workshop online

Writing to Be Read - Livestream

Release Your Literary Potential

Dates

Oct 25–27, 2024

Tuition

Member: $99.00

Sliding Scale: $89.25 to $148.75

See options under Tuition below

Registration has closed.

Woman writing in a journal next to a lake

Write and have your writing read in this livestream with National Book Award winner Susan Choi and a supportive and playful community of literary stars. 

Join us for an extraordinary writing retreat that puts your creative journey front and center. Writing to be Read brings together a constellation of literary stars, led by National Book Award winner Susan Choi, PEN/Faulkner Award recipient Susan Cheever, and The Onion founder Scott Dikkers, to inspire, challenge, and elevate your craft.

Immerse yourself in a supportive community of fellow writers as you explore the art of storytelling through:

  • An electrifying keynote address by Susan Choi, author of the groundbreaking novel, Trust Exercise
  • Intensive workshops led by Choi, Cheever, Dikkers, and other authors, diving deep into character development, innovative narrative structures, and the power of perspective
  • Intimate question-and-answer sessions with industry insiders, offering invaluable insights into the publishing world
  • Daily writing exercises designed to spark creativity and push your boundaries
  • Peer critique groups for constructive feedback in a nurturing environment

Our carefully curated faculty of best-selling authors, award-winning poets, cartoonists, and industry professionals ensures that whether you're penning your first short story or polishing your third novel, you'll find the guidance and inspiration you need.

Set against the serene backdrop of Omega Institute, the retreat offers the perfect blend of focused learning and reflective space. Return home with renewed passion, sharpened skills, and a toolbox of techniques to bring your stories to life.

Don't miss this rare opportunity to learn from literary luminaries and connect with a community of dedicated writers. Your voice matters.

Space is limited. Reserve your spot today and take the first step towards becoming the writer you've always dreamed of being.

Want to attend this program in person at Omega’s beautiful campus in Rhinebeck, New York? Book your experience here.

Schedule

FRIDAY

8:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.

  • Kickoff with Keynote Speaker Susan Choi
    Bestselling novelist, Susan Choi, kicks us off for the weekend.

9:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.

  • Blitz Writing Activity with Gary Chapin
    Gary will launch us into a fast, wildly creative hour of activity that has you creating an instant first draft AND getting feedback on it. Lots of movement. Lots of synaesthesia. Brain spinning. Writing, doing.

SATURDAY

9:00 a.m.-9:45 a.m.

  • Susan Choi, Susan Cheever, and Susan Brearley: Processes and Inspiration
    Bestselling novelist Susan Choi and renowned memoirist Susan Cheever talk about how they do what they do, and why. Facilitated by visionary Susan Brearley, this will be an inspirational conversation about living, writing, and how to get better at both.

10:00 a.m.-10:45 a.m.

  • So That Happened: How To Make A Comedy/News Love Child with T. Kent Jones
    In this workshop we will examine how to mine the daily news cycle for rich veins of comedy gold.  Kent will talk about his experience on the Daily Show and other venues. Is this funny? Why is this funny? What are some ways to make this REALLY funny?

11:00 a.m.-noon

  • Discover Your Writing Ritual with Emily Kimelman
    Geared toward fiction authors, we’ll explore practices that make it easier to immerse yourself in your writing. How do you write a novel that grabs you immediately, takes you on a ride, throws in a bunch of excitement and suspense, and leaves you happy and satisfied? The plot moves like a steam engine, and the characters are all people you want to spend time with (except the villain who … booo, hissss). Also, the dog does not die. Emily Kimelman, author of the Sydney Rae mystery series will let us in on her process and method, and provide comfort, insight, and inspiration to aspiring novelists.

 

LUNCH BREAK: Noon - 2:30 p.m.

 

2:30 p.m.-3:15 p.m.

  • How to Write Funny with Scott Dikkers
    Join the founding editor of The Onion and author of the "How to Write Funny book series" to learn about, and practice, polishing your humor and comedy writing to level up the laughs and reads. Scott is a seasoned writer, editor, teacher, and performer. Lean in and learn from the best.

