Free Events for Writers!

The Writer’s Center offers dozens of free events every year. We invite writers to have fun, explore the craft of writing, and connect with the literary community. Join us in-person and online.

The Writer’s Center 4508 Walsh Street
Bethesda, MD 20815 United States

The Writer’s Center welcomes award-winning poet Chet’la Sebree for a reading and discussion of her new collection, Blue Opening. Chet'la is in conversation with Lillian-Yvonne Bertram. FREE & open to […]

The Writer’s Center 4508 Walsh Street
Bethesda, MD 20815 United States

The Writer’s Center welcomes novelist Terri Lewis for a reading from her debut novel, Behold the Bird in Flight. Terri is joined by writer and former Writer Center instructor, Barbara […]

October 2 @ 7:00 PM EDT - 8:00 PM EDT

The Writer’s Center presents a FREE virtual chat about the craft of fiction! We’re joined by author Jennifer Givhan for a discussion of her new novel, Salt Bones. Jennifer is […]

October 4 @ 1:00 PM EDT - 5:00 PM EDT
The Writer’s Center 4508 Walsh Street
Bethesda, MD 20815 United States

The Writer’s Center presents a FREE symposium addressing the subject of disability in literature and popular culture, offering free creative writing workshops and a panel discussion. Featured writers include Ava […]

The Writer’s Center presents a FREE virtual book launch! We’re joined by writer Anbara Salam to discuss her gothic thriller, The Salvage. Anbara is in conversation with best selling novelist […]

October 8 @ 7:00 PM EDT - 9:00 PM EDT
The Writer’s Center 4508 Walsh Street
Bethesda, MD 20815 United States

Prose, poetry, and spoken word Open Mic @ The Writer’s Center! All writers are welcome to come and share 4-5 minutes of their latest work. Sign-up starts at 6:45pm, and […]

October 9 @ 5:30 PM EDT - 7:00 PM EDT
The Writer’s Center 4508 Walsh Street
Bethesda, MD 20815 United States

Women writers of DC! Join us for an informal gathering at The Writer’s Center! It’ll be a chance to talk shop, network, and hang out with other writers. Please bring […]

October 9 @ 7:00 PM EDT - 8:00 PM EDT

The Writer’s Center presents a FREE virtual chat about the craft of writing! We’re joined by fiction writer Hannah Grieco and poet Alina Stefanescu for a cross-genre discussion about their […]

The Writer’s Center 4508 Walsh Street
Bethesda, MD 20815 United States

The Writer’s Center welcomes poet Geraldine Connolly and poet Nancy Naomi Carlson for a reading from their new collections, Instructions at Sunset and translation of French Djiboutian poet, novelist, and essayist […]

October 12 @ 4:00 PM EDT - 6:00 PM EDT
The Writer’s Center 4508 Walsh Street
Bethesda, MD 20815 United States

Looking for a writing group? We want to help you meet other interested writers! The Writer's Center and The Inner Loop invite you to Search Party, a social event connecting […]

October 16 @ 7:00 PM EDT - 8:00 PM EDT

Poet Lore and The Writer’s Center present a FREE virtual chat about the craft of poetry! We’re joined by Mary Ardery to discuss her debut collection, Level Watch. Mary is in conversation […]

The Writer’s Center 4508 Walsh Street
Bethesda, MD 20815 United States

The Writer’s Center welcomes poet Shaheen Dil for a reading of her new collection, Letters to My Younger Self. Shaheen is joined by poets Grace Cavalieri, Holly Karapetkova, and Lyubomir […]

October 17 @ 7:00 PM EDT - 8:00 PM EDT
The Writer’s Center 4508 Walsh Street
Bethesda, MD 20815 United States

A Free Fitzgerald Festival Event Co-sponsored with The Writer’s Center The F. Scott Fitzgerald Festival and The Writer’s Center present a reading in tribute to Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award-winning […]

The Writer’s Center presents a FREE virtual book launch! We’re joined by writer Maddie Ballard to discuss her debut memoir, Patchwork: A Sewist's Diary. Maddie is in conversation with Betsy […]

October 22 @ 7:00 PM EDT - 9:00 PM EDT
The Writer’s Center 4508 Walsh Street
Bethesda, MD 20815 United States

Prose, poetry, and spoken word Open Mic @ The Writer’s Center! All writers are welcome to come and share 4-5 minutes of their latest work. Sign-up starts at 6:45pm, and […]

The Writer’s Center presents a FREE virtual chat about the craft of horror! We’re joined by Tracy Cross to discuss her new novel, A Gathering of Weapons. Tracy is in […]

October 29 @ 7:00 PM EDT - 9:00 PM EDT
The Writer’s Center 4508 Walsh Street
Bethesda, MD 20815 United States

Prose, poetry, and spoken word Open Mic @ The Writer’s Center! All writers are welcome to come and share 4-5 minutes of their latest work. Sign-up starts at 6:45pm, and […]

Just in time for Halloween, the Writer’s Center presents a FREE virtual chat about the craft of writing gothic and horror-adjacent fiction! Gothic fiction frequently blends realism with the otherworldly […]

November 5 @ 7:00 PM EST - 8:00 PM EST
The Writer’s Center 4508 Walsh Street
Bethesda, MD 20815 United States

The Writer’s Center welcomes writer and long time instructor, GG Renee Hill for a reading from her new publication, Story Work: Field Notes on Self-Discovery and Reclaiming Your Narrative. FREE […]

