Beltway RESOURCE BANK
Membership Organizations
and Organizations That Offer Writing Classes
in DC, MD, VA, WV and DEAssociated Writing Programs
Umbrella organization for colleges and universities offering the Master of Fine Arts degree in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Publishes The Chronicle, AWP Job List, hosts annual conference, web conferencing, members directory. Web site also contains a helpful list of writers conferences.
http://awpwriter.orgBlackout Arts Collective
A grassroots coalition of artists, activists and educators working to empower communities of color through the arts. A national organization with chapters in DC, Atlanta, Boston, Houston, New Haven, New Orleans and New York, BAC raises awareness and catalyzes action around critical issues that impact local communities to foster positive social change. The DC Chapter has hosted poetry open mics and other performance events at Cafe Mawonaj and Sankofa Books.
http://www.blackoutartscollective.com/Black Women Playwrights Group
A service and advocacy group for African American playwrights writing for the professional theater.
http://www.blackwomenplaywrights.orgBlack Writers' Guild of Maryland, Inc.
Offers free monthly workshops andd speakers, an annual conference, and special showcase events for members.
http://www.blackwritersguild.orgBrookland Area Writers & Artists
"Dedicated to creating community and fostering mutual support among writers and artists in the Brookland neighborhood of NE DC." Hosts a monthly reading series and a monthly coffee-and-conversation group.
http://www.bawadc.comCapitol Hill Poetry Group
This web site showcases the work of a long-standing workshop group of nine poets: Shirley Cochrane, Mary Ann Larkin, Chris Llewellyn, Jean Nordhaus, Patric Pepper, Robert Sargent, Elizabeth Sullam, Keith Yancy, and Edwin Zimmerman.
http://www.angelfire.com/poetry/capitolhillpoets/home.htmlCave Canem
Commited to the discovery and cultivation of new voices in African American poetry. Offers an annual summer workshop/retreat, a first book prize, readings, and more. Located in Charlottesville, VA. Beltway poets associated with Cave Canem include: Cornelius Eady, Elizabeth Alexander, Kyle Dargan, Jane Alberdeston Coralin, Holly Bass, Derrick Weston Brown, Joel Dias-Porter, Jay Frazier, Brian Gilmore, Yona Harvey, Valerie Jean, Brandon Johnson, Toni Asante Lightfoot, John Murillo, Venus Thrash, Hayes Davis, and Teri Ellen Cross.
http://www.cavecanempoets.orgThe Chamberlain's Men
A group in La Plata, MD that celebrates the works of Shakespeare with weekly disucssions, movie nights, and sonnet writing workshops.
http://www.chamberlainsmen.orgCity Lit Project
Baltimore-based organization that coordinates writers workshops, author readings, publication seminars, book festivals, youth events, and publishes books by regional authors through its Pagoda Press imprint.
http://www.CityLitProject.orgThe Creative Alliance
Membership organization of writers, visual artists, scholars, educators, and businesses. Located in Highlandtown in Baltimore. Sponsors a wide range of performances. (410) 276-1651.
http://www.creativealliance.orgThe Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington
Umbrella organization for non-profit arts groups and individual artists in the region. Programs include: JoBank, Ticket Connection, Business Volunteers for the Arts, trainings, advocacy, bimonthly newsletter, ArtsWashington, annual members' guide. Good source for group-rate health insurance for individual members.
http://www.cultural-alliance.orgDC Poets Against the War
A group of area poets formed to promote social change and to protest aggressive international government policies. Publishes anthologies, sponsors readings, participates in marches and protests, and co-hosts festivals and special events. Coordinator, Sarah Browning. Special events coordinator: Melissa Tuckey.
http://www.dcpaw.orgEastern Shore Writers' Association
Headquartered in Easton, MD, this organization serves writers from the tri-state area of the Delmarva Penninsula. Hosts monthly meetings, mentorships, speakers, critique groups, and a journal, the Delmarva Review. Modest fees charged.
http://www.geocities.com/eswawriters/home.htmThe Federal Poets
Hosts an open monthly poetry workshop and publishes a semi-annual anthology of poems by members. "The oldest continuously active poetry group" in DC, founded in 1944. Hosted by Nancy Allinson.
http://fedpoets.tripod.comFire & Ink
Advocates for GLBT writers of African descent through a biennial conference, workshop, and publications. Headquartered in Hyattsville, MD.
http://fireandink.org/Flanked
Organization for women writers, offering classes, special events, and a bi-annual writer's conference. Programs are designed to promote excellence, diversity, and intimacy. Based in Baltimore.
http://www.flanked.orgFootlights
The Modern Drama Discussion Group of Washington, DC. Each month 25-35 members meet to discuss modern drama at inexpensive restaurants near Metro stations. The group attends half the plays they discuss, often with the director in attendance. Membership and meetings are free, group rates arranged with local theaters. Offers an E-newsletter to members.
http://www.footlightsdc.orgGreenbelt Writer's Group
Sponsors readings, critique groups, and book discussions in Greenbelt, MD. Has published anthologies of works by members.
