We empower young people to write their own stories. 

An exciting, challenging, and supportive community where young authors thrive

Based in Washington Heights, Uptown Stories offers after-school, weekend, and summer creative writing workshops for children ages 8-18, led by rockstar teachers, who are also professional authors and artists.

Students learn the art and craft of writing, how to revise their work, and how to give and receive constructive feedback. Each workshop ends with a celebratory reading at the Word Up Bookshop in Washington Heights, and the publication of a paperback anthology, so every student leaves our program as a published author.

To ensure our program is accessible to our ethnically and economically diverse community, our tuition is “Pay-What-You-Can.” Uptown Stories creates an exciting, challenging, and supportive community where young authors thrive.

Why Creative Writing?

We believe that writing is an essential tool for:

Developing
Communication Skills

Creative writing helps young people develop their communication skills.
By learning to express their thoughts and ideas in writing, they become better able to articulate their ideas verbally, which is beneficial in all areas of life.

Stimulating Imagination

Creative writing encourages young people to use their imaginations and think creatively. This helps them become more innovative and adaptable in their thinking, which is useful in many different contexts, from problem-solving  to artistic expression.

Enhancing
Self-Expression

Creative writing provides young people with a medium for self-expression. This can be especially important for those who struggle with expressing themselves verbally or who may feel misunderstood or marginalized in other areas of their lives.

Building Confidence

As young people develop their creative writing skills and see their work improve, they gain confidence in their abilities. This translates to other areas of their lives, such as academics or social situations, where confidence and self-assuredness can be valuable assets.

Promoting
Critical Thinking

Writing creatively requires young people to think critically and analyze their own work. This helps them develop their critical thinking skills, which is needed in a wide range of academic and professional pursuits.

I would not be the writer I am today without Uptown Stories.

Elias

Alumnus

When it's Monday, I'm so excited for class to start! Favorite time of the week! Uptown Stories made me like writing even more.

Tallulah

Student

My daughter’s writing has improved tremendously. She loves writing now. She can sit for hours and let her imagination fly.

Annie

Parent

Thanks to [Uptown Stories], a passing interest has become a passion.

Gerry

Parent

Uptown Stories has helped me come out of my shell and explore my imagination. My writing has become more complex and descriptive over the years. It is helpful and fun to anyone who is interested in writing or not!

Kayla

Student

My daughter takes her writing seriously because Uptown Stories takes her seriously.

Kimberly

Parent

Uptown Stories has helped my writing in the sense that it allowed me to realize that this is my passion and that I want to pursue it as a career. It opened my eyes to the possibilities that creative writing has to offer. I think that anyone can get something out of attending Uptown Stories.

Graydon

Alumnus

I've met a fantastic group of people and become a much better writer. Kate and the rest of the staff are hardworking and fun to work with.

Joseph

Student

Ready to Join a Workshop?

Zine Machine

Welcome to Zine Machine! We’re a self-publishing group of rebels spreading the word on things we think you should know. Obscure cat breeds? Survival tips for a zombie apocalypse? Favorite board games? All must-read zines.

In this workshop, we only have one rule: we’re all analog all the time. Think collage, hand-drawn images, markers, and glue. Once you lay out your first edition, we’ll use the time-honored way of mass-producing your Zine: the photocopier. Zines may sound like a simple idea, but they have started revolutions and educated the masses. Be loud, be crafty, and tell the world what it needs to know!

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Poetry Outside

Do you want to be wild and break out of the limitations that are always being set? Poetry is the answer. We’re strapping on our shoes, grabbing our pens, and meeting at the P.S. 187 school yard to go on a poet’s adventure! Poetry is a way of seeing things outside the boxes they are always being put in. We'll be rejuvenated by the nature of Ft. Tryon park and emboldened by our resilient neighborhood. We'll explore the wilds of language out in the world, allowing a stream of poetry to flow from the river of possibility.

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Screenwriting Lab

What do K-Pop Demon Hunters, Star Wars, and The Hunger Games have in common? They all started as great ideas, that were turned into awesome stories, then into unbelievable movies. If you have a great movie idea, here's your chance to get busy writing it down. Make your story jump off the page and onto the screen!

We'll show you how to write a mini-script just like the professionals that includes scene headings, dialogue, transitions, and camera shots. You'll work with your fellow screenwriters to get and give suggestions as you all write the next summer blockbuster. Ideas for action, comedy, drama or anything in between are welcome! At the end of the session, you'll bring your film to life, acting it out with your classmates in front of an audience packed with your family and friends.

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