Upcoming events

    • August 22, 2025
    • 6:45 PM - 9:00 PM
    • Mugs Coffee - 5126 Park Road - Charlotte, NC 28209
    • 3
    Register
                                 

    CWC Open Mic Night

    In Partnership with MUGS Coffee - LIVE Event for CWC Members and non-members to read their work on the fourth Friday of the month from 6:45pm - 9pm. Registration is limited to 12 readers. Each reader will have 7 minutes to read their work.

    (You do not need to register to come to listen and support your fellow writers.)

    If you register to read you must agree to the following:

    You will purchase something - this is how we support Mugs.

    You will respect this is a business and public place and part of the skill building experience is to block out distractions. You are not allowed to ask the staff or other customers to be quiet.  

    You agree to the considerations listed. If you are unsure if what you want to read is allowed, you will review it with your host before you read.  

    Reading at Open Mic Night affords club members and non-members an opportunity to share what they have written and gain experience reading in public. Please understand that this is NOT a publicity event for our authors. The goal is to support our members as they practice reading in public.

    Before registering please read the following policy adopted by unanimous vote of the CWC executive board on February 5, 2024, A completed registration serves as your agreement to abide by these rules.

    All work must be original and must be read by the author. All readers must be mindful that this event is open to a general audience, which may include minors, and we do not want anyone to feel excluded, offended, or attacked. Although some material may deal with mature or provocative subjects, it must be suitable for a general audience and appropriate for all agesOpen Mic Night is not a forum for religious or political debate, nor is it a place for stand-up comedy, pornography, obscenity, racism, sexism, or personal rants of any kind. We expect readers to provide a receptive, supportive audience for one another. While a writer’s material and point of view are open to different interpretations, please show respect to the writer and the work. Any violation of these guidelines whether as a reader or as a member of the audience will result in the offender being cleared from the stage or audience. Repeated offenses will result in the member being  banned from future sessions and/or being dismissed as a member of CWC.

       

     

     

       

     


    • September 03, 2025
    • 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
    • ZOOM Virtual Meeting
    • 18
    Register
    Charlotte Writers Club’s Student Virtual Writing Salons are back for the 2025-2026 school year!

    The Salons are FREE for students (grades 5-12) across the Carolinas.

    Each Salon will differ in focus, from writing prompts to discussions about the craft and elements of writing (character development, development, dialogue, conflict, world-building, genres, etc.). Of course, writing, lots of writing opportunities (and critiquing and rewriting—the core of great narratives!)

    No pressure, no grading!

    Just writers gathering to do what we love and encourage each other to discover and nourish our creatives selves.

    Zoom link will be provided just prior to the Salon.

    The Salons are part of Charlotte Writers Club’s mission (since 1922) to support local writers of all ages and genres, and promote their development through education, recognition, and community.

    Salon Leaders:

    Axel Dahlberg holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English (University of Minnesota) and a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing (Arizona State University). He taught writing (creative, rhetoric, argumentation, technical, and business) for seven years at Arizona State University. He is a published author and a professional ghostwriter and editor. He is currently completing two novels.

    Morgan Jackson is a historical fiction, young adult, and fantasy writer. Her stories center around Black women and girls doing extraordinary things for the people they love. She graduated from the College of Charleston with a Bachelor of Science degree in Middle Grades Education, with concentrations in English Language Arts and Social Studies. She lives in Charlotte, NC where she works as a teacher and freelance editor.

    If you have questions or thoughts, please contact membership@charlottewritersclub.org.

    • September 12, 2025
    • 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
    • ZOOM Virtual Meeting
    Register

    VirtualWriting Salon



    Hosted by

    Tiffany Grantham





    Please Use the Link Below to Connect with Tiffany Grantham for her Social Write-Ins. on the 2nd Friday of the month from 6:30 - 8:00 pm.

    Mark Your Calendar for this free-writing and share session via Zoom.

    Take 75-minutes to write and share from the comfort of your own space. Bring your muse, your imagination and your favorite writing instrument.

    Because writing presented in the Virtual Writing Salon deals with adult themes from time to time, we have set the age limit for participation at eighteen years of age.

    Tiffany may spin instrumental music for your mind to riff on, offer pictures that take you down memory lane or set a scene for new character to play in. Following each prompt, there will be time for volunteers to read aloud.

    Be inspired by the works your fellow travelers share. No pressure, no angst - just you, your writing, and your untamed creativity. Bring your own characters, write with a story in mind or let your thoughts dance across the page. Shake off the dust of the day and perhaps when you're done, Tiffany's prompts will help you create something that really jazzes you! 

    Tiffany Grantham is a Children’s Service Specialist for Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, a short story-fiction writer, and former secretary for CWC’s executive board. A native of Goldsboro, NC who has called Charlotte home for the past eight years, she has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from North Carolina A&T State University, and an MFA in Writing from Lindenwood University. In her spare time, Tiffany collects books to add to her in-home library.

    Join the Meeting!

    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86791552115?pwd=FMFEysQmOyq8b4f7fqA2atWxhiKdbU.1

    Meeting ID: 867 9155 2155

    Passcode: 901006

    We hope you'll make this virtual session a habit.

    • September 16, 2025
    • 7:00 PM
    • Providence United Methodist Church, Youth Room, 2nd Floor, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte
    • 60
    Register

    Judy Goldman

    What’s the Big Idea? How Published Authors Turn Ideas into Books

    Wondering how to get started on your next project? What to write about? Judy Goldman will explain where her ideas come from and how she develops them so that you can bring your own good ideas to the page. “Coming up with your original concept,” Judy says, “is probably the most crucial part of writing a book, regardless whether it’s a memoir, novel, short story, or essay.” Let her guide you through those initial steps!

