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Do you have an aspiring author in your house? A potential poet? If so, then the Thurber House Writing Wizards program is just what you’ve been looking for. Workshops, for students in grades 2-8, will meet each Saturday from January 26 through February 23, 2013. The classes provide an opportunity for young writers to develop their skills and have fun expressing themselves through the magic of creative writing. The deadline for registration is Friday, January 11th. Classes vary in time and will take place at Thurber Center, 91 Jefferson Avenue.

2/3 Graders
Express Yourself with Sylvia Jackson 10:00 – 11:30 am
How do you write about your favorite topics without copying someone else’s version? Learn how to make your favorite stories your own!

Is that a Story next to that Fish Lamp? with Sarah Magill 12:30 – 2:00 pm
Come rummage through a Thurber garage sale for items sure to spark your imagination in an unexpected way.

4/5 Graders
Imagine That with Paul Hammock 10:00 – Noon
Ever wonder what the bread thinks as it’s burned in the toaster? Explore the power of sensory details, point of view, and imagery.

Welcome to Ideatown with Val Cumming 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Welcome to Ideatown, population: You. We’ll take a trip to Ideatown, a fictional city inhabited by characters you create.

6/7/8 Graders
A Novel Idea! with Terese Houle 10:00 a.m. – Noon
From brainstorming to creating your protagonists, even through to publishing, this class has all you need when developing your novel.

Stoked on Steampunk with Kathy Matthews and Dan Mushalko 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Create a world where computers are powered by steam and adventure awaits around every corner. That’s the world of Steampunk– an exciting new genre of fiction that puts the future, in the past.

Financial Scholarships Available!
We have a limited number of scholarships available on a first-come, first-served basis for any young writer who may have financial need.

For more information or to register, check out our website or email Meg Brown at [email protected].

It may only be the middle of November, but we’re already busy at work planning for next year’s events and workshops! We have fun things in store for our children’s programming and want to give you a sneak peek at what you can look forward to.

Do you have a young writer itching to express his or her creative side? Our Writing Wizards workshops are back and being held each Saturday, January 28 through February 25. From science fiction, to narratives, to poetry and more, we have the area’s most talented writers and teachers bringing the magic of writing to classes for all ages.

Second and Third Graders:

Mad Scientists – A Laboratory for Story Creation with Sylvia Jackson

Young writers will become the “mad scientist” of their own tales in this class that focuses on the worlds of science and science fiction writing.

Animal Stories, from Aardvarks to Zebras with Jan Williams

Your child’s creative juices will be flowing as they are challenged to write stories and poems about their favorite animals – real or imagined.

Fourth and Fifth Graders:

Enter the Exciting World of “Warriors” with Linda Forte-Spearing

Inspired by Erin Hunter’s “Warrior” series about a domestic cat trying to survive in the wild, participants will explore how to create a story from an animal’s perspective.

So You Want to be a Writer! with Paul Hammock

Participants will get down to the basics of writing and learn narration and dialogue techniques, character creation and how to make your story a page-turner.

Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Graders

The Amazing Writing Race with Sarah Magill

Join our version of the TV show, The Amazing Race, to travel places near and far, gathering clues at pit stops to discover different genres of writing including poetry, stories and travel logs.

Attack of the Killer Plot Device with Kathy Matthew and Dan Mushalko

Stretch your imagination (and writing skills) as we dive into tales of aliens, dragons and more! Learn how to use science and logic to craft your own “invasion plot” storyline.

Registration is now open, so don’t delay as classes are on a first-come, first-serve basis and will fill up quickly! The deadline for enrollment is January 13. Click here to register online. For more details on time and location, visit our website.

Dust off your wizard hat and grab your pencils, our Writing Wizards classes are back! New classes and teachers will dazzle your 2nd through 8th grade creative writer this winter and we can’t wait to get started.

The magic happens each Saturday from January 22 through February 26 and classes are limited to 15 students. Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis and the deadline for registration is Friday, January 7th. There are limited scholarships available for this program. All wizardry will take place at Thurber Center, 91 Jefferson Ave. and there is metered parking in front or you can park in the lot next to the Center for free.

Here is a little teaser of the classes we have this winter:

2^nd/3^rd Grade Classes

All About Me with Valerie Cumming

Bird’s Eye View of Daniel Pinkwater with Paul Hammock

4^th/5^th Grade Classes

Have Pen, Will Travel with Sarah Magill

Song for the Soul with Beki Test

6^th, 7^th, and 8^th Grade Classes

Graphic Novel with Russell Merritt

A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words with Lisa Klein

Our brochure will be in the mail shortly and you can also find more information on our website. Also, new this year, you will be able to register online! Don’t delay in signing up your young wizard or the spots will magically disappear!