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Stop by the Sheffer Gallery for a generative lunchtime writing workshop with Westport's Poet Laureate Jessie McEntee. The exhibition Word: Visual vs. Verbal, presented by the Westport Artists Collective, will provide inspiration for related prompts that Jessie has prepared. You can share your work aloud if time allows and if you feel so inclined. Her prompts might spark a new poem, short story, or even a longer piece! Feel free to bring lunch or buy something at the Café.

Jessie McEntee has served as Westport's poet laureate for the past two years. She teaches at Westport Writers' Workshop, where she works as the head of communications, and she also runs marketing for the Pequot Library. Her chapbook Jackie O. Suffers Two Husbands and Other Poems was published by Finishing Line Press in 2019, and a second chapbook, Frida Kahlo Wakes Up to Find Diego Rivera in the Mood, will be published in the fall of 2024.

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Creative Writing

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Are you curious about how to record an audiobook? Hear from people who have recorded theirs at Verso Studios! This will give you the tools to get your book from the printed page to digital distribution.

The Westport Library's sound engineer will also give helpful hints about the preparation necessary for recording while the readers will discuss the thrill and challenges they encountered during the process.

Reader/authors include Lucy Johnson (This Was Toscanini: The Maestro, My Father, and Me), Gabi Coatsworth (Love's Journey Home, A Beginner's Guide to Starting Over), and George Eli (The Last of the Magi).

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Award Winning Audiobooks
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The Westport Writers' Workshop returns to the Library for its third annual Pitch & Publish Conference: a day of panels, talks with industry insiders, and breakout sessions about the publishing industry. Leigh Stein is this year's keynote speaker, and there will be an opportunity for attendees to pitch their book to two agents from elite literary agencies.

To register, please visit The Westport Writers Workshop.

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Creative Writing

Mary-Lou Weisman, bestselling author, personal essayist, and memoir writer, offers an eight-session workshop for those who have had some experience in writing memoir and personal essay.

Please note: This is not a beginners class. The goal of the workshop is to foster a habit of writing, to briefly review the elements of good style, and to help committed writers become their own best editors. Students will email their work to all class members at least four days before the next class so that they can edit their classmates' work. Those edits, plus Mary-Lou's, will be the main business of each class.

The eight sessions will be Thursdays every other week, 12:30-2:30 pm, in Room 210.

Classes will be held on the following dates: February 29, March 14 & 28, April 11 & 25, May 9 & 23, and June 6.

To be sure that you are ready for this advanced eight-week course, Mary-Lou will review a sample of your writing. Please email about 500 words, no more than a two-page, double-spaced sample of your memoir or personal essay writing, to Jennifer Keller at jkeller@westportlibrary.orgIt may take a week or so to review submissions.

Class size is limited to 10. Fee: $15.

Registration link will be sent after the review of your sample. Note: Because there is usually a waiting list, acceptance is contingent on your intention to attend all classes.

Weisman has written three memoirs (Playing House in Provence, Intensive Care, and Traveling While Married), a biography (Al Jaffee's Mad Life), and a best-selling humor book (My Middle-Aged Baby Book). She also edited The Covid Chronicles for The Westport Library. As an adjunct professor, she has taught writing, both memoir and personal essay, at The New School, New York University, Manhattanville College, and at both Westport and Norwalk Continuing Education programs.

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Creative Writing

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Note: The Library is closed on Tuesday, July 4. As such, Writing Sprints will not meet that day.

Stay accountable with two free weekly virtual writing workshops from WestportWRITES!

The Westport Library is delighted to present two, free weekly Writing Sprints to Prompts and an AMA (“Ask Me Anything”) with award-winning author and teacher Tessa Smith McGovern. This is like a write-in but with extras …it's writing time followed by a 30-minute Q&A where you can ask Tessa anything about writing, publishing, or marketing your stories (including where and how to submit for publication).

