Introducing The Creativity Cavern: an intimate space for six dedicated writers to experience weekly classes and specialized workshops.
Adult Creative Writing Course (9 sessions)
This course focuses on generative prompts for micro memoir, flash fiction, and poetry. Specializing in close reading of genres and craft discussions. Participants will have the opportunity for informal critique during the last week of class to get feedback on their creations. First-time writers and experienced authors are welcome.
Ages 16 and up. Cost is $91 CAD through the City of Windsor Recreation & Education program.
Classes are every Tuesday evening, in person at Mackenzie Hall Cultural Centre, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for the period of January 13 to March 10 2026.
Register online here.
Adult Poetry Course - Poetry & Play (9 sessions)
This course focuses on specific poetic forms to experiment with new ideas and creative constraints. We’ll examine and generate the duplex, abecedarian, ghazal, pantoum, spoem/spoemtry, golden shovel, and sonnet. Participants will have an opportunity to create their own poetic form and also present their drafts in the final week of class. First-time and experienced writer’s welcome. Led by Cassandra Caverhill (MFA).
Ages 16 and up. Cost is $91 CAD through the City of Windsor Recreation & Education program.
Classes are every Tuesday evening, in person at Mackenzie Hall Cultural Centre, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for the period of January 13 to March 10, 2026.
Register online here.
Erotic Writing Retreat
Sultry. Smouldering. Scintillating. Sexually explicit writing has existed in print since the early 5th century. Erotica’s present stamina continues with hot new subgenres like romantasy, a deeper mainstream gaze into LGBTQ+ experiences, and fanfiction communities “shipping” their favourite couples. In this full-day retreat, we’ll explore the history and taboos of erotic writing, its common tropes, and examine the work of established authors such as Sappho, e e cummings, Anais Nïn, D.H. Lawrence, Kathy Aker, Miranda July, Melissa Broder, and Russell Smith. We’ll generate drafts of new erotic creative work based on sensual prompts (including food!) and share our steamy scenes, poems, and love letters in a safe, supportive space.
THIS FULL-DAY WRITING RETREAT IS FOR WRITERS WHO
a) Are interested in learning about and practicing erotic writing.
b) Are open to lively, spirited discussions about and/or creating sensual language.
c) Are open to engaging with objects, food, film, music and prompts for writing.
e) Are curious about the history of erotic writing.
f) Want to write erotica/sensual poetry/fiction/letters.
g) Enjoy writing alongside other writers in real-time.
h) Enjoy sharing their writing with others for real-time reaction.
Spring Feedback Forum - Poetry
SPRING FEEDBACK FORUM – POETRY
This six-week discussion and feedback-style series is meant to support those writers who are looking for community, accountability, and inspired motivation to write poetry. We created this six-week, three-hours-per-week writing group to generate poetry, share poetry, edit poetry and perform poetry in a brave, safe, kind group that offers genuine feedback and gentle accountability. This forum is limited to 6 participants.
WHO IS THIS SERIES FOR?
This series is for writers who:
a) want to generate new and/or edit previously written poetry
b) want to be part of an engaging, brave, kind literary community
c) want to deepen their craft of writing and their eyes and ears for editing poetry
d) want to learn how to give and receive constructive feedback
e) want to read their writing out loud into a microphone to practice reading and performance techniques
f) want to write based on unique, challenging, and exciting writing prompts
Poetic Hues: Colour & Creativity
In this hands-on workshop, we'll explore the psychological and metaphorical impacts of colour. Studying the work of poets Mary Ruefle and Maggie Nelson, and of historian Kassia St. Clair, we'll examine their obsessive origins with tint and tone, and generate new work in response to several prompts. Participants are highly encouraged to come to the workshop dressed in their favourite colour.
Cost is $35 and includes free beverages. Workshop is limited to 12 participants and is held at Balanced Life Wellness Centre in Essex. This course is part of the monthly Writers Assembly series. Check out 2026 offerings here.