3:30 p.m.-4:15 p.m.

  • Managing the Chaos in Your Writer's Brain with Shaunta Grimes
    Shaunta has developed a set of systems over the past twenty or thirty years that have helped her to manage what she learned in 2022 (at age 50) is severe ADHD. Shaunta shares three systems that can help anyone (trust me, Anyone) manage chaos in their brain, stick with long-term projects (like writing novels), and hold themselves accountable.

4:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

  • My AI Collaborator with Anne Jennings Paris
    Using Generative AI Tools for Fun, Profit, and Creative Transcendence. Anne will use this short chunk of time talk about her work using AI as a design tool for creating images that have conversations with her writing.

SUNDAY

9:00 a.m.-9:45 a.m.

  • Embrace Your Inner Demons with Carol Lennox 
    Learn how to harness those inner demons and use the arguments you carry on in your head to your creative advantage. Gestalt technique aligns all parts of you to free you to write and create as your highest self. There will be demonstrations and tools given.

10:00 a.m.-10:45 a.m.

  • Calibrating Your Editorial Compass with Lisa Cooper Ellison
    Many first drafts contain unvarnished, powerful truths that get dismissed, deleted, or overwritten during the revision process, either because writers fail to recognize their importance or work to please beta readers instead of going with their guts. This session uses meditation, generative writing exercises, self-assessments, and opportunities to share to help you build the creative intuition needed to self-edit well, maximize the benefits of feedback, and capitalize on your early draft’s most powerful moments.

11:00 a.m.-Noon
Send-off and Goodbye with Susan Brearley
Hugs, farewells, and a send-off with this inspirational message from Susan, to keep you focused on your new writing goals, projects, and newly adopted momentum.

The above schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the faculty.

Livestream Events With Omega

You don't have to travel far to change your life. Join Omega's virtual community trusted by more than 36,000 learners and enjoy all of the self-discovery and learning of an in-person Omega workshop from the comfort of your home or office.

See what you missed or relive your Writing to Be Read experience on demand until Dec. 27, 2024.

  • Susan Choi

    Susan Choi, winner of the 2019 National Book Award for Fiction, crafts novels that defy expectations...

  • Susan Cheever

    Susan Cheever is an acclaimed, best-selling author with 16 published books and dozens of essays.

  • Scott Dikkers

    Scott Dikkers, founder of TheOnion.com, is a best-selling author, comedy writer, and performer.

  • Nanci Arvizu

    Nanci Arvizu is an author, ghostwriter, and editor, transforming ideas into published works.

  • Rebecca A. Barrett

    Rebecca A. Barrett is a creative nonfiction writer who writes essays and "Daily Delights" on Medium.

  • Susan Brearley

    Susan Brearley is the editor-in-chief of MuddyUm, the premier humor publication on Medium.com.

  • Gary Chapin

    Gary Chapin is coauthor of 126 Falsehoods We Believe About Education and an editor of MuddyUm.

  • Toni Crowe

    Toni Crowe is an author, speaker, and business coach, offering real solutions to tough problems.

  • Lisa Cooper Ellison

    Lisa Cooper Ellison, EdS, is an author, speaker, and trauma-informed writing coach.

  • Jamie Davis

    Jamie Davis is an author, coach, and business manager.

  • T. Kent Jones

    T. Kent Jones is an Emmy Award-winning  writer and broadcaster.

  • Emily Kimelman

    Emily Kimelman is the author of more than 20 novels, including the "Sydney Rye Mysteries."

  • Carol Lennox

    Carol Lennox, M.Ed., is a licensed professional counselor, psychotherapist, and writer.

  • David Milgrim

    David Milgrim is a best-selling author and cartoonist focusing on mental health comics.

  • Anne Jennings Paris

    Anne Jennings Paris is an award-winning writer with 15+ years of teaching experience.

  • Andrew Rodwin

    Andrew Rodwin, an editor at MuddyUm, spent four decades in high tech as a software engineer.