When?:

Daytimes: Every Tuesday from 12-1:30 pm ET

Evenings: Every Wednesday from 7-8:30 pm ET

We’ll chat for the first few minutes and then Tessa will share some prompts and first lines which writers can use, tweak or ignore. The time can be spent on new words or world-building, revising – anything at all – doesn’t even have to be creative writing. Then we’ll write for 50 minutes, after which we'll have a 30-minute Q&A where we discuss writing goals and obstacles (and tips to overcome them) for the coming week, as well as that week's submissions.

Email Tessa to register for these virtual workshops.

Tessa Smith McGovern has taught writing for 22 years and, for the last ten years, at the Writing Institute, Sarah Lawrence College.

Tessa is an award-winning writer whose linked short story collection, LONDON ROAD: LINKED STORIES, received a ‘Featured’ review from Kirkus, is an Amazon best-seller, and a gold medal winner in the 2012 eLit Awards. Her non-fiction book, COCKTAILS FOR BOOK LOVERS (Sourcebooks), is also an Amazon best-seller. Her many publication credits include the Connecticut Review and Equinox, a UK poetry journal archived by the English Arts Council at the Southbank Centre, London. She’s currently writing a contemporary fantasy novel inspired by British mythology and pursuing her MFA in Writing at the Vermont College of Fine Arts.

She is founder and editor of eChook Digital Publishing. eChook won a silver medal in the 2012 eLit Awards and its stories have been read by thousands of readers in 100+ countries.

Tessa is also host, writer and producer of BookGirlTV (BGTV), an award-winning digital channel that promotes books and reading. BGTV has 6 million+ minutes viewed on YouTube and 10,000+ likes on Facebook.

 

More Resources...

Creative Writing

Resources for Writers

Short Stories

Mary-Lou Weisman, bestselling author, personal essayist, and memoir writer, offers an eight-session workshop for those who have had some experience in writing memoir and personal essay.

Pleas note: This is not a beginners' class. The goal of the workshop is to foster a habit of writing, to briefly review the elements of good style, and to help committed writers become their own best editors. Students will email their work to all class members at least four days before the next class so that they can edit their classmates' work. Those edits, plus Mary-Lou's, will be the main business of each class.

The eight sessions will be Thursdays every other week, 12:30-2:30 pm, in Room 210.

Classes will be held on the following dates: September 28, October 12 & 26, November 9 & 30, December 14 & 28, January 11.

To be sure that you are ready for this advanced eight-week course, Mary-Lou will review a sample of your writing. Please email about 500 words, no more than a two-page, double-spaced sample of your memoir or personal essay writing, to Jennifer Keller at jkeller@westportlibrary.orgIt may take a week or so to review submissions.

Class size is limited to 10. Fee: $15.

Registration link will be sent after the review of your sample. Note: Because there is usually a waiting list, acceptance is contingent on your intention to attend all classes.

Weisman has written three memoirs (Playing House in Provence, Intensive Care, and Traveling While Married), a biography (Al Jaffee's Mad Life), and a bestselling humor book (My Middle-aged Baby Book). She also edited The Covid Chronicles for The Westport Library. As an adjunct professor, she has taught writing, both memoir and personal essay, at The New School, New York University, Manhattanville College, and at both Westport and Norwalk Continuing Education programs.

More Resources...

Resources for Writers

Creative Writing

Self-Publishing

Stay accountable with two free weekly virtual writing workshops from WestportWRITES!

The Westport Library is delighted to present two, free weekly Writing Sprints to Prompts and an AMA (“Ask Me Anything”) with award-winning author and teacher Tessa Smith McGovern. This is like a write-in but with extras …it's writing time followed by a 30-minute Q&A where you can ask Tessa anything about writing, publishing, or marketing your stories (including where and how to submit for publication).

When?:

Daytimes: Every Tuesday from 12-1:30 pm ET

Evenings: Every Wednesday from 7-8:30 pm ET

We’ll chat for the first few minutes and then Tessa will share some prompts and first lines which writers can use, tweak or ignore. The time can be spent on new words or world-building, revising – anything at all – doesn’t even have to be creative writing. Then we’ll write for 50 minutes, after which we'll have a 30-minute Q&A where we discuss writing goals and obstacles (and tips to overcome them) for the coming week, as well as that week's submissions.