    Judy is the author of eight books — four memoirs, two novels, and two collections of poetry. Her new memoir, The Rest of Our Lives, is forthcoming in May. Child was a finalist for SIBA's Southern Book Prize in Nonfiction, a Katie Couric Media Must-Read for 2022, and the #1 bestselling nonfiction book of 2022 at Park Road Books. Together: A Memoir of a Marriage and a Medical Mishap (Nan A. Talese/Doubleday) was named a best book of 2019 by Real Simple magazine, is an Editor’s Pick on Amazon, Book of the Month for Our State magazine. It received a starred review from Library Journal.

    Her work has appeared in USA Today, Washington Post, Real Simple, LitHub, Charlotte Observer, in many anthologies, and in literary journals such as The Southern Review, Gettysburg Review, Ohio Review, Kenyon Review, Black Warrior Review, Prairie Schooner, Shenandoah, etc. She received the Hobson Award for Distinguished Achievement in Arts and Letters, the Fortner Writer and Community Award for “outstanding generosity to other writers and the larger community,” the Sir Walter Raleigh Fiction Award and Mary Ruffin Poole First Fiction Award from the N.C. Literary and Historical Association, a Lifetime Achievement Award from Central Piedmont Community College, the Gerald Cable Poetry Prize, and all three annual prizes awarded for a book of poetry by a North Carolinian.

    Learn more about Judy at: https://judygoldman.com/


    If you have questions or thoughts,
    please contact membershipcwc@yahoo.com

    We look forward to seeing you!

    • September 20, 2025
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Providence United Methodist Church, Room 106, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
    • 17
    Register

    Memoir Writing: The Stories Only You Can Tell

    Hosted by Melinda Ferguson

    In this two-hour workshop, explore the power of personal and family stories to connect generations and preserve legacy. Through guided prompts and gentle sharing, you'll begin crafting the memoir only you can write—one rooted in memory, resilience, and the lives that shaped your own.

    Melinda L. Ferguson is a writer, editor, and teacher. She is the author of The Gift of Personal Writing: Writing for Pleasure, Peace of Mind, and Personal Growth, which explores the mental and emotional benefits of expressive writing. She has also written two books of family stories for her children and contributed to the anthologies The American Depression Cookbook and Kitchen Table Stories.

    Melinda worked as an editor at Warner Books, Walker & Company, and Macmillan in New York City. She later taught English as a Second Language at the Smithtown Adult Education Center and led memoir and journal writing workshops at libraries across Long Island. She also served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Suffolk County Community College.

    She holds a B.A. from Miami University (Ohio), an M.A. from Columbia University, and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Stony Brook Southampton. She is currently revising a middle-grade historical novel set in 1960s rural Ohio.

    Learn more at MelindaLFerguson.com.

    Workshop Refund Policy:

    If circumstances force the CWC to cancel a workshop or move it to an alternative date, the CWC will issue a full refund or credit for a future workshop if asked to do so within 2 weeks. If a workshop is held according to schedule and an enrollee cannot attend, the CWC will issue a full refund or credit for a future workshop if notified 48 hours before the workshop begins. Any credit issued must be used within 12 months.


    • September 26, 2025
    • 6:45 PM - 9:00 PM
    • Mugs Coffee - 5126 Park Road - Charlotte, NC 28209
                                                              

    CWC Storytellers Invitational

    The Charlotte Writers Club is proud to announce our first-ever Storytellers Invitational, a special evening celebrating the best of our Open Mic talent. The purpose is to showcase authors and readers who exemplify the spirit and craft of literary performance—to highlight what an open mic can be when writers bring their best work and deliver it with confidence and passion.

    This invitational event will feature 12 standout storytellers—writers and readers who have delivered exceptional performances at CWC Open Mic nights between January 2024 and August 2025. These featured storytellers will be selected by a panel of volunteer judges who have attended many of our Open Mic events and have a strong sense of what elevates a reading from good to unforgettable.

    All CWC members (as determined on September 1, 2025) are eligible for selection, including current CWC Board Members, since this is not a contest. The individuals ineligible for consideration are the CWC volunteer judges making the selections.

    This is not a contest, and there are no prizes—only the honor and bragging rights of being invited to share your work at this signature event. Two alternates will also be named in case of illness or conflicts. Each storyteller will have 7 minutes to WOW us! 

    Come join us for an inspiring evening of powerful stories, great coffee, and community. Whether you’re on stage or in the audience, this is a night to celebrate the voices that make the Charlotte Writers Club shine.


    • October 01, 2025
    • 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
    • ZOOM Virtual Meeting
    • 24
    Charlotte Writers Club’s Student Virtual Writing Salons are back for the 2025-2026 school year!

    The Salons are FREE for students (grades 5-12) across the Carolinas.

    Each Salon will differ in focus, from writing prompts to discussions about the craft and elements of writing (character development, development, dialogue, conflict, world-building, genres, etc.). Of course, writing, lots of writing opportunities (and critiquing and rewriting—the core of great narratives!)

    No pressure, no grading!

    Just writers gathering to do what we love and encourage each other to discover and nourish our creatives selves.

    Zoom link will be provided just prior to the Salon.

    The Salons are part of Charlotte Writers Club’s mission (since 1922) to support local writers of all ages and genres, and promote their development through education, recognition, and community.

    Salon Leaders:

    Axel Dahlberg holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English (University of Minnesota) and a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing (Arizona State University). He taught writing (creative, rhetoric, argumentation, technical, and business) for seven years at Arizona State University. He is a published author and a professional ghostwriter and editor. He is currently completing two novels.

    Morgan Jackson is a historical fiction, young adult, and fantasy writer. Her stories center around Black women and girls doing extraordinary things for the people they love. She graduated from the College of Charleston with a Bachelor of Science degree in Middle Grades Education, with concentrations in English Language Arts and Social Studies. She lives in Charlotte, NC where she works as a teacher and freelance editor.

    If you have questions or thoughts, please contact membership@charlottewritersclub.org.

    • October 21, 2025
    • 7:00 PM
    • Providence United Methodist Church, Youth Room, 2nd Floor, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte
    • 72
    Register

    From Bookshelf to Bookstore:

    What Authors Should Know from Booksellers

    Sally Brewster Katie Mitchell

    Join two of Charlotte’s most beloved booksellers—Sally Brewster of Park Road Books and Katie Mitchell of Trope Bookshop—Have you wondered how certain books end up in independent bookstores? With close to 3 million books published each year, how do bookstores decide what to stock?

