Beltway RESOURCE BANK Membership Organizations and Organizations That Offer Writing Classes in DC, MD, VA, WV and DE Associated Writers and Writing Programs Umbrella organization for individual writers and for colleges and universities offering the Master of Fine Arts degree in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Publishes The Chronicle, AWP Job List, hosts an annual conference, web conferencing, and a members directory. Web site also contains a helpful list of writers conferences. Blackout Arts Collective A grassroots coalition of artists, activists and educators working to empower communities of color through the arts. A national organization with chapters in DC, Atlanta, Boston, Houston, New Haven, New Orleans and New York, BAC raises awareness and catalyzes action around critical issues that impact local communities to foster positive social change. The DC Chapter has hosted poetry open mics and other performance events at Cafe Mawonaj and Sankofa Books. Black Women Playwrights Group A service and advocacy group for African American playwrights writing for the professional theater. Black Writers' Guild of Maryland, Inc. Offers free monthly workshops andd speakers, an annual conference, and special showcase events for members. Brookland Area Writers & Artists "Dedicated to creating community and fostering mutual support among writers and artists in the Brookland neighborhood of NE DC." Hosts a monthly reading series and a monthly coffee-and-conversation group. Capitol Hill Poetry Group This web site showcases the work of a long-standing workshop group of nine poets: Shirley Cochrane, Mary Ann Larkin, Chris Llewellyn, Jean Nordhaus, Patric Pepper, Robert Sargent, Elizabeth Sullam, Keith Yancy, and Edwin Zimmerman. Cave Canem Commited to the discovery and cultivation of new voices in African American poetry. Offers an annual summer workshop/retreat, a first book prize, readings, and more. Located in Charlottesville, VA. Beltway poets associated with Cave Canem include: Cornelius Eady, Elizabeth Alexander, Kyle Dargan, Jane Alberdeston Coralin, Holly Bass, Derrick Weston Brown, Joel Dias-Porter, Jay Frazier, Brian Gilmore, Reginald Harris, Yona Harvey, Valerie Jean, Brandon Johnson, Alan King, Toni Asante Lightfoot, John Murillo, Venus Thrash, Hayes Davis, and Teri Ellen Cross. Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, MD/DE/WV Branch Hosts workshops and conferences for writers and illustrators. Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Mid-Atlantic Branch Hosts conferences, a list serve, and a newsletter. City Lit Project Baltimore-based organization that coordinates writers workshops, author readings, publication seminars, book festivals, youth events, and publishes books by regional authors through its Pagoda Press imprint. The Creative Alliance Membership organization of writers, visual artists, scholars, educators, and businesses. Located in Highlandtown in Baltimore. Sponsors a wide range of performances. (410) 276-1651. Creative Writing Center of Delaware Sponsored by Delaware Tech, the center, located in Lewes, DE, offers classes, free internet connection, and a library of journals and writers marketing books. Also offers workshops in other locations, including Millsboro and Bridgeville. Shelley Grabel, Director. Sanctuary Space, 17585 Nassau Commons Blvd., Suite 4, Lewes, DE. (302) 855-5905. The Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington Umbrella organization for non-profit arts groups and individual artists in the region. Programs include: JoBank, Ticket Connection, Business Volunteers for the Arts, trainings, advocacy, bimonthly newsletter, ArtsWashington, annual members' guide. Good source for group-rate health insurance for individual members. Also sponsors an online calendar on arts and culture in DC, MD and VA called "Culture Capital" which has a literature category. DC Poets Against the War A group of area poets formed to promote social change and to protest aggressive international government policies. Publishes anthologies, sponsors readings, participates in marches and protests, and co-hosts festivals and special events. Coordinator, Sarah Browning. Special events coordinator: Melissa Tuckey. Eastern Shore Writers' Association Headquartered in Easton, MD, this organization serves writers from the tri-state area of the Delmarva Penninsula. Hosts monthly meetings, mentorships, speakers, critique groups, and a journal, the Delmarva Review. Modest fees charged. The Federal Poets Hosts an open monthly poetry workshop and publishes a semi-annual anthology of poems by members. "The oldest continuously active poetry group" in DC, founded in 1944. Hosted by Nancy Allinson. Fire & Ink Advocates for GLBT writers of African descent through a biennial conference, workshop, and publications. Headquartered in Hyattsville, MD. Flanked Organization for women writers, offering classes, special events, and a bi-annual writer's conference. Programs are designed to promote excellence, diversity, and intimacy. Based in Baltimore. Footlights The Modern Drama Discussion Group of Washington, DC. Each month 25-35 members meet to discuss modern drama at inexpensive restaurants near Metro stations. The group attends half the plays they discuss, often with the director in attendance. Membership and meetings are free, group rates arranged with local theaters. Offers an E-newsletter to members. Greenbelt Writer's Group Sponsors readings, critique groups, and book discussions in