VERGENNES — Bixby Memorial Library will offer a full plate of writing programs this fall and winter that promises to take writings from idea to a finished draft. A new class from local educator and writer A. Jay Dubberly kicks off the program that includes weekly workshops, monthly table read events, dedicated writing periods, and more hosted by the Vergennes library.
Beginning this Monday, Oct. 2, Dubberly will lead a new five-week class titled “Writing the Marathon,” meeting at the Bixby on Mondays from 6-8 p.m. The course will focus on preparing would-be writers for the grueling process of writing a longer work, taking them through topics like three-act structure and the makings of compelling story and character. The class will be appropriate for writers with interest in or already engaged in a novel, screenplay, teleplay, stage play, graphic novel, novella, or collection of short stories or poetry.
The course will function as a supportive community to get each writer through a project and aspires to foster a group that will continue to meet after the six-week period to share feedback. Organizers said the class would be excellent for any writers aspiring to take on the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) challenge.
A. Jay Dubberly is a graduate of Goddard College’s MFAW program with a focus on screenwriting. He has taught at Keene State College, Goddard College, Burlington College and currently works for Community College of Vermont. He is co-founder and editor in chief of Zig Zag Lit Mag.
Following the “Writing the Marathon” class, the library will be a “Come Write In” location for NaNoWriMo in November. Organizers have scheduled regular work periods, continued weekly workshops, and other events, including a book display highlighting resources that will help aspiring writers. The library’s book discussion groups will also be given optional writing prompts when they discuss this year’s Vermont Reads book, “Brown Girl Dreaming.”
Keith Morrill of Little City Editing and Zig Zag Lit Mag will lead a workshop beginning in January on the subject of revising longer works of creative writing. Writers, including those who have joined the library’s classes and NaNoWriMo events or who have been working on their own, are invited to examine, assess and improve the narrative structure of their work.
Bixby Library’s writing program and associated events will be free and open to the public. The calendar dates for the Writing the Marathon class are Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 — there is limited space available so please make sure you are able to attend all of the classes.  Registration is required for some programs, including the “Writing the Marathon” class.
Contact Muir Haman, Bixby Library’s adult services librarian, at [email protected] or 802-877-2211 x208 with inquiries or registration.