tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91266532033776081222011-11-16T14:53:48.761-05:00Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.comBlogger1851100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-38201659900968045472011-06-13T01:39:00.003-04:002011-06-13T01:44:31.160-04:00

CongratCongratulations Writopia playwrights and our fabulous playwrighting teacher, Dan Kitrosser! Writopia playwrights took home top prizes in each and every category of Stephen Sondheim’s NYC “Write a Play!” Contest this year! List of Writopia 2011 YP Winners: Elementary school division winners:Maya Horn Benjamin Firester Middle School division winners:Rachel Calnek-Sugin Finalist: Jennifer

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-36311504778997226612011-06-07T08:50:00.011-04:002011-06-13T01:50:18.693-04:00

Writopia writers, once again, won more regional keys and national medals in the Scholastic Writing Awards than any other group of kids in the entire nation! Congratulations to all who submitted to the 2011 Scholastic awards! (Photo below, right: Rebecca Shubert, 17, reading from her National-Winning work at our finale reading at the World Financial Center). We are happy for the following NYC

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-86231172232861089962011-04-22T00:40:00.001-04:002011-04-22T00:43:58.366-04:00

Help us celebrate a year of creativity and accomplishment by joining us on June 3rd. Our writers (ages 8-18)  will read excerpts from their polished pieces at the Courtyard Gallery at the World Financial Center! All are welcome, and we do not require that you RSVP. But RSVP's to Kathleen@WritopiaLab.org are appreciated, and preferred by May 31st. See you there!

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-61555299448946344472011-04-12T17:19:00.021-04:002011-04-13T11:10:06.866-04:00

As Writopia Lab continues to grow in Westchester, our partnerships with local libraries, schools, and bookshops remain crucial to how our writing community fits within the broader network of institutions that advance literacy. Because of this, I'm afforded frequent opportunity to interact with many like-minded kids, educators and authors. They, along with the many enthusiastic librarians

WritopiaLabWestchesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00702389529402347672noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-57279810332481774632011-03-30T15:50:00.001-04:002011-03-30T15:51:00.693-04:00

Yesterday, CBS's "Early Show" was looking for articulate teens to interview about bullying... and they called Writopia to find them! Writopia kids, apparently, have created a fabulous reputation for themselves! (See Writopia writer, Joe Polsky, age 13 [top row, 2nd to the left].) CBS says they'll call when in need of insights from youths. http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7361235n&tag=

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-56918738667470280522011-03-19T23:24:00.010-04:002011-03-19T23:51:27.984-04:00

CALLING ALL POETS (ages 8-18) in NYC! Come Write Poetry with Published Poets and/or Read Your Works at our Open Mic! Hello young writers, Writopia Lab is hosting an open mic for New York City's young poets (ages 8-18), along with a free poetry workshop at Charles P. Rogers, located at 55 West 17th Street (

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-45920921637991269942011-02-01T17:17:00.004-05:002011-11-16T14:52:34.369-05:00

We have three exciting events coming up in the next few months! First, come hear our young writers read excerpts from their original fiction and memoir on Tuesday, March 15, from 5pm-6:15pm at the St. Agnes Library at 444 Amsterdam Avenue (between 81st and 82nd Street).  All workshoppers who complete (or who have completed) an original piece of creative writing this winter during a holiday

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-16625473934244498982010-11-05T14:14:00.001-04:002010-11-05T14:14:44.020-04:00

FALL CELEBRATION AND READING On Wednesday, December 1st, 4:30pm-6:00pm, 20 Writopia writers will take the mic at Barnes & Noble at Lincoln Center. Come help us celebrate their accomplishments by attending this commemorative event! HOLIDAY FUNDRAISER On Monday, December 6th, 5pm-7:30pm, a community of Writopia supporters and families will gather to share tales of success, and a vision for the

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-79848709490157209832010-10-12T12:56:00.000-04:002010-10-12T12:56:09.049-04:00

Author (and Writopia mom!) Jane Kelley, who’s book Nature Girl was published by Random House in 2010, will bring workshop participants on a sensory-minded journey through Central Park this Sunday, October 17th, from 1:00 to 3:00. Inspired by nature itself, writers will head back to the lab to write and share. To register, or find out more about this exciting event, email Lena.  

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-1170428868156762182010-09-22T15:02:00.001-04:002010-09-22T15:03:03.057-04:00

Washington, D.C., April 14, 2010--Although reading and writing have become essential skills for almost every job, the majority of students do not read or write well enough to meet grade-level demands. A new report from Carnegie Corporation of New York and published by the Alliance for Excellent Education (the Alliance) finds that while the two skills are closely connected, writing is an

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-48342277627371139322010-09-13T12:35:00.002-04:002010-09-13T15:25:25.650-04:00

It's hard to believe that the school year has begun! We can hold on to a bit of summer, though, by attending Writopia's first summer celebration this week on Thursday, September 16th from 4:30 PM - 6 PM at Barnes & Noble at Lincoln Center. Summer writers will share three-minute excerpts from their completed pieces. Please join us! Then, on September 26th, Writopia is holding a free workshop in

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-70647487067341432952010-08-21T00:27:00.001-04:002010-08-21T00:29:15.378-04:00

What a great way to segue into the school year. Thank you Time Out Kids for listing Writopia in the feature article: "Best for Kids in the City" (and "coolest after-school programs" and "engaging extracurricular activities")! We are listed only online this month because they featured us in the previous print issue as well. Read more: http://newyorkkids.timeout.com/

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-74934634821894117752010-07-21T16:32:00.004-04:002010-07-21T16:40:16.770-04:00

Writopia Lab was just invited to join the YoungGenius Theater Festival (held Aug 11-14) at the Manhattan Theater Source! Our 8/2- 8/6 musical theater workshop participants will be performing original works at this event. There is still room in this workshop!

Kailinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-611123171530920872010-07-06T10:28:00.004-04:002011-11-16T14:53:48.812-05:00

In May, Writopia Lab's Best Playwrights' Festival was blurbed in the New York Times! This year's BPR was the first annual event in which one-act plays written by Writopia students, ranging in age from 6 to 19, were produced and performed by professionals. It was an exciting production featuring fantastic pieces. Thanks to everyone who participated and helped make it great!

Kailinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-14312635377284565172010-07-02T00:10:00.003-04:002010-07-02T00:35:34.848-04:00

When Lily Gellman (second to the right), 16, learned that we were going to produce our first Theater Festival for our young playwrights, she said, "I know it's only a month away, but I'd like to write something for it. I have an idea." She was so excited about it that Dan (teacher and director) and I said yes. After a few weeks of intensive writing, Lily and Dan conferenced and revised and

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-57686678260852644262010-06-24T12:13:00.005-04:002010-07-02T22:33:37.336-04:00

2010 Scholastic Writing AwardsFIRST: Over 80 works submitted by Writopia's middle and high school students received regional awards in the following cities: New York City; Washington, DC; and Los Angeles. THEN: 15 of those works were honored on the national level at Carnegie Hall last week. AND FINALLY: Two pieces were requested to be published in Scholastic

Kailinoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-19561663857756238282010-06-24T11:41:00.002-04:002010-06-24T11:58:57.231-04:00

Coming up soon is the Thomas Wolfe Fiction Contest!Students ages 8-18 are invited to submit short fiction stories for the chance to win a first place prize of $100, second place of $75, third prize of $50, or one of ten honorable mentions.Submissions should be no more than 15 pages, double spaced. Include your name, address, e-mail, birth date, and phone number on a cover sheet and enclose a

Kailinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-47713360851955547172010-05-20T13:53:00.002-04:002010-05-20T15:04:21.296-04:00

We were just notified that Writopia senior Sam Levine (left, reading an excerpt from another award-winning piece at the 2010 Scholastic awards) won second place, and a $5000 Scholarship, from Random House's 2010 Creative Writing Contest! Please help him celebrate by reading his transporting prose: M42 By Sam Levine, 17 “All great writers have first names that begin with the letter J,” I said,

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-9314017429648023222010-05-13T12:09:00.002-04:002010-05-13T12:34:18.890-04:00

Two different opportunities to submit your writing in contests are coming up this month.Go! magazine is hosting a contest for short fiction stories and nonfiction articles submitted by writers aged 13 through 18. Pieces submitted must focus on some aspect of transportation and prizes are offered for the best short story, the best nonfiction article, and the best entry by a student writer. The

Courtney Zoffnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04303157966437687340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-9228629580723555402010-05-06T22:48:00.002-04:002010-05-12T13:34:24.882-04:00

Dan Kitrosser, Writopia's fabulous festival director, threw a party for Writopia's young, award-winning playwrights and rising stars, and for the professional actors who will be performing their plays on May 24th and May 25th at the theater at St Paul and St Andrew's on 86th street and West End Avenue! Thank you, Dan! It was a blast. And here is the rest of it.

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-53908634643164989962010-04-28T13:30:00.004-04:002010-05-06T22:39:29.467-04:00

The rising stars of Writopia NYC (ages 8-12) read excerpts from their completed, fabulous prose at Book Culture book store on May 4th! And here is the rest of it.

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-6197810728794664762010-04-22T13:46:00.002-04:002010-04-22T13:49:15.055-04:00

Writopia writer Isabel Udo (left, answering a question about her writing process at the NYPL) won a 2010 National Gold Medal for her eerie and provoking short story: The Devil's Tide. Please help her celebrate by reading her prose: The Devil’s Tide By Isabel Udo, 14 Manhattan, New York: Saturday, April 19th, Sometime in the Future There was a little blonde boy jumping up and down in the

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-29306060504863226282010-04-19T22:18:00.006-04:002010-04-19T22:28:50.187-04:00

No, silly, not Maxanne...Writopia Lab!! I just turned to Rebecca and reminded her that today is as close as we will ever know to a three-year anniversary of the day she created Writopia Lab.Congratulations.You've made this a great place for kids, teachers, and the community. I can't wait to see this place in another three years.

Jeremy Wallace-Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18372906423499922346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-225914944136338782010-04-19T22:00:00.000-04:002010-04-19T22:00:36.241-04:00

Our Radiant Windows project is creating a buzz, says Time Out New York! And here is the rest of it.

