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Fractured Fairy Tales | Ages: 8 – 11

Jul 20, 2026 $195.00
Plot twists, parody, and satire…oh my! Welcome to the wonderful world of fractured fairy tales. Through classic and…
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Arts Alive: Exploring the Neighborhood | Ages: 10 – 13

Jul 20, 2026 $390.00
We’re excited to announce this camp has been expanded into a full day experience! Rochester’s Neighborhood of the…
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Playwrights & Puppeteers | Ages: 8 – 13

Jul 20, 2026 $0.00
A SummerWrite in the Branches Camp Families facing economic challenges are especially encouraged to register their young readers…
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Academy for Young Magicals (Formerly Hogwarts Academy) | Ages: 8 – 14

Jul 27, 2026 $464.00
Immerse yourself in a world of magic as Writers & Books’ three-story building transforms into the Academy for…
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Writing Movies | 12 – 17

Jul 27, 2026 $0.00
A SummerWrite in the Branches Camp  Families facing economic challenges are especially encouraged to register their young readers…
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Kody Keplinger: Where Lost Girls Go

Jul 30, 2026 $20.00
Join us for the launch of WHERE LOST GIRLS GO, the tenth YA novel by Rochester’s own Kody…
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Nature Writing: The Inner and Outer Landscape Converge

Aug 1, 2026 $145.00
with Anais Salibian In this workshop participants will explore how their relationship to nature informs their identity, worldview,…
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POW, SCRIBBLE, ZAP: Graphic Novels from Start to Finish | Ages: 9 – 12

Aug 3, 2026 $410.00
Words and pictures work together to tell stories in celebrated graphic novels, comics, and manga like American Born…
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Story Writing Boot Camp | Ages: Teens

Aug 3, 2026 $195.00
We will spend the week learning the essentials of writing and storytelling in a supportive setting. As a group,…
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Write a Short Play | Ages: 10 – 13

Aug 3, 2026 $195.00
Do you love theater? Do you have a big imagination? Have you always wished you could see the…
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Dragons & Dice: A D&D Experience | Ages: 9-12

Aug 3, 2026 $390.00
Calling all quest seekers! Newcomers and experts alike are welcome to participate in this dynamic, immersive group. Collaboration,…
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Shiz Summer Session: A Wicked Camp | Ages: 12 – 14

Aug 3, 2026 $195.00
Did “Wicked” change your life… for good? Do you dream of joining Elphaba and Glinda at Shiz University?…
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Mystery 101 | Ages: 10 – 13

Aug 3, 2026 $195.00
Do you enjoy a good mystery? Do you enjoy the creative writing process?  Do you want to know…
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It Could Happen Here | Ages: 8 – 13

Aug 3, 2026 $0.00
A SummerWrite in the Branches Camp Families facing economic challenges are especially encouraged to register their young readers…
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Speak Up: Puppets for Change | Ages: 8 – 13

Aug 3, 2026 $0.00
A SummerWrite in the Branches Camp Families facing economic challenges are especially encouraged to register their young readers…
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Hold On to This for Me: a Joe Flaherty Legacy Writing Workshop | August

Aug 3, 2026 $0.00
A personal, impactful, one-of-a-kind creative aging experience Led by Tyler Barton Parma Public Library – Meeting Room FREE |…
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Jessica L. Pavia and Kathy Curto: What Are You Waiting For?

Aug 5, 2026 $20.00
Join us for the launch of a new anthology that invites readers to reconsider what it means to…
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Elizabeth Svoboda: The Art of Pacing

Aug 8, 2026 $20.00
The Art of Pacing at Writers & Books (740 University Ave, Rochester, NY 14607)  This is a hybrid…
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Writing Your Way Forward | August 9

Aug 9, 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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Tokeya Graham: A Yellow Ribbon in the Sky for Ronald

Aug 13, 2026 $20.00
Join us for the launch of Tokeya C. Graham’s debut children’s book, A Yellow Ribbon in the Sky…
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Poetry Potluck at Gell

Aug 16, 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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Hold On to This for Me: a Joe Flaherty Legacy Writing Workshop | August

Aug 22, 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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Short Story Writing from Beginning to Revision

Aug 22, 2026 $360.00
with James Whorton Jr. (Skip Labor Day weekend; no class on September 5) Over six weeks you’ll write…
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Writing About Art: A Walking Workshop

Aug 22, 2026 $0.00
with Erin Dorney Join WNY-based writer Erin Dorney for a walking workshop where participants respond in writing to…
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Kidlit Q&A: Everything You Want to Know about Writing and Publishing Children’s Books

Aug 26, 2026 $20.00
Got questions about writing a book for kids? This casual Q&A is designed for adults who are interested…
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Virginia Eubanks: A Guide to Open Water Lifesaving

Aug 27, 2026 $20.00
A Guide to Open Water Lifesaving at Writers & Books (740 University Ave, Rochester, NY 14607)  This is…
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Writing Romance: The Fundamentals of a Love Story

Sep 9, 2026 $240.00
with Norma Hopcraft Want to fall in love with writing? Want readers to fall in love with your…
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Writing Friends: An Open-Genre Workshop

Sep 9, 2026 $240.00
with Chen Chen Inspired by recent discourse on the complexities of friendship, this generative workshop will explore an…
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Literary Snapshots: Writing the Micro Memoir

Sep 16, 2026 $240.00
a four-session creative nonfiction class with Sonja Livingston Readers are hungrier than ever for personal stories that help…
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Sherry Dumont: Forest of Darkness

Sep 17, 2026 $20.00
Join us on the eve of National POW/MIA Recognition Day for a reading and conversation between Sherry Dumont…
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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  • SummerWrite

Academy for Young Magicals (Formerly Hogwarts Academy) | Ages: 8 – 14 – Copy

July 27, 2026

9:00 am

Immerse yourself in a world of magic as Writers & Books’ three-story building transforms into the Academy for Young Magicals!

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Alex Sanchez | RAINBOW BOYS (VIRTUAL)

September 30, 2026

7:00 pm

Reading: 7 PMVirtual Event The author will be in conversation with author Linda Sue Park Join us for the 25th

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Alex Sanchez | RAINBOW BOYS 25th Anniversary

September 30, 2026

6:30 pm

Doors: 6:30 PM | Reading: 7 PMThis hybrid event takes place at Writers & Books (740 University Ave, Rochester NY)

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ImageCelebrating 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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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.

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Our Youth Programs

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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
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Your support helps Writers & Books provide workshops, youth programs, literary events, and creative opportunities throughout our community.
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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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