Village Books & Paper Dreams - Fairhaven
Sun: 10am-8pm
Mon-Sat: 9am-8pm
 
Village Books - Lynden
Sun-Tues: 10am-5pm
Wed-Sat: 10am-6pm

Chuckanut Writers Workshops & Classes

Village Books and Whatcom Community College continues our collaboration to bring the community our quarterly Chuckanut Writers workshops and courses designed to inspire and encourage writers at all stages of their writing journey--from inspiration to publication and beyond. We invite you to keep up to date with Chuckanut Writers’ class offerings and other news through the WCC Community & Continuing Education email newsletter and the Village Books’ email newsletter.

Saturday, March 23, 2024 - 10:00am to 12:00pm, Saturday, March 30, 2024 - 10:00am

Working from family photographs and writing prompts, we'll explore our family stories and see what other writers have to tell us about the role of memory, what to say or not say in autobiographical writing, and how to make our stories accessible and interesting to others. In this generative class, we'll be working in both prose and poetry. You'll be encouraged to try both, but can focus on the genre you're most drawn to. Writers at all levels welcomed.




Saturday, March 23, 2024 - 10:00am to 12:00pm, Saturday, March 30, 2024 - 10:00am

Working from family photographs and writing prompts, we'll explore our family stories and see what other writers have to tell us about the role of memory, what to say or not say in autobiographical writing, and how to make our stories accessible and interesting to others. In this generative class, we'll be working in both prose and poetry. You'll be encouraged to try both, but can focus on the genre you're most drawn to. Writers at all levels welcomed.




Saturday, April 13, 2024 - 10:00am to 12:00pm

Instructor Gail Noble-Sanderson will provide a step-by-step overview to self-publishing including looking at options and providing links to resources. You will then create an individualized draft of a self-publishing plan based on your vision for your work. Gail Noble-Sanderson is an award-winning author of four novels; she has self-published through her company Noble Press since 2011. She is a former Speech-Language Pathologist and instructor at Western Washington University.




Sunday, April 21, 2024 - 10:30am to 12:00pm

Whether you write by instinct or meticulous plan, your first draft will always be a bit messy and will require revision to make it the best it can be. Spencer Ellsworth, author of A Red Peace and other novels from Tor, will show you how to reverse-outline, putting all those wandering draft pieces in order.




Tuesday, April 23, 2024 - 5:00pm to 6:30pm

This class will use established poetry and other prompts as a starting point for writing original poetry. You will read examples, analyze them, and move what you learn into your own writing. JL Wright's publications include Unadoptable Joy: A memoir in poetry and prose and Homeless Joy: An expose in poetry and prose. She received her first Sue C. Boynton award in 2020.




Monday, April 29, 2024 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm

What is a writer's voice? We all have one, we just can't necessarily see it--kind of like our own accent, it's hard to hear unless someone points it out. In this class, we will work together through three genres (poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction) to explore voice and work to develop pieces in our own unique style. This class is for both advanced and beginning writers and will primarily take a guided workshop approach to the work. Instructor Tennison Black is the Managing Editor at a small press and former EIC of Hayden's Ferry Review among others. Class does not meet May 27.




Thursday, May 9, 2024 - 6:30pm to 8:30pm

Those who inspire help make the world a better place. If you've ever read a story of hope, struggle and triumph, or the fulfillment of a promise that resonated with you, you know what it feels like to be touched by inspirational writing. Through moving examples and exercises, we'll explore and practice ways to create writing that can inspire others, raise spirits, and connect with hearts. Roby Blecker has been writing for Guideposts for more than 20 years. She invites all curious minds to enroll and experience this inspirational craft.




Saturday, May 11, 2024 - 9:00am to 12:00pm

In this two-part workshop, join us to learn what enhanced wellbeing means in the context of journaling. You'll incorporate nature's healing balm into your journaling practice via guided prompts, outdoor time, nature-based images/objects, and more. Dr. Jennifer J. Wilhoit is a Spiritual Ecologist, Creative, published author, and founder of TEALarbor stories.




Saturday, May 18, 2024 - 10:00am to 12:00pm

Join us for an information-packed workshop full of proven strategies for indie authors and publishers! By the end of class, you will have created a draft of a marketing plan you can begin to use right away. Instructor Gail Noble-Sanderson is an awarding-winning author of historical fiction and mystery; she self-publishes through her publishing house, Noble Press.