SDWG members, submit a free listing on our bulletin board for a reading, workshop, or service you’re offering
REQUESTS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Perk for SDWG Members! Straw Dog Writers Guild is now an affiliate of Bookshop.org. If you are a current SDWG member and you have published a book, we can include your book on our members list on our Bookshop.org profile. Important instructions for inclusion: To be included, first, check to see if your book is available at: https://bookshop.org/ THEN, if it is, send your name and book title to admin@strawdogwriters.org. This platform will give greater exposure to your book. “Bookshop.org is an online book marketplace launched in January 2020. Its stated mission is “to financially support local, independent bookstores.” Bookshop, Inc., a privately held company, has been certified as a B Corporation.” NOTE: Some books may not be available on this site.
Missed an online SDWG event? Check out our YouTube channel for workshop and event recordings.
MEET UPS
Forbes Library Writing Room Wednesdays at 9:00am-12:30pm
This is a free, structured, facilitated drop in community writing group. We check in at 9:30, then write together for two hours, followed by the opportunity to read what you wrote (5 minutes). Follow the link for ZOOM meeting
Valley Society Black Writing Group
Valley Society, a SDWG committee, is open to new writers for our AWA writing group. We meet Sundays from 2-5 virtually. Visit valleysociety.org/about/writing-group/ to sign up.
Zooming Poetry Workshop
Monthly poetry workshop on the 4th Monday of the month from 4-5pm. “We send each other a poem or two before the workshop, and we give constructive, positive feedback during the workshop.” Interested poets please email Phyllis at phystgeorge@gmail.com
BOOK LAUNCHES/CONCERTS/READINGS/OPPORTUNITIES
Submission Opportunity
We are currently accepting submissions for the 2026 awards. Here are the key details: Enter at: www.shortstoryawards.com; Submissions accepted: Short stories or poems in English (5,000 words or fewer); Categories: 30+; Deadline: Thursday, February 26, 2026; Prizes for winners: Cash awards, gold medals, digital promotional stickers, social media exposure, publication in the Anthology of Winners, and a complimentary copy of the anthology
Writing Through Art Poetry Workshops at the Clark Art Institute Friday September 19th
Join poet Jan Freeman for a Writing Through Art Poetry Workshops at the Clark Art Institute in the Isamu Naguchi: Landscapes of Time exhibit on Friday, September 19, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Exercises and prompts will help open your imagination, memories, and fresh ways of using language. New and experienced poets are welcome. Email janfreemanpoetry@gmail.com. Cost $30. (Museum admission is not included, but many area libraries offer free passes to the Clark.) https://www.janfreeman.net/workshops-readings
Gallery Showing September 4th-27th
Hurry to Straw Dog Writers Guild author and visual artist, Marianne Connolly’s show at Gallery A3 in Amherst. The show opened Thursday and runs until September 27. Marianne also writes under the name Marianne Xenos.
Check the link for more information. https://www.gallerya3.com/september.html
Becoming Darlene October 2nd and 8th
Ed Orzechowski will be presenting his book Becoming Darlene at Springfield Museums on October 2, and Greenfield Public Library on October 8.
Reading of “Swift River Secrets: Fact to Fiction” at the New Salem Library Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 7:00 PM
J. A. McIntosh will present “Swift River Secrets: Fact to Fiction” at the New Salem Library, 23 South Main Street, in New Salem, MA on Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 7:00 PM. She will talk about the creation of her latest novel, “Swift River Secrets” and how she incorporated the historical taking of the Swift River Valley, and the drowning of four towns, to create the Quabbin Reservoir. Her novel is a contemporary mystery, set at the Swift River Valley Historical Society, but its grudges and intrigues go back to the creation of the reservoir in the early twentieth century. Ms. McIntosh is the President of the Swift River Valley Historical Society.
Ms. McIntosh also writes the Meredith, Massachusetts mystery series. She has a B.A. In journalism and mass communication and an MFA in popular fiction. She also has a J.D. degree. She is a member of the Author Guild, Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of American, and the Straw Dog Writers Guild.
