Street (at 24th Street), San Francisco
Cost: All programs at the Library are free!
How to Sign Up: Contact teen librarian Nicole Termini at ntermini [at] sfpl [dot] org or 415.355.5738.
Portola Branch Library: General Writing Workshop
WritersCorps and the Portola Library have teamed up to offer drop-in, one-shot workshops for teens and tweens. Whether it’s media-making, urban fiction or collage journaling, we’ll be doing a ton of writing and have a little of something for everyone!
When: Fridays, March 12 - May 28, 3:30 - 5 pm
Who: Open to middle school and high school students
Where: Portola Branch Library
380 Bacon Street (at Goettingen Street), San Francisco
Cost: All programs at the Library are free!
How to Sign Up: Contact teen librarian Abby Harwood at aharwood [at] sfpl [dot] org or 415.355.5660.