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Workshop/5620
Maryland Writers' Association
Hosts classes and critique groups, readings, contests, an annual conference, and community outreach projects. Publishes bimonthly newsletter, Pen in Hand, and biannual literary journal, Scribble. Covers poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Based in Annapolis.
http://www.marylandwriters.orgNational Writers Union, DC Chapter
UAW Local 1981/AFL-CIO. Offers guidance on contracts, legal consultation, and grievance services. Sponsors readings and workshops. Members can qualify for medical benefits, college scholarships, personal, home equity, and car loans, and press passes. Dues based on annual writing income.
http://www.nwudc.orgNightwriters
Offers writing seminars in such locations as Napa Valley, CA, Isle of Mull, Scotland, and Tuscany, Italy. Based in Bethesda, MD.
http://www.nightwriters.comPlaywrights' Forum
Runs writers' groups for playwrights, public and in-house readings at cooperating theaters and universities, a publishing program, and free theater ticket privledges for members.
http://www.erols.com/pforumPoetry Society of Virginia
State-wide organization that hosts readings and member events, a newsletter, competitions, and an annual festival.
http://www.poetrysocietyofvirginia.orgPoets on the Fringe
Reading/Workshop offered every Wednesday at 8:00 pm at the Guy Mason Recreation Center, 3600 Calvert St. NW, DC. (202) 282-2180. Open to anyone aged 18 and up. "Poets from all walks of life encouraged to share their work, and bring copies of their poems and offer positive feedback with each other." Hosted by Pamela Passaretta. Free Admission.
Info: passapamela@aol.com.Prince George's County Poets
Web page edited by Eboni Bynum, promoting writers in PG County, their activities, and literary opportunities within the County.
http://members.tripod.com/poetconnectionSmithsonian Resident Associates
Classes, lectures, travel, performances on diverse subjects, including literary topics. Members get discounts on classes, Smithsonian Magazine, and other discounts.
http://www.ResidentAssociates.orgSociety of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Mid-Atlantic Region
Hosts conferences, a list serve, and a newsletter.
http://www.scbwi-midatlantic.orgSol y Soul
Arts for Social Change. Programs include: Spoken Resistance, a workshop and performance group of young spoken word poets; El Barrio Street Theater, a performance collective; DivideDCity, a literary journal; and presentations of theater, poetry, and performance art by local and visiting artists. Regie Cabico, Artistic Director.
http://www.solysoul.comSolas Nua
This non-profit organization, located in Hyattsville, MD, is dedicated to bringing contemporary Irish arts and culture to America. Events include plays and a monthly book discussion club.
http://www.solasnua.orgWashington Book Publishers
Informal, all-volunteer "salon" of individuals in the publishing industry.
http://www.washingtonbooks.orgThe Washington Friends of Walt Whitman
Founded over 20 years ago by Martin G. Murray, the Washington Friends sponsors tours, book signings, and readings.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cyberwalt/Washington Independent Writers
Offers networking opportunities and freelance job referrals for writers and editors; also hosts classes (including some seminars with internationally-respected writers), small groups, an annual conference, and a monthly newsletter.
http://www.washwriter.orgWest Virginia Poetry Society
State-wide organization hosts contests, events, a newsletter, and networking opportunities.
http://www.wvpoetrysociety.homestead.comWest Virginia Writers
Non-profit literary organization that sponsors an annual writers' conference and an annual writing competition. Web site lists information on writing groups and workshops throughout the state.
http://www.wvwriters.orgWomen's National Book Association, Washington Chapter
Nonprofit professional association of women and men who work with and value books (including publishers, librarians, booksellers, writers, editors, agents, illustrators, marketing and promotion professionals, and teachers). Offers a monthly newsletter, networking brunches, and programs covering both literary and professional development topics.
http://www.wnba-books.org/wash/index.htmlWrite Here, Write Now
Sponsors year-round writing workshops in Baltimore.
http://www.whwnwriters.com/WriterHouse
Non-profit membership organization that offers classes, writing space, and readings in the Charlottesville, VA area.
http://www.writerhouse.orgThe Writers Center
Non-profit, tax-exempt membership organization for writers. Workshops in all genres for both beginning and experienced writers, led by local authors, in several locations: Bethesda, Arlington, Germantown, Leesburg, Centreville, Ft. Washington, and Olney. Also offers: readings, performances, and staged readings of plays; a visiting writers series; a book gallery, with an excellent selection of local authors and literary magazines; and an annual small press book fair. Publishes Writers Carousel (newsletter, 6 times a year) and Poet Lore (biannual literary journal with national distribution). Additional member services include discounted legal fees and group health insurance.
http://www.writer.orgWriting the Body
A series of workshops for "those who have experience with life threatening illnesses or chronic conditions, as patients, care-givers or family members" led by Anne Becker.
http://www.bodywriting.org