All Ways Writing Collective

Write Nights – First Tuesday of Every Month (unfacilitated)

Know what you want to write but need designated time and space? The first Tuesday of every month, 7-9pm at Prohibition River’s Rose Hall (upstairs), we offer unfacilitated writing time in community. Come grab a drink and/or bite to eat from Prohibition River and sit in the quiet, beautiful space that is Rose Hall, where there is ample table space and ambience for your writing endeavors. This program is free, but you can register here.

Writing Circles – every Thursday night (facilitated)

The All Ways Writing Circle offers time, space, community, and inspiration to get some writing done. This is for anyone who wants to write—in any genre—and would benefit from dedicated time. Facilitated by Lily Greenberg, Kelly Jo Lillian, and Kirsten Meehan (among other guest facilitators), participants will be offered a prompt, approximately 45 minutes to write, then a chance to share their work in a warm and supportive group setting. No experience needed, all genres welcome. Snacks and drinks will be provided. Admission is $12.

Participants are encouraged to register on Eventbrite. Walk-ins are also welcome, and can pay at the door by cash, check, or Venmo.

Our venue is Creative Arts Workshop, 171 Main Street Nyack, NY.

Meet Your Facilitators

LILY GREENBERG is a poet from Nashville, Tennessee and the author of In the Shape of a Woman (Broadstone Books 2022). She holds an MFA from the University of New Hampshire and lives in Nyack, New York. She facilitates every 1st, 3rd, and 5th Thursday.

KELLY JO LILLIAN is a Nyack-based poet and creative coach who guides people into creative liberation through embodied healing. She’s writing The Starborn, a poetic memoir on trauma, creativity, and rebirth. She facilitates every 4th Thursday.

KIRSTEN MEEHAN is a poet from Rockland County. She received both an MA in English and MFA in Creative Writing from Arcadia University. Her Masters work focused on a dual application of queer theory and human geography, attempting to articulate a queered sensibility of place.  She facilitates every 2nd Thursday.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where and when are the writing circles? Writing circles take place Thursday nights from 7 to 9pm at Creative Arts Workshop, located at 171 Main Street Nyack, NY.
2. What happens at a writing circle? Writing circles begin with a prompt, which varies week-to-week and is optional. After the prompt is given, participants have about 45 minutes to work in whatever genre they please. Following this, everyone regroups and there is an optional invitation to share.
3. Is each writing circle stand alone, or do they build off one another programmatically? Each writing circle is unique and standalone, so you do not need to come to multiple in a row in order to participate. However, the benefit to coming to multiple is that you can get to know other writers in the community.
4. What should I bring? Please bring whatever you like to write with. Most people bring a notebook/pen and/or laptop.
5. What is the venue like? Creative Arts Workshop has tables and chairs for ~25 people. There is also an adjoining space with pillows if you prefer to write horizontally. Wine, seltzer water, tea, and snacks are available free of charge.
6. Where can I park? While Creative Arts Workshop does not have a designated lot, there is ample street parking available.
7. Do I need to register? Registrations are helpful for planning purposes, so we encourage and appreciate registrations. However, walk-ins will be accommodated and can pay by cash, check, or Venmo.
8. What if I can’t afford to come but want to come? We have a pay-it-forward program in which folks who are registered and need to cancel can donate their admission to someone for free. If you would like to be notified when free admissions are available, please let Lily know on the Contact Form. Participants are limited to 1 free admission per month.
9. Can I pay cash at the door if I have not registered? Yes, you can pay at the door by cash, check, or Venmo.
10. Can I get a refund if I have to cancel? If you need to cancel, Lily will reach out to you to ask if you would like to donate your admission to someone for free. This is what we’d prefer, as it helps us maintain accessibility. However, if you do not wish to pay it forward, refunds will be considered on a case-to-case basis. The $2 Eventbrite fee is nonrefundable.
11. What if I have never written before? The writing circle is open to all levels. First time writers are absolutely encouraged to come check it out! Think of this as a “play time” for writing–you can try out the prompt, experiment, or migrate to something else you’d like to explore. A lot of writing involves entertaining yourself by following your intuitions, and writing circles offer a community infrastructure to do just that. Most importantly, don’t be too concerned with what you produce in the circle. There will be pieces you love and pieces you don’t care for, but it’s all part of the weird, winding process of art-making. Just show up and see what happens!
12. What if I’m working on a book? You are in good company! Anyone is welcome to spend their writing circle time on a long-term project. If the prompt can be useful to you, that’s great, but the most important thing is that you are using the time to write.
13. Do I have to follow the prompt? No. The prompt is optional. You are also welcome to follow a portion of the prompt and take it in any direction of interest. The benefit of using the prompt is that it will likely get you to write something you would not have written otherwise, which is usually interesting. However, no one will grade you based on how well or not well you followed the prompt; only use it as it benefits you.
14. Do I have to share? No. The sharing is optional. The benefit to sharing is that you are in a room of people who also just wrote something very fresh and likely messy following (for the most part) the same prompt. It’s a wonderful way to connect with other writers. However, if you would rather not share, you may simply say “pass” when your turn comes and no one will think anything of it.
15. Can I bring my pet? Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate pets at this time.
16. Are there opportunities to be involved as a facilitator? Yes! We currently have a rotation of facilitators, but are always open to more. If you would like to be considered as a facilitator, please contact Lily on the Contact Form with information about your interest and she will get back to you.