WORKSHOP POLICIES FAQs
Can I receive a refund for a workshop that I enrolled in?
Workshops that cost under $150 are nonrefundable. For workshops that cost over $150, students may receive a partial refund of 50% off the price paid if they notify us at least fourteen days prior to their workshop’s start date. If a discount or scholarship was applied to the original purchase, students will receive a refund of 50% off the amount actually paid to Writespace, not the overall cost of the workshop itself.
Workshops that cost under $150 are nonrefundable. For workshops that cost over $150, students may receive a partial refund of 50% off the price paid if they notify us at least fourteen days prior to their workshop’s start date. If a discount or scholarship was applied to the original purchase, students will receive a refund of 50% off the amount actually paid to Writespace, not the overall cost of the workshop itself.
How late can I register?
Please register as early as possible, because healthy registration numbers early-on bring us peace of mind. And always do plan to register at least 24 hours in advance of our workshops' start times. Registration closes 24 hours in advance to give us the time we need to send out emails to registered participants and make copies.
Please register as early as possible, because healthy registration numbers early-on bring us peace of mind. And always do plan to register at least 24 hours in advance of our workshops' start times. Registration closes 24 hours in advance to give us the time we need to send out emails to registered participants and make copies.
What happens once I register?
When you register, you will immediately receive confirmation via email. Twenty-four hours before your workshop begins, you will receive a welcome email from Eventbrite with information about workshop. Occasionally an instructor will send out preliminary materials, but this is not the case for every workshop. If you have any specific questions about your workshop, please email them to us and we will be happy to forward them to your instructor.
When you register, you will immediately receive confirmation via email. Twenty-four hours before your workshop begins, you will receive a welcome email from Eventbrite with information about workshop. Occasionally an instructor will send out preliminary materials, but this is not the case for every workshop. If you have any specific questions about your workshop, please email them to us and we will be happy to forward them to your instructor.
I entered a discount code for a workshop and the discount did not apply. What went wrong?
The service we use for ticketing, Eventbrite, asks for the discount code at at the start of the check-out process, rather than at the end. When you click on the "Get Tickets" button, a message box entitled "Select Tickets" will appear. In the upper righthand corner of the message box is the phrase "Enter Promotional Code." Please click on this link in order to enter your code. Once the code has been applied, you will see the discount reflected in the list of ticket options. From there, you can select your tickets and check out. Please see the Eventbrite Help Page for more information.
The service we use for ticketing, Eventbrite, asks for the discount code at at the start of the check-out process, rather than at the end. When you click on the "Get Tickets" button, a message box entitled "Select Tickets" will appear. In the upper righthand corner of the message box is the phrase "Enter Promotional Code." Please click on this link in order to enter your code. Once the code has been applied, you will see the discount reflected in the list of ticket options. From there, you can select your tickets and check out. Please see the Eventbrite Help Page for more information.
Do Writespace's workshops ever get cancelled?
Unfortunately, we can't guarantee that every workshop we offer “makes.” If not enough writers register for a workshop to run smoothly, we will cancel it and fully refund all registered students. If we see a situation like this potentially occurring, we may send out an alert email to registered students to give them a chance to invite writing buddies or spread the word via Facebook and other social networks, but email alerts aren’t guaranteed.
Unfortunately, we can't guarantee that every workshop we offer “makes.” If not enough writers register for a workshop to run smoothly, we will cancel it and fully refund all registered students. If we see a situation like this potentially occurring, we may send out an alert email to registered students to give them a chance to invite writing buddies or spread the word via Facebook and other social networks, but email alerts aren’t guaranteed.
Can I transfer into another workshop if something comes up?
Writers who encounter scheduling conflicts with a workshop they are registered in and who contact us at least two weeks prior to their workshop's start-date can transfer into another workshop for a $15 transfer fee.
Writers who encounter scheduling conflicts with a workshop they are registered in and who contact us at least two weeks prior to their workshop's start-date can transfer into another workshop for a $15 transfer fee.
Can I pay for my workshop with a check?