November 6 @ 7:00 PM EST - 8:00 PM EST

The Writer’s Center presents a FREE virtual chat about the craft of writing! We’re joined by author Sara Kehaulani Goo for a discussion of her new memoir, Kuleana. Sara is […]

The Writer’s Center 4508 Walsh Street
Bethesda, MD 20815 United States

The Writer’s Center welcomes author Robert W. Fieseler for a reading from his new publication, American Scare, Florida's Hidden Cold War on Black and Queer Lives. Robert is joined by […]

The Writer’s Center 4508 Walsh Street
Bethesda, MD 20815 United States

The Writer’s Center welcomes poet jason b. crawford for a reading from their new, award winning collection, YEET! jason is joined by poet Abi Pollokoff reading from her debut collection […]

November 12 @ 7:00 PM EST - 9:00 PM EST
The Writer’s Center 4508 Walsh Street
Bethesda, MD 20815 United States

Prose, poetry, and spoken word Open Mic @ The Writer’s Center! All writers are welcome to come and share 4-5 minutes of their latest work. Sign-up starts at 6:45pm, and […]

November 18 @ 5:30 PM EST - 7:30 PM EST
The Writer’s Center 4508 Walsh Street
Bethesda, MD 20815 United States

Are you a writer who identifies as LGBTQ+? Let’s hang out and talk writing! Come join us for an informal gathering at The Writer’s Center. Please bring a drink or […]

November 18 @ 7:00 PM EST - 8:00 PM EST

The Writer’s Center presents a FREE virtual chat about the craft of fiction! We’re joined by author James R. Gapinski for a discussion of their award-winning debut story collection, The […]

November 20 @ 7:00 PM EST - 8:00 PM EST

The Writer’s Center presents a FREE virtual chat about the craft of fiction! We’re joined by author Eman Quotah for a discussion of her new novel, The Night Is Not […]

December 3 @ 5:30 PM EST - 7:00 PM EST
The Writer’s Center 4508 Walsh Street
Bethesda, MD 20815 United States

Are you a writer who identifies as disabled? Join us for an informal gathering at The Writer’s Center to hang out and talk writing! Please bring a drink or an […]

December 4 @ 7:00 PM EST - 8:00 PM EST

The Writer’s Center presents a FREE virtual chat about the craft of nonfiction! We’re joined by author Steve Majors for a discussion of his new collection of essays, Man Made. […]

December 9 @ 7:00 PM EST - 8:30 PM EST
The Writer’s Center 4508 Walsh Street
Bethesda, MD 20815 United States

The Writer’s Center welcomes poet Lee Woodman for a reading from her new collection, Colorscapes. Lee is joined by Emily Holland, poet and editor of Poet Lore, America’s oldest poetry journal. […]

December 10 @ 7:00 PM EST - 8:00 PM EST

The Writer’s Center presents a FREE virtual chat about the craft of fiction! We’re joined by author Marisa Kashino for a discussion of her new novel, Best Offer Wins. Marisa […]

December 10 @ 7:00 PM EST - 9:00 PM EST
The Writer’s Center 4508 Walsh Street
Bethesda, MD 20815 United States

Prose, poetry, and spoken word Open Mic @ The Writer’s Center! All writers are welcome to come and share 4-5 minutes of their latest work. Sign-up starts at 6:45pm, and […]

December 13 @ 2:00 PM EST - 3:30 PM EST
The Writer’s Center 4508 Walsh Street
Bethesda, MD 20815 United States

The Writer’s Center welcomes author Peter Mountford for a reading from his new collection, Detonator. Peter is joined by novelist Karin Tanabe. FREE & open to the public. RSVP below. […]

01.15.2026 @ 7:00 PM EST - 8:00 PM EST

Poet Lore and The Writer’s Center present a FREE virtual chat about the craft of poetry! We’re joined by Ally Ang to discuss their debut collection, Let the Moon Wobble. […]

The Writer’s Center 4508 Walsh Street
Bethesda, MD 20815 United States

The Writer’s Center welcomes novelist Nancy Garruba for a reading and discussion of her new debut novel, The Vanishing of Rose B. Nancy is in conversation with Katherine Gekker. FREE […]

01.22.2026 @ 7:00 PM EST - 8:00 PM EST

The Writer’s Center presents a FREE virtual chat about the craft of nonfiction! We’re joined by author Mai Serhan for a discussion of her new memoir, I Can Imagine It […]

01.29.2026 @ 7:00 PM EST - 8:00 PM EST

The Writer’s Center presents a FREE virtual chat about the craft of fiction! We’re joined by author Tayyba Kanwal for a discussion of her new story collection, Talking with Boys. […]

The Writer’s Center presents a FREE virtual chat about the craft of advocacy! We’re joined by former Puerto Rico Governor Pedro R. Pierluisi and author/attorney Mark A. Cymrot for a […]

02.12.2026 @ 7:00 PM EST - 8:00 PM EST

The Writer’s Center presents a FREE virtual chat about the craft of fiction! We’re joined by author Chelsea Sutton for a discussion of her debut novella, Krackle’s Last Movie. Chelsea […]

02.19.2026 @ 7:00 PM EST - 8:00 PM EST

The Writer’s Center presents a FREE virtual chat about the craft of fiction! We’re joined by author for a discussion of her new collection of stories, But Where's Home? Toni […]

The Writer’s Center 4508 Walsh Street
Bethesda, MD 20815 United States

The Writer’s Center welcomes novelist and former instructor Amin Ahmad for a frank discussion of writing with an eye on the market, writing in genre, how agents work and different […]