Please register ahead by contacting Vanessa Shields.
Virtual Prompt-a-thon
THIS VIRTUAL PROMPT-A-THON IS FOR WRITERS:
a) want to wake up and write!
b) want to play and engage in unique writing prompts
c) love to dance!
d) want to share their writing and get some feedback
e) want to generate new writing
f) want to write with other writers virtually
g) want to feel community while writing
We will gather virtually for three hours of writing magic and fun! Led by Vanessa Shields and Cassandra Caverhill, writers will be given loads of fun writing prompts for all kinds of different writing styles—including but not limited to: poetry, prose, dialogues, scenes, humour writing, essays, word-play and more! Prompts will be timed—some speedy and under 3 minutes, some long over 10 minutes. We will have DANCE BREAKS where writers are welcome to get up and shake their thangs to stretch and move between writing prompts.
In Celebration & Remembrance: A Creative Writing Workshop
This activity introduces what “freewriting” practice is for guests to access their own flow state while creating. We’ll look at literary examples that deal with themes of grief, loss, and resiliency and compose individual reflections to engage in group discussion. The goal of this workshop is to generate draft writing that focuses on small moments in daily life with our lost loved one that brought joy, laughter, sadness, or any other mix of emotions.
Each guest will be given guided questions and writing techniques to help their snapshot memories become more fully realized on the page. Supplies are included and the class is free.
Julien’s House guests are invited. Register today! Space is limited.
How to Get Started: Exercising Your Writing Skills (Full-day Retreat)
The How to Get Started: Exercising Your Writing Skills is a one-day writing retreat intended to give you tools to get you started on your writing projects—new or old, in any genre—and to build writing practices into your daily life.
WHO IS THIS WRITING RETREAT FOR?
This writing retreat is for writers who:
a) want to make a creative writing a habit in their busy lives
b) have a writing project, in any genre, they’d like to begin but they don’t know how
c) have a writing project, in any genre, they started long ago, and they want to dive back into
d) have an idea for a single creative writing piece, in any genre, but need inspiration to begin
e) want to meet other writers
f) want to be part of a writing community
g) are curious about writing in general and want to learn
IF YOU THOUGHT, HEY THAT’S ME! TO ANY OF THIS LIST—THIS WRITING RETREAT IS FOR YOU!
Another Person’s Treasure: A Found Poetry Workshop
Discover the fun, subversiveness, and absurdities of creating found poetry. This workshop will introduce techniques for blackout poetry, erasure poetry, cut-up poetry and the N+7 procedure, and will provide tips for where to source material. We’ll discuss examples of these techniques by studying the work of Austin Kleon, Christian Bök, Robin Coste Lewis, Jennifer Still, Jordan Abel, and Cindy Hunter Morgan. Participants will be given a packet of found text material to create and share new poems generated in the workshop with fellow writers.
Cost is $25 and includes free beverages. Workshop is limited to 12 participants and is held at Balanced Life Wellness Centre in Essex. This course is part of the monthly Writers Assembly series. Check out future offerings by visiting BLWC’s website.
Please register ahead by contacting Michelle Weglarz.
Creative Writing Feedback Forum
Thank you for your interest in our Feedback Forum series! Vanessa Shields and I created this six-week, three-hour-a-week writing group to offer space and time for writers from all genres to generate new writing and share it in a brave, safe, kind group that offers genuine feedback and gentle accountability. We realize that, even for ourselves, generating new writing is a challenge, and receiving feedback is difficult when time is crushing (like, when we’re up against a submission deadline!).
We have created a six-week, discussion and feedback-style series that is meant to support those writers who are looking for community, accountability, and inspired motivation to write new things.
In Celebration & Remembrance: A Creative Writing Workshop
This activity introduces what “freewriting” practice is for guests to access their own flow state while creating. We’ll look at literary examples that deal with themes of grief, loss, and resiliency and compose individual reflections to engage in group discussion. The goal of this workshop is to generate draft writing that focuses on small moments in daily life with our lost loved one that brought joy, laughter, sadness, or any other mix of emotions.
