Downtown Writers Center

The YMCA's Downtown Writers Center is the CNY region's only community center for the literary arts, and hosts a wide variety of programs and events for wordsmiths and bookworms; creative writing workshops, readings by established and emerging poets and writers, and much more.

 

Learn more about DWC Membership

Get in touch with us!

340 Montgomery Street
Syracuse, NY 13202

 

For Workshops and Young Authors Academy:

Georgia Popoff
Workshops Coordinator
(315) 474.6851, ext. 380

 

For other DWC programs and activities:

Phil Memmer
Executive Director
(315) 474.6851, ext.328

Creative Writing Workshops

Each year, we offer over 70 workshops and courses for writers of all experience levels: poetry, fiction, non-fiction, drama, screenwriting, songwriting, and more.

Visiting Author Readings

Each year, the Downtown Writers Center hosts more than 20 authors for free readings at the Downtown YMCA or live on Zoom.

Young Authors Academy

The Young Authors Academy (YAA) is the Downtown Writers Center's teen writing program, and as a member, you'll work with the same terrific writers who teach in the regular DWC workshops.

DWC Pro

DWC PRO is a two-year intensive program for creative writers who are serious about honing their craft and growing their careers.

Stone Canoe

The YMCA's Downtown Writers Center publishes the award-winning literary journal Stone Canoe. For over 12 years, Stone Canoe has focused on making the work of Upstate NY writers and artists available to a national audience.

YMCA CNY Book Awards

Each November, the YMCA's Downtown Writers Center recognizes the best books published by CNY authors through the YMCA CNY Book Awards. Awards are currently presented in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction.

 

New York State of Opportunity | Council on the Arts

Programs of the YMCA's Downtown Writers Center are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.  

 

This project was made possible with funds from the County of Onondaga through the Marketing for Economic Development Program administered by CNY Arts.

 

This program is made possible by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding from the City of Syracuse Arts & Culture Recovery Fund Program, a regrant program of the City of Syracuse administered by CNY Arts.