Tickets for workshops must be purchased online via our website or Eventbrite as payments made via check may not be processed in time for you to attend the workshop.
Tickets for workshops must be purchased online via our website or Eventbrite as payments made via check may not be processed in time for you to attend the workshop.
What happens in a workshop?
For four, six, and ten-session workshops, expect to complete between two and four hours of reading and writing assignments per week. You will be asked to read and respond to other writers’ work, and fulfilling this portion of the workshop will teach you as much or more than writing. Please plan to complete as many of the assignments as possible, as you and your fellow writers will profit from your participation.
Workshop time will be devoted to craft lessons, writing exercises, and writing critique. In a ten-week workshop, you will have the opportunity to critique your work twice. In a four or a six-week workshop, you will have the opportunity to critique your work once. Each time you are critiqued, your instructor and your fellow writers will offer oral and/or written feedback.
For four, six, and ten-session workshops, expect to complete between two and four hours of reading and writing assignments per week. You will be asked to read and respond to other writers’ work, and fulfilling this portion of the workshop will teach you as much or more than writing. Please plan to complete as many of the assignments as possible, as you and your fellow writers will profit from your participation.
Workshop time will be devoted to craft lessons, writing exercises, and writing critique. In a ten-week workshop, you will have the opportunity to critique your work twice. In a four or a six-week workshop, you will have the opportunity to critique your work once. Each time you are critiqued, your instructor and your fellow writers will offer oral and/or written feedback.
Will my instructor read writing not assigned in workshop?
While workshop leaders will be happy to offer feedback on work either assigned or asked for in a workshop, it is against Writespace's policy for them to review writing unrelated to the workshop, as that feedback is extra work which falls outside the purview of their Writespace workshop instructor contract.
If you would like to hire an instructor to review your work for an additional fee, please email us, and we will reach out to the instructor to see if they are interested and available. You can also hire one of our mentors / editors, many of whom also teach workshops with us.
While workshop leaders will be happy to offer feedback on work either assigned or asked for in a workshop, it is against Writespace's policy for them to review writing unrelated to the workshop, as that feedback is extra work which falls outside the purview of their Writespace workshop instructor contract.
If you would like to hire an instructor to review your work for an additional fee, please email us, and we will reach out to the instructor to see if they are interested and available. You can also hire one of our mentors / editors, many of whom also teach workshops with us.
What if I'm not happy with the workshop I'm taking?
If you encounter a frustrating situation in workshop, please bring it to the attention of the instructor before, after, or between sessions. If you speak with the instructor and he or she doesn't remedy the situation, please contact Jamie Danielle Portwood, the programming director of Writespace, and she will speak with the instructor to achieve a workable solution.
If you encounter a frustrating situation in workshop, please bring it to the attention of the instructor before, after, or between sessions. If you speak with the instructor and he or she doesn't remedy the situation, please contact Jamie Danielle Portwood, the programming director of Writespace, and she will speak with the instructor to achieve a workable solution.
My teenager is interested in writing. Can they take a workshop?
Mature sixteen and seventeen-year-old writers interested in registering for a Writespace workshop may do so after submitting the following materials: a five page writing sample, permission in writing from a parent, and a statement of interest from the teen (email is fine for all). We also offer writing coaching for young writers through our editing consultation program.
Mature sixteen and seventeen-year-old writers interested in registering for a Writespace workshop may do so after submitting the following materials: a five page writing sample, permission in writing from a parent, and a statement of interest from the teen (email is fine for all). We also offer writing coaching for young writers through our editing consultation program.
Can I receive a refund for my membership?
Memberships are non-refundable. If a membership was purchased in error, 50% of purchase price can be refunded if purchaser alerts Writespace via email within two days of purchase and snailmails a letter stating reasons for refund request to 2000A Edwards #208, Houston, TX, 77007.
Memberships are non-refundable. If a membership was purchased in error, 50% of purchase price can be refunded if purchaser alerts Writespace via email within two days of purchase and snailmails a letter stating reasons for refund request to 2000A Edwards #208, Houston, TX, 77007.
