Read650’s Hudson Valley Writing Workshop
Read650 is a literary forum that creates performance opportunities for writers through curated live and digital performances celebrating the spoken word.
Uncovering the Authentic Voice in Personal Narratives
A generative, prompt-driven workshop
Saturday, November 5, 2022 • 9AM to 6PM
Register now for a day of writing and creative community spirit! Using prompts and short exercises, the workshop is designed to help you write personal stories in your own unique way. This craft-focused day will help you hone your voice and draft engaging narratives in a fun, supportive environment. Writers of all skill levels are welcome.
Led by four experienced and passionate writer/instructors, the day will include food and drink and a chance to enjoy the great outdoors in pastoral Gardiner, New York. The day wraps up with a closing reception where work can be shared and celebrated by all.
NOTE: Gardiner is 90 miles north of New York City and 60 miles north of Westchester County. Limited overnight accommodations are available. For details, email info@read650.org
“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.” — Louis L’Amour
Here’s what writers told us after attending our June workshop:
“I absolutely loved the workshop! The place, the people, and the exercises were really inspiring. You are creating something magical; I will definitely return.” — Kate
“A first-class event! The experience was intimate and rich, and gave us time to develop meaningful new relationships. I also appreciated the structure of the day which offered time to write, present, and get feedback. I can’t wait until the next workshop.” —Charlotte
“I've not read my work aloud before, nor heard many others read first drafts in full, and this was very interesting. The people were particularly supportive and welcoming, and the food and the location were superb!” —Sarah
Workshop Format
ARRIVAL
9:00 am - 9:30 am • Arrival and Settling (enjoy coffee, tea, fruit, and pastries).
GROUP MEETING
9:30 am – 10:00 am • Introductions and Orientation: History of Read650, goals of the workshop, structure of the day
MORNING SESSION
10:00 am – 1:00 pm • 3 hours, including two five minute breaks.
Split into groups for two prompt-based mini workshop sessions
BUFFET LUNCH
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm • Enjoy a selection of fresh, healthy food, including vegetarian options
AFTERNOON SESSION
2:00 pm -5:00 pm • 3 hours, including two five minute breaks.
Full group assembles for theme-based prompt session; includes presentation from guest speaker David Masello on the Writing and Editing Life.
WRAP-UP / SHARE
5:00 pm-6:00 pm • Reception with coffee/wine/beer, light snacks. Participants welcome to share their work from the day.
$349 registration fee* includes meals & closing reception
*plus 3% credit card processing fee
“There was so much satisfying beauty, comfort, and warmth—plus all the wonderful foods you nourished us with. I’m already looking forward to next time.” — Carol
“What a wonderful learning experience! Thanks to my fellow writers for sharing such well-written, interesting and inspiring stories…”
“… I had a great day at the workshop and I'm motivated to get back to writing more regularly.” —Cathy
Gardiner, NY is 90 miles north of New York City and 60 miles north of Westchester County. Limited overnight accommodations are available. For details, email info@read650.org
$349 registration fee* includes meals & closing reception
*plus 3% credit card processing fee
Meet the Crew
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Kathy Curto
Kathy Curto teaches at Sarah Lawrence College Writing Institute, Montclair State University, The Writers Circle and elsewhere. She has also brought her work overseas to Italy, where she helped organize and facilitate creative workshops for writers and studio artists. The author of Not for Nothing-Glimpses into a Jersey Girlhood, Kathy's work has been featured in many literary journals as well as the New York Times, on NPR, and in the anthology Listen to Your Mother: What She Said Then, What We’re Saying Now.
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Rhonda Zangwill
Rhonda Zangwill has been teaching, mentoring, and coaching and cheering on creative writers and story-tellers since the turn of the century. Among her past and present word-wrangling partners are: Teachers & Writers Collaborative, Girls Write Now, PEN’s Prison Program, The Moth, the New York Writers Coalition and the Sirovich Senior Center. A quick Google might reveal her published work. Or not. (Some places still value paper over pixels.) A longtime resident of New York City, she recently joined Read650’s board.
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Steven Lewis
Read650 Senior Editor Steven Lewis is a former Mentor at Empire State College, a member of the Sarah Lawrence College Writing Institute faculty, and a longtime freelancer published in the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and elsewhere. His nonfiction books include Zen and the Art of Fatherhood, The ABCs of Real Family Values, and Fear and Loathing of Boca Raton. Novels include Take This, Loving Violet, A Hard Rain, and The Lights Around the Shore.
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David Masello
Description goes hereDavid Masello moved to New York from Evanston, Illinois, and has made his living as a writer and editor for more than thirty years. He began his career as a nonfiction book editor at Simon and Schuster, then went on to hold senior editorial positions at many magazines, including Travel & Leisure, Art and Antiques, and Town and Country. He’s currently executive editor of Milieu, a magazine about design and architecture. He’s a widely published essayist, poet, and playwright, with work appearing in the New York Times, Best American Essays, and numerous literary and art magazines. The author of two books about art and architecture, he lives and writes in New York City.
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Edward McCann
Ed McCann is an award-winning writer/producer and the founder and editor of Read650. Read650 promotes and creates performance opportunities for writers, celebrating the spoken word with live events in New York City and elsewhere. A regular contributor to MILIEU magazine and long-time former contributing editor to Country Living, Ed’s features and essays have been published in many literary journals, anthologies, and national magazines, including Better Homes & Gardens, Good Housekeeping, The Irish Echo, The Sun, and others.
Join us.
INQUIRIES: info@read650.org / Subject line: Writing Workshop