Writers in the Mountains
The Catskills - Upstate New York
Imagination Unbound
Est. 1992
Imagination Unbound
est. 1992
Writers in the Mountains (WIM) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the literary arts in the Catskill Mountains (Upstate New York) and beyond. The organization serves a diverse community of writers and readers, from native-born residents to the summer visitors who migrate to the region from all over the world. 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.
2020 Literary Festival
POSTPONED - New Dates to Be Announced for 2023
WIM Review is an online literary journal published by Writers in the Mountains. Launched in August 2022 to mark the organization's 30th anniversary, WIM Review 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 Our mission is to share superlative examples of previously unpublished writing that has emerged from one of our classes or workshops.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 Review 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 Review 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.
Our Story
Writers in the Mountains (WIM) is a (501) (c) (3) non-profit 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 native-born residents to the summer visitors who migrate to the Catskills from all over the world. Our writers come from all backgrounds and levels of experience, and write in various genres and styles. Some are New York Times bestselling authors, and others have never written before.
In 2014 WIM ventured into yet another arena: it launched an annual literary festival for authors and publishers in the Catskills and Hudson Valley area called Writers Unbound (formerly known as “Meet the Authors”). The festival takes place every year in April at Union Grove Distillery in Arkville, New York, and features poetry readings, a publishing panel, an illustrators’ moment, a segment dedicated to fiction writing, and a new release. The keynote speaker in 2020 is Beth Lisick. She is a writer, actor, and the author of five books, including the New York Times bestseller Everybody Into the Pool. Her work has been published in various magazines and journals, including Best American Poetry. She co-founded San Francisco’s Porchlight storytelling series, traveled the country with the Sister Spit performance tours, and received a Creative Work Fund grant for a chapbook series with Creativity Explored, a San Francisco studio for artists with developmental disabilities. Beth has appeared in films that have screened at Cannes, Sundance, and the San Francisco International Film Festival. Her first novel Edie on the Green Screen was just published by 7.13 Books. She is a resident of Brooklyn and West Hurley. Her website is bethlisick.com.
LISTEN TO THE KAATSCAST LITERARY PODCAST TO LEARN MORE
ABOUT WRITERS IN THE MOUNTAINS
Kaatscast is produced by Silver Hollow Audio and promotes the culture of the Catskills
Hear more in this WIM episode from Kaatscast,
a Catskills podcast from Silver Hollow Audio.
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
Melisse Seleck, Phoenicia
Take A Class
Our workshops are geared toward all styles, genres, and experience. All that is required is a love of language and the desire to tell a story. Those who take our workshops are assured a supportive environment, providing a better understanding of the pleasure of creative writing process. All of us are capable of intellectual and imaginative things, and WIM offers a variety of programs to help you to express your creativity.
In addition to creative writing workshops, WIM hosts the popular Writers Unbound Annual Literary Festival, and the informal Random Context Quarterly Literary Salon, which offers writers in every genre the opportunity to read their work to a welcoming audience in a cozy setting, and network with fellow publishing professionals.
Classes
PUBLISHING AND THE WRITER'S LIFE
with Anique Sara Taylor
September 6 -
December 27, 2022
September 6, 13, 20, 27
October 11, 18, 25
November 8, 15, 22
December 6, 13, 20, 27
Tuesdays
(14 sessions)
6 - 8 pm EST
ONLINE
So now you’ve done the work. Your poem, essay, story, flash, micro fiction or whole book is finished and ready. You want it to have a life outside of youself in the world. What now? Get ready for a new and separate practice. Publishing! This class will help furnish information to support you in researching the best venues for your work. We’ll cover preparation, presentation, bios, goals, strategy, possibility. We’ll discuss new opportunities in web presence, readings, author presentation, community. Who you most want to be in your inner and outer life as a writer. We’ll use exercises to explore blocks, how to turn them in the direction of inspirational fuel. What holds you back, what propels you, how you can navigate publishing. In planning personal strategies, how to deal with issues, you’ll be developing wider pathways to your particular version of success. In an atmosphere of creative group support, we’ll enter the next phase of the Writer’s Life towards what you want in your work, your career, your life. Expect homework, individual research directed toward your own goals. All levels are welcome. Let the fun begin!
