Young Writers' Studio
Grades 9-12
In-Person and Virtual Formats Available
"Don't get it right, just get it written." - James Thurber
Every other week, Young Writers’ Studio teens gather to write, create, and explore ways to get their stories on paper. Whether it's a passion or just a hobby, we invite any student in grades 9-12 to join us for an opportunity to spend time with others who also like to write.
With facilitator Frances Wiley, we challenge students to take a different spin each week through exploratory exercises designed to inspire out-of-the box thinking. Young Writers’ Studio meets every other Tuesday evening at Thurber Center and on Zoom.
‣ Meeting Information
What to Expect
Sessions are led by Frances Wiley and are devoted to fun and unique writing exercises/activities and peer discussion and feedback. A portion of each session is set aside for young writers who would like to bring in their own writing to be reviewed and discussed by their peers in a creative and nurturing environment. Students who prefer not to bring in work take part by learning how to talk about writing in a constructive way while helping fellow writers improve their pieces.
Pricing
$17 per session or register for the whole season for a discount. A limited number of scholarships are available. If you're unable to pay online or need financial assistance, please email Meg Brown at megbrown@thurberhouse.org. We want everyone to be able to join us!
‣ Meeting Format, Location, & Schedule
In-Person YWS
In-Person Location
In-person Young Writers’ Studio sessions are held at Thurber Center (91 Jefferson Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215), next door to Thurber House. See location, parking, and accessibility information below.
If snow/ice/weather, widespread illness, or other circumstance hinders meeting in-person, we’ll meet virtually on Zoom instead.
Virtual YWS
Virtual Location
Virtual Young Writers’ Studio sessions are held on Zoom at the same time as the in-person sessions. You will receive Zoom access information prior to each session. Please familiarize yourself with Zoom and download the desktop or mobile app, if you haven’t already. You can learn more and get the app here: https://zoom.us/download
All sessions will be hybrid—held in-person at Thurber Center and simultaneously Zoomed for virtual participants.
Schedule
Summer 2026 Schedule
Tuesday, June 2, 2026 from 6:30-8:30 pm ET
Tuesday, June 16, 2026 from 6:30-8:30 pm ET
Tuesday, June 30, 2026 from 6:30-8:30 pm ET
Tuesday, July 14, 2026 from 6:30-8:30 pm ET
Tuesday, July 28, 2026 from 6:30-8:30pm ET
Fall 2026 Schedule
Tuesday, September 1, 2026 from 6:30-8:30 pm ET
Tuesday, September 15, 2026 from 6:30-8:30 pm ET
Tuesday, September 29, 2026 from 6:30-8:30 pm ET
Tuesday, October 13, 2026 from 6:30-8:30 pm ET
Tuesday, October 27, 2026 from 6:30-8:30pm ET
Tuesday, November 10, 2026 from 6:30-8:30pm ET
‣ Meet the Young Writers’ Studio Facilitator
Frances Wiley
Frances Wiley (she/they) has been involved with Thurber House for decades as a student, camp counselor, children’s and adult workshop teacher, and now facilitator of Young Writers’ Studio—a program that Frances loved as a high schooler.
Frances is committed to ensuring that Young Writers’ Studio is a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space for all of our teen writers.
‣ Location, Parking, & Accessibility (In-Person YWS)
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All in-person sessions will be held at Thurber Center (91 Jefferson Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215), next door to Thurber House. In the event of inclement weather (such as a snow emergency), widespread illness, or other circumstance that hinders meeting in-person, we will meet virtually on Zoom instead.
If you are ill and can’t attend an in-person meeting, please let us know by contacting Meg Brown at megbrown@thurberhouse.org. If illness is widespread, we will meet virtually on Zoom.
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Free, easy street parking is available all along the Jefferson Avenue oval. 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.
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Depending on various factors, in-person meetings will take place on either the first floor or the second floor of Thurber Center.
The entrance, first floor meeting space, and restrooms at Thurber Center are handicap/wheelchair accessible.
The second floor meeting space is only reachable by stairs. There is no elevator. If your student cannot navigate stairs, please let us know and we will accommodate to the best of our ability.
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How to reach the wheelchair ramp:
If you park on Jefferson Avenue:
There is a slight curb (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).
Follow the sidewalk through the Thurber Center front gate. Take the sidewalk around the porch on the right side of the building. The entrance to the wheelchair ramp will appear on your left, past the porch.
If you park in the Thurber Center/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.
The ramp will appear on your right and leads up to the front porch.
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A limited number of scholarships are available. If you're unable to pay online or need financial assistance, please email Meg Brown at megbrown@thurberhouse.org. We want everyone to be able to join us!
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Email Meg Brown at megbrown@thurberhouse.org.
Disclaimer:
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.
