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.