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Poetry Festival

2027 Teen Poetry Contest

Sep 8, 2026 $0.00
Submissions open: September 8, 2026 Deadline to submit: December 1, 2026 Decisions to all submitters: February 1, 2027…
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Poetry Festival

2027 Open Call: Flower City Poetry Festival

Sep 8, 2026 $15.00
Submissions open: September 1, 2026 Deadline to submit: December 1, 2026 Decisions to all submitters: February 1, 2027…
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Poetry Festival

2027 Gell Residency Contest

Sep 9, 2026 $20.00
Submissions open: September 1, 2026 Deadline to submit: December 1, 2026 Decisions to all applicants: February 1, 2027…
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Visiting Authors

Michael Waters and Mihaela Moscaliuc

Sep 24, 2026 $20.00
Pagan Sky (Poems 2000 – 2025) and Heartmoor The poets will read from their new releases and then…
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Rochester Reads

Writing from Photographs with Sonja Livingston | Ogden Library

Sep 26, 2026 $0.00
Saturday, September 26, 2 – 4 PM @ Ogden Farmers’ Library (Spencerport, NY) What can photographs tell us…
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Visiting Authors

Alex Sanchez: Rainbow Boys (25th Anniversary)

Sep 30, 2026 $20.00
Doors: 6:30 PM | Reading: 7 PM This is a hybrid event, taking place in person at Writers…
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Workshops & Master Classes

Enter Stage Write: Crafting Short Plays

Oct 3, 2026 $360.00
with Paula Marchese From Chekov to Mamet, the one-act play remains a challenging and powerful way to tell…
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Gell

Poetry Potluck at Gell featuring Rebekah Williams

Oct 4, 2026 $0.00
Join us for an afternoon of poetry, conversation, and community at Gell’s historic lodge. Bring a poem, a…
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Workshops

Writing the Words They Erased at Irondequoit Public Library

Oct 6, 2026 $0.00
Tuesday, October 6, 6 – 8 PM @ Irondequoit Public Library Join us for a generative writing workshop…
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Visiting Authors

David F. Walker | Frederick Douglass, the Black Panther Party, and Harlem Renaissance Monster Hunters: A Conversation about Comics and History

Oct 7, 2026 $0.00
Wednesday, October 7, 6:30 PM in person @ Writers & Books (Rochester NY) and virtually via Zoom This…
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Workshops & Master Classes

How to Finish a Novel You Started

Oct 8, 2026 $360.00
with Alex Sanchez Having trouble completing your manuscript? Maybe you started with a spark, but the light has…
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Saturday Camps

Dragons & Dice: A D&D Experience (Ages 9-12)

Oct 10, 2026 $155.00
Six Saturday Sessions Teaching Artist: Ben Callahan Calling all quest seekers! Newcomers and experts alike are welcome to…
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LegacyWriting

Hold On to This for Me: a Joe Flaherty Legacy Writing Workshop | October

Oct 10, 2026 $0.00
A personal, impactful, one-of-a-kind creative aging experience Led by Ren VanMeenen Irondequoit Public Library – 1290 Titus Ave,…
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Workshops & Master Classes

Writing Your Way Forward | October 11

Oct 11, 2026 $60.00
with Charles Cote, LCSW and Kathy Pottetti Writing Your Way Forward is a reflective writing workshop designed for…
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Special Events

Survivor’s Speak: Language of Survival

Oct 11, 2026 $0.00
Sunday, October 11, 2:30 – 4PM Writers & Books (740 University Ave, Rochester NY) Survivors of childhood sexual…
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Rochester Reads

Writing from Photographs with Sonja Livingston | Gates Library

Oct 12, 2026 $0.00
Monday, October 12, 6 – 8 PM @ Gates Public Library (Rochester, NY) What can photographs tell us…
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Rochester Reads

Writing from Photographs with Sonja Livingston | Winton Library

Oct 13, 2026 $0.00
Tuesday, October 13, 4:30 – 6:30 PM @ Winton Branch Library (Rochester, NY) What can photographs tell us…
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Workshops & Master Classes

Writing Motherhood: A Rochester Reads Master Class

Oct 14, 2026 $50.00
a one-session master class with Sally Bittner Bonn Mothering is complex: exhausting, exhilarating, lonely, hysterically funny, ambivalent, ripe…
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LegacyWriting

Hold On to This for Me: a Joe Flaherty Legacy Writing Workshop | Livonia Public Library

Oct 15, 2026 $0.00
A personal, impactful, one-of-a-kind creative aging experience Led by Curt Nehring-Bliss Livonia Public Library – 2 Washington St,…
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Rochester Reads

Images Change Us: On Writing, Art, and Intimacy

Oct 15, 2026 $0.00
with Nicholson Baker, Sonja Livingston, and Sejal Shah Thursday, October 15, 7 PM | FREE @ Penfield Public…
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Rochester Reads

Finding a Likeness: Portrait Drawing for Newbies with Nicholson Baker

Oct 16, 2026 $40.00
Friday, October 16, 6 PM @ Hinterland Studio (Rochester, NY) Have you ever been curious about drawing faces…
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Visiting Authors

Bill Pugin: Fly on the Wall

Oct 17, 2026 $20.00
Saturday, October 17, 3:30 PM in person @ Writers & Books (Rochester NY) and virtually via Zoom This…
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Rochester Reads

Surviving Suppression: How Artists Experience and Overcome Censorship

Oct 23, 2026 $0.00
October 23, 6:30pm Rochester Contemporary (137 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14604) Join us for a Rochester Reads-inspired discussion…
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Rochester Reads

Through the Kaleidoscope: Crafting Interlocking Stories: a Rochester Reads Master Class