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-24167830214400074062010-04-18T22:30:00.002-04:002010-04-18T22:32:19.635-04:00

Writopia writer Dalia Wolfson, 16, has enjoyed a spectacular 2010 so far! Six pieces of hers were honored by a variety of competitions and publications. Her short stories were recognized with four regional keys and two National Gold Medals from the Scholastic Awards. Dalia (left, reading her prose at a Writopia event at the NYPL) also won 1st place in Imagine's creative minds nonfiction contest,

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-5721525771383463092010-04-08T15:29:00.003-04:002010-04-08T23:49:05.120-04:00

The 2010 Radiant Windows Community Project has begun! Already, five pieces have been chosen -- and are on display -- in local stores and restaurants! Congratulations Danielle Haas Freeman (Uno's Chicago Grill), Dan Ross (Amsterdam Gallery), Lena Beckenstein (Europan Cafe), Peter Cohen (T & R Pizza), Rebecca Shubert (T & R Pizza) and Jenan Jacobson (Kosty Hardware) for being the first to be

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-16174920524327661312010-04-07T12:38:00.003-04:002010-04-07T15:09:35.740-04:00

Congratulations Lena Beckenstein, 16, (left, answering a question about her writing process at Barnes & Noble) for winning a 2010 National Gold Medal and The Scholastic Awards' Creativity and Citizenship Award for her script, "Threads," ( along with multiple regional keys for her short story, memoir, poetry, and script)! Her script is now being reviewed, and considered by the National

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-76600572086949862842010-04-02T23:09:00.001-04:002010-04-02T23:10:12.452-04:00

Kal (far left, eating homemade smashed potatoes), wrote his second award-winning piece of fiction this past summer at a five-day intensive workshop. Please help him him celebrate his 2010 Silver Key by reading his prose: Smashed Potatoes By Kal Victor, 16 I look up at the ornate table, the gleaming silver and crystal glaring harshly in my eyes. I raise my head to address the table; nine

Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07652271008550602299noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-79212759417618238842010-03-30T23:21:00.006-04:002010-04-02T23:11:02.714-04:00

Writopia writer Rebecca Shubert (above, reading her essay at Barnes & Noble in the fall) won two 2010 Regional Gold Keys for two stunning memoirs. Please help her celebrate by reading "Bakum": The Bakum BY Rebecca Shubert, 16 The Bakum Drafting Center, Israel. August 5th 2009, 9:15 am The air is stifling. It hurts to breathe. But that's nothing unusual in August, not on the outskirts of

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-74515793152947447432010-03-30T16:53:00.005-04:002010-03-31T02:29:11.333-04:00

What an amazing event! Over 500 kids from Scarsdale public schools spent last Saturday morning learning or writing with published authors. Writopia Westchester teachers ran four fabulous workshops (12 kids each) and were so impressed by the kids' enthusiasm, and the parent coordinator's commitment to creative arts.

Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07652271008550602299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-51076278830497865942010-03-23T22:47:00.004-04:002010-03-30T23:35:37.935-04:00

After months of honing his craft at summer and fall writing workshops, Riley Pearsall, 13, submitted his fiction to the 2010 Scholastic Writing Awards contest. His hard work paid off... Riley was notified today that his work was recognized with a National Gold Medal! This means that his work was considered to be in the top 1% of submissions this year. Please help him celebrate by reading his

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-57371069429954339882010-03-20T23:41:00.011-04:002010-03-31T00:08:28.898-04:00

Once again, Writopia writers had tremendous success in the Scholastic Writing Awards! Writers, ages 12-18, from across the city submitted over 3000 creative works in December. In the end, Writopia writers took home 76 of the 500 awards granted by Scholastic this year! In celebration of these young people's hard work, we will be posting their award-winning short stories, memoirs, journalistic

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-22308724347499066382010-03-09T15:40:00.002-05:002010-03-30T23:33:18.316-04:00

Writopia writers, ages 8 to 16, will be reading their prose, memoir, and poetry at the newly renovated St Agnus branch of the New York Public Library on Tuesday, March 16th, at 5pm. See you all there! And here is the rest of it.

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-20053159888971991272010-03-01T23:53:00.002-05:002010-03-01T23:58:40.356-05:00

 At the end of our Barnes & Noble winter reading series, an overwhelmed B & N event organizer approached me: "Wow, those kids are amazing! You should have readings here all the time...We will promote your programs... and host your workshops right here all summer. You are the community partner we have been looking for." Writopia kids never cease to inspire me, each other, and all those around

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-84245181736054826452010-02-17T23:40:00.000-05:002010-02-17T23:42:37.384-05:00

Writopia Lab founder and executive director, Rebecca Wallace-Segall, was honored to be invited to speak at Hunter College High School's PTA meeting last month. Hunter Hilites recapped her lecture on page 9 of its latest issue:

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-80106433257598136872010-01-28T16:49:00.000-05:002010-01-28T17:06:03.207-05:00

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-16737680905706053512010-01-25T15:59:00.000-05:002010-01-29T23:12:29.137-05:00

Writopia Lab hosted an open mic reading at Housing Works Bookstore Cafe on Friday evening. As Writopia writers, Scholastic 2009 winners, and writers from various schools took their seats, a community of talented, supportive young writers emerged. It was a beautiful and inspiring event!

Jeremy Wallace-Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18372906423499922346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-20418732547610885642010-01-07T11:25:00.001-05:002010-01-07T11:59:10.549-05:00

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-32483792415988896042010-01-03T21:11:00.000-05:002010-01-03T22:21:24.449-05:00

The Northwest Passages, a DC newspaper, wrote a lovely feature story about Writopia and the Scholastic Awards while covering our December 12th event at Woodrow Wilson HS. The event was funded by Amazon and Scholastic, and was a great success. Twenty-one students came to write, and every one of registered for the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards! (click the image to read the article) Here are a

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-71048818722927640972010-01-03T20:25:00.000-05:002010-01-03T20:36:34.507-05:00

Writopia Lab DC's young writers will be reading their latest stories at the Cleveland Park Library on Saturday, January 9th from 3 PM to 5 PM. Please come out and support these talented, enthusiastic writers as they share their work.(And feel free to download the flier, print it, and post it anywhere that young writers might see it!)