ONLINE WORKSHOP FAQs
Why should I take a Writespace online writing workshop?
You should take a Writespace online workshop for the same reasons you would take a workshop held in-person at Writespace studio: because you love to write, because you want to see if writing could be a career or a hobby you can explore with greater depth of commitment, and because you want to meet other members of the writing tribe who share your passion. Alongside these reasons, we recommend you take an online workshop if you work full time, have small children, travel frequently, or have other factors in place that keep you from having a lot of freedom in your schedule. We also recommend you take an online workshop if you deal with medical issues, extreme shyness, or if you just don’t like to drive and would prefer to attend workshop from the comfort of your home. Lastly, online writing workshops are the perfect choice for you if you live so far from Writespace, located near downtown Houston, that traveling to the studio for an in-person workshop would be either impractical or impossible.
What are Writespace online workshops like?
The exact design of our online workshops will vary based on the instructor and topic, but you can expect to receive excellent instruction, advice, and encouragement, as you do with the live workshops Writespace hosts in Writespace studio. Each workshop will include readings of outstanding passages from published works, craft lessons, writing exercises or writing prompts, and, when appropriate, feedback on participants’ work. You will have direct interaction with the instructor via written comments, video calls, or even possibly, for those who live in or close to Houston, face-to-face meetings. Also, you will get to interact with your fellow writers and find out what currently excites them about their work, as well as what challenges them. If you have a specific question about your workshop, you are welcome to email us and we will forward your question along to your instructor.
What if I don’t get along with technology (or what if it doesn’t get along with me)?
Don’t worry. Most writers are technophobes, so we planned for this. In order to make things easy for you, we’ve chosen an easy-to-use classroom format and will provide foolproof instructions so that you can get accustomed to the online classroom quickly and just do what you are there to do: write. Also, your instructor will assist you and serve as tech help in the first few days of the workshop. If there are lingering questions after this, Writespace staff is here to assist you. You would do yourself a disservice to let your fear or frustration with “tech” get in the way of your writing career, so don’t let them stop you. You’ve got this. Plus, we’re here to help.
Do I absolutely have to be available during the days and times listed in the workshop description?
No, you absolutely don’t, actually. We include days and times in order to give you a general sense of how much time you’ll need to be online each week—typically, three hours. But even if the course says Sunday 3-6 p.m., you can spend an hour on Monday, a half hour on Tuesday, an hour and half on Saturday, and no time on Sunday. Typically, Sunday will be when your assignments are due, but you won’t have to be online during those three hours of class. From time-to-time, an instructor may request a phone call or a Skype appointment with participants, but there will always be flexibility here: you and your instructor will work out the time based on your availability.
What kind of technology do I need to have in order to take a Writespace online workshop?
You will only need what pretty much everyone already has: A computer or device that lets you be online and upload documents (as all laptops, desktops, and Ipads let you do). Along with this, you will need a Google email account. Most people have one, but if you don’t, that’s fine. It takes just ten seconds to get one, and they’re free! Sign up for a Google account here. Once you have one, you can log in to the online classroom. If you want to receive emails about the workshop in your regular email inbox, you can set up mail forwarding, or you can skip forwarding and just log in at the times convenient for you to “attend” workshop.
Why take a Writespace workshop when I can take one somewhere else, like that place in New York I see ads for?
You should sign up for a Writespace online workshop because by doing so, you’re supporting a small, new, local nonprofit literary arts center that’s doing a lot of good for the writers who live in and near Houston. Though people from all over the country take Writespace’s online workshops, many attending writers will be joining us from Houston. If you’re in Houston, too, you will have the added bonus of getting to e-meet local writers who you can invite to meet up with for coffee later.
What does the online workshop classroom look like?
