The heart of Denver Writes’ programming has always been weekend workshops where students come together to write around a central theme with a community of writers. Each workshop combines creativity with education and community building.
Workshops are taught by volunteers in our writing community who have a wealth of unique ideas and creativity to share with the remarkable young writers who attend! Each year, we offer a wide variety of topics and are always looking to the kids to give us their ideas on what interests them!
Workshops are intended for students ages 7-15. Space is limited, be sure to sign up in advance!
*Please note that our workshops have no cost, but we do suggest a donation to Denver Writes*
2025 Spring Workshop Schedule!
MARCH 1st, 2025
The Pencil and the Plate: Descriptive Food Writing
10 am – 1 pm
The Bookies Bookstore. 2085 S Holly St, Denver, 80222
In this workshop, students will explore how to describe food through the written word, how to capture a bite in all its flavors and intricacies, and how to use food as a connector to memories. *Participants will be sampling food in this workshop, please include any dietary restrictions and allergies in the sign up form*
April 5th, 2025
What If? Writing Magical Realism
10 am – 1 pm
The Bookies Bookstore. 2085 S Holly St, Denver, 80222
In magical realism, the world exists as it really is, with one exceptional difference. What if wings grew from your ankles? What if you could taste your best friend’s feelings in the cookies they baked? In this workshop, we’ll use photos and objects and words to help us generate fantastical what if? ideas. Then we’ll take our favorite one and unravel it with questions to understand how this one small change might open into a compelling story. And then, of course, we’ll write! Come with your strangest, most curious questions, and let’s make something magical!
APRIL 19th, 2025
Verses that Move: Exploring Slam Poetry
10 am – 1 pm, 1 – 2 pm Showcase
The Bookies Bookstore. 2085 S Holly St, Denver, 80222
Discover the power of your voice in this engaging slam poetry workshop. Through guided writing prompts and performance tips, you’ll craft meaningful poems and learn to deliver them with confidence. End the session by sharing your work in a supportive, slam-style showcase that celebrates creativity and self-expression. We hope to see you there!
SUGGESTIONS? QUESTIONS? EMAIL US AT HELLO@DENVERWRITES.OR
WORKSHOP REGISTRATION
To register, find a workshop that interests you and click the ‘Sign Up Here’ link where you will be directed to fill out an online form. Be sure to follow the prompts all the way through to where you are asked to ‘Submit’ to be certain your registration is completed. You will receive an email confirmation from Denver Writes within 72 hours notifying you that your registration is confirmed.
Please note that in order for us to offer the best possible experience for all writers, we will not be able to accommodate participants who show up the day of the workshop without having registered online or spoken to Denver Writes prior to the date of the workshop.
Donations
We no longer require workshop deposits.
Denver Writes operates due to donations from our patrons.
- We suggest a $25 donation that may be paid through PayPal (follow prompts on registration form), through Venmo @DenverWrites, Colorado Gives, or by check
- Please keep in mind that our main priority is having a place for students to write, and we do not want any financial barriers preventing students from attending. The donations are suggested.
- If paying by check, the check may be mailed to Denver Writes
Denver Writes is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. All donations are tax-deductible.
Denver Writes
PO Box 12256
Denver, CO 80212
Waitlists
Once a workshop is full, it will no longer be open to registration. You may, however, email Denver Writes at hello@denverwrites.org to be placed on a waitlist as cancellations do happen! We will let you know what number you are on the waitlist when you email and will then only contact you prior to the workshop if a spot opens up.
CANCELLATIONS
We want to be sure our workshops benefit as many participants as possible, so please take the time to read through our cancellation policy below.
If you need to cancel for any reason, please notify Denver Writes at least 72 hours prior to the start of the workshop so that we are able to accommodate anyone on our waitlist.
Of course, emergencies do happen and will certainly take that into consideration!
On rare occasions, Denver Writes will need to cancel a workshop. In these cases you will receive a full refund or the opportunity to sign up for a future workshop.
PREVIOUS WORKSHOPS
2024
Blast to the Past: Writing Historical Fiction!
