Scroll down to start your Writing Journey
Check out our in-person and online
courses to find the best one for you.
Teen Creative Writing Summer Camp
Join us this summer for an interactive, fun approach to Creative Writing taught by professional working artists in the field. In this one week-workshop style summer camp, teens will write stories, novel excerpts, nonfiction, and poetry in a fun, inclusive environment. Our goal is self-expression. Our methods are learning by doing, teaching young writers to find their unique voice. Young writers will try out different styles in their writing, and follow the artistic process to see where it leads. The workshop will culminate in a final reading and chapbook-style zine produced by the class. There will be an optional reading on the mic and final showcase on the last day that friends and family can attend. This camp will be held at Harvey Milk Center for the Arts at Duboce Park in San Francisco.
Harvey Milk Center for the Arts
50 Scott Street
San Francisco 94117
Instructor: Alexandra Kostoulas
Schedule: M-F 12:00-5:00pm
Advanced Prose: The Art & Craft of Storytelling
Learn to craft and hone your fiction and nonfiction longer works using the nine universal elements of storytelling.
Harvey Milk Center for the Arts
50 Scott Street, San Francisco
Instructor: Alexandra Kostoulas
Schedule: Saturdays 10:30am-1:30pm
Online
Threads & Breaks
Explore the power of storytelling by crafting very short stories and long poetry. Experiment with both forms.
*This class will skip April 5
Instructor: Paul Corman-Roberts
Schedule: 11:00am – 2:00 pm PT | Sundays
In-Person
Intro to Fiction
For beginning fiction writers ready to write stories and scenes that work.
Harvey Milk Center for the Arts
50 Scott Street, San Francisco
Instructor: Nick Mamatas
Schedule: Saturdays | 2:00pm-4:30pm
Manuscript Intensive Workshop
Edit your novel, memoir or poetry manuscript with one of our fabulous mentors!
Instructor: Nick Mamatas And SFCWI Mentors
Schedule: asynchronous
Feb 23 – Mar 23, 2026
Online
Refining Your Fiction
By immersing ourselves in short stories and novel excerpts, we’ll see how authors utilize different craft elements to enrich their work, as well as for inspiration in our own writing. Get feedback on your writing, helping you polish your prose, whether you’re writing a coming-of-age YA novel or multi-POV sci-fi epic
Online
Instructor: Ben Adams
Schedule: Thursdays | 6:30-8:30 pm PST
Feb 12 – Mar 19, 2026
In-Person
Intro to Fiction
For beginning fiction writers ready to write stories and scenes that work.
Harvey Milk Center for the Arts
50 Scott Street, San Francisco
Instructor: Nick Mamatas
Schedule: Saturdays | 2:00pm-4:30pm
In-Person
Advanced Prose: The Art & Craft of Storytelling
Learn to use the 9 universal elements of storytelling to create a compelling and realistic story that readers can feel.
Harvey Milk Center for the Arts
50 Scott Street, San Francisco 94117
Instructor: Alexandra Kostoulas
Schedule: Saturdays | 10:30-1:30
Jan 31 – Mar 7, 2026
In-Person
Write Your Year: New Year’s Planning Workshop
Did you make a New Year’s resolution to write more in 2026? Jumpstart your writing journey with a 2-week in-person workshop that supports your goals.
Harvey Milk Center for the Arts
50 Scott Street, San Francisco, CA
Instructor: Alexandra Kostoulas
Schedule: Saturdays | 10:30am-1:30pm
Jan 10 – 17, 2026
In-Person
Method Writing
Finding your voice in poetry and prose. Learn to start from where you are. Find your deep voice. Use it to tell unforgettable poems and stories.
Harvey Milk Center for the Arts:
50 Scott Street, San Francisco, CA 94117
Instructor: Alexandra Kostoulas
Schedule: 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Nov 8 – Dec 13, 2025
In-Person
Intro to Fiction | Sept 13-Oct 18 2025
Where does your story start? How on Earth do you keep it going? What’s the difference between ending a story and just stopping it? Learn the architecture of story and build your own with Nick Mamatas.
Harvey Milk Center for the Arts
50 Scott Street, San Francisco
Instructor: Nick Mamatas
Schedule: 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Sep 13 – Oct 18, 2025
In-Person
Creative Writing Summer Camp | August 18-22
A week-long summer camp for teens who love to write in San Francisco! | Week 2: August 18-22
Harvey Milk Recreational Arts Center
50 Scott Street, San Francisco
Instructor: Alexandra Kostoulas
Schedule: 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Aug 18 – 22, 2025
Online
Threads & Breaks
Explore the power of storytelling by crafting very short stories and long poetry. Experiment with both forms.
*This class will skip April 5
Instructor: Paul Corman-Roberts
Schedule: 11:00am – 2:00 pm PT | Sundays
Online
Refining Your Fiction
By immersing ourselves in short stories and novel excerpts, we’ll see how authors utilize different craft elements to enrich their work, as well as for inspiration in our own writing. Get feedback on your writing, helping you polish your prose, whether you’re writing a coming-of-age YA novel or multi-POV sci-fi epic
Online
Instructor: Ben Adams
Schedule: Thursdays | 6:30-8:30 pm PST
Feb 12 – Mar 19, 2026
Online
Revolutionary Poetry Workshop
Write poems that matter rooted in social justice.
Online
Instructor: Tongo Eisen-Martin
Schedule: Tues /Thurs | 6:00-7:30 PM PST
Jan 20 – Feb 19, 2026
Online
Write Your Year: New Year’s Planning Workshop
Did you make a New Year’s resolution to write more in 2026? Jumpstart your writing journey with us in four Friday sessions in zoom.
Instructor: Alexandra Kostoulas
Schedule: Fridays | 12:00pm-1:30pm PST
Jan 16 – Feb 6, 2026
Online
Manuscript Intensive Workshop
Edit your novel, memoir or poetry manuscript with professional guidance!
Online
Instructor: Nick Mamatas & SFCWI Staff
Schedule:
Jan 13 – Feb 7, 2026
Online
The Poetry of Healing: The Body
Our bodies are a memoir to ourselves. We will write poems to our hearts, minds, bodies, and emotions. The course uses visualization, affirmations, and the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), known as “tapping.” Writing poetry that is in support of you, and is your words of empowerment. No one needs to be a poet. It is simply freedom with words that are healing for you.This class is open to all.
Instructor: Dr. Kim McMillon
Schedule: 10:30 pm – 12:30 pm PT
Nov 15 – Dec 12, 2025