November Workshops and Events
- The First Chapter of Your Novel w/ Lance Parkin ($50/$40 for members)
Thursday, November 2nd, November 9th and November 16th, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Mac’s Backs Books on Coventry, 1820 Coventry Rd
Writing a whole novel will probably take you years. This course sets a clear target: don’t worry about the whole book for the moment, just concentrate on finishing the first chapter. We’ll focus primarily on the commissioning and publication process, storytelling techniques, and editing.
- Songwriting for Poets: From Dylan Thomas to Bob Dylan ($30/$25 for members)
Thursday, November 2nd and Tuesday, November 14th, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Gordon Square Arcade Conference Room, 6516 Detroit Ave, Cleveland
In this workshop, we’ll explore the intersection between poetry and song lyrics. From Scottish Border Ballads to the blues to raps, we’ll put our words to music across multiple genres. What makes a good poem—imagery, narrative, concision — are the same techniques in writing good song lyrics. You do not need to be a musician to participate!
- Our Handmaiden’s Tale: Women Writing, Memoir & Personal Essays w/ Charlotte Morgan
Saturday, November 4th and November 11th, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Loganberry Books, 13015 Larchmere Blvd, Cleveland
In Our Handmaiden’s Tale, we will review elements of craft to help women get their power back through memoir and personal essay writing. Bring work that you have already begun, and over the course of two sessions you’ll shape character, story, tension, point of view, plot and other craft issues.
- Gordon Square Review Launch Party ($8 per ticket; 2 for $15; Free for members & contributers)
Thursday, November 9th, 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Happy Dog underdog, 5801 Detroit Ave, Cleveland
Join Lit CLE to toast the debut issue of Gordon Square Review, a new online lit mag spotlighting Northeast Ohio and national writers. Networking, contest winner announcements and featured readings.
- Building New Worlds: The Power of Speculative Fiction w/ Charles Oberndorf, Marie Vibbert & Michael Substenly (Free!)
Wednesday, November 15th, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Happy Dog at the Euclid Tavern, 11625 Euclid Ave, Cleveland
Between the Lines is traveling to new worlds with a science fiction themed reading and discussion centered around best-selling novel Station Eleven by Emily Mandel. Sci-fi writers Charlie Oberndorf, Marie Vibbert, and Mike Substelny will discuss Station Eleven, read from their work, debate the power of science fiction, and offer tips for crafting a compelling tale. Part of Center for Arts Inspired Learning’s Big Read Program.
- Writing Serial Fiction w/ J.D. Blackrose ($15/$12 for members)
Saturday, November 18th, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Mac’s Backs Books on Coventry, 1820 Coventry Rd
The novella is back! For those readers who relish a good read, like following characters over time, and want to build a relationship with their favorite authors, this retro style is perfect.This craft talk will cover the basics of writing serial fiction, including business opportunities for authors.
- Public Poetry Workshop (Free!)
Saturday, November 18th, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., CPL Main Branch, 325 Superior Ave, Cleveland
In this workshop, participants will get hands-on poetry writing experience and will discuss ways to strengthen their craft. Open to writers of all ages, levels, and backgrounds. Bring 10-15 copies of a poem.
- Introduction to Memoir Writing w/ Marsha McGregor (Free!)
Wednesday, November 29th, 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Westlake Porter Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Rd, Westlake
If you feel drawn to expressing your personal life stories on paper, here is the place to start. Come prepared to write in class. You will leave with rich material gathered from your life, and new knowledge about how to work with it.
- Writing for Young Adults: Mindy McGinnis and Cinda Williams Chima (Free!)
Thursday, December 7th, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Loganberry Books, 13015 Larchmere Blvd, Cleveland
Join us for our last Read Ohio event of the year, featuring acclaimed young adult authors Mindy McGinnis and Cinda Williams Chima! We’ll gather at Loganberry Books to hear the two authors read from newly published work, discuss their approach to young adult writing, and engage with questions from the audience.
Lit Events Around Town
- Poetry + featuring Andrew Field (Free!)
Tuesday, October 24th, 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Art on Madison, 13703 Madison Ave, Lakewood
Join Art on Madison for the first edition of POETRY +, a new monthly reading series for emerging and established writers in Cleveland and the surrounding regions. POETRY + kicks off with a reading and discussion with Cleveland based poet Andrew Field.
- Eerie Ink: Stories of Suspense ($5; scholarships available)
Saturday, October 28th, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Shaker Historical Museum, 16740 S Park Blvd, Shaker Hts.
Make Lake Erie Ink your first stop this Halloween weekend, and write a spooky story from inside a historic mansion at this all ages workshop featuring guest writer D.M. Pulley.
