UPCOMING PROGRAMS
Gretchen Persbacker
Prose Writers Circle
A Prose Writing Workshop
May 5 – June 09, 2026
Description
Creative writing is as much about how we listen as how we write. The Prose Writers Circle is a facilitated, peer-response workshop designed to support writers in developing their work through careful reading, thoughtful feedback, and shared exchange.
Open to writers of all genres, including fiction, nonfiction, and memoir, this program offers a structured yet welcoming environment where participants can present works in progress, receive constructive critique, and deepen their understanding of how their writing is received.
Led by Gretchen Persbacker, the workshop emphasizes attentive reading, clarity of language, pacing, and reader engagement, while fostering meaningful connections among participants. Through a process grounded in encouragement and mutual support, writers gain insight into both their own work and the practices of others.
This program is presented in partnership with the New York State Writers Institute and the Hudson Valley Writers Guild.
Program Breakdown (Highlights)
Each week combines independent writing with collective discussion. Participants will submit work in advance of each session, allowing all members of the group to read and prepare feedback ahead of time. During meetings, selected pieces will be read aloud and discussed in depth.
Submissions are limited to 2,500 words per week. Excerpts from longer works are welcome. A rotating schedule ensures that all participants have the opportunity to share their work over the course of the program.
Feedback will focus on clarity, pacing, structure, and reader engagement, as well as elements such as character and narrative development where applicable. Participants are expected to engage seriously with each other’s work, offering thoughtful critique while remaining open to receiving feedback in return.
The program is designed to cultivate both the ability to write with intention and to read with discernment—skills that strengthen one another over time.
Cost & Registration Details
WHEN: Tuesdays, May 5 – June 9, 2026 | 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
WHERE: In-person at Arts Letters & Numbers | Averill Park, NY
FORMAT: Weekly sessions (6 total), 1.5 hours each
COST: Free
CAPACITY: Maximum 10 participants (minimum 5)
Program Director’s Bio
Gretchen Persbacker is a board member of the Hudson Valley Writers Guild, as well as a visual artist, prose writer, and landscape designer. With nearly twenty years of experience in project management and team building, she has led workshops across a wide range of disciplines. Her approach emphasizes thoughtful facilitation, collaborative learning, and the cultivation of supportive creative environments.