Creative Writing Workshops

Hosted by the Sands Point Preserve in collaboration with The Story Round, these skill-based writing workshops are designed to inspire writers of all levels. Set against the stunning backdrop of Castle Gould, Hempstead House, and the Long Island Sound, writers will engage in exercises that blend the art of storytelling with the natural beauty of the Preserve.

This series of 5 workshops include a study of imagery and mood, setting and movement, world building, character and conflict, and literary performance. Register now and let your writing journey begin!

Join us for all 5 workshops, or drop in for one.

Admission (includes parking and all fees):
Members: $30
Nonmembers: $35

Click here to purchase tickets.

Imagery and Mood: Thursday, August 8 at 6 – 7:15pm
Explore the beauty of the Sands Point Preserve through the art of descriptive and reflective writing.  Through guided observations of the natural world, writers will engage all of their senses to create original works inspired by the grounds and by personal experiences.

Setting and Movement:  Thursday, August 22 at 6 – 7:15pm
Creating a compelling setting, especially one through which a character moves, requires the ability to generate language that brings the scene to life. In this workshop, centered around the playground and Learning Center at Sands Point Preserve, writers will use active language in their descriptions to convey movement and atmosphere.

World Building: Thursday, September 5 at 6 – 7:15pm
Inspired by the architecture of Sands Point Preserve and the historic Castle Gould, this immersive workshop will guide you in crafting worlds that challenge the norm and redefine reality. With expert guidance from The Story Round, you’ll embark on a journey to create a world unlike any other.

Character and Conflict:  Thursday, September 19 at 6 – 7:15pm
Bring the imagined world of Castle Gould to life by crafting characters and developing conflicts. With the help of The Story Round, writers will breathe new life into the historic castle by exploring the journey of an original character.

The Art of Reading to an Audience: Thursday, September 26 at 6 – 7:30pm 
A key component of writing is the ability to share your work effectively. With the help of The Story Round, writers will gain an understanding of the art of reading their work to others. This workshop will cover topics such as pace, tone variation, enunciation, gesturing, and eye contact. For the second part of this session, writers will invite friends and family to the Hempstead House Garden for a celebratory reading of their works.

About the instructors:

Jennifer Albertson – Founder & Facilitator
Jennifer Albertson has been an educator for 13 years. She has a BA in English from Emory University and a MS in Adolescent Education from St. John’s. She is dual certified in English and Special Education and has a Masters in K-12 Literacy. Jenn facilitates writing workshops ranging from college essays and memoirs to fiction and poetry.

Eva Shtein – Founder & Facilitator
Eva Shtein has been an educator for 18 years. She has BA in English from Stony Brook University and MS in English with a concentration in Creative Writing and 20th Century Theater. She also has an extension and is licensed 5-12. Eva has taught
creative writing for the majority of her career. She has both participated in and helped students participate in national and international writing contests.