One of the core missions of Beacon LitFest is to bring writers and readers together through educational programs that celebrate diversity and craft. In partnership with Beacon Arts, we launched a nonprofit daughter project, Beacon LitWorks: Writing Workshops as a new way to keep the festival’s energy going year-round.

Last June, as the closing event of the festival weekend, Beacon LitWorks hosted a full day of professionally led, two-hour writing workshops. Community authors offered sessions in fiction, memoir, poetry, and journalism — guiding participants through writing, brainstorming, and sharing their work.

Building on that success, the Beacon LitWorks team is planning even more opportunities to learn, write, and connect in the year ahead. Look for affordably-priced workshops in venues throughout Beacon, highlighting our walkable city and vibrant literary community. Watch for new instructors, new topics, and fresh ways to join the conversation.

What Happens Next? Writing Suspense Fiction

• Sunday, November 16, 2025

• 2:00 PM 4:00 PM

• That Creative Space (map)

Why do some stories keep us turning pages late into the night? The answer is suspense—the essential ingredient that hooks readers, raises the stakes, and makes them care deeply about what happens next. In this class, we’ll explore techniques to build tension and experiment with ways to make your writing truly un-put-downable.

Fresh Visions: Creative Writing Workshop

• Sunday, December 7, 2025

• 2:00 PM 4:00 PM

• That Creative Space (map)

Over the past 20 years, award-winning author Julie Chibbaro has taught many how to reach their inner writer. Her unique craft talk and prompts will help writers expand on their ideas and apply laser focus to character, plot, how to 'show' not tell, and how to gradually raise the stakes in their stories to glue readers to the page.In this intensive and informative hands-on workshop, participants will complete and share new work or polish ongoing work to submit for publication.