We offer free evening and weekend workshops designed to foster creativity, strengthen writing skills, and provide students with a forum for executing projects they might not otherwise have the support to undertake. Workshops range from the playful to the practical, and all are taught by volunteer writers, artists, educators, and publishing professionals.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to increased demand, enrollment for workshops are now determined by lottery. Once you have signed up for a workshop, please look for an email from workshops@826nyc.org, verifying that we have received your request. If you have not heard from us after 48 hours, feel free to call.
Our workshops are limited enrollment and often generate wait lists. With this in mind, please only sign up if you can make every session of a workshop. Thank you!
Roll for Initiative: Role-Playing
5 Thursday sessions: October 11, 18, 25, November 1, 8 (2007)
6-8pm
Taught by 826NYC
For ages 10-14
Help Wanted: Intrepid adventurers needed for quest through mysterious tower. Applicants must be motivated self-starters with some skill in magic, sword-fighting, or thieving arts (or some combination of the above). Although the salary is less-than-desirable, you are allowed to take home any gold and/or magical artifacts you may find during your time here. Vivid imaginations a must. We are not responsible for any loss of life, limb, or sanity. Non-humans are welcome to apply, though shiftless gnomes will be considered on a case by case basis.
The rest of the story is up to you.
Snap Crackle Pop! Creating Characters and Environs for Serials
3 Tuesday sessions: October 2, 9, 16 (2007)
6-7:30pm
Taught by Sarah Pollock
For ages 9-12
So you read the last Harry Potter book, now what? Time to think up your own character for a serial, that's what! In this class you’ll dream up a character, the world they live in and their adventures. They can be from Outer Mongolia, Outer Queens or Outer Space –it's your world to create! Together we'll create story lines and write a couple stories to get you rolling on being the JK Rowling of Brooklyn.
Bring your ideas, your sketches, or photos (you’ve taken or torn from a magazine) that you want to incorporate into your character’s world.
Write a Book in Just 3 Hours!
3 Sunday sessions: September 23, 30, October 7 (2007)
12-1.30pm
Taught by 826NYC
For ages 6-9
There's a first time for everything. Everyone dreams of writing a great book, but only a few of us ever do it. This is your chance to write your very first book. In this workshop, you’ll write and edit a story, working out the kinks until it looks just like the book you’ve been dreaming about writing. Each student will go home with a bound copy of his or her fabulous debut!
Writing and Editing Your Personal Statement
2 Wednesday sessions: September 19, 26 (2007)
6-8pm
Taught by 826NYC
For high school students
Is the mere thought of the college application process driving you crazy? Come to 826NYC for individualized help with your personal statement. Start writing a new essay, or get help with a prewritten draft. By the end of this workshop you'll have completed a new draft of your personal statement.
Please note that students are expected to attend all sessions of the class
What Was That? A Workshop on Reading Aloud
2 Tuesday sessions: September 11, 18 (2007)
6-7:30pm
Taught by Margaret Crocker
For ages 10-14
There you are, standing in front, every eye plastered to your face. In your hands you hold a true masterpiece, the work you've been slaving over for weeks. You know that once these people hear your amazing words, their lives will change forever. But they never get to hear your amazing words. Maybe it's because you're standing too far from the microphone. Or maybe you're reading so fast that the words are a blur in their ears. Or maybe you chicken out, run away, and never come back.
We can't let any of these things happen. This workshop covers:
* Choosing a crowd-pleasing excerpt.
* How long is too long?
* Overcoming embarrassment/excitement/terror.
* How to project, slow down, and speak up!
Bring your own work, or the work of your favorite author. The workshop will end in a reading on the 18th at 7pm, so invite your friends and family!
Instant Books!
1 Sunday session: September 9 (2007)
12-1.30pm
Taught by Esther K. Smith
For ages 6-9
Your next great idea is only a single sheet of paper away! In this workshop, you'll learn how how to make a book from a single piece of paper—and publish it, too! With a couple simple cuts and folds, you'll have the power to create instant books filled with your original stories and ideas.
Esther K. Smith is the author of the forthcoming (Nov 07) How to Make Books from Potter Crafts, an imprint of Random House. Smith makes collaborative limited editions and artist books at Purgatory PIe Press in New York City.
