The Valley is a land of writerly possibility. Whether creators are new to the area or new to the page, or published and looking for professional peers, they will find that meet-ups, workshops and readings abound. As the fall goes into full swing, here are five organizations for creatives to consider.
Pioneer Valley Writers’ Workshop (PVWW)
Joy Deva Baglio, who founded the Pioneer Valley Writers’ Workshop (PVWW) in 2016, sees the literary arts center “as a living, breathing creature” that adapts according to the community’s needs. Based in Northampton and founded around workshops aimed at giving writers a deep understanding of craft, PVWW also offers generative opportunities through monthly Community Writing sessions, imaginatively-themed readings like a Moonlit Walk at Park Hill Orchard and in-person retreats. On Oct. 9, the organization will mark its 10-year anniversary with a Day-Long Generative Retreat at the Florence Civic Center, open to writers of all skill levels. That evening, the community is invited to celebrate the milestone at a candlelit reading and literary party.
In addition to offering one-day and multi-week writing workshops in genres like fiction, poetry and memoir, PVWW has a more demanding 10-Month Manuscript Program that Baglio said helps “shepherd manuscripts to completion” that has yielded “a growing roster of incredible books.” For more information, visit pioneervalleywriters.org.
Writers in Progress (WIP)
In Florence, what looks like a cozy, light-filled living room in the Brushworks Arts & Industry Building is a writers’ haven and the location of countless readings, book releases and author panels at Writers in Progress (WIP).
Founded by Dori Ostermiller in 1992, WIP seeks to “enhance writers’ work and lives,” according to its website. Because the organization believes “everyone has a tale to tell,” WIP makes room for a chorus of voices — with one caveat: Numerous in-person and remote workshops are limited to eight participants, for a honed-in, “high-quality experience” centered on writing time, craft development and supportive feedback. Even more focused is the Manuscript Intensive, a year-long program for those working on a book-length project, limited to six writers.
On Saturday, Sept. 12, WIP will host a faculty reading and open house at 221 Pine St. For more information, visit writersinprogress.com.
Northampton Literary Society (LitSo)
For Kayleigh Michael, who co-facilitates the Northampton Literary Society (LitSo), being part of a community fuels her own productivity.
“I host open mics because it’s a fun way to practice,” she said. “Because I’m looking at my writing desk right now. Do I write at it? Not yet. It’s easier to do it at the library with my friends.”
The organization, lovingly referred to as “LitSo,” was started in March 2022 by Amelia (Ria) deGuzman, who has since moved out of the area. When Michael, a lifelong teacher, discovered the group’s free, weekly meet-up at Forbes Library, she soon became one of four coleaders. Every Thursday from 6 to 7:30 p.m., a facilitator shares a prompt and sets a timer for 20 minutes, followed by an optional “share-out,” where writing is praised rather than critiqued.
“We call ourselves a ‘glorified grief circle,’” joked Michael, who said that about 12 to 15 people bare their souls each week.
As for the open mics, the LitSo holds them about once a month, she said, at Amber Lane Pub & Café in Northampton, where readers hold court for free, in another instance of “community giving back to community.” For more information, visit noholitsociety.org.
The LAVA Center
During the COVID-19 pandemic, The Local Access to Valley Arts (LAVA) Center, an arts and humanities space, opened in downtown Greenfield when author Jan Maher teamed up with artists Vanessa Query and Lucinda Kidder to bring together budding and seasoned creatives. While writing is only one outlet explored by the organization, there are plenty of opportunities for aspiring scribes.
According to The Lava Center’s website, on the second Wednesday of the month, Writers Read features three local writers followed by a group discussion from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Meanwhile, First Sunday Word, Human Error Publishing’s long-running open mic, takes place on the first Sunday of the month from 1 to 3:30 p.m. But November is particularly busy, when the organization hosts 30 days of open hours for WRITE NOV, featuring open mics, lively readings and quiet sessions in a monthlong tribute to word-lovers. For more information, visit thelavacenter.org.
Readers and Writers Live Series
In its heyday, the Readers and Writers Live Series was held at the Globe Bookshop in Northampton in the 1980s and 1990s, featuring influential voices like Howard Zinn and Allen Ginsberg. Mark Brumberg, who owned the bookshop until 1997, revived the series in 2024.
The new iteration, held on the second Wednesday of the month at Forbes Library, features a veteran writer and one new to the scene, who give separate readings and then join in conversation. For more information, contact Priya Charry, head of adult services at Forbes Library, at pcharry@forbeslibrary.org.
Straw Dog Writers Guild
The Straw Dog Writers Guild was founded in 2010 in Northampton “to give writers the thing that would help them the most” — a place to come together — said co-founder Jacqueline Sheehan. “Writers spend a lot of time alone and the chance to be with other writers is wildly popular.”
The Straw Dog Writers Guild’s monthly Writers Night Out has been going strong since. On the first Tuesday of the month from 6 to 8 p.m. at Forbes Library, there’s a kind of free-for-all, when 10 names are pulled out of a hat and greener writers can get a bit of audience feedback during the break. Later on in the evening, a featured, recently published author “introduces writers to a bigger audience,” particularly those curious about the publishing process. Sheehan said that between 20 and 40 people regularly attend the event.
On Oct. 6, Writers Night Out will host writer Jason Prokowiew. No registration is required.
With the support of 300 members, Straw Dog also offers regular writing groups, yearly residencies and an annual conference.
The Edith Wharton & Straw Dog Writers Guild Writing Residency grants nine week-long residencies each March to emerging writers at the Mount in Lenox. In 2027 the organization is also providing a special fellowship to a BIPOC writer with applications open until Oct. 15.
On Oct. 24, the yearly WriteAngles Conference, which coordinates remote and in-person meetings with agents and about 150 writers, will be held at Bay Path University in Longmeadow.
Sheehan and others noted that while there are several organizations in the area that focus on writing, none are in competition with each other. The larger community provides enough to keep anyone busy. “There are so many things happening in our area it’s hard to keep up,” she said.
For more information, visit strawdogwriters.org.
Melissa Karen Sances can be reached at melissaksances@gmail.com.