Upcoming Workshops
How to Get Your Novel's First Page UNSTUCK: Tommy Dean, Literary Agent, Editor, Author
Thursday, August 27, 2026, 7:00-8:30 PM Eastern
(4:00 PM Pacific)
Format: Live on Zoom, 90 minutes. Live only, no recording shared.
Cost: Free for A Reason to Write Facebook group members.
Registration required.
Join agent and writer Tommy Dean for a deep dive into the first page of today’s most gripping novels to determine how these authors hook and intrigue the reader. Tommy will show participants how the examples use action, sensory details, and a bit of mystery to enthrall and excite a reader, agent, or editor. We’ll look at model texts and respond to writing prompts to get inspired for our own first page.
Tommy Dean is an associate literary agent with Talcott Notch, author of the flash collection Hollows (Alternating Current Press), and editor of Fractured Lit. Winner of the 2019 Lascaux Prize in Short Fiction; work in Best Microfiction & Best Small Fiction.
Funky Forms in Flash with Tara Campbell
Thursday, September 24, 2026, 6:30-8:00 PM Eastern
(3:30 PM Pacific)
Format: Live on Zoom, 90 minutes.
Cost: Free for A Reason to Write Facebook group members.
Registration required.
Have you ever looked at a recipe, a floorplan, or an order form and thought “there’s a story there”? No? Well, it’s time to change that. In this fast-paced workshop, you’ll explore different forms of flash fiction and creative nonfiction, and use them as a basis for your own, off-kilter creations. Come ready to read, write, and discover new work in familiar forms. After a brief review of the techniques of flash, we’ll spend the bulk of the time writing to prompts, and generating new ideas.
Tara Campbell is a writer, teacher, Kimbilio Fellow, fiction co-editor at Barrelhouse, and a graduate of American University’s MFA in Creative Writing. Publication credits include Masters Review, Wigleaf, Electric Literature, CRAFT Literary, Uncharted Magazine, Daily Science Fiction, Strange Horizons, and Escape Pod/Artemis Rising. She’s the author of the eco sci-fi novel TreeVolution, two hybrid collections of poetry and prose, a chapbook of sestinas, and two short story collections from feminist sci-fi publisher Aqueduct Press. Her second novel, City of Dancing Gargoyles (SFWP), was a finalist for the 2025 Philip K. Dick Award, named to Reactor Magazine’s “Best Books of 2024,” and on the Locus and SFWA recommended reading lists. She’s taught creative writing at venues such as Johns Hopkins University, American University, Clarion West, The Writer’s Center, and Hugo House.
Spooky Speculative Stories with Tara Campbell
Sunday, October 18, 2026, 1:00-2:30 PM Eastern (10:00 AM Pacific)
Format: Live on Zoom, 90 minutes.
Cost: Free for A Reason to Write Facebook group members.
Registration required.
Just in time for Halloween, let’s take a listen to those things that go bump in the night. With stories and writing prompts, we’ll delve into mysterious rituals, monsters, ghosts, cryptids and other creepy critters. Bring on your spookiest spooks and we’ll face them together, and maybe learn to defeat them. Though we’re writing about creepy stuff, we won’t focus on abuse, gratuitous violence, or stomach-turning gore. Think more spooky than splattery.
Tara Campbell is a writer, teacher, Kimbilio Fellow, fiction co-editor at Barrelhouse, and a graduate of American University’s MFA in Creative Writing. Publication credits include Masters Review, Wigleaf, Electric Literature, CRAFT Literary, Uncharted Magazine, Daily Science Fiction, Strange Horizons, and Escape Pod/Artemis Rising. She’s the author of the eco sci-fi novel TreeVolution, two hybrid collections of poetry and prose, a chapbook of sestinas, and two short story collections from feminist sci-fi publisher Aqueduct Press. Her second novel, City of Dancing Gargoyles (SFWP), was a finalist for the 2025 Philip K. Dick Award, named to Reactor Magazine’s “Best Books of 2024,” and on the Locus and SFWA recommended reading lists. She’s taught creative writing at venues such as Johns Hopkins University, American University, Clarion West, The Writer’s Center, and Hugo House.
Residential Flash Fiction Workshop with Kathy Fish - November 2026 - Charles Town, WV
Monday, November 2nd – Friday, November 6th, 2026
Residential Generative Flash Workshop with Kathy Fish
Join us for an unforgettable week of writing, learning, and creative connection at the 2026 Kathy Fish Residential Workshop in beautiful West Virginia. This year, we’re excited to welcome special guest workshop leaders Sarah Freligh, Joy Deva Baglio, and Ellen Weeren for an enhanced learning experience.
