Creative Writing Workshops

Angie Tonucci led a creative writing club for teens locally at the public library in Springfield, IL from 2016 until the pandemic hit in 2020. It was hugely popular, and we had a lot of teens involved, calling them the "Imaginators" as they worked together twice a month to brainstorm ideas, practice writing exercises, start new creative projects, and finetune their skills. After a long hiatus, WE ARE BACK for both teens AND adults! And now, because we will be virtual, the workshops are open to everyone, no matter where you are! The meetings are a safe and positive space for learning and sharing. We encourage diverse personal experiences in writing by being open to all, and we have a strong focus on empowering marginalized voices. BIPOC, LGBTQ+ people, and people with disabilities are especially encouraged to participate!

In addition to the monthly workshops, we have a Discord server that anyone can join, whether or not they participate in the Zooms. We use it to keep in touch and motivated between meetings. There are writing prompts and challenges, resources, book recommendations, contest links, space to share work-in-progress for feedback, and more! Join our server here.

Complete the form below for more information and to sign up! The Zoom link will be sent to participants a few days before the next meeting!

Writing Workshop Registration Form

Name

Pronouns

Email Address

Birthday (only required for minors)

Phone Number

Location (City, State or Province, Country)

Emergency Contact Name/Relationship (only required for minors)

Em. Contact Phone (only required for minors)

Help us get to know you! Totally optional; answer whatever questions you like! What types of creative things do you like to do? Who are your favorite authors or artists? What genres do you read and/or write? What do you hope to learn or accomplish as a part of this community? Do you need any accomodations to participate in our online spaces or local events? Anything else you'd like to share?

By checking this box and submitting this form, I understand that VGVS is a nonprofit creative collective, and our workshops promote the uncensored sharing of ideas and personal experiences. They include collaborative discussion of creative topics as well as writers’ and artists’ completed projects and works in progress. Each individual participant has exclusive ownership and copyright protection of their original creative work and all associated intellectual property. All Zoom meetings are recorded for the purposes of protecting those intellectual property rights. Recorded workshops are only shared among participants who have submitted this registration form. By checking this box and submitting this form, I agree that I will not disclose any private information or others’ original creative work or copyrighted ideas that are shared during the workshops. I agree never to share Zoom meeting links or video recording links with anyone.

Your form has been submitted! We'll be in touch soon!

Angie is an editor, author, and poet who has extensive professional experience with kids and teens, including three years as a substitute teacher with Virginia Beach Public Schools, eight years working with schools, Girl Scout troops, and other organizations as a Humane Educator, four years as the Volunteer Manager of the Animal Protective League, two years with Springfield Public School District 186 as an AVID tutor, two years as an AmeriCorps Youth Mentor with Boys & Girls Club of Central Illinois, two years as a Science Educator for the NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador Program, and three years as an LGBTQ+ Youth Group Facilitator for Phoenix Center.

References for Angie are available upon request, and parents/guardians of minors are welcome to join in on their child's first meeting to check it out!