Writing Workshops

We offer a range of writing workshops here at the Community Writing Center where you can explore a variety of writing topics in theme-based classes. Past workshops include Journaling for Mental Health, Poetry, Novel Writing, Songwriting, Food Memoirs, and Creative Writing. Workshops are created in response to community requests and are taught by our talented Writing Assistants. If there's a workshop you'd like us to offer in the future, please let us know by emailing us at cwc@slcc.edu.

Most workshops take place at the Community Writing Center. We try to keep the cost of workshops as low as possible, and are able to offer some for free through partnerships and grant funding. Fees can be waived for financial hardship. Otherwise, donations are always welcome. Due to limited space, it is necessary to register in advance if you plan to attend a workshop. Registration will close twenty-four hours prior to the scheduled event. Registrants who choose not to attend may call to cancel up to one week prior to the workshop; after this time payments are non-refundable.

Note: If you have any issues or problems registering online for one of our workshops, please contact us at 801-957-2192 or cwc@slcc.edu for assistance.

Summer 2024 Workshops

MADLY IN LOVE: LOVE LETTERS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH

1-part workshop
Saturday, June 15, 11:30-1:30 pm

Join us for an extraordinary journey of self-discovery and connection in our "Madly In Love" workshop. Delve into the transformative power of love through the art of mad love letter writing. This unique experience invites you to express your feelings, celebrate the highs and lows of your mental health journey, and embrace the magic and intensity of life. Discover the profound beauty in your experiences and connect with others in a supportive and inclusive space. Together, we'll explore the interplay between madness, love, and empathy, fostering a community that values and understands the unique stories of every individual.

Cost: Free. Registration is required.
Location: CWC, 210 East 400 South #8

PENNING PROFIT: THE BUSINESS OF WRITING WITH GUEST AUTHOR ELIZABETH SUGGS

1-part workshop
Saturday, June 22, 1-3 pm

Step into the boardroom of literature as we dissect the essential strategies and savvy tactics required to turn words into wealth. From navigating the ever-evolving landscape of publishing to mastering the art of self-promotion, this presentation is your roadmap to success in the competitive world of writing. Learn how to craft compelling pitches, negotiate lucrative contracts, and build a sustainable career as a wordsmith. Whether you're a seasoned author or just starting your journey, discover the insider secrets to monetizing your passion and transforming your literary dreams into a thriving business.

Cost: $15. Registration is required.
Location: CWC, 210 East 400 South #8

FEEL GOOD REVOLUTION: A WRITING & JOURNALING WORKSHOP ON PLEASURE, JOY, & CRITICAL COMPASSION ACTIVISM

1-part workshop
Saturday, July 6, 11:30-1:30 pm

Discover the nuances between pleasure and joy activism, unravel the depths of critical compassion, and learn practical ways to infuse sustainable joy into your life through transformative writing and journaling practices.

Cost: Free. Registration is required.
Location: CWC, 210 East 400 South #8

SCHOOL’S OUT FOR SUMMER: SALT LAKE TEENS WRITE SUMMER CAMP

4-part workshop
Daily, beginning Monday, July 8 through Thursday, July 11, 10 am-1 pm

Calling all middle schoolers! Come write and create with us at our second annual Salt Lake Teens Write Summer Camp at the Community Writing Center. There will be a new workshop each day, anything from Horror fiction to Pet Memoirs! You will also work to submit writing, artwork, and/or photography for inclusion in our Teens Write Anthology in the fall and become a published author or artist. Free continental breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Cost: Free. Registration is required.
Location: CWC, 210 East 400 South #8.

JORDAN RIVER JOURNALING & STORYTELLING: A NATURE MEMOIR WRITING JOURNEY

3-part workshop
Saturdays, July 13, August 10, and September 14, 1-2:30

Join the Community Writing Center in this three-part workshop series in partnership with the Tracy Aviary Nature Center at Pia Okwai and the Publication Center, where we will explore the natural world around the (Pia Okwai) Jordon River and learn about the wildlife that it supports! This workshop series will guide you through creating a handmade journal and learning the basics of nature writing, and will culminate in a nature walk by the Jordan River.

Cost: Free. Registration is recommended because space is limited.
Location: Tracy Aviary Nature Center at Pia Okwai

QUEERLY BELOVED: ROMANCE 101

1-part workshop
Wednesday, July 17, 6:30-8 pm

We all have stories within us. Maybe they’re our own. Maybe we wish they were. Either way, this class is going to talk about how to bring your inner romantic to life. Whether you’re a 2SLGBTQ+ ally or the formerly closeted Sapphic desperate for stories where love that looks like ours can conquer all, this class is for you. We’ll be going over tropes, double entendre, niche markets, finding queer agents and publishers, and most importantly, sensitivity and inclusion. You’re here, you’re real, and you deserve to be seen.

Cost: 10$. Registration is required.
Location: CWC, 210 East 400 South #8

DECOLONIAL STORYTELLING

1-part workshop
Saturday July 20, 11-1 pm

Decolonial storytelling is a genre of writing that emphasizes resistance, reclamation, and social change. This workshop will explore historical and modern examples, along with writing techniques that can be incorporated and used to challenge and deconstruct the dominant colonial constructs. We will have discussions, writing activities, and discuss how to amplify marginalized voices and themes.

Cost: $15. Registration is required.
Location: CWC, 210 East 400 South #8.

HORROR FLASH FICTION WITH GUEST AUTHOR JONATHAN REDDOCH

1-part workshop
Saturday, July 27, 2-4 pm

Are you dying to delve into the eerie world of horror flash fiction? Don’t be scared! This spine-chilling workshop will explore the art of crafting chilling yet concise tales in just a few hundred words. This hands-on experience will focus on mastering tension, terror, and twists!

Cost: $15. Registration is required.
Location: CWC, 210 East 400 South #8

HOW TO WRITE AN ARTIST STATEMENT, BIO, AND PROPOSAL

1-part workshop
Saturday August 3, 12-2 pm

You spent hours pouring your heart and soul into making something beautiful and you are finally done! Right? Not exactly. Now you've realized that in order for anyone to see it, you are being asked to write a statement about your art and yourself, and you aren't sure what to say. Trying to explain your artwork can be tough for visual people, and often becomes the main barrier that keeps us from applying to exhibitions, markets, and grants. In this workshop, we will go over how to get started writing your artist statement, personal bio, and project proposals. Overcome the overwhelm and stop missing opportunities to show your work!

Cost: $15. Registration is required.
Location: CWC, 210 East 400 South #8.

CREATIVE NON-FICTION

1-part workshop
Saturday August 10, 12-2 pm

Creative nonfiction (memoirs, profiles, lyric essays, and more) has been used throughout history to shape cultural identities, open minds, encourage social action, and offer insider views into injustice and activism. Memoirs and other forms of creative nonfiction have the power to take readers inside your experiences to learn about and empathize with the histories, triumphs, struggles, and desires that shape the collective human experience via a personal, intimate lens. We'll learn about and try out a few forms of creative nonfiction to discover how the personal is political.

Cost: $15. Registration is required.
Location: CWC, 210 East 400 South #8.

IT’S IN THE DETAILS: GRAMMAR AND REVISION

1-part workshop
Tuesday August 13, 6-8 pm

Join us for this workshop all about the basics of grammar and revision. Whether it’s your first or fifth draft, we’ll cover everything you need to know about making your next piece of writing perfect.

Cost: $10. Registration is required.
Location: CWC, 210 East 400 South #8