    Have you wondered how certain books end up in independent bookstores? With close to 3 million books published each year, how do bookstores decide what to stock. Sally Brewster and Katie Mitchell will talk about how they stock their stores with new books throughout the year and the buying process within the traditional industry and from the self-publishing world.

    There will be an open Q&A, giving attendees a chance to ask their most pressing questions about getting noticed, getting shelved, and building a loyal readership through local indie bookstores. Whether you’re self-published, traditionally published, or somewhere in between, this honest conversation will give you actionable insight into how to work with booksellers, not just sell to them.

    Katie Mitchell, owner and general factotum at the Trope Bookshop, is new at all things bookstore related. Her road to bookstore ownership has been a twisty-turny one. As a kid she loved to read but, as so often happens, college and all its “offerings” left little time for to read for fun. Jump to 2020, that post-college pandemic thing, and she fell back in love with reading. In 2023 she left her corporate logistics job to pursue a newly formed idea: Romance Books...on wheels … and her first-born store was created. Affectionately known as Green Girl, her bookstore on wheels popped up everywhere in the Queen City: markets, book fairs, wine bars, and breweries! Late last year she decided that the bus was just too small and the smut readers of CLT needed more! In March she launched her first brick-and-mortar location in Plaza Midwood.

    Learn more on Instagram @tropebookshop.  

    Sally Brewster is the longtime owner of Park Road Books in the Park Road Shopping Center, Charlotte’s beloved, full-service independent bookstore. With 38 years of experience in the publishing industry, she began her career as an independent sales representative for Random House and concluded it working with independent distributors. In 1999, John Barringer, owner of Little Professor Book Center (now Park Road Books), asked her to buy his bookstore. Initially, she thought anyone purchasing a bookstore then would be crazy due to fierce competition, so she agreed to run the store until a buyer was found. Ultimately, she became that “crazy” buyer and has since been mostly blissfully happy selling books at Park Road Shopping Center. While the team cross-trains at Park Road Books, she handles the bulk of book buying and manages all other tasks, including scrubbing the bathroom.

    Learn more at https://parkroadbooks.com/


    If you have questions or thoughts,
    please contact membershipcwc@yahoo.com

    We look forward to seeing you!

    • October 24, 2025
    • 6:45 PM - 9:00 PM
    • Mugs Coffee - 5126 Park Road - Charlotte, NC 28209
    • 12
                                 

    CWC Open Mic Night

    In Partnership with MUGS Coffee - LIVE Event for CWC Members and non-members to read their work on the fourth Friday of the month from 6:45pm - 9pm. Registration is limited to 12 readers. Each reader will have 7 minutes to read their work.

    (You do not need to register to come to listen and support your fellow writers.)

    If you register to read you must agree to the following:

    You will purchase something - this is how we support Mugs.

    You will respect this is a business and public place and part of the skill building experience is to block out distractions. You are not allowed to ask the staff or other customers to be quiet.  

    You agree to the considerations listed. If you are unsure if what you want to read is allowed, you will review it with your host before you read.  

    Reading at Open Mic Night affords club members and non-members an opportunity to share what they have written and gain experience reading in public. Please understand that this is NOT a publicity event for our authors. The goal is to support our members as they practice reading in public.

    Before registering please read the following policy adopted by unanimous vote of the CWC executive board on February 5, 2024, A completed registration serves as your agreement to abide by these rules.

    All work must be original and must be read by the author. All readers must be mindful that this event is open to a general audience, which may include minors, and we do not want anyone to feel excluded, offended, or attacked. Although some material may deal with mature or provocative subjects, it must be suitable for a general audience and appropriate for all agesOpen Mic Night is not a forum for religious or political debate, nor is it a place for stand-up comedy, pornography, obscenity, racism, sexism, or personal rants of any kind. We expect readers to provide a receptive, supportive audience for one another. While a writer’s material and point of view are open to different interpretations, please show respect to the writer and the work. Any violation of these guidelines whether as a reader or as a member of the audience will result in the offender being cleared from the stage or audience. Repeated offenses will result in the member being  banned from future sessions and/or being dismissed as a member of CWC.

       

     

     

       

     


    • October 25, 2025
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Providence United Methodist Church, Room 106, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
    • 19
    Register

    Using Setting to Develop Conflict, Increase Tension, and Sustain Momentum

    Hosted by Misha Lazzara

    In this engaging two-hour workshop, author and educator Misha Lazzara explores how setting can be a powerful tool to heighten conflict, build tension, and sustain momentum in your writing. Whether you write fiction, memoir, or essays, the world you build matters—on the macro level (place, time, history, culture) and the micro level (sensory detail, weather, objects, mood).

    We’ll look at examples from a variety of authors and discuss how setting can work as a character, mirror, or obstacle. You’ll walk away with strategies to make your settings more meaningful and effective in shaping your narrative and deepening your story.

    To learn more about Misha, see https://www.mishalazzarawrites.com/


    Workshop Refund Policy:

    If circumstances force the CWC to cancel a workshop or move it to an alternative date, the CWC will issue a full refund or credit for a future workshop if asked to do so within 2 weeks. If a workshop is held according to schedule and an enrollee cannot attend, the CWC will issue a full refund or credit for a future workshop if notified 48 hours before the workshop begins. Any credit issued must be used within 12 months.


    • November 05, 2025
    • 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
    • ZOOM Virtual Meeting
    • 24
    Charlotte Writers Club’s Student Virtual Writing Salons are back for the 2025-2026 school year!

    The Salons are FREE for students (grades 5-12) across the Carolinas.

    Each Salon will differ in focus, from writing prompts to discussions about the craft and elements of writing (character development, development, dialogue, conflict, world-building, genres, etc.). Of course, writing, lots of writing opportunities (and critiquing and rewriting—the core of great narratives!)