Oct 28, 2026 $50.00
Wednesday, October 28th, 6 – 8 PM This is a virtual workshop taking place on Zoom Join us…
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Workshops & Master Classes

The Heart of Your Story: Finding Meaning in Your Memoir

Nov 4, 2026 $240.00
with Anais Salibian Wednesdays, 6 – 8 PM, November 4 – December 2 (Skip Thanksgiving week; no class…
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Special Events

Wit: An Open Mic for Stand-ups and Humor Writers

Nov 4, 2026 $10.00
Hosted by Carol Roberts and Friends Writers & Books, 740 University Ave, Rochester NY Doors: 6:30 | Open…
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Literary Partners

Robin L. Flanigan: Secret Rochester

Nov 5, 2026 $20.00
Thursday, November 5, 6:30 PM in person @ Writers & Books (Rochester NY) and virtually via Zoom This…
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Workshops

The Family of Things: Writing the Self and Nature through the Work of Mary Oliver

Nov 7, 2026 $145.00
with Ren VanMeenen Saturday, November 7, 1 – 5 PM @ Gell: A Finger Lakes Creative Retreat (Naples,…
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Workshops & Master Classes

Writing Your Way Forward | November 8

Nov 8, 2026 $60.00
with Charles Cote, LCSW and Kathy Pottetti Writing Your Way Forward is a reflective writing workshop designed for…
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Rochester Reads

Stop Looking Away: Two Short Films on Health Care Workers in Palestine

Nov 9, 2026 $0.00
with Omar El Akkad University of Rochester: Interfaith Chapel, Sanctuary Room 1045 Wilson Blvd. Rochester, NY 14627 Monday,…
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Rochester Reads

Rochester Reads 2026 | Tickets

Nov 10, 2026 Price range: $10.00 through $100.00
Omar El Akkad & Sonja Livingston Rochester Reads 25th Anniversary Keynote Address Tuesday, November 10, 7PM St. John…
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Workshops & Master Classes

Self Publishing 101

Nov 14, 2026 $60.00
with Erin Dionne and Nancy Werlin Take control of your writing life. Traditional publishing is in crisis. Corporate…
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LegacyWriting

Hold On to This for Me: a Joe Flaherty Legacy Writing Workshop | November

Nov 14, 2026 $0.00
A personal, impactful, one-of-a-kind creative aging experience Led by Ren VanMeenen Irondequoit Public Library – 1290 Titus Ave,…
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Literary Partners

L. J. Nightingale: Drawn

Nov 18, 2026 $20.00
November 18, 7:00 PM In Person at Writers & Books (740 University Ave, Rochester, NY) Join us for…
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LegacyWriting

Hold On to This for Me: a Joe Flaherty Legacy Writing Workshop | Livonia Public Library

Nov 19, 2026 $0.00
A personal, impactful, one-of-a-kind creative aging experience Led by Curt Nehring-Bliss Livonia Public Library – 2 Washington St,…
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Workshops & Master Classes

Self Publishing: Details and Demonstrations

Nov 22, 2026 $60.00
with Erin Dionne and Nancy Werlin Take control of your writing life. This class provides a deep dive…
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Visiting Authors

Lovell Holder: The Book of Luke

Dec 3, 2026 $20.00
Thursday, December 3, 7:00 PM in person at Writers & Books and virtually on Zoom with author and…
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LegacyWriting

Hold On to This for Me: a Joe Flaherty Legacy Writing Workshop | December

Dec 12, 2026 $0.00
A personal, impactful, one-of-a-kind creative aging experience Led by Ren VanMeenen Irondequoit Public Library – 1290 Titus Ave,…
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Workshops & Master Classes

Writing Your Way Forward | December 13

Dec 13, 2026 $60.00
with Charles Cote, LCSW and Kathy Pottetti Writing Your Way Forward is a reflective writing workshop designed for…
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Literary Conference – Keynote with Nathalie Handal

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Arts Alive: Exploring the Neighborhood | Ages: 10-13

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Dragons, Dice, & Roleplaying | Ages: 13 – 16

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Celebrating 25 Years of Community Reading

Rochester Reads: 25th Anniversary

A Program of Writers and Books

Omar El Akkad & Sonja Livingston
Keynote Address & Conversation
Tuesday, November 10, 7PM
St. John Fisher University, Cleary Family Auditorium

RSVP now to be notified when tickets to the Keynote and Reception become available.

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Learn & Create

Writing Workshops

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Adult Workshops

Writing classes led by professional authors and educators, offered year-round in person and online.

Legacy Writing

Reflect on your life, preserve family history, and share stories through guided writing workshops designed for older adults.

Weekly Writing

Free weekly gatherings for writers to share work, explore prompts, and write in community.

Explore All Workshops

For Young Writers

Our Youth Programs

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Explore Youth Programs

Write and Be

Gell Creative Retreat Center

A Creative Retreat in the Finger Lakes
Nestled in the Bristol Hills of New York’s Finger Lakes region, the Gell Creative Retreat offers writers and artists a peaceful place for reflection, creative solitude, and personal renewal. Surrounded by wooded trails, rolling meadows, and a spring-fed stream, the retreat provides an inspiring setting to focus on new work, gather in meaningful retreat, and reconnect with the natural world.
  • Private cottage rentals for writers and artists
  • Writing residencies for focused creative work
  • Scenic retreat setting in the Finger Lakes
  • Space for workshops, gatherings, and reflection
Explore the retreat
Support Writers & Books
Your support helps Writers & Books provide workshops, youth programs, literary events, and creative opportunities throughout our community.
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Rent & Book Our Spaces

Host your meeting, workshop, or retreat at Writers & Books. Our University Avenue headquarters and the Gell Creative Retreat offer inspiring places to gather and create.
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