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-68646372009664455742009-12-20T00:36:00.001-05:002010-01-03T20:44:39.885-05:00

In celebration of a semester of writing, NYC Writopia writers trekked through the snow to be inducted into Writopia Lab's Wall of Fame! After pizza and cheer, award-winning ghost story writer and mystery Author Chris Grabenstein, shared legends of West 81st Street, and some tips on how to help us scare our readers.And everyone ate pizza.And talked loudly.And wrote scary stories. And here is

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-4281524515029285832009-12-04T08:37:00.001-05:002009-12-04T10:11:06.223-05:00

Thanks to a generous grant via Scholastic from Amazon, Writopia Lab will host a special workshop in Washington, DC to help any interested young writers develop and submit their work to the 2010 Scholastic Art & Writing competition.The workshop will take place on December 12th, from 2 PM to 5 PM at Woodrow Wilson High School, two blocks from the Tenleytown-AU metro stop on the Red Line.

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-43941100914173555982009-11-25T21:19:00.000-05:002009-11-25T21:34:03.852-05:00

Thanksgiving's Legal Guardian AngelA Memoir by Julie Byrnes, age 14 Last Thanksgiving, my 8th grade teacher asked us to make a paper tree for the holiday that contained all the things we were thankful for. Everyone in this class wrote down "family," referring to two loving, reliable people, biologically related to them. I have always longed for this type of bond. Moved from one guardian to the

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-76175834208587944012009-11-13T22:55:00.000-05:002009-11-13T23:24:42.468-05:00

Come Hear the Award-Winning Writers and Rising Stars of Writopia Lab Read their Original Work!When: Friday, November 20th at 5pmWhere: Barnes & Noble, West Village, 396 Avenue of the Americas at 8th StreetWho:Kily Wong, 15Abby Savitch-Lew, 17Sam Levine, 17Ena Lee, 14Julie Byrnes, 14Luca Milstein, 12Jonathan Evans, 12 Also Reading: Writopia's Published Six-Word MemoiristsSeveral Writopia teens

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-32866479284831353832009-10-21T22:07:00.000-04:002009-10-23T11:38:40.144-04:00

Congratulations: Visala Alagappan (14), Carmel Bendit-Shtull (12), Noa Bendit-Shtull (17) Louis Evans (18), Lily Gellman (15), Dan Ross (16), Ena Selmanovic (14), Rachel Sobelsohn (14), Yael Weisenfeld (17), Lena Beckenstein (16), and Jessica Zalph (15)!Larry Smith and Rachel Fershleiser, the editors of the New York Times Best-Seller, Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-9674307659991639342009-10-19T14:22:00.000-04:002009-10-21T22:04:41.097-04:00

In previous years, our writers had until early January to submit their pieces. This year, the deadline has been moved forward a few weeks, meaning that you'll have to finish your pieces before winter break.Writopia teachers are committed to working with all passionate Writopia writers. (Writers must be in 7th-12th grades to submit.) Please e-mail me to set up private sessions as soon as possible!

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-84204993413827020982009-09-21T13:18:00.000-04:002009-09-26T23:06:02.395-04:00

The following blurb appears this week in Publishers Weekly! Yay, Courtney!Thinking ‘Positive’On the other side of the river, the launch party for author Courtney Sheinmel’s new novel, Positively (S&S, Sept.), was also held last Sunday, at Books of Wonder in Manhattan. Positively tells the story of Emmy, an HIV-positive 13-year-old who has just lost her mother to AIDS; Sheinmel is donating a

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-9883671371621881212009-09-03T10:50:00.001-04:002009-09-10T11:40:11.306-04:00

We had a wonderful summer of workshopping and are gearing up for the fall. Some important, exciting news:Fall ScheduleThe Fall Workshop schedule is posted online. Workshops begin Monday, September 21st!! Kids join throughout the semester but register soon to make sure there is a spot for your child!New ConveniencesYou can register and pay for workshops online! If you haven't ever mailed up a

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-9610457390229039462009-08-29T22:52:00.001-04:002009-08-29T22:56:16.520-04:00

And here is the rest of it.. And here is the rest of it.

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-2990227453493908822009-08-06T06:49:00.001-04:002009-08-06T07:01:38.367-04:00

Writopia Lab will be running a three-hour intensive workshop this Saturday,August 8th from 12:30pm-3:30pm and an open mic from 3:30pm-4:30pm at Morningside Heights Public Library at 113th Street and Broadway !This event is free and open to the public! Come write and read with us!Please email Jeremy@WritopiaLab.org to RSVP or for more information.

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-43707929337483677952009-07-21T22:39:00.000-04:002009-07-21T23:31:35.137-04:00

Last week, in celebration of three kids--Gabi Hoberman, Gaby Font, and Nick Hornedo--who came respectively from Georgia, Texas, and Indiana to workshop with us, we held a special summer reading at Writopia 550! All of their workshop peers were also invited to read excerpts from their pieces to an audience of friends and family. Congratulations to all who participated in workshops, and especially

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-37511416315904347962009-07-11T10:59:00.001-04:002009-07-11T13:47:49.405-04:00

As we complete our fifth week of intensive summer workshopping, we are thrilled to report that the following summer workshoppers met their goals, each authoring an original short story or memoir with a beginning, middle, and, yes, (drum roll), an actual end. And the stories were wonderful and varied, each reflecting the writers' unique sensibility--some were whimsical and hilarious, others dark

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-2268172914431913232009-07-02T14:24:00.000-04:002009-07-02T14:34:02.367-04:00

To read this fabulous piece, click on the image of the article to the left. Congratulations Kathy!And here is the rest of it.