    No pressure, no grading!

    Just writers gathering to do what we love and encourage each other to discover and nourish our creatives selves.

    Zoom link will be provided just prior to the Salon.

    The Salons are part of Charlotte Writers Club’s mission (since 1922) to support local writers of all ages and genres, and promote their development through education, recognition, and community.

    Salon Leaders:

    Axel Dahlberg holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English (University of Minnesota) and a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing (Arizona State University). He taught writing (creative, rhetoric, argumentation, technical, and business) for seven years at Arizona State University. He is a published author and a professional ghostwriter and editor. He is currently completing two novels.

    Morgan Jackson is a historical fiction, young adult, and fantasy writer. Her stories center around Black women and girls doing extraordinary things for the people they love. She graduated from the College of Charleston with a Bachelor of Science degree in Middle Grades Education, with concentrations in English Language Arts and Social Studies. She lives in Charlotte, NC where she works as a teacher and freelance editor.

    If you have questions or thoughts, please contact membership@charlottewritersclub.org.

    • November 08, 2025
    • 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
    • Providence United Methodist Church, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte
    • 24

    Back By Popular Demand - Student Creative Writing Workshop!

    Join Charlotte Writers Club’s FREE creative writing workshop. Students will learn the elements and craft of narrative across all genres and formats. We’ll begin with a reading and a discussion around creative narratives, exploring character, plot, setting, and theme. You will then craft your own story and workshop your piece with peers and the instructors. Finally, since writing is all about rewriting and polishing your work, you’ll have the opportunity to recraft your piece after the peer review for further evaluation.

    Best of all, the workshop is FREE. Yes, FREE.

    Register today! Only 24 seats available.

    Instructors:

    Morgan Jackson is a historical fiction, young adult, and fantasy writer. Her stories center around Black women and girls doing extraordinary things for the people they love. She graduated from the College of Charleston with a Bachelor of Science degree in Middle Grades Education, with concentrations in English Language Arts and Social Studies. She lives in Charlotte, NC where she works as a teacher and freelance editor.

    Axel Dahlberg holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English (University of Minnesota) and a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing (Arizona State University). He taught writing (creative, rhetoric, argumentation, technical, and business) for seven years at Arizona State University. He is a published author and a professional ghostwriter and editor. He is currently completing a novel.


    If you have questions or thoughts,

    please contact membership@charlottewritersclub.org

    We look forward to seeing you!

    • November 15, 2025
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Providence United Methodist Church, Room 106, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
    • 19
    Register

    Writing for Young Readers

    Hosted by Carol Baldwin

    Join writer, teacher, and mentor Carol Baldwin for a dynamic workshop designed to help you shape your story for young audiences—whether you're writing picture books, middle grade, or young adult fiction. Carol’s passion for nurturing writers shines through her engaging instruction and years of experience guiding others from idea to polished manuscript.

    This workshop will be tailored to the interests of registered participants, offering practical tools, feedback, and encouragement. With Carol’s support, you’ll better understand your target age group and leave energized to take the next steps in your writing journey. Perfect for new and experienced writers alike.

    Learn more about Carol at https://carolbaldwinbooks.com/


    Workshop Refund Policy:

    If circumstances force the CWC to cancel a workshop or move it to an alternative date, the CWC will issue a full refund or credit for a future workshop if asked to do so within 2 weeks. If a workshop is held according to schedule and an enrollee cannot attend, the CWC will issue a full refund or credit for a future workshop if notified 48 hours before the workshop begins. Any credit issued must be used within 12 months.


    • November 18, 2025
    • 7:00 PM
    • Providence United Methodist Church, Youth Room, 2nd Floor, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte
    • 75

    Kim Wright Wiley

    Story Structure: Moving the Reader Along

    Since mankind began to tell stories around a fire, the human mind has processed narrative in a very specific way. This craft talk will focus on four pivotal beats in storytelling: the opening image, the catalyst, the midpoint, and the closing image. Nailing these will help you whip a meandering story (or novel) into shape, avoid bogging down in the “muddy middle,” and improve your pacing. Best of all, it makes your story not only a pleasure to read, but easier to write. If your current WIP is feeling a little formless, bring it along!

    Kim Wright Wiley is the author of five novels: Love in Mid Air, The Unexpected Waltz, The Canterbury Sisters, The Longest Day of the Year and Last Ride To Graceland, which won the Willie Morris Award for Southern Fiction. She began her career in journalism, specializing in travel, food and wine and is a three-time recipient of the Lowell Thomas Award for Travel Writing. Kim is a full-time lecturer at Charlotte Lit, and offers developmental edits through her service, Story Doctor.

    To learn more about Kim, visit: http://www.kimwright.org/


    If you have questions or thoughts,
    please contact membershipcwc@yahoo.com

    We look forward to seeing you!

    • December 03, 2025
    • 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
    • ZOOM Virtual Meeting
    • 24
    Charlotte Writers Club’s Student Virtual Writing Salons are back for the 2025-2026 school year!

    The Salons are FREE for students (grades 5-12) across the Carolinas.

    Each Salon will differ in focus, from writing prompts to discussions about the craft and elements of writing (character development, development, dialogue, conflict, world-building, genres, etc.). Of course, writing, lots of writing opportunities (and critiquing and rewriting—the core of great narratives!)

    No pressure, no grading!

    Just writers gathering to do what we love and encourage each other to discover and nourish our creatives selves.

    Zoom link will be provided just prior to the Salon.

    The Salons are part of Charlotte Writers Club’s mission (since 1922) to support local writers of all ages and genres, and promote their development through education, recognition, and community.

    Salon Leaders:

    Axel Dahlberg holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English (University of Minnesota) and a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing (Arizona State University). He taught writing (creative, rhetoric, argumentation, technical, and business) for seven years at Arizona State University. He is a published author and a professional ghostwriter and editor. He is currently completing two novels.