Class Fee: $220 | REGISTER HERE
MORE MICRO-MEMOIR FALL with Linda Lowen
September 13 -
October 18, 2022
Tuesdays
(six sessions)
10 am - 12 noon EST
ONLINE
Memoir doesn't have to cover decades to tell a story. Sometimes a single moment, vividly depicted, illuminates a life. If you’ve wanted to write memoir but are overwhelmed at the immensity of the task—or you’re already writing but need a fresh approach—consider micro memoir. The smaller format can be freeing, allowing you to focus on an event that serves as a microcosm of the larger experience. In this workshop you’ll write short 200-word pieces and discover less is more. Weeks 5 and 6 we’ll focus on Tiny Love Stories, relationship tales of 100 words or less, and you’ll come away with one piece suitable to submit to the New York Times column of the same name.
In this continuation of Micro Memoir (short creative nonfiction in 200 words or less) we'll focus on this tight form of writing, looking at either its placement in a longer piece (mosaic essay), as an interlude worked into longform writing, or on its own -- highlighting publishing outlets that welcome it. This class is intended for those who've already taken Micro Memoir with Linda, either at Writers in the Mountains or another workshop elsewhere.
Class Fee: $125 | REGISTER HERE
MINI-ESSAYS AND SHORT STORIES FALL
with Jane Seitel
October 7 -
November 11, 2022
Fridays
(six sessions)
12 - 2 pm EST
ONLINE
Mini, micro, flash, personal essays and short shorts may be small, but they’re mighty! Whether you choose to write fiction or nonfiction, the way you express yourself can be crafted into a literary jewel you can pass down to preserve family history, or hone for publication. In class we’ll consider possible enhancements to your pieces, how to make the words sparkle. We’ll read and discuss stellar examples which show the craft. We’ll work on mini warm-up exercises in class that you can use to start your piece at home. We’ll share our new efforts in a nurturing place. We’ll offer appreciations and insights. We’ll suggest possibilities to enhance your essays and stories. By the end of our time together, you’ll have polished work that will delight you.
Class limited to ten students.
Class Fee: $125 | FULL CLASS. REGISTRATION CLOSED.
MODERN LOVE FALL with Elizabeth Koster
October 13 -
November 17, 2022
Thursdays
(six sessions)
11 am - 1 pm EST
ONLINE
In this class, you will have the opportunity to complete an essay that you can submit for consideration in the New York Times Modern Love column. Through prompts and exercises, supportive feedback, a study of published essays, and discussions on tips and pitfalls, you will be able to sculpt and hone the story that you need to tell and the world needs to read.
Class limited to ten students.
Class Fee: $125 | REGISTER HERE
MODERN LOVE II with Elizabeth Koster
December 6, 2022 -
January 10, 2023
Tuesdays
(six sessions)
12 noon - 2 pm EST
ONLINE
Modern Love II is open to students who have taken a Modern Love course. In this class, participants will continue to study published essays and work weekly on sculpting and refining work to submit to The New York Times Modern Love column, and other publications.
Class Fee: $100 | REGISTER HERE
Find Your Voice
Get Into College
FIND YOUR VOICE. GET INTO COLLEGE with Amy Randall
Individual Two--Day Sessions, Saturday and Sunday
(90 minutes each)
January 7 - 8, 2:30 - 4 pm
January 14 - 15, 2:30 - 4 pm
January 21 - 22, 2:30 - 4 pm
January 28 - 29, 2:30 - 4 pm
ONLINE
Are you ready to write your college essay? Don't know where to start? What to say? How to distinguish yourself? In this workshop, we begin by identifying your unique voice, so the story you tell is genuinely you. With authenticity as our starting point, we will craft essays that can inspire any reader. The resulting personal statement will be a piece of exceptional and intimate writing that embodies who you are now, who you hope to be and what path you'll take to get there. Your writing coach is Amy Randall, published author and DelCo's favorite substitute teacher. Amy is a professional ghostwriter for founders, CEOs, and entrepreneurs. The methodology she uses to create content for business people works seamlessly for high schoolers who want to craft powerful personal statements. By the end of the three-week session, you will have an essay (or two) that reflects who you are (unique). One that shows how the obstacles you may have had to navigate turned into invaluable life lessons. (gritty) Finally, how your love of learning is reflected in all kinds of unusual and profound experiences. (passionate) We don't guarantee that you will get into the college of your dreams, but we guarantee that your dreams may take on a different shape after this workshop.
Each weekend is limited to ten students.
Class Fee: $30 | CLICK TO REGISTER
Write To Us
Thanks for Writing!