Free Gaithersburg Book Festival Workshops Empower Writers at Every Stage of their Journey
Gaithersburg, Md. – April 16, 2025 – With a diverse array of free workshops being presented Saturday, May 17, the Gaithersburg Book Festival is hoping to inspire and empower writers at all stages of their journey. From finding healing through writing, playwriting techniques, memoir writing and mapping stories to crafting a standout nonfiction book proposal, finding the right editor and exploring publishing options, every writer will have the opportunity to gain new knowledge that leaves them confident in their next steps.
The 55-minute workshops, which are designed for ages 16+, will be held during the Festival in the Adult and Teen Workshops Tent. No pre-registration is required.
Finding Healing Through Writing – 10:00 a.m.
In this workshop, Diane C Pomerantz, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist published in numerous literary magazines, will explore how sharing our stories gives sense and meaning to our lives. Whether we are seeking meaning after the death of a loved one, the end of a marriage, or following physical illness or abuse, writing can help in processing these experiences. By embracing our stories and sharing them with others, we gain a deeper understanding of our experiences and ourselves, which allows us to reframe our life narratives and opens the door to writing new chapters in our lives.
The Polished Proposal: Crafting a Nonfiction Book Proposal That Gets Attention – 11:00 a.m.
Nonfiction authors seeking to get a book contract need to distinguish themselves from among a crowd of writers. Dr. Sherri M. Williams, a journalism and media studies professor who teaches at American University, will help you focus your pitch on what makes your book distinct. Sharpen your book proposal from a synopsis of the book down to the chapter descriptions. Dr. Williams will also share tips that she used to obtain two book contracts. Leave with a plan to start and finish a polished book proposal.
Mapping Stories for Structure and Revision – Noon
In this workshop, Melissa Scholes Young – literature professor at American University and the author of the award-winning novels, “Flood” and “The Hive” – will show you how to consider craft approaches to structure in stories and the role of revision. From beat sheets to heroine journey models to world building, you will learn how to create your own maps for the stories you want to tell.
Find the Right Editor for You – 1:00 p.m.
With so many people calling themselves editors, how do you know when you have found the right one for you and your project? In this presentation, editor and author Katherine Pickett walks you through the five steps you need to take to make sure you are working with someone you can trust. The workshop will delve into sample edits and examine real editors’ websites to understand what to look for and what to avoid. Leave feeling confident you can find a high-quality editor who will make your work shine.
Playwriting By Any Means Necessary – 2:00 p.m.
Learn seven proven approaches for writing a dynamic play script – whether you want to write plays that are realistic, non-realistic, comedic, fantastical, based on a true story or whatever – from Robert St. John, author of “Pulling a Playwright Out of a Hat.” And if you’re a writing teacher, the workshop will also cover surefire methods for teaching your students how to write plays that win awards and attract scholarship offers.
Start in the Middle: Writing Memoir Now – 3:00 p.m.
Great memoirs center not just on what happened, but how the events being shared changed the narrator’s point of view in essential ways. You don’t have to start at the beginning to do that. In fact, sometimes it’s helpful not to. In this generative workshop, author Seema Reza will guide you through several writing prompts that help mine your current experiences – often the freshest – to discover connections to past stories you’re trying to tell. Whether you’re writing a memoir, considering it or new to the genre, this workshop is for you.
The Write Path: Understanding Your Publishing Options – 4:00 p.m.
Explore different publishing paths available today: traditional, hybrid and self-publishing. Emily Barrosse, founder and CEO of Bold Story Press, will share the key differences between these options and how to choose the one that is best for you as an author. If your manuscript is nearing completion, this session will provide you with the knowledge you need to make an informed decision about your publishing plan.
For the workshop schedule and more information about instructors, visit the Adult & Teen Workshops page of the Festival website. There also will be children’s workshops geared to young writers and families.
About the Gaithersburg Book Festival
The Gaithersburg Book Festival is an annual all-day celebration of books, writers and literary excellence, which is celebrating 16 years in 2025. One of the premier literary events in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, the 2025 Festival is scheduled for Saturday, May 17, at Bohrer Park at Summit Hall Farm (506 S. Frederick Ave.) in Gaithersburg, Md. Activities will include author appearances, discussions and book signings; writing workshops; a Children’s Village; onsite sales of new and used books; literary exhibitors; and food, drink, ice cream and more. Admission and shuttles from Shady Grove Metro and Montgomery County Fairgrounds are FREE. The Gaithersburg Book Festival also hosts author events in Montgomery County throughout the year as a way to encourage continued appreciation for all things literary. For more information please visit www.gaithersburgbookfestival.org, follow us on X @GburgBookFest or like us on Facebook.
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