Writing Accountability Group (WAG)

In-Person at Thurber House

Thurber House's Writing Accountability Group (WAG) is a weekly gathering of committed writers who want a creative and supportive environment in which to write, stay motivated, and succeed in their writing goals alongside other committed writers. At the beginning and end of every WAG gathering, writers receive support like weekly check ins and coaching to help them set and keep goals and meet their writing deadlines. The rest of the time is devoted to writing anything members want to work on.

‣ Meeting Information

WHAT TO EXPECT:

WAG meets on Tuesday evenings at the historic 1873 Thurber House, the former home of humor writer and cartoonist James Thurber. During two hours of dedicated writing time, writers will have the opportunity to spread out over three floors and find a spot that fuels their creativity and keeps them productive. Members can choose to cohabit a writing space with others or establish their own solo writing nook. WAG writers' only obligations are to lift each other up with community spirit and hold each other accountable for reaching the goals that members set for themselves.

LOCATION:

WAG meets at Thurber House (77 Jefferson Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215). Scroll down for parking and accessibility information.

MEETING SCHEDULE:

Sessions are every Tuesday evening from 6:00-8:30 pm.
Currently, registration is available for the August and September 2025 sessions. More session dates will be added to the registration form on a rolling basis.

Pricing:

$95 per four weeks/four sessions. You can sign up for consecutive weeks or non-consecutive weeks (e.g. you can choose to come twice a month), but you must sign up in four week/four session increments (four weeks, eight weeks, and so on).

Parking on Jefferson Avenue:
Free, easy street parking is available all along the Jefferson Avenue oval (unlimited on weeknights after 6 pm). Note: only the spots along the one-way oval are free; the spots along the two-way ends of Jefferson Avenue (near Broad Street and Long Street) are not free.
Parking off N. 11th Street (behind Thurber Center/Thurber House):
Free visitor parking is available in the small lot directly behind Thurber Center/Thurber House, accessible off N. 11th Street and located here.
All other parking lots do not belong to Thurber House and you may be towed.
The first floor of Thurber House handicap/wheelchair accessible. The second and third floors are only reachable by stairs. There is no elevator. If you cannot navigate stairs, please let us know and we will accommodate to the best of our ability.
How to reach the wheelchair ramps:
- If you park on Jefferson Avenue:
  - There is a slight curb directly in front of Thurber House (some wheelchairs can navigate this). The closest “ramp” cut is the entrance to the large parking lot on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Long Street (here).
  - Thurber House wheelchair ramp: Follow the sidewalk through the Thurber House front gate. Take the sidewalk around the left side of the House. The entrance to the wheelchair ramp is near the rear corner of the House (here).
- If you park in the Thurber House rear parking lot:
  - Follow the sidewalk between the handicap parking signs (here). The sidewalk will take you around the north side of our multipurpose building, Thurber Center.
  - Thurber House wheelchair ramp: Continue east past Thurber Center toward the street (Jefferson Avenue) and turn right toward Thurber House. Follow the sidewalk through the Thurber House front gate and around the left side of the House. The entrance to the wheelchair ramp is near the rear corner of the House (here).

‣ Meet the Writing Accountability Group Facilitator

stephanie harrison

Stephanie Harrison’s fiction and nonfiction have appeared in many journals, including Colorado Review, Quarterly West, and Hayden’s Ferry Review. Her personal essays “What We Have Left” and “Reconsidering the Sunflowers” were notable selections in Best American Essays. She is the editor of the anthology Adaptations: From Short Story to Big Screen, and her articles on adapting stories for film have appeared in magazines such as Poets & Writers. She has received individual excellence grants from the Ohio Arts Council (twice), Columbus Arts Council, and Florida Arts Council. For many years she taught English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and an online creative writing course for the University of Florida. She gardens avidly, transcribes braille, and is currently collecting bean recipes.

Special note of thanks from Thurber House: Stephanie has served as a Thurber House volunteer for many years, and has generously donated countless hours to the upkeep and beautification of our garden and landscaping. She’s too humble to tell you that, so we will!

‣ FAQ & Disclaimer

For any questions that are not answered here, please email Jess Cox at jcox@thurberhouse.org or call 614-412-5955.

You will receive an email order confirmation containing your registration information.
Yes, although online registration is encouraged. To order by phone, call 614-412-5955.
Purchases made by credit/debit card are charged a modest fee to cover Thurber House’s processing costs. To pay by cash or check, please email jcox@thurberhouse.org or call 614-412-5955.
All registrations are final and non-refundable. However, you can give your spot to a friend, family member, colleague, etc. if you cannot attend (contact us for assistance).
Views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by event and program speakers in all mediums are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Thurber House, its affiliates, or its staff/board.