    Morgan Jackson is a historical fiction, young adult, and fantasy writer. Her stories center around Black women and girls doing extraordinary things for the people they love. She graduated from the College of Charleston with a Bachelor of Science degree in Middle Grades Education, with concentrations in English Language Arts and Social Studies. She lives in Charlotte, NC where she works as a teacher and freelance editor.

    If you have questions or thoughts, please contact membership@charlottewritersclub.org.

    • December 06, 2025
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Providence United Methodist Church, Room 106, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
    • 20

    Prompt & Spark:

    Craft Your Own Book of Writing Inspiration

    Hosted by Lisa Otter Rose

    Join author and educator Lisa Otter Rose for an inspiring, hands-on workshop where you’ll begin creating your own book of writing prompts using photos, words, art, and other sources of inspiration. Whether you write fiction, memoir, or poetry, this workshop will help you generate ideas and capture creative sparks that lead to powerful stories. Leave with a personalized collection of prompts designed to keep your creativity flowing long after the session ends. Perfect for writers at any stage looking to overcome writer’s block, ignite new ideas, or simply play on the page. Come ready to explore and create!  PS. Please bring scissors, glue stick, magazines and any other interesting ephemera.

    Lisa Otter Rose is the former treasurer of the Charlotte Writers Club. She is just as comfortable using the right side of her brain as her left. She is the author of You’ve Got Verve, Jamie Ireland! an award-winning children’s novel set in the suburbs of Charlotte, NC. Lisa enjoys writing children’s stories, personal essays, flash-fiction, and autobiofictional tales. She creates things with her hands and heart through her hand-made books, mixed-media art, and watercolor paintings. Her ABC prompt book serves as inspiration in her writing and art. 

    Workshop Refund Policy:

    If circumstances force the CWC to cancel a workshop or move it to an alternative date, the CWC will issue a full refund or credit for a future workshop if asked to do so within 2 weeks. If a workshop is held according to schedule and an enrollee cannot attend, the CWC will issue a full refund or credit for a future workshop if notified 48 hours before the workshop begins. Any credit issued must be used within 12 months.


    • December 16, 2025
    • 7:00 PM
    • Providence United Methodist Church, Youth Room, 2nd Floor, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte
    • 75

    Flash Fiction Winners & Critique Group Organization &  

    Darnell Arnoult

    How to give meaningful  feedback 

    We’re excited to welcome acclaimed author and teacher Darnell Arnoult to a CWC monthly meeting for a conversation on how to give meaningful, constructive, and compassionate feedback in critique groups. Learn how to uplift fellow writers while sharpening your own craft in a supportive, productive, and respectful writing community.  Learn more about this great writer at: https://www.darnellarnoult.net/

    December's meeting will, as always, be a "two-fer"--with two good reasons to meet with your friends at the Charlotte Writers Club. The first order of business will be to recognize and celebrate the winners of the Ruth Moose Flash Fiction Contest. As ever, the first, second, and third place winners will read their work.

    Come for the pleasure of hearing work well done; leave with a little inspiration for your own work in the Creative Nonfiction Contest which is open now. 

    From celebrating the Ruth Moose winners, we'll turn to the all-important business of getting members new and old into already existing and groups just forming. If you write, you know the truth: There's no such thing as good writing, only good rewriting. And there is nothing like active participation in a critique group, a gathering of supportive writers who face the same struggles, critical readers who can tell you what's working and what had gone astray, to help you improve your work. 

    Skeptical? Come to the meeting. Those who have been members of a critique group (or groups) will convince you that you're missing out on one of the most significant opportunities the Charlotte Writers Club offers to members!

    Join a group or start the group you want and need!


    If you have questions or thoughts,
    please contact membershipcwc@yahoo.com

    We look forward to seeing you!

    • January 10, 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
    • Providence United Methodist Church, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte
    • 24

    Back By Popular Demand - Student Creative Writing Workshop!

    Join Charlotte Writers Club’s FREE creative writing workshop. Students will learn the elements and craft of narrative across all genres and formats. We’ll begin with a reading and a discussion around creative narratives, exploring character, plot, setting, and theme. You will then craft your own story and workshop your piece with peers and the instructors. Finally, since writing is all about rewriting and polishing your work, you’ll have the opportunity to recraft your piece after the peer review for further evaluation.

    Best of all, the workshop is FREE. Yes, FREE.

    Register today! Only 24 seats available.

    Instructors:

    Morgan Jackson is a historical fiction, young adult, and fantasy writer. Her stories center around Black women and girls doing extraordinary things for the people they love. She graduated from the College of Charleston with a Bachelor of Science degree in Middle Grades Education, with concentrations in English Language Arts and Social Studies. She lives in Charlotte, NC where she works as a teacher and freelance editor.

    Axel Dahlberg holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English (University of Minnesota) and a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing (Arizona State University). He taught writing (creative, rhetoric, argumentation, technical, and business) for seven years at Arizona State University. He is a published author and a professional ghostwriter and editor. He is currently completing a novel.


    If you have questions or thoughts,

    please contact membership@charlottewritersclub.org

    We look forward to seeing you!

    • January 20, 2026
    • 7:00 PM
    • Providence United Methodist Church, Youth Room, 2nd Floor, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte
    • 75


    Betsy Thorpe & Lisa Kline

    Scenes From the Revision Trenches

    Betsy Thorpe, a successful Charlotte editor and author, joins award-winning local author Lisa Williams Kline in discussing best practices, what to expect from a critique group, and revisions our group has suggested to each other for our last few published novels. We've changed from third person to first, from dual time frames to single time frames, from three voices to four voices, and more. We’ll incorporate stories about major revisions we’ve been asked to do by editors and agents, how we reacted, and how those revisions worked out. Not to mention the books we started, stopped, and put in a drawer. Q and A to follow. 


