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!
Surveying Lost Brooklyn: Create Your Own Micro-Nation!
4 Wednesday sessions: May 12, 19, 26, June 2 (2010)
6-7:30pm
Taught by Alexa Wejko
For ages 9-12
826NYC needs your help! This workshop is for any one who has ever wondered what could be hiding behind Prospect Park and Coney Island. During this workshop, students will conduct a survey of the landscape of their imaginations and create an original micro-nation within the boundaries of Brooklyn.
What’s your nation’s emblem? Is your anthem a punk song or a cha-cha-cha? Do the political allegiances lie on one side of the Blue-Red divide or is it something completely different? Take this workshop to find out!
Magazine Magic: Create Your Very Own Zine!
4 Monday sessions: April 19, 26, May 3, 10 (2010)
6-7:30pm
Taught by Lauren Brown
For ages 10-14
They say that print is dead but it's about to come alive in this four week workshop that covers the nuts and bolts of writing and editing your very own magazine. From coming up with a concept to assigning stories to nailing a killer cover - this is your chance to be on the masthead of very own publication. Each session will cover the basics of magazine editing/writing (from brainstorming ideas to interviewing subjects) as each participant joins the staff of a magazine that they'll create from scratch.
Publish the Greatest Story Never Told
8 Tuesday sessions: April 13, 20, 27, May 4, 11, 18, 25, June 1 (2010)
6-8pm
Taught by 826NYC
For High School Students
New Yorker. High School Student. Published Author? At this eight-week workshop, you can be all three. Working side-by-side with professional writers, you'll explore your voice in an original nonfiction work.
In these eight sessions you'll share your unique perspective on the life of an NYC student, and then see your story printed in a book. A real book. A book with an ISBN, for sale on Amazon. No two stories are alike, and our final product will reflect the diverse experiences of people across the city.
The workshop is free and will meet in eight sessions. Each student must attend all sessions and complete any additional work required.
H. Mildew's Story Factory
2 Sunday sessions: April 11, 18 (2010)
12-1:30pm
Taught by 826NYC
For ages 6-9
Have a story to tell? At this workshop, you'll get a chance to tell it, illustrate it, and bind it into a book of your creation. We'll spend the first of two sessions writing an exciting, original, zany, tragic, funny, adventurous or suspenseful story. Maybe all of the above. Maybe with robots! We'll then illustrate the (mis)adventures of our very own characters for our very own book, hardworking writers on the deadline of the infamous H. Mildew. What will this latest and greatest spectacular story hold? Sign up now to help us churn it out!
Literary Mashups
4 Wednesday sessions: April 7, 14, 21, 28 (2010)
6-7:30pm
Taught by Susan Meyer & Susan Voelker
For ages 10-12
Ever wonder what would happen if a sea monster from the deep showed up on a London city street in the midst of a Sherlock Holmes mystery? Or if robots from the future besieged a town in the old west? Well wonder no more! In this workshop, each writer will "mash up" two literary genres into one thrilling story.
Homemade Adventures
4 Monday sessions: March 1, 8, 15, 22 (2010)
6-7:30pm
Taught by Randall Lotowycz
For ages 9-12
Are you ready to go on an adventure? Want to scale a great mountain or pursue buried treasure at the bottom of the sea? Perhaps sail to an uncharted tropical island? It's time to get packing! There's just one catch: you can only bring stuff around your house - a bed sheet, a couple of forks, empty water bottles, or even a couch cushion. With a little thought and creativity, you'll find you have everything you need to journey to the ends of the world and back.
In this workshop, you'll prep for your dream journey and write your own exciting short story chronicling the trip and how you used your everyday, ordinary stuff in extraordinary ways!