Each guest will be given guided questions and writing techniques to help their snapshot memories become more fully realized on the page. Supplies are included and the class is free.
Julien’s House guests are invited. Register today! Space is limited.
Adult Poetry Course - Poetry & Play (7 sessions)
The best poets make their compositions look effortless, but their artistic choices arise from playing with words. In this class, we’ll explore the mechanics of line, numerous sound techniques, and the use of extended metaphor to play with new poems. We’ll experiment with poetic forms as a creative constraint, share our discoveries and creations with other writers, and delve into performance strategies for open mic in this community-oriented class. First-time and experienced writer’s welcome.
Ages 16 and up. Cost is $73 CAD through the City of Windsor Recreation & Education program.
Classes are every Tuesday evening, in person at Mackenzie Hall Cultural Centre, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for the period of September 9 to October 21, 2025.
Register online here.
Adult Creative Writing Course (7 Sessions)
This course focuses on contemplative reading as well as prompts for generating micro memoir, flash fiction, poetry and prose that will turn seemingly mundane moments pulled from life into expressions of art. We will also collaborate and share work drafted in class, participating in informal critiques to learn what resonates with readers. First-time writers and experienced authors are welcome.
Ages 16 and up. Cost is $73 CAD through the City of Windsor Recreation & Education program.
Classes are every Tuesday evening, in person at Mackenzie Hall Cultural Centre, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for the period of September 9 to October 21, 2025.
Register online here.
Adult Poetry Course - Poetry & Play (8 sessions)
The best poets make their compositions look effortless, but their artistic choices arise from playing with words. In this class, we’ll explore the mechanics of line, numerous sound techniques, and the use of extended metaphor to play with new poems. We’ll experiment with poetic forms as a creative constraint, share our discoveries and creations with other writers, and delve into performance strategies for open mic in this community-oriented class. First-time and experienced writer’s welcome.
Ages 16 and up. Cost is $88 CAD through the City of Windsor Recreation & Education program.
Classes are every Tuesday evening, in person at Mackenzie Hall Cultural Centre, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for the period of July 8 to August 26, 2025.
Register online here.
Adult Creative Writing Course (8 Sessions)
This course focuses on contemplative reading as well as prompts for generating micro memoir, flash fiction, poetry and prose that will turn seemingly mundane moments pulled from life into expressions of art. We will also collaborate and share work drafted in class, participating in informal critiques to learn what resonates with readers. First-time writers and experienced authors are welcome.
Ages 16 and up. Cost is $88 CAD through the City of Windsor Recreation & Education program.
Classes are every Tuesday evening, in person at Mackenzie Hall Cultural Centre, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for the period of July 8 to August 26, 2025.
Register online here.
Free Creative Writing Class for June is Recreation & Parks Month (JRPM)
Each June, as part of a province-wide movement, the City of Windsor participates in June is Recreation and Parks Month (JRPM). The city’s recreation department is hosting a bunch of free classes and activities to get our community active.
I’ll be teaching a free, one-hour creative writing workshop for those aged 60+. Join me this Thursday, June 26th at Forest Glade Community Centre starting at 1 pm for contemplative reading and some writing prompts about summer to get the creative juices flowing. Register here or call Central Registration and Booking at 519-255-1161.
Perambulating Prompts: A Creative Writing Walk
Part of the schedule of for the Windsor-Essex Jane’s Walk Festival 2025!
Connect to neighbourhood sights and invoke the senses to generate draft material. The purpose of this walk is to notice and note, share and connect, and, hopefully, use these impressions to activate/reinvigorate creative writing projects.
Registration is free, though limited! Signup here.
Poetry: The Art of Line & Stanza
Learn about the structure of a poem and how technical elements function. From stanza to line to word to white space, writers will play with the words in the poem, reflect on them and make connections between form and function. Please bring multiple copies of the same poem to the workshop!