Greenbelt, MD. Has published anthologies of works by members. Harford Poetry and Literary Society Hosts weekly discussions with occasional guest readers, workshops, and critique sessions. Sponsors Manorborn, an annual anthology. Howard County Poetry & Literary Society HoCoPoLitSo hosts readings and events, and "The Writing Life," a cable TV series. Maryland Writers' Association Hosts classes and critique groups, readings, contests, an annual conference, and community outreach projects. Publishes bimonthly newsletter, Pen in Hand, and biannual literary journal, Scribble. Covers poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Based in Annapolis. National League of American Pen Women, DC Branch Organization for women writers, artists, and composers. Men welcome to participate. Hosts readings, concerts, panels, contests. National Writers Union, DC Chapter UAW Local 1981/AFL-CIO. Offers guidance on contracts, legal consultation, and grievance services. Sponsors readings and workshops. Members can qualify for medical benefits, college scholarships, personal, home equity, and car loans, and press passes. Dues based on annual writing income. Nightwriters Offers writing seminars in such locations as Napa Valley, CA, Isle of Mull, Scotland, and Tuscany, Italy. Based in Bethesda, MD. Playwrights' Forum Runs writers' groups for playwrights, public and in-house readings at cooperating theaters and universities, a publishing program, and free theater ticket privledges for members. Poetry Society of Virginia State-wide organization that hosts readings and member events, a newsletter, competitions, and an annual festival. Poets on the Fringe Reading/Workshop offered every Wednesday at 8:00 pm at the Guy Mason Recreation Center, 3600 Calvert St. NW, DC. (202) 282-2180. Open to anyone aged 18 and up. "Poets from all walks of life encouraged to share their work, and bring copies of their poems and offer positive feedback with each other." Hosted by Pamela Passaretta. Free Admission. Info: passapamela@aol.com. Prince George's County Poets Web page edited by Eboni Bynum, promoting writers in PG County, their activities, and literary opportunities within the County. Smithsonian Resident Associates Classes, lectures, travel, performances on diverse subjects, including literary topics. Members get discounts on classes, Smithsonian Magazine, and other discounts. Sol y Soul Arts for Social Change. Programs include: Spoken Resistance, a workshop and performance group of young spoken word poets; El Barrio Street Theater, a performance collective; DivideDCity, a literary journal; and presentations of theater, poetry, and performance art by local and visiting artists. Regie Cabico, Artistic Director. Solas Nua This non-profit organization, located in Hyattsville, MD, is dedicated to bringing contemporary Irish arts and culture to America. Events include plays and a monthly book discussion club. Virginia Writer's Club, Northern Virginia Chapter Serves writers living in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudon, and Prince William counties. Monthly meetings, workshops, speakers, critique groups. Washington Book Publishers Informal, all-volunteer "salon" of individuals in the publishing industry. The Washington Friends of Walt Whitman Founded over 20 years ago by Martin G. Murray, the Washington Friends sponsors tours, book signings, and readings on Whitman, the Civil War and post-war period (the years when Whitman lived in DC), and his continuing influence. Washington Independent Writers Offers networking opportunities and freelance job referrals for writers and editors; also hosts classes (including some seminars with internationally-respected writers), small groups, an annual conference, and a monthly newsletter. West Virginia Writers Non-profit literary organization that sponsors an annual writers' conference and an annual writing competition. Web site lists information on writing groups and workshops throughout the state. Women's National Book Association, Washington Chapter Nonprofit professional association of women and men who work with and value books (including publishers, librarians, booksellers, writers, editors, agents, illustrators, marketing and promotion professionals, and teachers). Offers a monthly newsletter, networking brunches, and programs covering both literary and professional development topics. Write Here, Write Now Sponsors year-round writing workshops in Baltimore. WriterHouse Non-profit membership organization that offers classes, writing space, and readings in the Charlottesville, VA area. The Writers Center Non-profit, tax-exempt membership organization for writers. Workshops in all genres for both beginning and experienced writers, led by local authors, in several locations: Bethesda, Arlington, Germantown, Leesburg, Centreville, Ft. Washington, and Olney. Also offers: readings, performances, and staged readings of plays; a visiting writers series; a book gallery, with an excellent selection of local authors and literary magazines; and an annual small press book fair. Publishes Writers Carousel (newsletter, 6 times a year) and Poet Lore (biannual literary journal with national distribution). Additional member services include discounted legal fees and group health insurance. Charles Jensen, Director. Writing the Body A series of workshops in Takoma Park, MD for "those who have experience with life threatening illnesses or chronic conditions, as patients, care-givers or family members" led by Anne Becker.