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-55070916024038467962009-06-24T23:24:00.000-04:002009-06-25T12:33:12.564-04:00

I am thrilled to announce that my husband, Jeremy Wallace-Segall, has joined the Writopia team! He has served the nonprofit community for over a decade, and had been sharing his technology and organizational expertise with Writopia during evening and weekend hours over the past two years. Thankfully, we will be able to benefit from his knowledge more fully now.Jeremy's education and non-profit

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-58480427674023094232009-06-15T21:47:00.000-04:002009-06-20T08:22:29.113-04:00

After almost a year of playwriting, Serena Alagappan, 11, and Jane Herz, 11, were awarded the great honor of seeing their plays come to life on stage last Thursday at the 2009 Write a Play! award ceremony. Stephen Sondheim's Young Playwrights Inc awards their top contestants with certificates and staged readings (by real actors!) each year. The most satisfying part: the audience laughed and cried

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-6976864007188229222009-06-05T22:21:00.000-04:002009-06-11T22:08:05.087-04:00

On Thursday, June 4th, 2009, Writopia writers, Noa Bendit-Shtull, Sarah Dash, Louis Evans, Emma Goldberg, Ana Henry, Alice Markham-Cantor, Angelica Modabber, Eunju Namkung, Ena Selmanovic, Rachel Sobelsohn, Rebecca Shubert, Rebecca Teich, Kal Victor, and Isis Yoon went to Carnegie Hall where they were bestowed National Silver and Gold Medals from the 2009 Scholastic Awards for their exceptional

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-5608062334409184002009-06-02T09:35:00.001-04:002009-06-02T09:54:38.890-04:00

Last Moments of Spring Workshopping... Here comes summer....

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-57227611216083072962009-05-31T12:10:00.001-04:002009-05-31T12:49:22.968-04:00

Serena Alagappan, 11, and Jane Herz, 10, are two of the three winners of Stephen Sondheim's Young Playwrights' city-wide, 2009 "Write a Play Contest" (elementary school division)!! Please help Serena and Jane celebrate by reading Serena's poetic play, "Finding the Moon," and Jane's off-the-wall play, "Pure Bobness," below.Finding The MoonA play in one act bySerena AlagappanCharacters:N: Narrator

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-78815409595105259352009-05-29T09:41:00.000-04:002009-05-29T09:49:23.970-04:00

What was your favorite part of the workshop?Jennifer: writing and reading other people's writing.Zack: The cookies. And getting to hear everyone's stories for free!Maya: the writing and finishing my story!Kaya: Sharing with everyone.Zeba: Hearing everyone's different crazy story!: . And here is the rest of it.

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-7737746863020556822009-05-27T17:16:00.001-04:002009-05-27T17:19:49.117-04:00

Rebecca: What was your favorite thing about workshop this semester?Olivia: The group stories, the funny moments, the laughing...Katey: Brainstorming ideas for my story with the group.Emily: Sharing my stories with other people... and not feeling like my story sucks so bad after wards! And here is the rest of it.

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-9977612790787053342009-05-26T19:29:00.000-04:002009-05-26T20:26:07.306-04:00

From a discussion on the last day of the Tuesday Spring Workshop:Rebecca: What was your favorite part of the workshop experience?Rachel CS: I shared my writing for the first time with people, and hardly ever had the urge to run eleven flights downstairs passed the friendly doorman and out of the building. Isis: I FINALLY managed to finish a piece, get to read other people's awesome writing, and

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-29563453708436833442009-05-07T22:28:00.000-04:002009-05-07T23:06:58.904-04:00

Spencer Fox, 15, wrote a hilarious short story at Writopia this past fall, won a 2009 Scholastic regional gold key for it, and read it aloud at The Strand book store last night. It was so much fun to hear an audience of a few hundred enjoy his work. Please help Spencer celebrate by reading his prose:Marcus’s MidpointYou could barely see Marcus's head from below his metal shopping cart, however

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-86239447383982694902009-04-25T13:37:00.000-04:002009-04-25T20:13:11.007-04:00

Sandy Vingoe, 13, completed his first year at Writopia with a short story and an award-winning screenplay under his belt! Please help Sandy celebrate his first regional gold key by reading his screenplay:Crime NewsA Screenplay by Sandy Vingoe 1. INT. NEW YORK POST OFFICE-MIDNIGHT A MASKED MAN is wearing a dark track suit. He moves around the office taking papers from desks and drawers. After

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-85476396838567662952009-04-21T23:23:00.000-04:002009-04-21T23:29:10.396-04:00

Louis Evans, 17, has been a regular at Writopia, dazzling us all with his daring, complex fiction and with his astute, thoughtful critiques for almost a year. Louis was one of 3000 seniors nationwide to submit a portfolio of his writing to the Scholastic Awards this year--and of that admirable group of young people, he was one of the 52 recognized with national honors. Congrats to Louis for

Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08753003495325302633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-41161790530776481172009-04-17T00:07:00.001-04:002009-04-21T23:30:20.431-04:00

Writopia Lab's in-house playwright, Dan Kitrosser, co-wrote and produced a children's musical that won much wonderful media attention this week. Check out Dan's Time Out Kids review and his NY1 spot after the jump!!

