About Writers & Books

Writers & Books
Promotes Reading and Writing
as Life-Long Activities for
People of All Ages and Backgrounds

Who We Serve

Each year our programs and services engage more than 25,000 Rochester-area residents of all ages and backgrounds in locations throughout the community.

How We Serve Them

Our programs reach people of all levels of interest in reading and writing and are designed to help people discover the important part that literature plays in our individual lives and the life of our community. Our programs are many and varied and reach out to constituencies of all ages and backgrounds living within our region, and include:

• writing classes and workshops for youth and adults held at our facilities;
• outreach programs held throughout the community, in schools, hospitals, libraries, senior citizen centers, recreation centers, and social service agencies;
• readings and talks by visiting and regional writers;
• residency programs at our rural retreat center, The Gell Center of the Finger Lakes;
• an annual Festival of Reading;
• an annual Regional Playwriting Competition held in collaboration with Geva Theater;
•  internships in literary programming and management for high school and college students.

Current Programs

Visiting Writers

Reading and talks by nationally recognized writers

Genesee Reading Series

This series, held monthly and now into its second decade, features writers from Rochester and western New York. In addition, other area writers reach local audiences through readings of plays-in-progress that are held intermittently and open readings that are held monthly.

Residencies

We occasionally have the opportunity to bring writers from throughout the country to this community to be in residence at the Gell Writers Center of the Finger Lakes for one to two-week periods. During their residency they devote time to their own writing and interact with individuals throughout the area through outreach programs scheduled in various community settings.

Educational Programs

Workshops and classes are offered year-round in writing, publishing, and the book arts at both our facilities.

Outreach Programs

We sponsor writing workshops on site at elementary and secondary schools and, in a new initiative, at various other locations, such as libraries and senior citizen centers, throughout the area.

Book Sales

Our bookstore offers a selection of titles by regional and visiting authors.

Conference & Retreat Center

The Gell Writers Center of the Finger Lakes, made available to Writers & Books' members at low rates, provides a peaceful respite from the normal routine of daily life for writing and retreats.

Publications

We publish books that are an outgrowth of our programs and that reflect our mission to best serve our audience and the field of literature.

Internships

Through arrangements with local schools and colleges, students can earn credit by working at Writers & Books. Students gain first-hand knowledge of literary programming and arts administration.

Library/Research Center

Our collection of contemporary poetry and criticism, as well as our archive of taped readings is available for use by the general public.

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