Email Tessa to register for these virtual workshops.

Tessa Smith McGovern has taught writing for 22 years and, for the last ten years, at the Writing Institute, Sarah Lawrence College.

Tessa is an award-winning writer whose linked short story collection, LONDON ROAD: LINKED STORIES, received a ‘Featured’ review from Kirkus, is an Amazon best-seller, and a gold medal winner in the 2012 eLit Awards. Her non-fiction book, COCKTAILS FOR BOOK LOVERS (Sourcebooks), is also an Amazon best-seller. Her many publication credits include the Connecticut Review and Equinox, a UK poetry journal archived by the English Arts Council at the Southbank Centre, London. She’s currently writing a contemporary fantasy novel inspired by British mythology and pursuing her MFA in Writing at the Vermont College of Fine Arts.

She is founder and editor of eChook Digital Publishing. eChook won a silver medal in the 2012 eLit Awards and its stories have been read by thousands of readers in 100+ countries.

Tessa is also host, writer and producer of BookGirlTV (BGTV), an award-winning digital channel that promotes books and reading. BGTV has 6 million+ minutes viewed on YouTube and 10,000+ likes on Facebook.

 

Creative Writing

Resources for Writers

Short Stories

Stay accountable with two free weekly virtual writing workshops from WestportWRITES!

The Westport Library is delighted to present two, free weekly Writing Sprints to Prompts and an AMA (“Ask Me Anything”) with award-winning author and teacher Tessa Smith McGovern. This is like a write-in but with extras …it's writing time followed by a 30-minute Q&A where you can ask Tessa anything about writing, publishing, or marketing your stories (including where and how to submit for publication).

When?:

Daytimes: Every Tuesday from 12-1:30 pm ET

Evenings: Every Wednesday from 7-8:30 pm ET

We’ll chat for the first few minutes and then Tessa will share some prompts and first lines which writers can use, tweak or ignore. The time can be spent on new words or world-building, revising – anything at all – doesn’t even have to be creative writing. Then we’ll write for 50 minutes, after which we'll have a 30-minute Q&A where we discuss writing goals and obstacles (and tips to overcome them) for the coming week, as well as that week's submissions.

Email Tessa to register for these virtual workshops.

Tessa Smith McGovern has taught writing for 22 years and, for the last ten years, at the Writing Institute, Sarah Lawrence College.

Tessa is an award-winning writer whose linked short story collection, LONDON ROAD: LINKED STORIES, received a ‘Featured’ review from Kirkus, is an Amazon best-seller, and a gold medal winner in the 2012 eLit Awards. Her non-fiction book, COCKTAILS FOR BOOK LOVERS (Sourcebooks), is also an Amazon best-seller. Her many publication credits include the Connecticut Review and Equinox, a UK poetry journal archived by the English Arts Council at the Southbank Centre, London. She’s currently writing a contemporary fantasy novel inspired by British mythology and pursuing her MFA in Writing at the Vermont College of Fine Arts.

She is founder and editor of eChook Digital Publishing. eChook won a silver medal in the 2012 eLit Awards and its stories have been read by thousands of readers in 100+ countries.

Tessa is also host, writer and producer of BookGirlTV (BGTV), an award-winning digital channel that promotes books and reading. BGTV has 6 million+ minutes viewed on YouTube and 10,000+ likes on Facebook.

 

Creative Writing

Resources for Writers

Short Stories

Stay accountable with two free weekly virtual writing workshops from WestportWRITES!

The Westport Library is delighted to present two, free weekly Writing Sprints to Prompts and an AMA (“Ask Me Anything”) with award-winning author and teacher Tessa Smith McGovern. This is like a write-in but with extras …it's writing time followed by a 30-minute Q&A where you can ask Tessa anything about writing, publishing, or marketing your stories (including where and how to submit for publication).

