Writers in the Mountains
The Catskills, Upstate New York, and Beyond
Imagination Unbound
Est. 1992
Writers in the Mountains (WIM) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the literary arts in the Catskill Mountains, wider Upstate New York, and beyond. The organization serves a diverse community of writers and readers of all levels, from engaging a desire for the first time to returning to a foregone passion to active, experienced, and professional with an ongoing thirst for the lifetime challenges and joys of writing. In addition to offering a variety of creative writing workshops, WIM hosts numerous literary events and partners with other organizations in the community for the enjoyment of the written word.
Our Story
Writers in the Mountains (WIM) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide a nurturing environment for the practice, appreciation, and sharing of creative writing.
Founded in 1992 by Shelley A. Barre, the organization serves the entire Catskill region and Hudson Valley area, and offers a variety of creative writing workshops and other events year-round. The quality of our workshops and their affordability attract a wide range of participants, from longtime or lifetime residents to the summer visitors who migrate to the Catskills area, and since the addition of online courses, our participants include voices and writers from around the world. Our instructors are devoted, seasoned experts—welcoming, dynamic, and inspiring, spanning many genres. Our students come from all backgrounds and levels of experience, pursuing their writing explorations and goals in various genres and styles. Some are New York Times bestselling authors, while others have never written before.
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LISTEN TO THE KAATSCAST LITERARY PODCAST TO LEARN MORE
ABOUT WRITERS IN THE MOUNTAINS
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Kaatscast is produced by Silver Hollow Audio and promotes the culture of the Catskills
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Hear more in this WIM episode from Kaatscast,
a Catskills podcast from Silver Hollow Audio.
WRITERS IN THE MOUNTAINS
LITERARY RETREAT
NOV. 15 - 17, 2024
This project was partly funded by
The A. Lindsay and Olive B. O’Connor Foundation and
Delaware County Economic Development Tourism Advisory Board.
LITERARY RETREAT READINGS FROM NOV. 2023 AND NOV. 2024
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COLLECTED WORKS FROM THE 2024 LITERARY RETREAT
COLLECTED WORKS FROM THE 2023 LITERARY RETREAT
WIM Spotlight on Student Writing is an online literary journal published by Writers in the Mountains. Launched in August 2022 to mark the organization's 30th anniversary, WIM Spotlight showcases excellent student work in a range of genres from poetry to fiction to creative nonfiction and micro-memoir. Our mission is to share superlative examples of previously unpublished writing that has emerged from one of our classes or workshops. WIM Spotlight does not accept direct submissions at this time. Each piece published has been hand-selected by a WIM instructor, pending student consent, then submitted to WIM’s Publications Committee for final consideration. WIM Spotlight holds first publication rights for all submissions chosen for publication. Upon publication, the rights revert to the author. We reserve the right to reprint, both in print and digital forms, in the future. Payment will be two copies of any printed form of the author’s work and a course credit of $25 towards a future WIM class.
What People Are Saying
Creative Nonfiction Workshop with Anique Taylor
“I’m excited to take this course. Anique provides interesting reading assignments, meditations, writing exercises, and examples that can be applied to your work in progress. The class also offers an opportunity to share your writings and gain valuable feedback from Anique and fellow classmates. It’s a warm and supportive environment. I highly recommend this course.”
—Heather Marsten, Woodstock
NOTE: THE AWA WORKSHOP IS ON HIATUS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE,WHILE SHARON FOCUSES ON HER WRITING PROJECTS. WE'LL KEEP YOU POSTED!
The Amherst Writers and Artists (AWA) Method
A Generative Workshop with Poet Sharon Israel
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The Last Friday of Each Month
3 to 5 p.m. EST
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Roxbury Library
53742 State Hwy 30, Roxbury, NY
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“Always make room for that singing thing inside you”
—Sharon Israel, Voice Lesson
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Never written before? Know you have a writer’s soul but haven’t yet been able to put words to paper and reach your creative core? Are you already a writer but need to access your authentic voice and develop your style?
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Poet Sharon Israel will conduct ongoing generative workshops using the Amherst Writers and Artists (AWA) Method that will help you dive deep through exciting visual, musical and tactile prompts as well as compelling word-based prompts and exercises. Be in the moment, find the space between thought and feeling, access what may be just below the surface… Your voice will reveal itself and your craft will grow in an environment where you can nourish what you unleash. Receive and give positive commentary on newly created work. Once you revise, bring your work in for further review and discussion, again in a safe and supportive environment. This workshop will make you want to write more and more, not less and less.
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The next session will be held on Friday August 29. Class Fee is $12 with preregistration, $15 for walk-ins.
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For WIM Instructors and Students:
If you have a new book release, a new article published, a reading or a literary event you'd like to share, please contact us and we will do our best to spread the word.
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Write to Us
Thanks for Writing!