    Betsy Thorpe has been a book editor for over thirty years, starting her career at some of the Big Five houses in New York as an acquisitions and developmental/line editor, and then moving on to open up her own business as an independent editor. She works with authors on everything from how to even start writing a book, to full manuscripts, sometimes conducting “forensic edits,” and occasionally ghost-writing. She also consults with authors over the pros and cons of traditional publishing versus indie publishing, agents, and contracts. Her co-written books have appeared in The New York Times, The Today Show, and Oprah, and she’s written a trilogy under a pseudonym, Hope Carolle, published by Dragonblade, a boutique publisher. She is the proud mom of two young adult women, and a dyspeptic ninety-seven pound rescue dog, Charlie. You can learn more at: https://www.betsythorpe.com/


    Lisa Williams Kline is the author of two award-winning novels, Between the Sky and the Sea and Ladies’ Day, and The Ruby Mirror, an essay collection. A new novel, The Bristlecone Writers’ Group, will be released by Harpeth Road Press in spring 2026. She lives in Davidson with her veterinarian husband, a cat who can open doors, and a sweet chihuahua who has played Bruiser Woods in Legally Blonde: The Musical. She and her husband treasure frequent visits with their grown daughters and their husbands. Learn more at: https://www.lisawilliamskline.com/


    If you have questions or thoughts,
    please contact membershipcwc@yahoo.com

    We look forward to seeing you!

    • January 24, 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Providence United Methodist Church, Room 106, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
    • 20

    Plotting vs. Pantsing 

    Hosted by Sarah Archer

    Plotting vs. Pantsing: In this class, we'll tackle the age-old writers' debate: do you plot your stories in advance or discover them as you write? We'll cover tips and approaches to take you seamlessly from idea to first draft, including the difference between brainstorming and outlining, ways to employ act structures in an outline, how to enrich characters at the planning stage, digital and analogue tools for writers, and the benefits of leaving room for the spark of inspiration. This class is appropriate for writers of all levels and genres. 

    Sarah Archer is an acclaimed author, teacher, and writing coach known for her insightful guidance and deep knowledge of the publishing world. Her debut novel, The Plus One, was published in multiple countries and was optioned for film. She has also developed screenplays with studios and production companies. Sarah has been published in literary journals and national magazines and has taught writing workshops for CWC and across the country.


    https://saraharcherwrites.com/


    Workshop Refund Policy:

    If circumstances force the CWC to cancel a workshop or move it to an alternative date, the CWC will issue a full refund or credit for a future workshop if asked to do so within 2 weeks. If a workshop is held according to schedule and an enrollee cannot attend, the CWC will issue a full refund or credit for a future workshop if notified 48 hours before the workshop begins. Any credit issued must be used within 12 months.


    • January 31, 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Providence United Methodist Church, Room 106, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
    • 20

    Structure, the Narrative Arc, and the Trusty Footbridge: A Study in the Shape of Memoir

    Hosted by Barbara Presnell

    While the narrative arc--that old inverted checkmark--offers solid possibilities for shaping your story, not all memoirs fit so neatly into that structure. Your goals of maintaining flexible degrees of tension and keeping your readers engaged can be achieved in other ways. Maybe your life story is more like a board game--a sort of Indiana Jones experience where our hero encounters obstacle after obstacle in search of the treasure. Maybe your story takes a circle shape. Maybe an hourglass, maybe a staircase. Here we will take a look at several possible ways of shaping your story in order to find the way that seems most natural for you, all the while building tension and engaging the reader. 

    Barbara Presnell is a writer and teacher of writing who lives in Lexington, NC. Her five books of poetry include Piece Work, which documents the textile industry in North Carolina through the eyes of its workers, and Blue Star, the story of 100 years of war and its effect on one family. In addition, her essays and columns appear in many journals and online sites. She has taught writing to students in community colleges, private schools, and public universities in Virginia, Kentucky, and North Carolina, and is Senior Lecturer Emeritus at UNC-Charlotte. Read more of her poetry and prose at www.barbarapresnell.com.


    Workshop Refund Policy:

    If circumstances force the CWC to cancel a workshop or move it to an alternative date, the CWC will issue a full refund or credit for a future workshop if asked to do so within 2 weeks. If a workshop is held according to schedule and an enrollee cannot attend, the CWC will issue a full refund or credit for a future workshop if notified 48 hours before the workshop begins. Any credit issued must be used within 12 months.


    • February 17, 2026
    • 7:00 PM
    • Providence United Methodist Church, Youth Room, 2nd Floor, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte
    • 75


    From Page to Publication: A Poet-to-Poet Conversation with Georgann Eubanks & Denton Loving

    From Page to Publication: A Poet-to-Poet Conversation with Georgann Eubanks & Denton Loving Two acclaimed poets, Georgann Eubanks and Denton Loving, come together to talk about writing across genres, shaping a poetry manuscript, and the writer–editor relationship. Eubanks, author of Rural Astronomy and The Fabulous Ordinary, and Loving, award-winning author of Tamp and Feller, will share their creative processes, read from their work, and offer practical tips for organizing your own collection for publication.

    Georgann Eubanks is at home in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. She has written six guidebooks for UNC Press introducing readers to the culture of the South, and three books in the Literary Trails series that encourage readers to see North Carolina through the eyes of its writers. She directed the Writers Workshop at Duke University for twenty years and launched the Table Rock Writers Workshop. Most recently, she is the author of The Fabulous Ordinary: Discovering the Natural Wonders of the Wild South, which offers readers a tour of the seasonal joys of ecosystems in the Southeast, as well as Rural Astronomy, a collection of poems that shift between childhood memories and her contemporary observations of the ongoing clash between Nature and human entitlement.

    Denton Loving is a writer who is also comfortable in multiple genres. His poetry, short stories, essays, reviews and interviews have been published in numerous publications including The Kenyon Review, Tupelo Quarterly, and Ecotone. He has published three full-length books of poetry including Tamp, poems about his grief after the passing of his father, which received the Tennessee Book Award for Poetry. His latest collection, Feller, explores themes of connection, longing, and the pursuit of a fully lived life, and has been described as at once deeply rooted in his Appalachian soil and universally resonant. He is a cofounder of the literary journal Cutleaf and its parent organization, EastOver Press, where he served as editor of Georgann’s book of poems, Rural Astronomy.