When?:

Daytimes: Every Tuesday from 12-1:30 pm ET

Evenings: Every Wednesday from 7-8:30 pm ET

We’ll chat for the first few minutes and then Tessa will share some prompts and first lines which writers can use, tweak or ignore. The time can be spent on new words or world-building, revising – anything at all – doesn’t even have to be creative writing. Then we’ll write for 50 minutes, after which we'll have a 30-minute Q&A where we discuss writing goals and obstacles (and tips to overcome them) for the coming week, as well as that week's submissions.

Email Tessa to register for these virtual workshops.

Tessa Smith McGovern has taught writing for 22 years and, for the last ten years, at the Writing Institute, Sarah Lawrence College.

Tessa is an award-winning writer whose linked short story collection, LONDON ROAD: LINKED STORIES, received a ‘Featured’ review from Kirkus, is an Amazon best-seller, and a gold medal winner in the 2012 eLit Awards. Her non-fiction book, COCKTAILS FOR BOOK LOVERS (Sourcebooks), is also an Amazon best-seller. Her many publication credits include the Connecticut Review and Equinox, a UK poetry journal archived by the English Arts Council at the Southbank Centre, London. She’s currently writing a contemporary fantasy novel inspired by British mythology and pursuing her MFA in Writing at the Vermont College of Fine Arts.

She is founder and editor of eChook Digital Publishing. eChook won a silver medal in the 2012 eLit Awards and its stories have been read by thousands of readers in 100+ countries.

Tessa is also host, writer and producer of BookGirlTV (BGTV), an award-winning digital channel that promotes books and reading. BGTV has 6 million+ minutes viewed on YouTube and 10,000+ likes on Facebook.

 

Creative Writing

Resources for Writers

Short Stories

Stay accountable with two free weekly virtual writing workshops from WestportWRITES!

The Westport Library is delighted to present two, free weekly Writing Sprints to Prompts and an AMA (“Ask Me Anything”) with award-winning author and teacher Tessa Smith McGovern. This is like a write-in but with extras …it's writing time followed by a 30-minute Q&A where you can ask Tessa anything about writing, publishing, or marketing your stories (including where and how to submit for publication).

When?:

Daytimes: Every Tuesday from 12-1:30 pm ET

Evenings: Every Wednesday from 7-8:30 pm ET

We’ll chat for the first few minutes and then Tessa will share some prompts and first lines which writers can use, tweak or ignore. The time can be spent on new words or world-building, revising – anything at all – doesn’t even have to be creative writing. Then we’ll write for 50 minutes, after which we'll have a 30-minute Q&A where we discuss writing goals and obstacles (and tips to overcome them) for the coming week, as well as that week's submissions.

Email Tessa to register for these virtual workshops.

Tessa Smith McGovern has taught writing for 22 years and, for the last ten years, at the Writing Institute, Sarah Lawrence College.

Tessa is an award-winning writer whose linked short story collection, LONDON ROAD: LINKED STORIES, received a ‘Featured’ review from Kirkus, is an Amazon best-seller, and a gold medal winner in the 2012 eLit Awards. Her non-fiction book, COCKTAILS FOR BOOK LOVERS (Sourcebooks), is also an Amazon best-seller. Her many publication credits include the Connecticut Review and Equinox, a UK poetry journal archived by the English Arts Council at the Southbank Centre, London. She’s currently writing a contemporary fantasy novel inspired by British mythology and pursuing her MFA in Writing at the Vermont College of Fine Arts.

She is founder and editor of eChook Digital Publishing. eChook won a silver medal in the 2012 eLit Awards and its stories have been read by thousands of readers in 100+ countries.

Tessa is also host, writer and producer of BookGirlTV (BGTV), an award-winning digital channel that promotes books and reading. BGTV has 6 million+ minutes viewed on YouTube and 10,000+ likes on Facebook.

 

Creative Writing

Resources for Writers

Short Stories

Stay accountable with two free weekly virtual writing workshops from WestportWRITES!

The Westport Library is delighted to present two, free weekly Writing Sprints to Prompts and an AMA (“Ask Me Anything”) with award-winning author and teacher Tessa Smith McGovern. This is like a write-in but with extras …it's writing time followed by a 30-minute Q&A where you can ask Tessa anything about writing, publishing, or marketing your stories (including where and how to submit for publication).

