YOUNG AUTHORS ACADEMY
If you are in grades 6 through 12, and are interested in creative writing, the Young Authors Academy is the place for you. The YAA is the Writers Voice's teen writing program, and as a member, you'll work with the same terrific writers who teach in the regular Writers Voice workshops. We'll help you polish the fundamentals of writing poems and stories, and drive you to push your writing to the next level.
Tuition for YAA is free for students in the Syracuse City School District (as part of the Y-Arts Scholars program) and for YMCA of Central New York members. For complete details, call our Workshops Coordinator at (315) 474-6851 x380 or via e-mail dwcworkshops@ymcacny.org.
LEARN MORE: Download our WINTER 2025 PDF brochure and registration form here!
TESTIMONIALS FROM YAA MEMBERS
"Here, passion is celebrated, and discussion occurs freely. Command of the language is not only encouraged, but demanded. And we teen wordsmiths have at last found a home."
-- Christopher Costello, YAA student
"YAA gives me the opportunity to have friends who are interested in the same things that I am. And this is not to mention how much the classes have helped to improve my writing abilities. Recently, I entered a story that I'd written in class into an international short story contest, sponsored by the New York Times bestselling author John Green, and the story is now published in an anthology. I don't think I could have done that without the help and guidance I've received from YAA."
-- Anni Clark, YAA student
Visiting poet Ocean Vuong stands with a group of current and former Young Authors Academy students.
We were pleased to be featured by WCNY as part of The Great American Read series!
Young writers who show promise and aptitude find their voice at this workshop series led by a professional author and poet. The YMCA hosts ongoing sessions where high school-aged writers are treated as artists – and taught advanced writing, comprehension and analytical skills. The leader and guest authors provide insight and feedback on the writing projects that the young writers are drafting. All participants are encouraged to share their ideas, their perspectives, their struggles, and triumphs with their mentors and each other – all in an attempt to help foster the next generation of great authors.