    If you have questions or thoughts,
    please contact membershipcwc@yahoo.com

    We look forward to seeing you!

    • March 17, 2026
    • 7:00 PM
    • Providence United Methodist Church, Youth Room, 2nd Floor, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte
    • 75


    Andrea Hurst

    &

    Lydia Caudill

    What Do Agents Want from Authors

    In today’s competitive publishing landscape, capturing a literary agent’s attention requires more than just a great idea—it takes strategy, precision, and polish. This workshop will guide writers through the key elements of a successful submission, including how to research the right agents for your work, craft a compelling query letter, and develop a strong hook within the first few pages of your manuscript.

    We will also explore what agents are really looking for and how to avoid common mistakes so you can get your foot in the door. This session is perfect for writers preparing to query or those looking to better understand the agent submission process from the inside out.

    Andrea and Lydia will also be available for Q&A at the end of the session.

    Andrea Hurst is the Founder and President of Andrea Hurst & Associates Literary Management. As a literary agent and developmental editor, Andrea brings over 25 years of experience in the publishing industry. She has worked with major publishers, both domestic and internationally. Overall, her focus is to help authors polish their book, obtain publication, and build their author brand. Some of her clients include bestsellers such as Dr. Bernie Siegel, Boo Walker, Marc Edelheit, Hannah Jayne, Penny Warner, Ashley Farley, Chef John Ash, and Suzanne Kelman. She is a current member of AALA.

    Andrea began her career in the entertainment business working in product development and marketing with Columbia Records, but eventually found her passion in book publishing. She teaches classes at writing conferences and MFA programs, and has presented webinars for Writer’s Digest, where she offers valuable insight as an agent, editor, and author of ten books, both in fiction and nonfiction. Her most recent novel, House of Dreams, leased in April 2024. Learn more at: https://andreahurst.com/

    Lydia Caudill is an associate agent with Andrea Hurst Literary Management. She began her journey with the agency as an editorial intern in 2022 and quickly advanced into a full-time position as a literary scout and editorial assistant. Now representing her own growing list of clients, Lydia is passionate about championing a diverse range of voices and partnering with authors to develop compelling, impactful stories that resonate deeply with readers.

    Originally from a small town in Eastern Kentucky, Lydia developed a passion for literature early on, often seen toting around a book and seeking any opportunity to read. She is a graduate of NC State University, where she earned her B.A. in English with a concentration in Creative Writing. When she’s not editing or reviewing submissions, you can find her attending live music events, tutoring Spanish, working on her own writing, or spending quality time outdoors with her dog, Rocky.


    If you have questions or thoughts,
    please contact membershipcwc@yahoo.com

    We look forward to seeing you!

    • March 21, 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Providence United Methodist Church, Room 106, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
    • 20

    The Method (and Madness) of Getting Published: Literary Journals, Contests & Beyond 

    Hosted by Maureen Sherbondy

    In this dynamic two-hour workshop, award-winning poet and fiction writer Maureen Sherbondy shares her tried-and-true process for submitting poetry and fiction to contests and literary journals. Drawing from her extensive publication record in journals like CalyxThe Oakland Review, and Prelude, Maureen will offer practical strategies for identifying the right opportunities, polishing your work, and navigating rejections.

    Participants will gain insight into what editors and judges look for—and how to stay motivated through the highs and lows of the submission journey. Whether you’re new to submitting or looking to sharpen your strategy, this session will inspire and equip you to share your work with the world.

    Learn about Maureen at https://www.maureensherbondy.com/


    Workshop Refund Policy:

    If circumstances force the CWC to cancel a workshop or move it to an alternative date, the CWC will issue a full refund or credit for a future workshop if asked to do so within 2 weeks. If a workshop is held according to schedule and an enrollee cannot attend, the CWC will issue a full refund or credit for a future workshop if notified 48 hours before the workshop begins. Any credit issued must be used within 12 months.


    • April 21, 2026
    • 7:00 PM
    • Providence United Methodist Church, Youth Room, 2nd Floor, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte
    • 75


    David Radavich

    Revising & Shaping Your Poem for Publication

    Great poems are not born by autogenesis, or even by a talented muse.  They are revised and polished into more perfect being by a craftsperson who takes care to utilize all the tools of the lyric trade to enhance the poem’s potential impact on the reader.  In this presentation, we will pay close attention to the visual architecture of poems, their aural structures, effective use of punctuation, evocative imagery and metaphor, balance, proportion, and radiance, and creating a powerful overall impression.

    David Radavich (www.davidradavich.org) has published a variety of poetry, drama, and essays, including two epics, America Bound and America Abroad, as well as Middle-East Mezze and The Countries We Live In.  His plays have been performed across the U.S. and in Europe.  David has served as president of the Thomas Wolfe Society, Charlotte Writers’ Club, and North Carolina Poetry Society, and currently serves as state-wide coordinator of the Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet Series.  His latest books are Here’s Plenty (Cervena Barva, 2023) and Unter der Sonne / Under the Sun: German Poems (Deutscher Lyrik, 2021) - yes, he writes poems also in German. 

    If you have questions or thoughts,
    please contact membershipcwc@yahoo.com

    We look forward to seeing you!

    • April 25, 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Providence United Methodist Church, Room 106, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
    • 20

    Writing with Loss: Finding Light in Elegy

    Hosted by Irene Honeycutt

    Join acclaimed poet and teacher Irene Blair Honeycutt for a two-hour workshop exploring elegy as a gift that can help us transcend, not “get over” grief.  This session will focus on how the elegiac poem offers a place for us to not only mourn our losses— be they humans, pets, trees, relationships—but to also pay tribute to what has enriched our lives.  With compassion and insight, Irene will draw from her own elegiac poems and those of others, classical and contemporary, as ways of encouraging participants to write an elegy about one of their own deep losses.

