Houston’s New Literary Arts Venue Is The “Writespace" For Writers

HOUSTON - Sept. 9, 2014 - PRLog -- A welcome addition to the Houston literary scene, Writespace serves new and established writers by offering workshops, consulting services, a shared quiet space to write, and a venue for book launches, open mics, and readings. Writespace opened its doors in May 2014, and through its first summer has hosted over fifteen workshops and readings that have enriched Houston’s literary landscape.

Writespace invites instructors from the Houston literary community to teach weekend, online, and weekly workshops geared to inspire and support writers at all skill levels. Writespace’s workshop topics are unique and focus on teaching specific literary skills, such as in Matthew Salesses’ workshop “Writing with Style,” Cassandra Rose Clarke’s workshop on “Tension: The Secrets of How to Build It, Keep It, and Increase It!” and Marian Szczepanski’s ”The Ins and Outs of Writing Great Sex Scenes.” Writespace’s teachers guide writers not only in craft, but in career, such as in Pamela Fagan Hutchins’ workshop “The First Six Months: Creating Your Own Book Launch Marketing Plan” and Joy Preble’s “How to Find an Agent.” Also, Writespace supports writers of all genres, so science fiction and mystery workshops are often listed right beside traditional genres, such as literary fiction and poetry.  Writespace also serves teen writers with SAT/ACT and college admissions essay writing consultations, as well as summer creative writing workshops.

In addition to workshops, Writespace offers one-on-one guidance to help all writers develop and strengthen their work. Writespace’s manuscript consultations and editing services gives writers a clear sense of direction and helps them polish their work for self-publishing or for submission to agents, contests, and M.F.A. programs.

For writers seeking a location for writing events, Writespace hosts meetings, open-mic readings, book launches, write-ins, and other literary events. Writespace also serves as a quiet, supportive place for Houston writers to escape the distractions of everyday life and focus on writing in a quiet, inspiring environment. Writespace’s future endeavors include scholarship opportunities, anthologies, and writing retreats.

While Writespace serves many needs of writers, first and foremost, it is a place for inspiration.

“I started Writespace because when I first moved to Houston, I wished there were a place like this. After a few months, I stopped complaining and decided ‘to be the change you want to see,’” said Elizabeth White-Olsen, Writespace’s founder.

And in just a few months, White-Olsen is already seeing the fruits of success. “I find it so fulfilling to read our evaluations,” she says, “because I can tell people are delighted we’re here. I can tell that we’re already making a big difference.”

For more information on Writespace’s workshops, quiet writing space, events, and consultations, visit writespacehouston.org or email write@writespacehouston.org.

About Writespace: Writespace is Houston's new writing center. Located north of downtown, Writespace offers writing workshops, readings, open mics, manuscript consultations, and editing services. Powered by some of Houston's top writers, Writespace supports writers of all genres, including literary fiction, poetry, mainstream fiction, young adult and picture book, sci-fi-, fantasy, and mystery genres.