Books in Our Collection – Where to Find Them
Writers Roundtable – meets monthly at 7 p.m.
Poetry Flow – meets monthly at 10:30 a.m.
Check our Events Calendar for more updated information.
Find publishing opportunities, contests, as well as excellent short fiction, nonfiction, and poetry in these periodicals.
*Found in CHPL’s print collection
**Found in hoopla digital collection
Universal Class (FREE – Available remotely through the Library)
Explore self-paced classes – ask your librarian for more information on how to get started with these and other courses:
- Nonfiction Writing 101
- Creative Writing 101
- Paranormal Romance Writing
- Creative Writing for Beginners
- Creative Writing Workshop
- Screenwriting 101
- Historical Fiction Writing
- Travel Writing 101
- How to Write a Short Story
- How to Write Short Stories for Children
- Humor Writing 101
- Journaling and Memoir Writing
- Mystery Writing
Write Your First Novel – Coursera (FREE)
Learn how to get started, stay focused, keep writing and finish with a full-length 50,000 word novel.
Creative Writing Specialization – Coursera (fee-based)
Taught by creative writing professors who are also acclaimed published novelists, this extensive course covers the following: The Craft of Plot; The Craft of Character; The Craft of Setting and Description; The Craft of Style. Go at your own pace and get real-time feedback from other writers around the world.
MasterClass (fee-based)
For $15/month, learn from the true writing masters! A subscription gains you unlimited access to self-paced instruction.
A sample of writing courses: Billy Collins on poetry; Joyce Carol Oates on the short story; David Sedaris on writing humor; Margaret Atwood on creative writing, and so much more.
A mix of free and fee-based courses on a variety of topics. Below is a sample of FREE classes:
- Inkitt’s Novel Writing Bootcamp (90min)
- Write Dreamy and Imaginative Poetry (2hrs)
- Screenwriting – Mental RX for Success (45min)
- How to Become a Romance Writer (1hr, 10min)
Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Competition
Early bird deadline = May
This yearly contest chooses almost 500 winners across the following genres:
- inspirational/spiritual
- memoir/personal essay
- nonfiction essay or article
- genre short story (mystery, romance, etc.)
- mainstream/literary short story
- rhyming poetry
- non-rhyming poetry
- script (stage play/television/movie script/short film)
- children’s young adult fiction
Rolling deadlines
Dubbed ‘a platform for emerging writers,’ The Masters Review hosts several contests through the year. These include flash fiction, summer and winter short story awards for new writers, chapbooks, novel excerpts, anthologies, and new voices.
Receive detailed feedback from experienced instructors. Slots open until filled.
Spring – Novels
Summer – Essays and Stories
The Guardian Masterclasses
Live, interactive workshops taught by professionals in their field.
Click for Creative Writing & Publishing
Click for Journalism
Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP)
AWP is a nonprofit literary organization that provides support, advocacy, resources, and community to nearly 50,000 writers, 500 college and university creative writing programs, and 125 writers’ conferences and centers.
A moderated, free community of writers, publishers, agents and editors. Welcomes writers of all genres, experience levels, and ambition.
An online writing group that promotes daily free-form writing.
A searchable database of literary agents. Additional information on publishing.
BookBaby (Self-Publishing)
Pennsauken-based full-service self-publishing house – “where writers become authors.”
A creative writing software platform that offers world-class organizational tools, educational resources, and a platform to build an audience.
Software for writers – helps you to organize chapters, ideas, characters, research, and more.
The ultimate world building toolset & RPG campaign manager created for writers, gamemasters & creatives.
A helpful Tumblr page of guides, FAQs and tips on writing diversely.