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-58675309525321440912009-04-13T15:32:00.001-04:002009-04-21T23:30:49.041-04:00

Noa, 16, was the original inspiration for Writopia Lab... Four years later, she has won her second national gold key from Scholastic, this time, for her memoir, "Existential Applications." Please help her celebrate by reading her essay:Existential ApplicationsI have a knack for applications. Egged on by my mother, who keeps “to-do” lists on Post-it notes that litter our familial existence, I

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-83389147256948444012009-04-11T22:22:00.000-04:002009-04-21T23:33:14.549-04:00

Congrats are in order for Writopia Lab Founder and Executive Director Rebecca Wallace-Segall!For the second year in a row, Writopia Lab has been awarded Scholastic's Gold Apple Teacher Award!Writopia Lab won more Scholastic national awards than any other group in the country!Help us celebrate Rebecca's back to back achievements in 2008, and now, 2009!

Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08753003495325302633noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-30681742738913738342009-04-10T19:35:00.001-04:002009-04-21T23:34:17.351-04:00

National Public Radio will be featuring a special interview with 2009 Scholastic National Silver Awards Medalist (NonFiction Portfolio and General Portfolio)Eunju Namkung, 18. The show will air on Sunday, April 12, on the program Weekend Edition Sunday. Broadcast times may vary, so be sure to check the listings on your local NPR station for Weekend Edition. Tune in on Sunday!If you miss the

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-45959785667484984402009-04-09T12:23:00.000-04:002009-04-21T23:34:48.428-04:00

Isis Yoon, 13, is a prolific writer who could not finish a story... but when she finally did, she won a 2009 national silver key from Scholastic for her memoir, "Renaissance Fair"!! Please help her celebrate by reading her work:Renaissance FaireI’d kept my umbrella up for so long that I didn’t notice it had stopped raining—the sky was still flat with fog from horizon to horizon. The rain had

Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08753003495325302633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-49903417298885008462009-04-06T11:46:00.000-04:002009-04-21T23:35:16.571-04:00

Congratulations Sarah Dash, 16, for her first national gold key from the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards for the poem below. Please help her celebrate by reading her poetry:On AdolescenceI. Attitude (Us)On the subway I saw a woman,young, already rotting,a persimmon,hands deep in hooded-jacket pockets,touching her boyfriend only wheretheir elbows meet at the creasebefore their forearms burrowed

Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08753003495325302633noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-37031227834340501122009-04-05T12:21:00.000-04:002009-04-21T23:35:45.316-04:00

Caterina Armenter, 17, joined Writopia this past fall, completed her first piece of creative nonfiction, and won a 2009 regional gold key from Scholastic for it!! Please help Cat celebrate her accomplishments by reading her memoir, below:DisorderBy Cat Armenter, 17I was on the V train listening to my iPod and gazing at everyone sitting around me. It was the worst train ride of my life having to

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-51760814280063244412009-04-04T22:06:00.000-04:002009-04-21T23:36:11.909-04:00

Writopia is holding its first annual celebratory theatrical reading at Scholastic Publishing's theater in SoHo on Tuesday, May 19th at 6:00pm in honor of our writers' remarkable accomplishments!Over 60 of our writers (ages 8 and up) completed creative works over this last school year, 50 of whom (ages 12 to 18) submitted multiple pieces to the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Whether they won

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-43072456562439062362009-04-03T16:44:00.000-04:002009-04-21T23:36:36.787-04:00

Calling all Writopia writers!TeatroStage Fest is sponsoring its 3rd Annual Young Playwrights Latino Challenge!All NYC high school students are invited to participate, the only requirement is that one of the main characters must be Latino.Plays can be any length and style, but entries must be postmarked by April 8,2009.Each entrant receives written evaluation of their play by a theater

Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08753003495325302633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-10674778523369186492009-04-01T12:52:00.000-04:002009-04-21T23:36:59.855-04:00

We are so proud to announce Writopia teacher Heather Duffy-Stone's first novel, This Is What I Want to Tell You, received a great review in Publishers Weekly magazine last week. Celebrate her success by reading the review (below) and of course her book, which is available now at Amazon.com! Enjoy!This Is What I Want to Tell You.Stone, Heather Duffy (author).Mar. 2009. 240p. Flux, paperback, $9.95

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-16342182896341141972009-03-31T10:44:00.001-04:002009-04-21T23:37:36.853-04:00

This fall, look out for a 10-minute public service announcement funded by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation and Ovation TV, on the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards and Writopia! This mini doc will run nationally on the Time Warner arts station, Ovation TV, and features Writopia writer Eunju Namkung. Last Friday, Writopia writers Louis Evans, Lily Gellman, Emma Goldberg, Suyapa Martinez, Barbara

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-44013415094285028242009-02-02T10:59:00.000-05:002009-04-21T23:38:54.940-04:00

Congratulations Writopia writers: Rachel Calnek-Sugin (below), Lena Beckenstien, Ena Selmoanovic, Leslie Wong, and Nicole Maffeo! Each of them submitted either short stories, poems, or memoirs to Teek Ink magazine and were published over the last few months! Please help them celebrate by reading their poetry and prose: Dancing BarefootA Memoir by Rachel Calnek-Sugin, 12Innocence is bliss, or so