When?:

Daytimes: Every Tuesday from 12-1:30 pm ET

Evenings: Every Wednesday from 7-8:30 pm ET

We’ll chat for the first few minutes and then Tessa will share some prompts and first lines which writers can use, tweak or ignore. The time can be spent on new words or world-building, revising – anything at all – doesn’t even have to be creative writing. Then we’ll write for 50 minutes, after which we'll have a 30-minute Q&A where we discuss writing goals and obstacles (and tips to overcome them) for the coming week, as well as that week's submissions.

Email Tessa to register for these virtual workshops.

Tessa Smith McGovern has taught writing for 22 years and, for the last ten years, at the Writing Institute, Sarah Lawrence College.

Tessa is an award-winning writer whose linked short story collection, LONDON ROAD: LINKED STORIES, received a ‘Featured’ review from Kirkus, is an Amazon best-seller, and a gold medal winner in the 2012 eLit Awards. Her non-fiction book, COCKTAILS FOR BOOK LOVERS (Sourcebooks), is also an Amazon best-seller. Her many publication credits include the Connecticut Review and Equinox, a UK poetry journal archived by the English Arts Council at the Southbank Centre, London. She’s currently writing a contemporary fantasy novel inspired by British mythology and pursuing her MFA in Writing at the Vermont College of Fine Arts.

She is founder and editor of eChook Digital Publishing. eChook won a silver medal in the 2012 eLit Awards and its stories have been read by thousands of readers in 100+ countries.

Tessa is also host, writer and producer of BookGirlTV (BGTV), an award-winning digital channel that promotes books and reading. BGTV has 6 million+ minutes viewed on YouTube and 10,000+ likes on Facebook.

 

Creative Writing

Resources for Writers

Short Stories

Stay accountable with two free weekly virtual writing workshops from WestportWRITES!

The Westport Library is delighted to present two, free weekly Writing Sprints to Prompts and an AMA (“Ask Me Anything”) with award-winning author and teacher Tessa Smith McGovern. This is like a write-in but with extras …it's writing time followed by a 30-minute Q&A where you can ask Tessa anything about writing, publishing, or marketing your stories (including where and how to submit for publication).

When?:

Daytimes: Every Tuesday from 12-1:30 pm ET

Evenings: Every Wednesday from 7-8:30 pm ET

We’ll chat for the first few minutes and then Tessa will share some prompts and first lines which writers can use, tweak or ignore. The time can be spent on new words or world-building, revising – anything at all – doesn’t even have to be creative writing. Then we’ll write for 50 minutes, after which we'll have a 30-minute Q&A where we discuss writing goals and obstacles (and tips to overcome them) for the coming week, as well as that week's submissions.

Email Tessa to register for these virtual workshops.

Tessa Smith McGovern has taught writing for 22 years and, for the last ten years, at the Writing Institute, Sarah Lawrence College.

Tessa is an award-winning writer whose linked short story collection, LONDON ROAD: LINKED STORIES, received a ‘Featured’ review from Kirkus, is an Amazon best-seller, and a gold medal winner in the 2012 eLit Awards. Her non-fiction book, COCKTAILS FOR BOOK LOVERS (Sourcebooks), is also an Amazon best-seller. Her many publication credits include the Connecticut Review and Equinox, a UK poetry journal archived by the English Arts Council at the Southbank Centre, London. She’s currently writing a contemporary fantasy novel inspired by British mythology and pursuing her MFA in Writing at the Vermont College of Fine Arts.

She is founder and editor of eChook Digital Publishing. eChook won a silver medal in the 2012 eLit Awards and its stories have been read by thousands of readers in 100+ countries.

Tessa is also host, writer and producer of BookGirlTV (BGTV), an award-winning digital channel that promotes books and reading. BGTV has 6 million+ minutes viewed on YouTube and 10,000+ likes on Facebook.

 

Creative Writing

Resources for Writers

Short Stories

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