The registration fee includes lodging, all meals and snacks, workshop materials, and parking. You’ll enjoy a private room (with either a shared or private bath), cozy amenities, and access to peaceful writing spaces—perfect for sparking new stories.
(Travel is not included)
Build Your Author Brand and Get Ready to Launch Your Writing Career with Industry Experts
Fall 2026 – Harpers Ferry, WV
- A query letter critique and workshop
- A first chapter critique and workshop
- A synopsis review and workshop
- An elevator pitch review and workshop
- A Professional Headshot
- A Bio critique and workshop
- A Website evaluation
- Classes on the publishing journey
- Tips for building a committee
- And much more
(travel is not included)
More details are coming soon. Reach out to Ellen for more information.
Workshop & Retreat Requirements
No one dislikes rules more than Ellen, but it’s critical to have a shared understanding about expectations….so…. when you book a workshop slot and/or a writing retreat space, you agree to the:
Past Workshops
Trusting your creative Vision: The Roadmap From Idea to Paper. In-Person, One-day Workshop
with Adam Payne & Michael Stein
Saturday, July 18th – Harpers Ferry
Trusting your creative Vision: The Roadmap From Idea to Paper. In-Person, One-day Workshop with Adam Payne & Michael Stein
For emerging and seasoned writers ages 15-21. A real look inside what writing actually is: generating new work, editing with an editor, and publishing your work. Held on the banks of the Shenandoah River near Harpers Ferry, in partnership with YNST Magazine. $149 per writer · limited to 12 · lunch, snacks & materials included.
Capped at 12 participants. Developed and led by one or two YNST instructors.
Prompt A Palooza 2: A Generative Flash Workshop with Francine Witte
Saturday, June 27th – Zoom
Prompt A Palooza 2: A Generative Flash Workshop with Francine Witte
If you’re tired of staring at a blank page, this is the workshop for you! Francine Witte’s prompts will help you get down the beginnings of some amazing stories!
Online Workshop
A Reason to Write Presents: Immerse me: How to Craft Dynamic Settings in Flash
Join literary agent, editor, and writer Tommy Dean for a 90-minute generative writing session focused on creating dynamic and immersive settings for flash fiction. In this online workshop via Zoom on Tuesday, April 21, 2025, at 7:00 PM EST, you’ll study model flash texts and get inspired by writing prompts designed to unlock specific and vivid places. Flash word count limits pressure writers to reveal setting quickly, specifically, and uniquely—and readers want stories they can experience. Through this workshop, you’ll learn to use setting as your story’s engine, generating several drafts and discovering how dynamic settings add depth to any story.
Free for A Reason to Write Facebook Group Members.
A residential Flash workshop with Kathy Fish - Charles Town, WV - Lodging Included
Monday October 20th – Friday October 24th 2025
Residential Generative Flash Workshop with Kathy Fish
Join us for an unforgettable week of writing, learning, and creative connection at the 2025 Kathy Fish Residential Workshop in beautiful West Virginia.
The registration fee includes lodging, all meals and snacks, workshop materials, and parking. You’ll enjoy a private room (with either a shared or private bath), cozy amenities, and access to peaceful writing spaces—perfect for sparking new stories.
(travel is not included)
In-person Generative Flash Workshop With Tommy Dean Harpers Ferry, WV - Lodging Not Included
Tuesday May 13th – Thursday May 15th 2025
This in-person workshop will be capped at 12 writers.
The workshop is generative and the goal is to help you start as many stories as possible.
The workshop space is in the outskirts of Harpers Ferry, WV. There is ample free parking onsite. (This is about an hour from Northern Va and about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Washington, DC.)
Lodging is Not included
Residential Short Story Workshop With Richard Bausch and Lisa Cupolo
Charles Town, WV - Lodging Included
Wednesday April 9th through Sunday April 13th
The workshop will be capped at 12 writers. This will allow all writers to get feedback
from and workshop with Richard, Lisa, and Ellen. We will all meet together and four stories will
be workshopped each morning. We will have craft lessons/generative sessions each afternoon.
Emily Chiles will be a guest instructor for one afternoon for a guest workshop and
everyone will be included in that session as well.
All attendees will be invited to submit one short story of up to ten pages for workshop.
These are due NO LATER THAN: March 1, 2025
A residential workshop with Kathy Fish - Charles Town, WV
October 2024
The registration fee covers workshop costs, one individual session with Kathy Fish, workshop materials, private room with bedding and towels, continental breakfast, lunch, dinner, light snacks, parking, and welcome gift.