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-12086388112989502412008-12-21T09:55:00.000-05:002009-04-21T23:40:33.321-04:00

Former high school football star, Chris Williams, 17, came to Writopia at the end of the summer ready to reflect on and write about the most challenging year of his life: the year he was shot down by 9 bullets, lost a leg, recovered, and returned to school--and even the field. His recovery was so moving and dramatic that the New York Daily News covered his return this past fall. Please help Chris

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-10826713782786011412008-12-17T22:55:00.001-05:002009-04-21T23:41:13.561-04:00

Why I love going to the writing Lab each day: I get to work with some of the most hilarious, surprising, smartest, thoughtful, and reflective teens in New York City. Best of all, our work at times extends beyond fiction and traditional memoir as college deadlines loom. A few of us spent hours and hours over the last four months identifying, deconstructing, and framing the highlights of their rich

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-73488060347695643892008-12-17T01:12:00.000-05:002009-04-21T23:42:12.299-04:00

Once a week a collection of poetry by a Writopia teen is chosen to be published on the blog... Congratulations, Lena Beckenstein, 15: You are the poet of the week at Writopia Lab! Readers: Can you figure out what event inspired all three poems in this collection? AFTER BEGINSI. Plus Minus ZeroShe sat us in a circleBenjamin to the main office, please.And gave us a biting alligatorDaddy, why aren’t

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-13004945594659051332008-12-15T22:13:00.000-05:002009-04-21T23:42:41.613-04:00

Congratulations Ena Selmanovic, 13, for 1) completing a five-day intensive summer workshop during which she polished a stellar piece of journalism, 2) reading it aloud at Housing Works Book Store and at Book Culture this fall, and 3) for publishing it in Teen Ink's online magazine!Selling UnhappinessBy Ena Selmanovic, 13Tween girls of all shapes, colors, and bank account sizes will be flocking to

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-24599293740540019142008-12-15T06:23:00.000-05:002009-04-21T23:43:07.057-04:00

It's tradition in the U.S. to objectify students, addressing them as robots with tasks rather than as independent thinkers who can potentially emerge as the next generation of writers and leaders. No Child Left Behind and reignited fears regarding America’s global educational position intensify the problem; schools feel more compelled than even before to rigidly “teach to the tests.” But it's not

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-42214397354336949182008-12-12T16:14:00.000-05:002009-04-21T23:43:37.297-04:00

Larry Smith and Rachel Fershleiser, the editors of the New York Times Best-Seller, Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure, are in the process of editing the forthcoming Six-Word Memoirs by Teens Famous & Obscure... and, from thousands of submissions, they've chosen more than 11 Writopia memoirists as finalists in their search for young writers.

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-60901980430921090412008-12-10T23:54:00.001-05:002009-04-21T23:44:07.095-04:00

In celebration of the fact that our blog was featured as Blogger's "Blog of Note" of the day today (and along with it, the thousands of new hits from other bloggers!), we're sharing Dan Ross's zany and marvelous short story, "Moriarty and the Mattress King." Dan is an award-winning writer whose poem was published in Scholastic's 2008 edition of Best Teen Writing! Enjoy a new piece of fiction of

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-45129247166721319842008-12-10T06:29:00.000-05:002009-04-21T23:46:11.352-04:00

Congrats: Noa Bendit-Shtull, Louis Evans, Ana Henry, Lily Gellman, Emma Goldberg, Nico Grant, Eunju Namkung, Dan Ross, and Jessica Zalph for first completing and polishing their prose and memoir and finally reading their work aloud at Book Culture last night!

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-76523774294360357122008-12-08T10:06:00.000-05:002009-04-21T23:46:39.056-04:00

E-Scholastic, the news website for Scholastic Publishing, came to the open mic we co-sponsored with the Scholastic & Writing Awards two weeks ago. Here are some excerpts from the report of the event on their blog: Before Thanksgiving, new blogger Robert and I got to go to a really cool reading here in New York. The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers: The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards teamed

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-29184803372295229762008-12-02T09:40:00.001-05:002009-04-21T23:47:02.635-04:00

Writopia's Teens Take the Stage at Book Culture!!! Come hear their prose and memoir read aloud next Tuesday, December 9th at 6:30pm!!!

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-13686717733515764692008-11-24T10:05:00.000-05:002009-04-21T23:47:31.075-04:00

Writopia had the honor of co-hosting an open mic with the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards on Wednesday, November 19th, last week! All those submitting to the 2009 Scholastic Awards were invited to read. Kudos to Sarah Dash, 14, Louis Evans, 17, Milana Meytes, 16, Angelica Modabber, 14, Ena Selmonivic, 13, Rebecca Shubert, 15, Olivia Stein, 11, Victoria Testa, 12, and Barbara, 17, Ian, 17, and

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-40694956205197777142008-11-19T23:23:00.000-05:002009-04-21T23:48:08.406-04:00

On Monday, November 17th, our 12- and 13-year-olds took center stage at Book Culture, a wonderfully warm and cozy independent book store located on 112th street off Broadway. Congratulations: Emily Barnett, Jenan Jacobson, Sinika Martin-Gonzalez, Ena Selmanovic, Rachel Sobelsohn, Rebecca Teich, Olivia Williams, and Miko Zeldes-Roth for completing, revising, and polishing, at least one short

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-2391666018360673072008-11-14T13:40:00.001-05:002009-04-21T23:48:31.021-04:00

I had the pleasure of lecturing and discussing "How to Inspire the Writer Within Your Child" with the Parents League community yesterday. The best part: addressing parents as allies in their children's empowerment. As I am in the process of writing a book on the topic (re: parents' potential positive role in kids' writing processes), the public discourse was especially meaningful. Thank you so

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-67166950366506078562008-11-09T23:43:00.000-05:002008-11-09T23:50:00.768-05:00

Come hear our newest prose, memoir, and scripts read aloud at Book Culture on Monday, November 17th, at 6:30pm!!!!