It looks like this:
You should take a Writespace online workshop for the same reasons you would take a workshop held in-person at Writespace studio: because you love to write, because you want to see if writing could be a career or a hobby you can explore with greater depth of commitment, and because you want to meet other members of the writing tribe who share your passion. Alongside these reasons, we recommend you take an online workshop if you work full time, have small children, travel frequently, or have other factors in place that keep you from having a lot of freedom in your schedule. We also recommend you take an online workshop if you deal with medical issues, extreme shyness, or if you just don’t like to drive and would prefer to attend workshop from the comfort of your home. Lastly, online writing workshops are the perfect choice for you if you live so far from Writespace, located near downtown Houston, that traveling to the studio for an in-person workshop would be either impractical or impossible.
What are Writespace online workshops like?
The exact design of our online workshops will vary based on the instructor and topic, but you can expect to receive excellent instruction, advice, and encouragement, as you do with the live workshops Writespace hosts in Writespace studio. Each workshop will include readings of outstanding passages from published works, craft lessons, writing exercises or writing prompts, and, when appropriate, feedback on participants’ work. You will have direct interaction with the instructor via written comments, video calls, or even possibly, for those who live in or close to Houston, face-to-face meetings. Also, you will get to interact with your fellow writers and find out what currently excites them about their work, as well as what challenges them. If you have a specific question about your workshop, you are welcome to email us and we will forward your question along to your instructor.
What if I don’t get along with technology (or what if it doesn’t get along with me)?
Don’t worry. Most writers are technophobes, so we planned for this. In order to make things easy for you, we’ve chosen an easy-to-use classroom format and will provide foolproof instructions so that you can get accustomed to the online classroom quickly and just do what you are there to do: write. Also, your instructor will assist you and serve as tech help in the first few days of the workshop. If there are lingering questions after this, Writespace staff is here to assist you. You would do yourself a disservice to let your fear or frustration with “tech” get in the way of your writing career, so don’t let them stop you. You’ve got this. Plus, we’re here to help.
Do I absolutely have to be available during the days and times listed in the workshop description?
No, you absolutely don’t, actually. We include days and times in order to give you a general sense of how much time you’ll need to be online each week—typically, three hours. But even if the course says Sunday 3-6 p.m., you can spend an hour on Monday, a half hour on Tuesday, an hour and half on Saturday, and no time on Sunday. Typically, Sunday will be when your assignments are due, but you won’t have to be online during those three hours of class. From time-to-time, an instructor may request a phone call or a Skype appointment with participants, but there will always be flexibility here: you and your instructor will work out the time based on your availability.
What kind of technology do I need to have in order to take a Writespace online workshop?
You will only need what pretty much everyone already has: A computer or device that lets you be online and upload documents (as all laptops, desktops, and Ipads let you do). Along with this, you will need a Google email account. Most people have one, but if you don’t, that’s fine. It takes just ten seconds to get one, and they’re free! Sign up for a Google account here. Once you have one, you can log in to the online classroom. If you want to receive emails about the workshop in your regular email inbox, you can set up mail forwarding, or you can skip forwarding and just log in at the times convenient for you to “attend” workshop.
Why take a Writespace workshop when I can take one somewhere else, like that place in New York I see ads for?
You should sign up for a Writespace online workshop because by doing so, you’re supporting a small, new, local nonprofit literary arts center that’s doing a lot of good for the writers who live in and near Houston. Though people from all over the country take Writespace’s online workshops, many attending writers will be joining us from Houston. If you’re in Houston, too, you will have the added bonus of getting to e-meet local writers who you can invite to meet up with for coffee later.
What does the online workshop classroom look like?
It looks like this:
Above is a screenshot of a Writespace online classroom. Your “stream” at the top consists of a series of posts created by your instructor. Some posts will simply be announcements, providing information about the class. Others may request a response from you, either as a typed comment or a file upload—for instance, “Please turn in one page of writing” ( uploading is super-easy, it requires only two clicks). The items in the list on the left-hand side of the page—“Your work,” “Class Drive folder,” “Classroom calendar”—are somewhat self-explanatory. But if they don’t seem that way to you, don’t worry, we will be sharing ample instructions when you register. Remember, your instructor and Writespace staff will be here to assist until you’re comfortable and acclimated.