Book Readings in New York City
Cheryl Fish’s book, CRATER AND TOWER is now available for purchase for $16.95 from Shanti Arts. She will be reading at the following locations in NYC September and October: THURSDAY, SEPT. 11, AT 6 P.M., VILLAGE STORY SALON at NYPL HUDSON SQUARE BRANCH, 66 LEROY STREET. WITH BLAIR FELL AND ROSANNE LIMONCELLI; WED. SEPT 24, KGB BAR GROUP READING 7-9 P.M. Hosted by literary agent Natalie Kimber; SUNDAY, SEPT. 28, WORDSHED READING SERIES 6:30 PM AT VON BAR, 3 BLEECKER STREET AT BOWERY, WITH EILEEN M. KENNEDY AND SUSAN MICHELE CORONEL; TUESDAY, OCT 7 FEATURED READER, ART IN THE BASIN AT MON AMOUR COFFEE AND WINE, 234 W. 238TH STREET, BRONX, NY with open reading
River Inspired Poetry Share
Poets and poetry enthusiasts of all ages, come listen and read poetry the Hoosic River Watershed inspired. Come share your poems (or someone else’s) about the River, one of the many tributaries, and the beings you come across here in the Watershed. Join HooRWA and friends in celebration of the Hoosic on Thursday, November 20, from 5:00-6:30pm at the Mass MoCA’s Research & Development Store. Wine & light refreshments will be served. This poetry share is free and open to the public and is made possible by a grant from the Cultural Council of Northern Berkshire, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. Please register HERE so we know how many people to expect.
Your facilitator: Arianna Alexsandra Collins, Executive Director of the Hoosic River Watershed Association, is a naturalist educator and poet with over 30 years teaching outdoor immersion experiences and community engagement. She has been facilitating quarterly Poetry Shares at her local library in Ashfield for the past several years. You can read samples of Arianna’s poetry on her Hearken to Avalon blog.
Week long Retreat Offer
Week long writing retreat offer: Annabelle is looking for individuals or couples (romantic or otherwise) to stay at her cozy, rustic farmhouse (with excellent WiFi) in Vermont free of charge for a minimum of one week (or longer if you choose) between late August and the end of October. She’d love to have writers and artists both as guests, and perhaps eventually as co-founders of an artists’ retreat she hopes to build there. Guests are asked to honor the vegan kitchen and provide some light help in the household or garden for a few hours/week.
More information: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XST0mJ296J7hORbmkQ0ZExJIPWsUc-0U/view?usp=sharing
CONTACT: info@thelavacenter.org or 413-376-8118
Writing Workshops and Writing Groups
Dreaming on the Page Writing Circle with Tzivia Gover, Author and Certified Dreamwork Professional
First Tuesday of each month, 11 am-2 pm US Eastern Time, on Zoom.
Combining dreams and writing helps to increase self-awareness, reinvigorate your creativity, and supercharge your writing. Each workshop includes information and inspiration for combining dreams and the imagination, plus writing prompts and time to write and share your work.
$55 with accessible pay-what-you-can options for those with low/limited incomes. Learn more and register at: thirdhousemoon.com/event/dreaming-on-the-page-writing-circle/
Miss T’s No Bull Writing Workshops
Miss T here and I’m developing a series of two-hour $10 workshops on various writing topics. Cool, right? The first will be backstory. I call it “Don’t Put the Backstory in the Front.” Future topics include dialogue, show don’t tell, an editing cheat sheet, personal essay, cutting down on adverbs, using power verbs, etc. And, of course, I am open to your suggestions. For the workshop, I’d like you to bring a doubled-space page 12 pt font – about 250 words. It would be best if you could bring in the beginning of your story, or somewhere where you think you may be having an issue with backstory.
To indicate your interest in this or future $10 workshops, click on the link DON’T PUT THE BACKSTORY IN THE FRONT!
Pioneer Valley Writers Workshop
At PVWW, there’s definitely no better time to dive deeply into creative work and goals! They always have A LOT going on, from a full lineup of virtual workshops (one-day and multi-week) to regular readings, panels, and gatherings! And monthly Community Writing (and Community Reading events) – free and open to all – continues. Applications for PVWW’s 10-Month Manuscript Program (in all genres) open each year in the fall as well. Browse their current workshop schedule HERE!
And visit them online at www.PioneerValleyWriters.org!