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-89006757226147146012008-11-07T22:20:00.001-05:002009-04-21T23:49:02.714-04:00

Writopia held its first reading for 9- to 11-year-olds this evening at Barnes & Noble! Congratulations: Kaya Alagappan, 9, Serena Alagappan, 11, Emma Bally, 9, Emma Cantor, 10, Ariel Cohen, 11, Sanjeevi Nuhumal, 9, Joe Polsky, 11, Amanda Roberts, 10, Olivia Stein, 11, Jennifer Tham, 10, and Zeba Zaheer, 9, for polishing their short stories and memoirs and sharing them aloud with an audience of

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-57715199686279321162008-10-23T14:26:00.001-04:002008-10-24T23:10:08.564-04:00

Come hear Writopia's youngest writers, ages 9-11, read their prose and memoirs at Barnes & Noble at Lincoln Center on Friday, November 7th, at 5:00pm!

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-21299947817184355632008-10-16T06:02:00.001-04:002009-04-21T23:49:40.545-04:00

JEFFERSON MARKET BRANCH LIBRARYMany amazing things happened at the last reading:1) We changed locations last-minute to the New York Public Library Jefferson Market Branch (from Barnes & Noble West Village) and we started almost on time. 2) As our readers read their prose, memoirs, poetry, and scripts, the audience (of about 55) laughed and gasped at all the right moments.3) It turns out that our

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-51685912039909169332008-10-09T10:33:00.000-04:002009-04-21T23:50:09.118-04:00

To be included in this event, top teen writers had to participate in at least five days of intensive workshopping at Writopia Lab and, in that time, complete and polish an original short story, memoir, or script. Teen Highlights: The Scholastic Award's 2008 American Voices Award Winner, Louis Evans, will read his poetry and six-word memoirs; the Scholastic Award's 2008 Summer

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-55447197698746558162008-10-06T13:31:00.000-04:002009-04-21T23:50:43.384-04:00

Congratulations Writopia Westchester writers: Rose Arditi, 12, Isobel Hepsworth, 14, Imogen Hepsworth, 12, Corinne Macaulay, 12, Anika Narain, 8, and Julia Song, 11. Each of these young writers completed a short story during a creative writing intensive this past summer and edited it for publication in a Writopia Anthology Volume IV.It was wonderful to hear five of their deep, beautifully crafted

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-38306719930471818172008-10-02T08:54:00.000-04:002008-10-03T13:30:44.369-04:00

Congratulations to our six-word memoirists: Louis Evans, 17, Yael Wiesenfeld, 16, Dan Ross, 14, Pearl Mutnick, 14, Noa Bendit-Shtull, 16, Lily Gellman, 14, Nora Miller, 14, Kalmen Victor, 15, Ena Selmanovic, 13, Rachel Sobelsohn, 13, Rebecca Shubert, 15, Visala Alagappan, 13, Angelica Modabber, 14, Katie Hartman, 13, and Lena Beckenstein, 15! Larry Smith and Rachel Fershleiser, the editors of the

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-4552779223065218982008-09-30T09:21:00.001-04:002009-04-21T23:51:14.874-04:00

Andrea Listenberger, currently a senior at Vassar, spent a semester abroad last spring in Prague producing, co-writing, and co-directing the film, "In Memoriam." The film was was selected for the Indy Awards in Indianapolis, was shown last Saturday, and won the Jury Prize at the prestigious event! Congratulations Andrea!While I am thrilled and continually impressed by Andrea's determination and

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-44409040617541902382008-09-23T15:52:00.000-04:002009-04-21T23:51:35.936-04:00

Writopia Lab teacher, Rachel Ephraim, has been published this season in "The Apple Valley Review," an online, biannual publication. The Apple Valley Review has won much exposure lately as two of its pieces, "Pageant Queen," an essay by J. W. Young, and "Island Fever," a poem by Edward Byrne, were selected by series editor Nathan Leslie and guest editor Steve Almond for Best of the Web 2008. The

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-27095025581027905702008-09-23T15:31:00.000-04:002009-04-21T23:53:03.194-04:00

Seven writers from Writopia Brooklyn and Downtown Manhattan stole the spotlight at Housing Works Bookstore last Tuesday at Writopia's first 2008 fall reading! All summer writers who completed and polished a short story, memoir, or script have been invited to read their work at a local bookstore in front of an audience of family, friends, teachers, writers, and fans!Congratulations: William Bauman

Rebecca Segallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940276926078312848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126653203377608122.post-10015037822389618332008-09-04T12:10:00.001-04:002008-09-04T12:20:04.070-04:00

Thank you Rachel Ephraim for spearheading a new chapter of Writopia Brooklyn, now located at Starting Artists, a nonprofit organization that benefits Brooklyn teenagers through hands-on training in the arts and entrepreneurship, at 211 Smith Street. Writopia workshops run on Sundays, beginning September 21st!

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