Valentine’s Poetry
How to Plot a Novel (Using Beat Sheets) with author Ellen O’Clover
Character Building with author JC Peterson
Outdoor Adventure Writing with Jamie Siebrase
Illustrations for Stories
Travel Journalism with Jamie Siebrase
16th Annual Scary Stories at the Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls, and Toys
2023
World Building: Creating Planets, People, Creatures and More from Scratch with author J.E. Thomas
Poetry: Words From the Heart
15th Annual Scary Stories at the Denver Musuem of Miniatures, Dolls, & Toys
Campfire Stories
Illustrations for Stories
Choose Your Own Adventure
Pantser to Plotter with Jessie Weaver
14th Annual Valentine’s Poetry with Nancy Bo Flood & Wendi Silvano
Genre Writing with Ellen O’CLover
2022
Written Gifts
Folklore
Playfulness with Language
14th Annual Scary Stories at The Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls, & Toys
Screenwriting
Illustrations for Stories
(re)Searching Your Story with Melissa Savage
Slam Poetry and Reading
Zine Making with the Denver Zine Library
2021
Written Gifts
Apply for the Denver School of the Arts
13th Annual Scary Stories
Campfire Stories at Four Mile Park
Nature Writing
Titanic and Denver Historical Fiction
Fantastical Shorts
12th Annual Valentine’s Poetry and Fundraiser
2020
Written Gifts Online
Apply for the Denver School of the Arts
Ghost Stories
12th Annual Scary Stories
Sound, Rhythm, and Rhyme
Screenwriting
Bringing the Imagined to Life: Designing Your Own Character
Story Shuffle
Traveling With Poetry
Mysterious Houses
11th Annual Valentine’s Workshop and Fundraiser
Folklore
2019
Written Gifts
Illustrations for Stories
Apply to the Denver School of the Arts
NaNoWriMo – National Novel Writing Month
11th Annual Scary Stories at the Four Mile Historic Park From 4 – 8 PM
Journaling
Campfire Stories
SongWriting with Bradley Weaver
World Building
Monsters, Myths and Legends! With Author Lija Fisher!
10th Annual Valentine’s Workshop and Fundraiser
Exploration Travel Writing and Review at Casa Bonita
2018
Written Gifts and Fundraiser
Apply to the Denver School of the Arts
NaNoWriMo – National Novel Writing Month
10th Annual Scary Stories at Theatre 29!
In-Bodied Writing with Stina French
2018 Summer Camp Book Release Party & Open Mic
COMIC BOOK CREATION, A SPECIAL DENVER WRITES WORKSHOP IN FOUR PARTS
SONGWRITING WITH BRADLEY WEAVER
BIKE POETRY WITH BIKE DENVER AT COLUMBINE ELEMENTARY
TRAVEL WRITING
SCREENWRITING
9th ANNUAL VALENTINE’S POETRY AND FUNDRAISER
2017
WRITTEN GIFTS AND WRITTEN GIFTS FUNDRAISER
ADDMISSION TO DENVER SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
NANOWRIMO – NATIONAL NOVEL WRITING MONTH WITH LAUREN HALLSTROM
9th ANNUAL SCARY STORIES AT THE DENVER MUSUEM OF MINIATURES, DOLLS, AND TOYS
ILLUSTRATE YOUR STORY WITH JAM PUBLISHERS
CREATING NEW WORLDS
SPOKEN WORD POETRY
JOURNALISM
CREATIVE NON-FICTION
CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE
ILLUSTRATIONS FOR STORIES
8TH ANNUAL VALENTINE’S POETRY WORKSHOP AND FUNDRAISER
2016
WRITING FOR ADMISSION
SCARY STORIES
CREATING COLORFUL CHARACTERS
ILLUSTRATE YOUR STORY!
REVIEW IT! THE ART OF WRITING BOOK REVIEWS @BOOKBAR
EVERYDAY MAGIC
OUR 7TH ANNUAL POETRY FOR VALENTINE’S DAY WORKSHOP AND FUNDRAISER
THE ART OF FLASH FICTION
SONGWRITING
2015
WRITTEN GIFTS
SONGWRITING with Snake Rattle Rattle Snake
DENVER WRITES UNPLUGGED: MUSIC, INTERVIEWS AND REVIEWS
CAMPFIRE STORIES
SLAM POETRY with JOVAN MAYS
10-MINUTE PLAY IN TWO PARTS