Writers in Progress
Writers in Progress, the Valley’s Literary Arts Studio, is excited to re-open our gorgeous physical space this September, launching our Fall Session with a huge variety of weekly, half day and one-day generative and craft workshops. We will also continue to offer many workshops online. Some of our many offerings this fall include: Morning Jumpstarts, with Dori Ostermiller, Writing From Life with Emily Lackey, the Craft of Memoir with Cathy Luna, the Blueprint Your Book Series, with Susanne Dunlap, Fiction Essentials with Jacqueline Sheehan, Poetry Workshop with Sarah Browning, Word for Writers, Tarot for Writers, and many more. We also host a monthly community writing workshop, the first Sunday of each month, open to all. Founded in 1992 by author Dori Ostermiller, WIP has been supporting writers and creating community for three decades and has ‘midwifed’ dozens of published books. Our workshops are limited to 8 participants and emphasize writing time, community and craft development, nurturing voice, giving and receiving constructive, encouraging feedback. We believe that the writing process calls for both rigor and playfulness, both craft and inspiration. We also offer our legendary year-long manuscript intensive for writers working on book-length manuscripts, a six month revision intensive, as well as one-on-one coaching, editing and consulting. Our published alums include Ellen Meeropol, Steve Bernstein, JoAnne Jones, Dusty Miller, Ruth Lehrer, Dinah Mack, Kris Holloway, David Lovelace and many, many more. We host a seasonal Live Literature reading series in our studio and online. Check out our amazing lineup of fall workshops and events at www.writersinprogress.com. Hope to see you soon!
SERVICES
Manuscript Consultations and Editing Services with Jan Freeman
With 40 years of editorial experience, I am available to review works of prose and poetry, including full-length manuscripts, chapbooks, and selected collections. Through multiple readings, I evaluate literal and emotional narratives and a manuscript’s organization, texture, shape, tension, and emotional flow. I am author of 3 books of poetry and co-editor of Sisters: An Anthology; from 1995–2018, I directed Paris Press (now an imprint of Wesleyan University Press), which published critically acclaimed books by Emily Dickinson, NBCC award winning Ruth Stone, Virginia Woolf, and many others. Jan Freeman, janfreemanpoetry@gmail.com
Mentoring and Editing Services with
Michael Favala Goldman
I know how difficult it is to be objective about one’s own writing. Having skilled readers and mentors helped me gain the skills to publish16 books of prose translations, poetry translations and original poetry. I have been leading poetry critique groups since 2018. I give direct, compassionate feedback, to help clarify and magnify the author’s voice. I am happy to look at a few short pieces or an entire manuscript. hammerandhorn@gmail.com.
Dreaming on the Page Writing Consultations with Tzivia Gover
This one-on-one consultation is appropriate for writers at all stages of the journey, from journalers to published authors and anyone in between.
More of a coaching session than a critique, our time together will be spent setting goals and intentions for your writing in general, or specific projects. Sessions may include:
* Reviewing your goals, habits, and rituals as a writer, and exploring ways to tap into dreams, imagination, and the subconscious to support and sustain your creativity.
* Identifying the big dream for your project and setting intentions and next steps to help you get there.
* Implementing Dreaming on the Page techniques, tips, and prompts as appropriate.
* Receiving guidance on up to 500 words of your writing or a project summary submitted in advance of the session.
Mentoring Services with Lesléa Newman
Lesléa Newman has created 75 books for readers of all ages and mentored hundreds of writers including Newbery Award-winner Kwame Alexander (The Crossover), novelist, Leah Henderson (One Shadow on the Wall) and poet Floyd Cheung (Jazz at Manzanar). If you are working on a manuscript, I’d love to take a peek and see how I can help you make your book the best it can be. Whether you write for kids, teens or adults, whether you write poetry or prose, whether you write fiction or non-fiction, you name it, I can critique it. I will mark up your manuscript in purple ink, write you a long, editorial letter, read one revision, and if appropriate, offer publishing suggestions.
Consultation w/ Gail Thomas
I am available for individual consultation on your poetry submissions, manuscripts and residency applications. With more than 40 years of publishing and teaching experience, I offer feedback that not only focuses on your writing goals, but also strengthens your craft. If you are assembling a chapbook or full-length manuscript, I will work with you to organize and present your best work for publication. Gail Thomas, gailthomaspoet@gmail.com
Straw Dog Writers Guild YouTube Channel
Having your events and other writing notes on this Bulletin Board is one of the many benefits of SDWG membership.
- We ask that events be in or within driving distance of the Western MA area.
- Text of up to 100 words
- Link to website or email where further information is available.
- Please send at least six weeks before the event to be placed in our newsletter.
Click here to Submit to the Bulletin Board