Beginners, published authors, avid writers — you've found a wonderful way to

• Devote time to writing
• Find or reclaim your unique voice
• Experiment in a non-competitive setting
• Develop new or ongoing projects
• Receive constructive feedback
• Write fiction, poetry, non-fiction, memoir, essays, plays, screenplays

I look forward to writing with you.

Rachel Kobin

Sundays in downtown Philadelphia — 12:45 to 4:00 PM

Tuesdays in Ambler — 7:00 to 10 PM

Rachel@phillywriters.com or call 610-449-3773

Sit in on a workshop for FREE (by appointment). Find out more about the workshop,specific dates, and enrollment by clicking on the tabs below.

 

I was a member of The Greater Philadelphia Writers' Wordshop, led by Alison Hicks, for eight years. Alison trained me privately, and I had the opportunity to substitute for her on many occasions. She continues to act as a guide and mentor as I lead my own workshops.

After graduating from Barnard College, I worked in film and television. One of the highlights of my experiences was participating in the editing of the screenplay of Jonathan Demme's film, Philadelphia, before it went into production.

My screenwriting partner and I completed a screenplay and made the proverbial trip to Hollywood and back. I'm currently writing my second novel, and editing short pieces of fiction to submit for publication.

Over the course of my career I've produced nationally-broadcast television commercials for Advanta National Bank; written advertising copy for technology clients; conducted qualitative market research and provided strategic marketing consulting, mainly for pharmaceutical clients; and, worked as a marketing communications professional in the Sales and Training department of Centocor Ortho Biotech, Inc. Currently, I freelance as a writer and editor.

One of the privileges of leading the workshop is having the opportunity to read new work. I enjoy working with writers as an editor to help them make their manuscripts as strong as possible. Learn more

Facilitating others' creativity has always been one of my greatest strengths and joys.

Rachel

 

The Amherst Writers & Artists Methodology special in many ways

• Write during meetings
• Learn how to quiet your internal editor
• If you choose, read what you've written aloud
• Listeners express what left a strong impression
• No negative comments are made at this point
• Experiment without fear of ridicule

Critiques of manuscripts, polished outside of the workshop, occur on a scheduled basis.

Have more than 15 pages or can't make it to the workshop? Work with me privately.

• The leader facilitates a productive conversation and provides detailed, written input
• Workshop participants read manuscripts and provide oral and written comments

To ensure the quality of the workshop, each session is limited to 10 people.

 

Where: 22nd and Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA (Exact address provided once you have enrolled). 

The Downtown workshop meets on Sundays from 12:45 to 4 PM on the following dates:

Spring (8 weeks $336): March 10, 17, 24; April 7, 14, 21, 28; May 5.

Summer I (5 weeks $210): June 2, 9, 23, 30; July 7.

Summer II (4 weeks $168): July 14, 21, 28; August 4.

Fall 2013 dates TBA

How to Enroll:

1. Contact me Rachel@phillywriters.comto find out if there is room in the workshop session you are interested in (see below).
2. In your email, tell me you are inquiring about the Downtown Workshop.
3. Include your name, phone number, and your mailing address.
4. If there is room in the workshop, I will email you an invoice for the $50.00 non-refundable deposit.
5. The $50 non-refundable deposit guarantees you a seat and is deducted from the total cost of the session (see below).
6. If there are no seats availableI will let you know where you are on the waiting list.

• Enrollment is granted on a first-come-first-serve basis.
• Enrollment requires a commitment to the entire session.
• Writing samples are not required and will not be read.
• Enrollment is not complete until I inform you there is room in the workshop, I receive your full contact information, including your mailing address and telephone number, and the deposit.

 

 

Where: The Resiliency Center Ambler, PA (enrollment is required).

The Ambler workshop meets on Tuesdays from 7 PM to 10 PM on the following dates:

Winter Dates available to sit in by appointment: February 5, 12, 19, 26; March 5, 12.

Spring I (4 weeks $160): March 19; April 2, 9, 16.

Spring II (5 weeks $200): April 23, 30; May 7, 14, 21.

Summer I (5 weeks $200.00): June 4, 11, 18, 25; July 9.

Summer II (4 weeks $160.00): July 16, 23, 30, August 6.

How to Enroll:

1. Contact me at Rachel@phillywriters.comto find out if there is room in the workshop session you are interested in(see below).
2. In your email, tell me you are inquiring about the Ambler Workshop.
3. Include your name, phone number, and your mailing address.
4. If there is room in the workshop, I will email you an invoice for the $50.00 non-refundable deposit.
5. The $50 non-refundable deposit guarantees you a seat and is deducted from the total cost of the session (see below).
6. If there are no seats available I will let you know where you are on the waiting list.

• Enrollment is granted on a first-come-first-serve basis.
• Writing samples are not required and will not be read.
• Enrollment is not complete until I inform you there is room in the workshop, I receive your full contact information, including your mailing address and telephone number, and the deposit.

 

Insightful editing of short fiction, novels, memoirs, and essays

I provide the feedback you need in order to make your manuscript sing. I look for what's already strong, what must stay intact as you intended, in your own voice. I also point out what isn't working as well and offer techniques for improvement. As a writer I know how hard it can be to let someone else read the manuscript to which you've devoted so much time and energy. I don't sugar coat my input, but my goal is for you to feel inspired to keep going.

Call me to discuss your manuscript at 610-449-3773 before 8 PM.

I would be glad to answer any questions you may have, or to discuss whether this workshop would suit your needs. Please e-mail me at Rachel@phillywriters.com, or call me at 610-449-3773 before 8 PM

Please include the following information:

1. Your full name.
2. Your phone number, if you would prefer I call you.
3. What are you looking for in a writing workshop?

 

I follow the Amherst Writers & Artists practices as taught by my mentor, Alison Hicks. Click here to learn more about Alison Hicks and her workshops on the Main Line and downtown. Alison's workshop is fabulous and she generously supports many local writers, myself included.

From Amherst Writers & Artists

The AWA method has been used successfully with experienced writers as well as beginners, writers whose creative juices are flowing as well as those experiencing a block. It has been equally effective in helping those whose voices have traditionally been silenced by poverty, discrimination, illness, age or other obstacles to achieving the powerful combination of language and confidence needed to overcome social barriers. While the AWA method is not therapy, it has great healing potential for writers from all backgrounds. Writers who have used the AWA method have published major works and taken top prizes and awards in the U.S., Ireland, and over 500 have completed the AWA training program in workshop leadership.

 

Amherst Writers & Artists Workshops

Alison Hicks leads the Greater Philadelphia Writers' Wordshop Studio in Center City and Havertown, PA	www.philawordshop.com
Maria Casale leads the River Valley Writers, an evening workshop in Stockton, NJ	For more information please contact her at mcasale@att.net and write River Valley Writers in the subject Line.

 

Other Workshops

Janet Benton leads workshops in Mt. Airy, PA	www.thewordstudio.us
Musehouse is a new writers' center in Chestnut Hill, PAt, which offers workshops and readings.	www.musehousecenter.com
The journal Philadelphia Stories offers workshops.	www.philadelphiastories.org/workshops
Nine Mile Writers offers a daytime workshop in Ardmore, PA.	www.ninemilewriters.com

 

Books about writing

If you're in my workshop, you can borrow the books listed on Amazon from my library. Even if you're not, feel free to browse.

Amazon Bookstore

If you can buy only one book, I recommend Janet Burroway's Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft. It is used in many writing programs as a textbook, and therefore the most recent edition is very expensive. However, used copies of previous editions are just as valuable a resource.

Resources for submitting your writing for publication

These are good places to begin: newpages.com and duotrope.com