    Writers will leave with insights into how the elegiac poem fosters healing, provides resilience, and shines some light on the path of grief. All levels welcome.  Bring paper, pen and a small object that reminds you of a particular loss. 

    Learn more about Irene's latest book at https://charlottelit.org/press/mountains-of-the-moon/                          

    Workshop Requirement: To fully participate in the discussion, all attendees are asked to have a copy of Mountains of the Moon by Irene Blair Honeycutt. We'll explore the elegiac thread throughout the collection and examine selected poems in depth, including the drafting process behind them.


    Workshop Refund Policy:

    If circumstances force the CWC to cancel a workshop or move it to an alternative date, the CWC will issue a full refund or credit for a future workshop if asked to do so within 2 weeks. If a workshop is held according to schedule and an enrollee cannot attend, the CWC will issue a full refund or credit for a future workshop if notified 48 hours before the workshop begins. Any credit issued must be used within 12 months.


    • May 02, 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Providence United Methodist Church, Second floor Youth Room, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
    • 75


    The Path to Publication: A Candid Conversation with Three Authors

    Hosted by Ann Campanella, Lisa Williams Kline, & Gilda Morina Syverson

    In today’s evolving publishing world, writers have more options than ever—but which path is right for you and your particular project? In this dynamic and honest panel discussion and Q&A, three successful authors share their real-world experiences navigating the publishing landscape—from self-publishing to working with small presses to finding an agent and signing with the Big 5. You'll learn about the benefits and challenges of each path, how to evaluate your goals for each project, and what steps to take next. This workshop offers valuable insights and candid advice to help you make informed decisions about your publishing journey. Come with questions, leave with clarity.

    Ann Campanella, a former magazine/newspaper editor, is an award-winning memoirist and poet. Her first memoir, Motherhood: Lost and Found, was named “One of the best Alzheimer’s books of all time” by BookAuthority. Her second memoir, Celiac Mom, was a 2024 silver medalist in the Readers' Favorite Awards. Her recent memoir is The Shoulder Season: A Memoir of Fracture and Grace. She has experience with independent presses and self-publishing. An advocate for Alzheimer’s awareness, celiac disease and other health issues, she serves as a director for AlzAuthors.

    Lisa Williams Kline has published 14 books with publishers both large and small, for adults as well as children. Between the Sky and the Sea (Dragonblade) and Ladies’ Day (CamCat Books) are her most recent award-winning novels for adults. Her latest novel, The Bristlecone Writers’ Group, is just out from Harpeth Road Press. She lives in Davidson with her veterinarian husband, a cat who can open doors, and a sweet chihuahua who has played Bruiser Woods in Legally Blonde: The Musical.

    Gilda Morina Syverson, an award-winning author, poet, artist and teacher, has taught memoir-writing classes for over twenty-five years, including 15 years at Queens University of Charlotte. Her expertise has earned her recognition as one of LinkedIn’s top memoir instructors. She is also a Healing Touch Practitioner. Her first memoir, My Father’s Daughter, From Rome to Sicily, won numerous awards, and her second memoir, A Healing Journey, from 9/11 Beyond the Pandemic was recognized as a finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards. She has had success working with independent publishers.

    Workshop Refund Policy:

    If circumstances force the CWC to cancel a workshop or move it to an alternative date, the CWC will issue a full refund or credit for a future workshop if asked to do so within 2 weeks. If a workshop is held according to schedule and an enrollee cannot attend, the CWC will issue a full refund or credit for a future workshop if notified 48 hours before the workshop begins. Any credit issued must be used within 12 months.


    • May 19, 2026
    • 7:00 PM
    • Providence United Methodist Church, Youth Room, 2nd Floor, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte
    • 75


    Kevin Watson & Patricia Thompson 

    The Inside Track: Publishing Your Book

    Join Kevin Watson of Press 53 and Patricia Thompson of Redhawk Publications for an engaging and informative conversation on The Fine Points of Small-Press Publishing in the 21st Century. Drawing on years of industry experience, these seasoned publishing professionals will discuss what they look for in a manuscript, common red flags that can halt a project before it begins, and what happens once a manuscript is accepted. Learn about the editorial process, expectations placed on authors, and how small publishers and writers collaborate to shape and promote a successful book. This session will offer practical insights into how North Carolina publishers help authors navigate today’s literary landscape, from submission to release, promotion to public appearances.

    Kevin Morgan Watson founded Press 53 in October 2005 and has published over three hundred titles by writers in thirty-eight states. Located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, with editors in Atlanta, Tucson, and Charlotte, Press 53’s primary focus is on poetry and short fiction collections. As a tribute to “the writingest state,” out-of-print classics by North Carolina authors are reprinted under the Carolina Classics Editions imprint to assure that these books are always available to readers. Prime Number Magazine, a free, Pushcart Prize-winning online journal of distinctive poetry, short fiction, and flash nonfiction, features writers at all levels, and the free, monthly 53-Word Story Contest receives hundreds (sometimes thousands) of entries and is used as a teaching tool in classrooms around the world.

    Patricia Thompson is the acquisition editor at Redhawk Publications, a creative initiative of Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory, NC. In this role, she evaluates manuscripts from authors, negotiates contracts, guides accepted titles through the publishing pipeline, and develops book launch marketing strategies.

    During her five years with Redhawk, she has worked with over 100 authors and overseen the publication of 200+ books.

    Patty is an outspoken advocate for the literary arts and a champion of all artistic endeavors. She proudly serves as the president of Arts Culture Catawba and as a board member of the North Carolina Writers’ Network.

    She has a twenty-year background in higher education and holds a Master’s degree in Education from George Washington University, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Georgetown University.


    If you have questions or thoughts,
    please contact membershipcwc@yahoo.com

    We look forward to seeing you!

    • June 05, 2026
    • 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    • Lola's Bar, Southminster, 8919 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28210
    • 85

    More information coming in 2026!

    Mark your calendars now!




Charlotte Writers Club  is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, P.O. Box 220954, Charlotte, NC 28222-0954

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