Cost is $25 and includes free beverages. Workshop is limited to 12 participants and is held at Balanced Life Wellness Centre in Essex. This course is part of the monthly Writers Assembly series. Check out future offerings by visiting BLWC’s website.
Please register ahead by contacting Michelle Weglarz.
Adult Creative Writing Course (8 Sessions)
This course focuses on contemplative reading as well as prompts for generating micro memoir, flash fiction, poetry and prose that will turn seemingly mundane moments pulled from life into expressions of art. We will also collaborate and share work drafted in class, participating in informal critiques to learn what resonates with readers. First-time writers and experienced authors are welcome.
Ages 16 and up. Cost is $79 CAD through the City of Windsor Recreation & Education program.
Classes are every Thursday evening, in person at Mackenzie Hall Cultural Centre, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for the period of March 27 to May 29, 2025. Please note there are no classes on Thursday, May 1 and Thursday, May 8, 2025.
Register online here.
Adult Creative Writing Course (8 Sessions)
—PLEASE NOTE COURSE WAS CANCELLED DUE TO LOW ENROLLMENT. CHECK BACK IN SUMMER FOR NEW OFFERINGS AT FOREST GLADE—
This course focuses on contemplative reading as well as prompts for generating micro memoir, flash fiction, poetry and prose that will turn seemingly mundane moments pulled from life into expressions of art. We will also collaborate and share work drafted in class, participating in informal critiques to learn what resonates with readers. First-time writers and experienced authors are welcome.
Ages 16 and up. Cost is $68 CAD through the City of Windsor Recreation & Education program.
Classes are every Monday evening, in person at Forest Glade Community Centre, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for the period of March 24 to May 26, 2025. Please note there is no class on Monday, April 7 and Monday, May 19, 2025.
Register online here.
Adult Creative Writing Course (7 Sessions)
This course focuses on contemplative reading as well as prompts for generating micro memoir, flash fiction, poetry and prose that will turn seemingly mundane moments pulled from life into expressions of art. We will also collaborate and share work drafted in class, participating in informal critiques to learn what resonates with readers. First-time writers and experienced authors are welcome.
Ages 16 and up. Cost is $70 CAD through the City of Windsor Recreation & Education program.
Classes are every Thursday evening, in person at Mackenzie Hall Cultural Centre, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for the period of January 23 to March 6, 2025.
Register online here.
Adult Creative Writing Course (6 Sessions)
—PLEASE NOTE COURSE WAS CANCELLED DUE TO LOW ENROLLMENT. CHECK BACK IN SPRING FOR NEW OFFERINGS AT FOREST GLADE—
This course focuses on contemplative reading as well as prompts for generating micro memoir, flash fiction, poetry and prose that will turn seemingly mundane moments pulled from life into expressions of art. We will also collaborate and share work drafted in class, participating in informal critiques to learn what resonates with readers. First-time writers and experienced authors are welcome.
Ages 16 and up. Cost is $71 CAD through the City of Windsor Recreation & Education program.
Classes are every Monday evening, in person at Forest Glade Community Centre, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for the period of January 20 to March 3, 2025. (Please note there is no class on Monday, February 17 in observance of Family Day.)
Register online here.
Youth Creative Writing Course (6 sessions)
—PLEASE NOTE COURSE WAS CANCELLED DUE TO LOW ENROLLMENT. CHECK BACK IN SPRING FOR NEW OFFERINGS AT FOREST GLADE—
This course focuses on prompts for generating micro memoir, flash fiction, poetry and prose that will turn moments pulled from life into expressions of art. We will also collaborate and share work drafted in class to learn what resonates with readers.
Ages 12 to 15. Cost is $42.50 CAD through the City of Windsor Recreation & Education program.
Classes are every Monday evening, in person at Forest Glade Community Centre, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for the period of January 20 to March 3, 2025. (Please note there is no class on Monday, February 17 in observance of Family Day.)
Register online here.